Opportunities for Bead Artists

Here are a few upcoming opportunities for bead artists.

Art of the Bead - Call for Submissions
The Art of the Bead is looking for 5 new bead artists to represent and introduce to an international audience at Bead & Button 2014. Deadline to submit is March 15th.  Read all the details on their website here. Open to US artists only.

Art Bead Scene Sponsors and Guest Contributors
Would you like a month of free advertising on the Art Bead Scene? Click here to read our sponsor and submission guidelines.  We'd love to partner with you!  We are interested in tutorials, articles on the jewelry designing process, and features with beadmakers and designers.

Bead Cruise Sponsors
We are looking for beady items for our gift bag.  If you'd like to get your beads into the hands of 50 very enthusiastic beaders and advertise in our awesome annual Bead Cruise Program that is featured here on the Art Bead Scene, check out the details here.

Interweave's Beads 2014 featured in Jewelry Stringing Magazine
Have your beads featured in the best bead guide published! Deadline is March 15th, read all the details here.

Call for Entries: Lark Publishing's Showcase 1000 Beads

I just found out about a new opportunity for beadmakers and I just had to share it.

From Julie Hale of Lark Jewelry & Beading...

Lark Jewelry & Beading (http://www.facebook.com/LarkJewelryBeading) seeks
excellent photographs of original, contemporary beads in all materials to
publish in a new juried, international collection in our 500 Series of
books: Showcase 1000 Beads. This book is scheduled to be published in April
2014. The book will be juried by glass beadmaker Kristina Logan. 

{Stunningly gorgeous glass beads from artist and juror Kristina Logan called Sophia Necklace 2009. See more lovelies on her website}

We welcome and encourage submission of photographs of your handmade beads in
all materials, including glass, metal, polymer clay, metal clay, ceramics,
paper, fiber, plastic, wood, stone, etc., and in all design styles.
Photographs of beads incorporated in jewelry or other artwork, in which the
beads are highlighted, will be considered. Beaded beads are also acceptable
as submissions. All work must be made no earlier than 2010, and the more
recent the work the better; we would prefer to see your 2012 work over your
2011 work, and your 2011 work over your 2010 work.

We strongly prefer images of beads that have not been published previously,
and please do NOT submit images of pieces that have been published in any
Lark book. We can accept only high-quality digital images. Artists will
receive full acknowledgment within the book and a complimentary copy.
Artists retain copyright of their work. There is no entry fee. All
submissions must be submitted electronically through Juried Art Services.
Note that there is no fee for using Juried Art Services. The entry page can
be found at the following link:
?http://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=614.

Entries must be submitted by May 10, 2013.

All visuals submitted must represent work that is original in design. A
maximum of four entries per artist is allowed, so please submit your best
work. An entry may consist of no more than two visuals: an overall shot and
one detail (or alternate view); the detail shots are not required. The
primary images you submit should each be different designs. For example,
please do not submit four variations of very similar beads; instead, submit
one bead from each of four series.

Important: Lark will only publish photos of entries containing images and
text that are free of copyright or for which the artist (or approved
institution) holds copyright.

If you are a beadmaker or know someone who is (;-) be sure to get your bead on and your entries in! Let's make this book a great showing of the Art Bead Scene community! Tell us.... what bead artists would you like to see in the Showcase 1000 Beads?

Bead Trends Call for Entries

Do you know what brings joy to your favorite beadmakers?  Having their beads used in your designs submitted to publications! 

(Photograph courtesy of Bead Trends, design by Heather Powers.)

This topic caught my eye from Bead Trends magazine:

Bead Trends is currently looking for designs with the following themes for our October 2010 issue:

Handmade Beads - Whether polymer clay, PMC, or lampwork, artists make the most beautiful designs with handmade beads.

If you would like to submit your work to this publication, please e-mail a photograph, the name or title of your piece, and contact information to: beadsubmit@beadtrendsmag.com.

If submitting multiple pieces, please send a separate e-mail and photograph for each design.

Deadline for the October 2010 issue is 11:59 p.m. MDT, April 30th, 2010. All ideas should be your original work and not previously published. Visit their submission page for complete details.

Beads In Space

For the glass beadmakers who read our blog, there is a fun call for entries from the Beads of Courage group.  They are looking for space-theme beads to send to outer space on a NASA space shuttle!  Once the beads return to planet earth they will be gifted to kids who are battling serious illnesses.  Check out the Beads of Courage blog post for all the details.

If you haven't heard of Beads of Courage, visit their website.  This is a great organization that deserves lots of support.  Beads of Courage accepts donations of all sorts of beads.  What a great way to use our beady powers!

Call for Entries: Bead Dreams 2010

Bead and Button's
2010 Bead Dreams Contest

Joan Miller's “Mermaid and Sea Creatures” 

(made from porcelain&porcelain slip)

FIRST PLACE, handmade beads and buttons, Bead Dreams 2007

Categories this year

I, as are many other ceramic clay artists, am happy to see the first category return. Tonya Davidson of Whole Lotta Whimsy (fellow clay artist) is the sponsor of this category.

1. Handmade Buttons or Beads - NEW for 2010 - A unified collection of 4 or more buttons or beads in any media including but not limited to ceramic, raku, resin, bone, etc. (This excludes lampworked, glass, polymer clay, metal clay, and beaded beads.) 2. Wirework - NEW for 2010 - This category will include jewelry, accessories, handmade beads, jewelry-related objects and sculptural objects that are made predominately with wire or in which the primary techniques used are wirework techniques. 3. Lampwork / Glass This category will include beads, buttons, components, jewelry, or jewelry-related objects that are 85% or more glass made by the applicant. Entries that use someone else's glass beads or components should be entered in the Finished Jewelry category. 4. Polymer Clay: This category will include beads, buttons, components, jewelry, or jewelry-related objects that are 85% or more polymer clay. 5. Beaded Objects or Accessories: This category will include a non-jewelry item or accessory, including, but not limited to, purses, shoes, sculptures, or wall hangings. 6. Seed Bead Jewelry: This category will include beaded beads, a piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is predominantly seed beads or bugle beads, including, but not limited to, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. 7. Crystal Jewelry: This category will include a piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is predominantly machine-cut crystals, including, but not limited to, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Jewelry made using fire-polished beads, or cathedral beads, should be entered in the Finished Jewelry category. 8. Finished Jewelry: This category will include a piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is made from materials such as, but not limited to, glass beads, crystals, semi-precious stones, wire, metal clay, seed beads (piece must be less than 50 percent seed beads), found objects, etc. 9. Metal Clay: This category will include beads, buttons, components, jewelry, or jewelry-related objects that are 85% or more metal clay.

Deadline for entry is April 5, 2010
Entries are only taken online.
Click here for the application.

Get your Buttons & Beads On and enter!

Bead and Button Show
Marketplace June 11-13 
Classes begin on June 6.

Do you rock?

You guys should totally enter, Art Bead Scene readers do rock!

News from Rings & Things:

Boost your inspiration! Start designing now for Rings & Things' 2010 "Your Designs Rock" Contest! It's not just a jewelry contest — your entry can be anything, as long as it includes components sold by Rings & Things.

Entries are accepted January 1 through February 28, 2010, but don't wait to start designing. Enter by February 5 and we'll include you in our Early-Bird Raffle for the chance to win a goodie bag! Enter for the first time and we'll include you in our New-Entrant Raffle for another chance to win a goodie bag!
The 2010 design contest categories are Glass/Crystal, Gemstones/Pearls, Mostly Metal, Metal Clay and Found Objects/Miscellaneous. Winners will be announced in June.

The 2010 Grand Prize is a $750 Rings & Things credit. First-Place Winners (one for each category) will win $250 R&T credits. Honorable Mention Winners will receive $75 R&T credits.

For full details, visit www.rings-things.com/contest.

Wirework Book Giveaway

Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping
by Dale Armstrong is a new book out from Interweave.

Here is the description from Amazon:
"Seeking new design possibilities combined with solid technique instruction, intermediate artists can achieve the look of designer wire jewelry with this step-by-step guide to wireworking. The introduction to materials, supplies, and techniques includes such topics as how to work with hard wire, when to use tempers and why, using geometry in wire jewelry formulations, shaping with and without mandrels, and choosing the right gemstones, among others. Following the introductions are 18 classic, stunning projects that explore and hone the skills developed throughout the guide, as well as a gallery of sample work for further inspiration."

We are going to draw one lucky winner to receive a free copy of Dale's new book.

To enter:
Leave a comment with a link to your favorite online wire tutorial. Any project, whether free or one for sale. Leave a link to the tutorial and check back next Tuesday to see if you are the winner.

Deadline is Monday June 22nd.

Check out the comments to see my favorite online wire tutorial.

Got a Minute? Lark Design Challenge

Jewelry Design Challenge: 30-Minute Necklaces
Editor: Marthe Le VanEntry
Deadline: August 3, 2009

From the Lark website:
"Are you a skilled and imaginative jewelry designer who is up for a challenge? Great! Your mission is to design a necklace or pendant that can be made…start to finish…in 30 minutes flat.

