2012 Battle of the BeadSmith Tournament

I LOVE the online beading community; it's such a supportive and hugely talented group of bead artists that encourage and inspire one another.  I'm constantly challenged to push the limits of my own beading abilities while being astonished by the artistry of others.  You might think that with so many beaders there would be a lot of competition and jockeying for position, but I've found quite the opposite.  Well, OK, maybe a little competition, but in a wonderfully good natured way.  In the words of The Beadsmith's Steven Weiss, "There are no losers, but there is only one winner!"
I was thrilled to have been invited to join The Beadsmith in the "Heavy Metal Jewelry Challenge" earlier this year.  To promote their line of metal seed beads a group of beaders were offered seed beads of their choice to create some heavy metal jewelry. 

"Heavy Metal" Copper Cellini Spiral

Inspired in part by college basketball's "March Madness, the Beadsmith has invited 80 seed bead artists from all over the globe to participate in an elimination tournament to determine which piece of their original beadwork best captures the imagination of their fellow designers, specialty bead shop owners, and members of various beading magazine editorial staffs.  I can't describe what an honor it is to be considered among so many of the "Bead Gods/Goddesses".


UPDATE: I have been paired with the incredible Christina Neit of GoodQuillHunting!  I have long considered her to be among my favorite bead goddesses, so I'm honored, inspired and perspiring!


On May 14th random artist pairings will be created establishing a first round of competition consisting of 40 artists vs. artist "contests".  Artists will then have seven weeks from the announcement of the first round pairings to create a single piece of original beadwork, and submit four photos best highlighting the works most important elements. The competitors not involved in a particular round plus invited judges will vote for the piece that best captures their imagination. A majority of total voters will determine a winner. All necklaces, bracelets, earring, brooches, headpieces, belts, handbags, or any other wearable adornments are acceptable for submission. The deadline for all of the submissions is July 10th.


Stay tuned to this blog and on facebook for updates and check out the incredible work of the participants on Facebook: Battle of the Beadsmith: https://www.facebook.com/thebeadsmith

Participants:
Australia:
Patrick Duggan
Melissa Ingram
Joanne Browne
Neva Brown
Lauren Macgregor
Maryanne Villalba
Karyn Healey-White
Noel Wyres

Belgium:
Laurence Dethier

Belgrade/Serbia:
Ella Des

Canada:
Jacquie Champion

Czech Republic:
Lea Palickova
Katka Vaclavikova
Marta Koudelova
Denisa Kangas
Iva Jar

Dominican Republic:
Edgar Lopez Disenos

France:
Anneta Valious
Mouna Marini

Georgia:
Tamuna Lezhava

Germany:
Elke Leonhardt Rath
Olga Haserodt

Hungary:
Annie Hatvani
Eva Dobos
Orsolya Füzesi
Ibolya Ingesné Barkóczi
Éva Csizmadia Lajosné
Katalin Budainé Nagy

Ireland:
Anastasia O'sarantseva

Israel:
Ann Braginsky
Miriam Cielo Shimon

Italy:
Eliana Maniero

Japan:
Guzialia Reed

Mexico:
Sigifredo Contreras

Netherlands:
Sandra Dokter van Esveld

Russia:
Irina Chikineva
Nella Moskvichjova
Julia Turova
Alla Maslennikova
Olga Shumilova
Ekaterina Kalinina
Marina Nosova

Sweden:
Olga Petterson
Misan Tejre
Nausikaa Dahllof
Anna Lindell

Singapore:
Helena Tang

Ukraine:
Alla Vizir
Katherine Gezey
Anna Bystryk

United Kingdom:
Heather Kingsley Heath
Jill Thomas
Lynn Davy

USA:
Linda Roberts
Sharayah Sheldon
Nancy Dale
Cynthia Newcomer Daniel
Marsha Wiest Hines
Carol Dean Sharpe
Christina Neit
Sue Horine
Alexandra Sydorenko
Betty Stephan
Callie Mitchell
Christian Rodriguez
Kinga Nichols
Mikki Ferrugiaro
Amy Katz
Kassie Inman
Dini Alves
Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten
Rosita Pisarchick
Roxan O'brien
Christine Boyer Maj
Kathy King
Susan Brackett
Hannah Rosner
Terri Richards
ARachel Nelson Smith
Ulyana Rakcheyeva Seryankina-USA