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July 2015 "Finish It!" Design Challenge

7/8/2015

33 Comments

 
It’s that time again! Time for the “Finish It!” tutorial contest. A little bit of life got in the way of the (originally planned) April contest, and I was forced to postpone it, but I'm finally ready! Here you’ll find all you need to know about the contest and rules, but if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments below, or email me at the address provided later in the rules.

The purpose of this challenge is to encourage the participants to extend themselves, their talents and creativity, beyond the limitations of a single set of instructions and create pieces uniquely their own. Each contest has resulted in a wealth of beautiful and original artistic expressions, and I expect this one will produce no less the amount of brilliance. You have all amazed me with, not only your exuberance and enthusiasm, but your results as well, and I’m excited to see what this contest will inspire within you. Here’s the gist: At the bottom of this post is a link to a tutorial only 8 pages long, and ending abruptly halfway through the instruction. Your job is to create a piece beginning with the steps, as explained in the file, but ending with your own imagination! And blowing my mind... that's part of your job too. And you can do it, because it's been done every single time I've held one of these contests. If you are in doubt... just you wait... you'll surprise yourself.

Contest Rules


  • To assure fairness, only one element from the “Materials & Tools” list (provided in the tutorial) may be changed, and anything may be omitted entirely that isn't used in the provided instruction. The size of the stone can change, for instance, but lengths and gauges of wire may not. Gauge of wires may change, but lengths and size of stone may not. You can change from a bead to a cabochon, but only if they are the same size, and other materials may not be changed as a result. Tools not listed may not be used at all, except when soldering a closed jump ring, and the solder may not be used in any other part of the piece. Jump rings are a minor material and gauges, size, open or closed can be changed without effecting your one allowed material change. Oxidizing materials and tumblers may be used, as they do not directly influence the size and shape of the finished design.
  • When a piece is completed to his or her satisfaction, the contestant is asked to submit a single photo of a single finished piece via email, to nikki.hanna@gmail.com. Please title this email “Contest Entry”. The completed project may be photographed on a chain, if desired, and on any display. Please re-size photos to no more than 800 pixels, save the image file as "your name" only and send as an attachment (not embedded in the email).  Following these submission guidelines assures your entry is not missed! The deadline for this submission is Friday, July 31, 11:59 pm (US Eastern). Note: Photoscape and Picasa are both free programs suitable for image resizing and photo editing. Photo editing apps for smart phones and tablets, such as "Resize Me!", can be used as well.
  • On August 1, an album will be created on Pinterest containing the submitted entries, then put to vote before all participants. Note: By submitting an entry to the July 2015 “Finish it!” Tutorial Contest, you are granting Nicole Hanna permission to display your image online for the purposes of promoting or running this contest.
  • The participants will vote for “Group Favorite”, by commenting on their favorite entry (only one), with all votes submitted between Midnight July 31 and Midnight August 7. If you do not have a Pinterest account, or (for any reason) cannot comment on the entries, please submit your vote to nikki.hanna@gmail.com and I will comment on your behalf.
  • Votes will be tallied and winner announced Noon, August 8.
“Group Favorite” will win my completed version of this project, any three tutorials of their choice, and $25, deliverable via PayPal.

A “Judged Favorite”, chosen by a panel of four jewelry artists and three “consumers” (who are not participating in the contest), will also receive any three tutorials of their choice, and $25, deliverable via PayPal.

Every contestant will receive the finished version of this tutorial simply for participating. This tutorial will arrive as a reply to your submission email, within 24 hours of entry into the contest, so check your spam folder if you do not receive it within this time frame. Also, be sure your email host will accept incoming attachments. I've had many emails rejected (especially from AOL and hotmail accounts) because the mail box was full, or security settings do not allow attachments.

Happy weaving everyone, and I hope you have fun!

Note: Please access this file via a laptop or desktop computer. Some mobile devices are uncooperative with PDF downloads (I'm looking at you, iPad!), and I may not be able to address requests for manual email delivery of this file in a timely manner (thus using up your submission time).
33 Comments
Maria schumacher
7/8/2015 06:19:34 pm

Reply
Rebecca Spencer link
7/8/2015 11:01:46 pm

I am so looking forward to having a go at this! My mind's buzzing with ideas and if it's anything like last year I'll make 10 pieces and then not be able to decide which one to enter lol. Good luck to everyone! :)

Reply
Carina Veling link
7/9/2015 01:26:35 am

I can't promise I get the time for it, but I sure will try to join in the fun again.

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Marisa Willis
7/9/2015 04:55:05 am

I'm guessing the first (all) 19 steps in the tutorial have to be followed exactly - for example, the loop created in step 13 cannot be eliminated. Is this correct?
Thanks!

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/9/2015 05:38:05 am

Hi Marisa! Yes, that is correct. The steps should be followed exactly. :D

Reply
Brian Fegley
7/9/2015 05:11:00 am

Is this one of your older tutorials or a brand new, unreleased one?

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/9/2015 05:38:32 am

Hi Brian! It's a brand new lesson :D

Reply
Pam Kriner
7/9/2015 10:22:07 am

Is it okay to add an element?

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/9/2015 10:24:27 am

Hi Pam! You cannot add anything, only subtract items or make a substitution for sizing issues, for instance. So you couldn't have, say, two stones.