30-Minute Necklaces will showcase more than 50 incredibly stylish step-by-step projects that can be created without investing too much of a valuable commodity—time! The selected designs will be modern and sophisticated and encompass many different styles and techniques. The common denominator will be fast projects that look terrific!

PS: In 30-Minute Necklaces, we won’t be teaching fundamental jewelry making techniques. Designers can assume that their readers are already proficient (and quick!) at the basics."

Download the entry form here.

Halstead Grant

Call for Entries - Jewelry Business Development

Grant Deadline: June 17, 2009

Award: $6,000 in start-up cash and materials

No entry fee required

Application details at www.halsteadbead.com/grant

Halstead Bead, Inc. is calling for entries to its fourth annual Business Development Grant competition for new American jewelry designers entering the bridge jewelry trade. The grant will be awarded to a winning candidate in August. All finalists will be eligible for a mentorship program that matches new designers with established and successful jewelry entrepreneurs.

The Halstead Bead Business Development Grant differs from other jewelry industry competitions and awards because of its emphasis on business skills. Entrants must demonstrate not only extraordinary design, but also a strong business strategy.

Designers utilizing a wide variety of fabrication techniques including casting, lampworking, precious metal clay, beading, or metalsmithing are eligible to enter the competition. Candidates must be US citizens who began their businesses after January 1, 2006.

Bead Scoop - Celebrating Beads Contest!

From the Bead Museum, DC:

"Join us as we launch our first annual international, juried beading and design competition; what we hope will become the most prestigious beading contest worldwide! This will be the Bead Museum, Washington D.C.'s largest fundraising event in our museum's history! We aspire to capture audiences and artists from afar to introduce them to the wonderful world of beads! We wish to showcase beads in a new fashion, celebrating bead artistry and the designers who turn beads into art today!"

Visit their website for the details. The email submission deadline is 8/8/08.

And check out the Bead Museum, DC. Looks like a good place to spend an afternoon!

Call for Entries - Your Designs Rock!

Gather up your Rings and Things supplies and start creating for the 2008 Your Designs Rock contest. After all, you could win $750.00 in store credit at Rings and Things if you are the Grand Prixe winner! There are also $250.00 prizes available for the six category winners.

If you work in Glass, Gemstones, Mostly Metal, Polymer Metal, Metal Clay or Alternative Materials you qualify to enter. The deadline for entries is February 28, 2008 and the guidelines can be seen here.

Call for Entries - Bead Dreams 2008

It's that time of year again, Bead Dreams is currently accepting online applications. Get out those art beads and make something spectacular! The deadline is April 4th.

Call for Entries for Metal Clay Book

This post is a call out to all you designers/beadmakers out there. Looks like a great opportunity!

Call for Entries

Book Title: Picture Yourself Making Metal Clay Jewelry: Step-by-Step Instruction for Forming, Firing, and Constructing Finished Jewelry

Publisher: Thomson Course Technology

Series: This text will be part of the publisher’s “Picture Yourself” series.

Author: Tammy Powley

Contact Information: tammypowley@yahoo.com

Estimated Publication Date: May/June 2008

Call for Entries Deadline: There are two deadlines: studio/work area pictures December 10; projects/gallery pictures January 7, 2008.

Book’s Focus: The focus of this book is super simple to make metal clay component projects (charms, pendants, beads) teamed up with basic jewelry techniques resulting in projects which allow readers to make finished jewelry pieces showcasing their metal clay creations.
Audience: The audience is the interested hobbyist who has very little if any metal clay or jewelry making experience.

Project Descriptions: All metal clay projects will be designed to use low-fire metal clay (either PMC3 or Art Clay 650) and will be small enough to allow firing by either a hand-held butane torch or hot pot. The projects will include instructions for both making the metal clay component (such as beads or a pendant) as well as incorporating this item into a finished piece of jewelry (such as earrings or a necklace). Therefore, other jewelry techniques including basic bead stringing and wire work will be covered as well.

Studio/Work Areas Submission Instructions: One chapter of the book will describe how to set up a place to form metal clay items and one to fire metal clay items. Therefore, I am looking for artists to share pictures of where they work, from the super simple to the ultra fancy from neat as a pin to messy as all get out. Images must be sent in digital .jpg format, min. 300 dpi, emailed to tammypowley@yahoo.com by December 10, 2007. Please include “metal clay book” in the email subject line.

