For 2009 we have decided to put a new spin on the monthly challenges, instead of themes we are turning towards art history for inspiration. Each month we’ll choose a new painting to inspire our readers to create jewelry or bead embellished designs that use art beads!
For our January challenge I’ve decided to choose my all time favorite painting, Irises by Vincent Van Gogh. Both my favorite painter and flower all wrapped up into one glorious mix of color and texture! Your entry this month can be inspired by the colors, irises, pattern, whatever you choose to focus on for your creation. Just remember to include at least one art bead in your design. We can’t wait to see what you create!
The Prizes:
A winner will be randomly chosen from all the qualifying entries on February 1st. Our first prizes are two sets of Van Gogh inspired beads Humblebeads.com.
Lisa Peters has also donated a set of incredible raku beads. Photos of the prizes will be posted next week.
Featured Designer of the Week!
From all the entries during the month, an editor is going to pick their favorite design to be featured every Monday here on the ABS. We want to give our participants more time in the spotlight! Our Featured Designer will be this Monday, so get those entries in soon.
How to enter the Monthly Challenge:
1. Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme. This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc. The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork.
***Beads by themselves and beads simply strung on a chain or cord will not be accepted.***
2. Upload your photo to our flickr group. Detailed instructions can be found here and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can’t upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.
Please add the tag or title JANABS to your photos. Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.Deadline is December 31st.
Photos are approved by our moderators, if a photo hasn’t followed the guidelines it will not be approved. You may upload 2 photos a day.
What is an Art Bead?
An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist. You can read more about art beads here.
*** A bead that is handmade is not necessarily an art bead. Hill Tribe Silver, Kazuri ceramic beads or lampwork beads made in factories are examples of handmade beads that are not considered art beads.
p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.
artist
January 2, 2009 at 5:01 pmI am sure this will interest lot of folks.
Andrew Thornton
January 4, 2009 at 8:48 amIf you hurry and are in New York, Van Gogh has an exhibit at the MoMA. One or two days left, but well worth it!
cindy
January 4, 2009 at 2:06 pmwhat a beautiful picture and concept for this year, I love the blues in the painting.
Cindy
http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com
Cynthia
January 9, 2009 at 1:41 ama really bad repro of this painting hung in my elementary school and I always liked it, then I had the opportunity to see it in real life and was amazed…the colors glow and the flowers seem to move while you look at them…a great inspirational piece!
capitolagirl
January 9, 2009 at 4:49 pmGreat idea!
terib
January 10, 2009 at 5:14 amIs the deadline Dec 31st or January 31st? One of my goals for 2009 is to enter more design challenges and contests, so I’d like to see if this is still available. Teri
http://www.sandtcreations.com/wordpress
http://sandtcreations.etsy.com
Dale
January 15, 2009 at 9:16 amthis is such a wonderful idea for a challenge. I am interesting in participating, but i am unsure if wire pices we made ourselves or if we made a bead ourselves (not by a professional artist) count. Could you let me know?
Dale
January 26, 2009 at 12:34 pmokay awesome! I finished and uploaded my necklace to the flikr group. Is that all i have to do to enter the draw?
(thanks for answering all my questions lol)