Do you look in your bead stash and want to sit down to create but find yourself overwhelmed by years of purchases and too many choices? My dear auntie was in need of inspiration for some upcoming shows so I suggested this muffin challenge to her as a way of breaking through being overwhelmed by a stuffed craft room.
The challenge is simple:
Fill the cup of a muffin tin with everything you need for one project – so the focal bead, accents, chain, findings – whatever you would need to complete one project and put that in one cup. Repeat with the other 11 cups. You now have 12 projects in a portable container ready for you to put together. Grab your pliers/tools and sit somewhere comfy with your muffin tin and put each piece together knowing all your choices have already been made – your mission is to simply arrange those beads in a sassy design and complete those 12 projects as quickly as possible!
So let’s play! Grab a muffin tin and put together 12 projects by June 27th (Midnight CT). Yes, 12 projects in a week – you can do it! Take a photo of your muffin tin and one photo of all 12 projects – blog, facebook or add it to a free album like Flickr and share the link below. On the 28th, I will pick one winner to receive a Bead & Button grab bag from me valued at over $75, it will include art beads and some awesome goodies from the show.
*Addendum – if you complete 6 projects you can enter!
Pictured above are Rosanne’s treasures from Bead & Button and include art beads from: Golem Beads, Vintage Meadows, Lisa Peters and Humblebeads.
Danielle Olivyea Christian
June 21, 2011 at 2:56 pmThis is such a cute idea!
Kristen
June 21, 2011 at 3:27 pmI can do this ONLY if UFO's count.
Heather Powers
June 21, 2011 at 3:34 pmThey can include projects you have started – it coul also be 12 earrings or pendants.
Kristi Bowman
June 21, 2011 at 3:40 pmSo much FUN, I'm gonna give it a try!!
My Life Under the Bus
June 21, 2011 at 4:19 pmI can't decide!!! Today is the last day of school here – will I have enough sanity to do this???
I have tons of things in paper trays!!! *runs off laughing, maniacally pulling hair out of head and braking like a dog*
Therese's Treasures
June 21, 2011 at 4:21 pmAhh Darn, I would love to participate in this challenge, but unfortunatly I'm moving this week and even though I will be moved by the 26th I will not be organized enough to get 12 pieces done by the 27th. Happy creating to all of you that are going to do this challenge, I'll catch the next one.
Therese
Inner Earth Jewelry
June 21, 2011 at 5:26 pmGreat idea and might just provide the push I need…challenging for sure…
AJ
June 21, 2011 at 5:37 pmOh, what fun! Where IS my muffin tin? *rummages around in the kitchen*
chella
June 21, 2011 at 5:44 pmThis is a great idea! Thanks 🙂
Sandi Volpe
June 21, 2011 at 7:33 pmI love this, since my "studio" is in disarray, what a great project. Thanks for the inspiration.
Alice
June 21, 2011 at 7:42 pmWhat a great idea! So many times I go to my bead boxes and immediatly get overwhelmed on where to start. I want to try this but it just isn't possible right now, but I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.
Carol Tannahill
June 21, 2011 at 9:11 pmGreat idea! I've always got a dozen ideas in my head that never materialize. I may not get it done in a week, but I'll do it anyway for a laugh.
Kate
June 21, 2011 at 9:23 pmAwesome idea!
Elly Snare
June 21, 2011 at 9:28 pmReally really REALLY want to take part in this…but I'm in a similar position to Therese, moving house and need to concentrate on that 🙁 Looking forward to seeing the makes and will try do my own one once I'm settled in!
KayzKreationz
June 21, 2011 at 10:57 pmSounds fun. May have to try this one.
Connie Eyberg Originals
June 22, 2011 at 12:26 amThis is a great idea! I think I would need more than a week to do 12 projects, but we'll see. At any rate, I may try the muffin tin idea – but with a longer work time. Connie
somethingunique
June 22, 2011 at 12:38 amHi Heather, just what i needed to get me motivated for the up coming show in July! Great Idea
ttfn lana 🙂
Jen V.