Gallery Format Submission/Instructions: All items submitted for the gallery must be sent in digital .jpg format, min. 300 dpi, emailed to tammypowley@yahoo.com by Jan. 7, 2008. Please include “metal clay gallery” in the email subject line. Along with the image of the finished jewelry piece, include type of clay used, form of firing used, and any other materials information.

Though low-fire clay items are encouraged, since that is the focus of this book, other types of clay items will be considered for gallery inclusion. Those artists selected for the gallery (included in the final published copy of the book) will be required to sign a release for publication form and will have their names and contact information (if desired) included in the gallery section.

Project Format Submission/Instructions: Though the author will create the majority of projects for the book, some projects by guest artists may be included if they are deemed appropriate for the scope of the book.

Entries should include projects using low-fire metal clay (either PMC3 or Art Clay 650) and should be fired using either a butane torch or hot pot. A list of supplies and basic techniques should be included along with step by step digital color images of the process. (The author will write up complete instructions for any accepted projects.) Images should be clear, high quality, .jpg format, min. of 300 dpi, and emailed to tammypowley@yahoo.com by January 7, 2008. Please include “metal clay book project” in the email subject line.

Those artists selected for the projects section (included in the final published copy of the book) will be required to sign a release for publication form and will have their names and contact information (if desired) included in the text. The author will also send them a free copy of the book when it is released for publication.

Disclaimer: The author will accept submissions in good faith and as she deems appropriate for the book; however, this does not in any way guarantee publication since other issues such as space, page numbering, page breaking, etc. can require the publisher to make alterations to the finished text without the author’s knowledge.

Call for Entry - Beads of Whimsy

The Textile Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Upper Midwest Bead Society is calling for entries for a gallery exhibit which will highlight the creativity of bead artists internationally. The exhibition, Beads of Whimsy, will run from March 7 - April 12, 2008 in the Joan Mondale gallery at the Textile Museum.

All entries must contain at least 50% beads, have been created after January 1, 2007 and be whimsical in nature. "Artists are encouraged to let their imaginations fly to create something in a whimsical spirit." Wearable and non-wearable submissions such as necklaces, purses, wall hangings and sculpture will be accepted.

The deadline for entries is November 30, 2007.

Prizes for October Challenge

Our prize for this month's Art Bead Scene monthly challenge is worth over $250! October's Art Bead Scene Challenge theme is Gothic Queen.

The prizes have been generously provided by talented bead artist, Cindy Gimbrone and the fabulous bead supplier, Rings & Things!

Rings & Things has provided a gift certificate for a $100 shopping spree from their catalog or website. OH yes, one lucky little devil gets to go shopping for beads! Rings & Things has top-notch customer service, a great selection and can provide all your findings and accent beads at wholesale prices.

If you haven't been to one of the their trunk shows, I highly recommend them. I mark on my calendar when they come to town and never miss it! You can read on my blog about the bead stash I plundered at their show earlier this year.

Here is a detailed look at all the boo-tiful art beads that will go to the winner of this month's challenge...Cindy has graced us with an incredible selection of lampwork beads.

Her spiral beads were featured earlier this year in Beadwork magazine and she has donated one in a dark smoky brown. Also included are a goddess in fall colors, a flower focal bead, a set of fun green, black and red beads, another set of beads in purple, orange and cobalt, along with flowers and a hand bead in matching colors. Cindy's beads are bold and playful, visit her website to see more of her amazing work.

To enter your submission, visit our Flickr group.

One winner will be randomly drawn from all the qualifying entries. The deadline is midnight, October 31st.

We look forward to seeing your dark and spooktacular creations. Good Luck!

ABS Monthly Challenge - October

Good morning ghouls and goblins. Join us this month for a spooky challenge, if you dare! Our theme is Gothic Queen. This can encompass anything Halloween related, the gothic style or dark color combinations like black with red, orange or purple, if Halloween just isn't your thing.

Scare us with your brilliant designs by posting your wonderful entries to our Flickr group. Our sponsors this month are Cindy Gimbrone Beads and Rings & Things! The prizes will be posted tomorrow.

The Details: This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc.

***Beads by themselves DO NOT qualify. Pendants need to be shown on a chain or cord to qualify.

***Please add the tag or title OctABS to your photos .

Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog or website, if you have one.

***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 art beads.

How to enter: Submit a photo of an object you have created with art beads that fits this month's theme to the Art Bead Scene 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 tag or label your entry: OctABS.

