Ever thought about entering a beading or jewelry-making contest? Contests motivate you to learn new skills and they also give you a deadline, ensuring that you won't procrastinate forever. Even if you don't win, you'll have a finished piece that you can submit to a magazine, sell to a customer, give as a gift, or just enjoy for yourself.
Current Beading Contests & Challenges
Here are some challenges and contests with deadlines through the end of March 2011:
2011 Jewelry Designer Competition (Miami Beach International Fashion Week)
January 15, 2011
Poetry & Prose (Stringing)
Design a piece of jewelry inspired by the theme using simple stringing and wirework techniques. Stringing offers a challenge with each of its quarterly issues, so if you miss this deadline, check the website to learn about the latest challenge.
February 11, 2011
Bead My Valentine (Happy Mango Beads)
Design a beaded project (does not have to be jewelry) for one of several Valentine-inspired categories such as "Puppy Love" and "Love Thy Mother (Earth)."
February 11, 2011
The Beaded Earth (Beadwork)
Create a beaded creation inspired by the "natural wonders of our world."
February 25, 2011
Your Designs Rock! (Rings & Things)
Submit jewelry designs created with Rings & Things products in several categories: Glass & Crystal, Gemstones & Pearls, Mostly Metal, Metal Clay, Polymer Clay, Mixed Media.
February 28, 2011
Seed Beads, Glass, or Acrylic Jewelry-Making Contest (Fire Mountain Gems)
Create an original design using materials such as seed beads and glass pearls. (Full list of accepted materials on the website.) They hosts contests throughout the year, so if this category isn't a good fit for you, there's probably another one that is.
March 7, 2011
Vernal Visions Challenge (Bead Maven)
Beadwoven or bead embroidered designs inspired by spring and the spring equinox.
March 21, 2011
Art Bead Scene Challenge
This monthly challenge is inspired by a work of art and must include at least one art bead.
Deadline: end of the month.
Monthly Challenge (Vintaj)
Create jewelry, handmade ornaments, cards, home decor, and accessories using Vintaj products.
Deadline varies; check website for details.
More Challenges
In addition to contests and challenges hosted by magazines and bead companies, individual designers sometimes host challenges. Here are two:
Lorelei Eurto
Lorelei has been hosting occasional challenges where participants buy the same materials and make their own original designs.
Margie & Me
A beadweaving color challenge hosted by La Bella Joya.
Upcoming Contests
I'll post an updated contest page in April, but for those of you who like to plan ahead, here are several upcoming beading contests with deadlines in April or later: Bead Star (April 1), Bead Dreams (Bead & Button), Bead for Success, Fashion Colorworks 2011, and Beaded Tapestry (Land of Odds). BeadStyle did not have any new challenges listed on its website at the time of this blog post, but there will likely be new challenges listed in later this year.
Good luck! And as always, if you know about another upcoming contest or challenge, let me know about it and I'll add it to this page.