June 22, 2011 at 1:03 amI already have a muffin tin started…whenever I see two or three beads that look awesome together because of a happy accident on the table I put them over in the tin to await being "filled out" for a whole project. So, I'm gonna get'em done!
Jen
chicandfrog
June 22, 2011 at 6:22 amThis is a great idea, not only the challenge but the advice too. Everytime I go through my purchases I really cannot decide what sould I pick and where should I start from. Putting together the beads before working is simply an instinctual, aesthetical act that could work for me.
Unfortunately I won't take part in this challenge, but I will surely look at the final projects.
Enjoy your creations,
Ambra
steufel
June 22, 2011 at 8:19 amWhat a cool idea – have to search for that da*** tin!
Mandy
June 22, 2011 at 9:20 amSuch a cute idea!
Grubbi
June 22, 2011 at 9:41 amGreat idea! I have loads of half finished projects lying around and a few new bits I'd like to put to some use. Will have to have a try! Now to find a muffin tin!
KeRobinson
June 22, 2011 at 10:21 amOoohh, I like the 'muffin tin' idea! Just love playing, sorting and re-araranging all my beads, in groups, but It would take me a week to make one, forget 12~ LOL!
Melinda Orr
June 22, 2011 at 10:39 amJen V..that's a great idea! Looks like fun…but I'm swamped right now!
Looking forward to seeing everyones projects!
Laura
June 22, 2011 at 12:15 pmWhat a great idea at the right time! 🙂 The unfinished projects are really starting to get out of hand here and are piling up on every available surface and on top of one another.. {off to wash that muffin tin}
Deci
June 22, 2011 at 1:42 pmWhat a great idea! I'm gonna try it, just what I needed!
Cillaw
June 22, 2011 at 1:55 pmWhat a great idea. I will give it a try. I can't believe the Golem beads were only $4.00~! I am sure I paid more for mine. Maybe the show had better deals. I like what Jen V. just said about keeping the beads together when you have a happy accident. That is a great idea too.
I am excited to see what everyone does!
Cilla
TesoriTrovati
June 22, 2011 at 4:33 pmOkay! Now I get what all this muffin tin talk is all about! I am not sure that I will have time to play but what a GREAT way to organize your stash! I am going to pick up a muffin tin (oh heck, just use one from my cupboard! It isn't like I am doing any baking!) and set up my goodie and stash that way. Super idea girls!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Anna Lear
June 22, 2011 at 4:40 pmGreat idea, and perfect timing: I'm house-sitting for a friend up in the mountains and need an easy way to bring some projects up here without lugging up my whole mess. Problem solved, and a fun challenge to boot!! I can't wait to see what everyone makes!
Rebekah
June 22, 2011 at 6:34 pmOh, I wish I didn't have so many deadlines to meet right now! This a fantabulous idea! I hope you'll do it again Heather, I would love to join in. Can't wait to see what everyone makes!
Linda Landig
June 22, 2011 at 7:20 pmThis is the perfect kick in the lower regions that I need to get going on a bunch of half-finished projects and various bead groupings that I have scattered all over the place. Creativity and de-cluttering in one fell swoop!
Leslie Todd
June 22, 2011 at 8:42 pmI love this challenge! My muffin cups aren't big enough though, lol. I'm going to have to put the whole thing in a box so stuff won't fall off the top of the muffin tin. And I doubt I'll get it all done by the 27th due to going out of town for a show but it will be fun anyway.
Littletreats
June 22, 2011 at 9:08 pmWhat a great idea. Regrettably I'm not within easy reach of my total bead and findings stash so no way I can do it this time. I'm going to have to get a tin to start collecting "matching" beads! Can't wait to see what you all come up with.
Laura
X
Deci
June 22, 2011 at 11:32 pmI got out a muffin tin and started cleaning up, spare beads, half beaded cabochons, etc. It was great and productive, but then I found this wonderful sun cab and started beaded a cuff…no way I can get anything else done. But what inspiration this was!
Marie Cramp
June 23, 2011 at 1:28 amOh! I so want to do this!! I hope I have time! I am making stuff anyways so maybe…
diamond earrings
June 23, 2011 at 11:25 amMost of the people who commented above wanna do this…. and me too…. awesome work… will definitely try this………..
Erin Fickert-Rowland
June 24, 2011 at 3:35 amWhew! I waited a bit longer than I should have to jump in to this great project, but my muffin tin is now full and I'll be beading like crazy until Monday! AMAZING idea, Heather! Thank you so very much for igniting our creativity!
Steph L.
June 24, 2011 at 3:22 pmWhat a great challenge! I finished all my pieces and loaded them onto Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/49076206@N07/
Stacey
June 24, 2011 at 3:32 pmWhat a terrific idea…I often put combos together and just stare at them too long…love the idea of getting 12 done in a week…great challenge!
Nicole
June 24, 2011 at 8:10 pmCool! I'm working on mine (almost finished)!!! I'm finding that the hardest part is getting the beads & findings OUT of the muffin tin 🙁 LOL
Rebecca
June 25, 2011 at 10:46 amWell, I was undecided but I'm going to give this one a go! I don't have a muffin tray but I have some silicone cupcake cases which I have filled instead 🙂
Nicole
June 25, 2011 at 4:28 pmAll done! That was fun (and challenging)!!! The first few were easy, but then the last few were hard!!! I put the photos on Flickr & my blog!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesjewelrycreations
http://nicolesjewelrycreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-accept-that-challenge.html
Grubbi
June 25, 2011 at 7:46 pmI've nearly finished. Have posted my muffin tin with projects to be completed on my blog and my Flickr
http://www.grubbi.co.uk/2011/06/abs-muffin-tin-challenge.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grubbi_/
Will be adding my finished pieces tomorrow! Really enjoyed this, thanks for the inspiration.
Cillaw
June 25, 2011 at 8:04 pmHi Heather,
I have finished my Muffins.
I can't add my blog to the list where it says "Links to this Post" because it only accepts blogger and I have a different blog, I don't use that server.
Thanks,
Cilla
http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Jen V.
June 26, 2011 at 10:39 pmI'm done! I took the tiny way out of this challenge with some mini muffins and earrings but they're all done and I'm tickled with the results!!
http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/2011/06/of-muffins-earrings.html
Thanks!!!
Jen
Bobbie
June 27, 2011 at 3:45 amThis was fun! I didn't get one picture with all the final pieces together, but they're all posted here:
http://beadsong.blogspot.com/2011/06/best-use-ive-made-of-muffin-tin-in.html
Thanks for a great challenge!
Leslie Todd
June 27, 2011 at 4:04 amI don't know what's up with the post a link thingie, but all the links seem to be to posts that are two or three years old. I couldn't figure out how to get it to work. I've posted pictures of my revised muffin tin and the six things I've completed so far on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lctodd/5875257989/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lctodd/5875816580/in/photostream/
A blog post will be up at http://www.nostoneunstrung.com shortly.
Grubbi
June 27, 2011 at 12:27 pmTried to add a link yesterday but it doesn't appear to have worked.
My finished pieces have been blogged here
http://www.grubbi.co.uk/
Kristi Bowman
June 27, 2011 at 1:03 pmI managed to get 10 pair of earrings finished, more than I thought I'd get done so I'm pleased. http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge-reveal.html
Karyn B
June 27, 2011 at 7:05 pmLoved this challenge. It forced me to design on the fly and not be so scared to start a project. Here's my 12 bracelets: http://plussizebangles.com/muffin-tin-challenge-complete/
Erin Fickert-Rowland
June 27, 2011 at 8:03 pmAnother "whew!" because I am done! This was a great challenge, Heather, and I am going to use it in the future to get myself creating bigger quantities at once. Plus, it finally got me over my intimidation of actually using my art beads! Thank you, thank you!!
Here's my link:
http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/2011/06/beaducation-abs-muffin-tin-challenge.html
Kate
June 27, 2011 at 8:08 pmLoved this challenge! Thanks for sharing such a great idea. Here's my reveal post.
http://tropicalblonde.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge-reveal.html
The original "before" post is here.
http://tropicalblonde.blogspot.com/2011/06/btw-6-22-11.html
Green Shoot Jewellery Designs
June 27, 2011 at 8:55 pmAll done! I really enjoyed this challenge, it really focussed the mind!
http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge-reveal.html
Rebecca
June 27, 2011 at 10:06 pmHi Heather! My finished pieces are here
http://songbeads.blogspot.com/2011/06/cupcake-challenge.html
And I've posted the pics on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/songbeads/?saved=1
I'm not really sure what you mean by adding a link but hopefully you have all the information you need here. I've loved this challenge!
For My Sweet Daughter
June 27, 2011 at 10:29 pmI am finished with my projects and put up my blog post! I am so proud of myself for not stopping at 6 and making all 12. What a great project. I had no choice but to use what I had on hand!
Shannon C
Shaterra Clay
June 27, 2011 at 11:03 pmI finished 7 pieces. Here is my link to my flickr album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23167817@N00/
AJ
June 27, 2011 at 11:49 pmI made all 12 projects — two days each of making 6 pieces of jewelry. So much fun! Here's the post with the completed items:
http://erthefae.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge-completed.html
For My Sweet Daughter
June 28, 2011 at 12:43 amwould help if I included the link huh?
http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge.html
Sandi Volpe
June 28, 2011 at 1:25 amOk I have 6 done, hope to finish 6 more by the end of the week, thanks for a great challenge, posted to flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandivolpe/
My Life Under the Bus
June 28, 2011 at 1:53 amI got to 10 : )
http://mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/my-life-under-the-bus/2011/06/mondays-muffin-tin-madness.html
WHEW!!!
Kristen
June 28, 2011 at 2:28 amI loved this challenge, fun and productive! Here's my blog post:
http://beadswedestudios.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-challenge.html
[email protected]
CraftyHope
June 28, 2011 at 2:29 amI thought I left my link here, but I don't see it on the list so I'm leaving it again. You can delete this if I'm doubling up.
Done!! http://craftyhope.blogspot.com/2011/06/muffin-tin-jewelry-time.html
Thanks so much for the challenge!
Kala
June 28, 2011 at 3:42 amThis was a fun challenge. I finished 11 necklaces.
http://maybejustperhaps.blogspot.com/2011/06/art-bead-scenes-muffin-tin-challenge.html
Holly
June 28, 2011 at 3:43 am::pant, pant, pant:: phew, I made it…gahhh!
This was fun! Here's my post:
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-all-about-muffin-mix-dudette.html
Mattias
June 28, 2011 at 4:19 amWow! I just found this this morning and decided to see if I could make the deadline 🙂 Here's my filled pan ready to go http://chaoticskye.deviantart.com/art/The-Muffin-Pan-Challenge-1-215360705
And here's my tray half completed.. one hour before contest deadline lol http://chaoticskye.deviantart.com/art/The-Muffin-Pan-Challenge-2-215360938
Fantasic idea 🙂 I think I'll keep my muffin pan full of ideas from now on 😉 (it's not like I actually bake it, anyhow 😉 )
Linda Landig
June 28, 2011 at 5:30 amYou can't leave a link unless you blog with blogger–I use WordPress. So if you'd like to see my challenge post, please cut and paste this address into your browser bar. Thanks!
http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/muffin-tin-challenge-finished-jewelry/
Nissa
July 16, 2011 at 1:12 amThis is such an awesome idea,unfortuneatly I came accross this a little too late :(. But I'm truly hoping that there will be another challenge like this and hopefully I'll be on top of it 🙂
I'm a new follower
Nissa
http://versatilejewelry.blogspot.com