Your entry can feature art beads created by you or someone else. Each entry has to have at least one art bead.Each unique entry that incorporates an art bead and the monthly theme will qualify for the drawing. The winner will be randomly drawn from all the qualifying entries on October 1st. Enter as many times as you'd like.

Good luck and happy creating!

p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness!

The photos featured today are posted on Flickr. Click on the links below to learn more about each one and their creators:

1. Black and white flameworked boro beads, 2. Brass filigree, layered dot beads, red, black & white, 3. Sedona Sands, 4. Skeerdy Cat Hairstick with Polymer Clay Bead, 5. Frankenbead, 6. 2 black cats, 7. Bali Eyes Lampwork Earrings - SRA, 8. Black & White Lampwork Sterling Silver Bracelet - SRA, 9. HalloWings Lampwork Necklace - SRA, 10. Hallowed-art pendant, 11. july 5 010, 12. Gothic Lightning, 13. gothic, 14. Spooky, 15. a wicked creature

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Call for Entries - Refined: Abundance

REFINED is a bi-annual exhibit of jewelry and metal work hosted by the School of Art at Austin State University in Texas.

This year's juried exhibition seeks to exhibit the wide breadth of originality throughout the world in response to the concept of "Abundance" in the medium of jewelry. "The theme should be understood in the broadest of terms, seeking to accommodate a range of work - from flamboyant to a more quiet expression - while responding to the theme conceptually or formally."

The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2007 and application and guidelines for submission can be found at the university's website.

Call for Beaded Art: Art Bead Dolls

The Land of Odds is hosting their third bi-annual Beaded Art Doll Competition. The theme for the competition is "Celestial Reflections." What is a Beaded Art Doll? From the Land of Odds website:

"A Beaded Art Doll is a physical representation in three dimensions, using human figural and expressive characteristics, through the creative use and manipulation of beads. Beads are a unique art medium, allowing multidimensional surface treatment, and phenomenal opportunities for interplay among colors, light, shadow, texture and pattern. Beaded Art Dolls submitted as entries for this Competition should be immediately recognizable as a “Doll” as defined above.

That said, Beaded Art Dolls submitted as entries for this competition may be realistic, surrealistic, whimsical or imaginary. They may be humanistic, animalistic, caricatures, cartoons, impressions or abstractions. The doll may take many forms, including a figure, purse, box, vessel, puppet, marionette, or pop-up figure.

Beaded Art Dolls should be between 8” and 36” in size. The surface area of the doll must be at least 80% composed of beads. "

The Land of Odds has posted detailed information on their website with lots of helpful links to assist you in entering. Deadline is August 31, 2007 - get your art beads and needles and be creative! Good luck!

(Photo credit: St. Fedupia by Kathleen Lynam posted on the Land of Odds website.)

Bead-A-Day Call for Submissions

Bead and wire artist Sharon Hessoun is the new editor for the Beading Bead–A–Day Calendar by Accord Publishing. She is in the process of compiling the 2009 edition. Believe it or not, the 2008 calendar has been printed and will be arriving in your local bookstores within the month!

The 2009 calendar will have different projects and inspiration pieces from the 2007 and 2008 editions, as well as basic instructions in numerous techniques. If you have a project that you’d like to have considered for inclusion in the 2009 calendar, please contact her at calendar09@gmail.com .

Don’t be shy! This is a great way to get your work “Out There”! If your work is included, you’ll receive a free copy of the calendar as your payment, along with your contact information published with your project!

She hopes to hear from many of you with projects and inspiration pieces to consider! There are a lot of days in a year!

Halstead Bead Development Grant

Not only does Halstead Bead Inc. carry an excellent selection of beads and findings for the discerning jewelry designer, but last year they began sponsoring an annual Business Development Grant. This grant targets designers in the bridge jewelry market and is intended to give fresh, innovative designers an edge in an increasingly competitive market, made so by overseas designers and mass merchant retailers.

Bridge jewelry fills the gap between costume jewelry and fine jewelry. It is characterized by moderately priced precious metals like silver and copper along with embellishments such as semi-precious stone, pearls and crystals.

You can find the application for this grant at Halstead Bead's site as well as hints and tips for preparing the application. Halstead notes that the biggest weakness they saw in the 2006 applications was a clear understanding of a designer's target market, and they include some helpful information about this topic in the Hints and Tips section.

The winner will receive a $5,000.oo business grant, a $1,000 Halstead Bead, Inc. gift certificate, a full page profile in Halstead's catalog, and press releases in relevant industry publications, as well as a plaque. Last year's winner was Ananda Khalsa whose outstanding work is featured in this post.

Good luck to all who apply!