Reply
Lorraine robinson
7/11/2015 12:00:42 am

Just started this. First time working from a tutorial. Your steps are lovely to follow. I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve and hope I can do the design justice🐶

Reply
Elizabeth Bisogni link
7/13/2015 10:38:58 am

Hi Nicole! I don't remember, can we submit more than one design. I made 2 pendants and can't decide which one to enter.

Reply
Inma
7/16/2015 04:39:32 am

I copy: "When a piece is completed to his or her satisfaction, the contestant is asked to submit a single photo of a single finished piece via email, to nikki.hanna@gmail.com. "

Reply
KJ link
7/13/2015 11:28:32 am

I adore these contests. They are a great challenge to the imagination. They are also a challenge to my skill set but that does not keep me from giving it a try even if I never finish or never submit. This one seems particularly challenging. I look forward to seeing what everyone creates. Thanks Nichole for a well thought out challenge.

Reply
Kriner Pam
7/16/2015 05:25:28 pm

Okay...if "anything may be ommitted entirely that isn't used in the provided instruction" does that include the jump rings, the extra piece of wire, and the bead, if I so choose?

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/16/2015 05:31:17 pm

Indeed it does, Pam!

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Olga
7/19/2015 09:40:27 am

Hi, can I check with you about the wire gauges...You are providing USA gauges which are not available in Europe.
Would you be happy to accept 0.6 mm and 0.315 mm as the nearest acceptable equivalents and still allow a change to something in the material list?

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/19/2015 09:43:48 am

HI Olga! That's totally fine.

Reply
Laurie
7/22/2015 09:12:50 am

Hi Nicole, Is there a limit on the size or shape of the bead?
thank you

Reply
Danielle
7/25/2015 05:09:20 pm

I truly thought that this was going to be too hard for someone like me who has only made 2 pieces of wire jewelry, but I think this was a fantastic way to challenge what I have learned and to be creative! Thank you Nicole for doing this! What an awesome and unique contest. I finally made a piece that I am very proud of. I will be submitting my entry tomorrow.

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/26/2015 02:08:54 pm

I'm glad you had fun trying it out. I've always enjoyed seeing what others come up with!

Reply
Patience Pontious
7/26/2015 01:56:56 pm

I am not an advances weaver, but want to give it a go. Thanks. I finally found you and have been watching some of your videos. I am beginning to be a bit less intimidated. Hope I have enough time to finish it. May post as far as I get nonetheless.

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Nicole Hanna
7/26/2015 02:08:23 pm

I look forward to seeing whatever you share!

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Lorena
7/26/2015 06:44:48 pm

Hi Nicole! I'm also beginning with wire weaving and trying to give the contest a go :) But I wanted to ask if it's ok to use a bead of different size and shape or not. (it's a glass flower) Thank you!

Reply
Nicole Hanna
7/26/2015 07:28:44 pm

Hi Lorena! Glad to hear you want to give it a go. You are allowed one substitution for size and shape, so that would work fine. :D

Reply
Lorena
7/26/2015 08:23:33 pm

Great news, thank you!!! :)

Marisa
7/27/2015 03:42:08 am

"You can change from a bead to a cabochon, but only if they are the same size"... Lorena's glass flower would have to be 4mm. To be larger, it would still have to be round. Is this correct?

Kay Newman
7/28/2015 05:39:47 am

Hi, just sorted my picture out, and the instructions said to make it no more than 800 pixels. I did this, and the picture was so teeny you couldn't see it - I have therefore made the max width 800 pixels - is this right, or do I need to resize again? Thank you.

Reply
Dena White
7/30/2015 12:32:03 pm

I'm a novice but I had fun trying! Thanks Nikki, you rock!

Reply
Patience Pontious
7/30/2015 01:45:33 pm

Hi Nicole. Well, I started following your instructions, and had a great time learning how to weave. In my excitement, I forget the rules and kinds went nuts, adding beads, and wired. So I can't send you an entry. If you are interested, I can send a pic of what I did. You need only ask.

Since time does not permit me to make a proper one, I'll work on it next week and see if I can keep within the rules this time. LOL

I have learned a lot, but following instructions isn't my long suit. But I can try. I will love using what you have taught me in my work now. I was totally intimidated before this, but now I see things differently. Possible. You are great and so is your work. I'll love viewing what others have done.

Reply
Karin
7/31/2015 11:16:11 am

Wow, that was tricky, but a lot of fun as well :) I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has come up with.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and techniques with us, I'm learning so much!
You have been an artist I've admired for a while and I recently discovered your videos. Love them! Hope to learn more from you, really enjoying my first steps into wire weaving :)
Oh, and a suggestion, it would be great if you could create a Craftsy class or something similar; I would buy it in a heartbeat :)

Reply
Pam Kriner
8/1/2015 12:12:49 pm

I really enjoyed seeing all the different versions of this piece. In order to vote for my favorite, I only need to comment? Do I "like" or pin it? And does that mean I can't "like" or comment on anybody else's?

Reply
Cecilia Letelliere
8/1/2015 06:08:33 pm

I can not see the link for voting?

Reply
Nicole Hanna
8/1/2015 06:19:40 pm

Hi Cecilia! It's in the new blog post regarding the entries. But you can also see the gallery of entries here: https://www.pinterest.com/nhannajewelry/finish-it-contest-july-2015/

The entries are only open for voting to those who entered, but I'm definitely encouraging everyone to go check out the amazing pieces entered.

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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials
    • Tutorial Membership 2022
  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
    • GODDESS COLLECTION
    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving