April 24, 2010

Bead Dreams 2010 Competition

After more than two weeks of waiting, which seemed like forever to me, yesterday evening I finally got a notification from Bead & Button about my first try in entering the Bead Dreams competition. I am disappointed, because my entries were not accepted... *double sigh*...
Congratulations to everyone who did make it to the finals! I can't wait to see all the pieces and I am sure each and everyone is a stunner! :)

I submitted two entries: The first is "Jerusalem" - a beadwoven necklace, made with seed beads and Swarovski crystals, and the other one is "Growing from Within" - a wire-wrapped necklace with Swarovski crystals.



 JerusalemBeadwoven Necklace



Growing from Within, Wire- wrapped Necklace




I didn't have too many high hopes as for the wire wrapped necklace (I have started working in wire wrapping only recently, but I thought I should give it a try), but I did hope that my beadwoven necklace would enter the finals.

I had the whole night to think about this experience. I realize that although I spent long weeks in designing and working on these two pieces (especially on 'Jerusalem') just to find out that they didn't make it to the finals - I don't regret trying to enter. I have learned a few important things about how to approach and plan a work for this kind of challenge and I have tested again my ability to work under time pressure (the wire wrapped necklace idea was born less than a week before the deadline). But good as this experience may be, it doesn't take out the sadness about not being accepted.

I remembered that Louise Hill, who is a creative, honorable, award winning bead artist and also a friend wrote about this rejection on her blog about a year ago. I read it again and it helped putting things in proportions... I remember Louise's words that she once wrote to me (reffering art in general) - don't let the rejection define who you are and what you do. Well, I am trying hard not to let this rejection influence me, my motivation and my creativity (I am almost done designing the last variation of a new beaded cabochon I have been working on in the past few days, so I am not letting this stop me now). I am not going to let this rejection change the way I feel about beadwork. I will keep creating what I love, whether in beadweaving or in other medium, and I will always try to do the best I can to be able to call my works "mine".

And I even think I would still like to try again next year. But in the meantime, as I said, I have a few projects in the works to finish (to be followed by tutorials). It's always been easier for me to "digest" unpleasant information or to think about problems while I'm beadweaving... and the Bead Dreams rejection is not an exceptional... ;)

Oh, and I want to say a big Thank You to each and everyone of you who took the time to answer the poll about tutorials here on my blog! About 70% of you said they'd prefer to have illustrations and that is exactly what you are going to get... a lot of them! ;) Thanks again!

37 comments:

  1. Smadar, I am touched by how my words have made an impression on you. I see incredible beauty, emotion and balance in your work. You are in good company because once again I have been rejected from this contest. I like to remember how Monet was rejected many times before the world realize his brilliance. Keep up the fantastic work!!!!

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  2. Smadar Your work is absolutely exquisite! I have to wonder what they do accept if such beauty is left out. You have created your own unique style, which I love and admire and I know many others do too. Keep creating your wonderful art!

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  3. Smadar, both of your designs are lovely. I especially like the Jerusalem necklace. Lots of time and effort with a beautiful result. The wire work is so lacy and lovely. A lot probably depends on the mood of the judges at any given moment in time--your time will come. Just keep on "keepin' on." CJ

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  4. Tali and CJ, thank you so much! Your warm words are much appreciated!

    Dear Louise, thank you once again for all the encouragement and support! It means a lot to me! I am sorry that you didn't enter as well but I admire you for keep trying!

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  5. I think both pieces are extraordinarily beautiful and the fact that they didn't make it in is in no way a reflection of your amazing talent!!! :)xx

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  6. Thank you Agi mama!

    And thank you too, Miriam, and a BIG congratulation hug on entering the competition! You are well deserve it! :)

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  7. I am so surprised that your entries have not made it into the finals - I love them both. Keep trying! You are a fantastic artist.

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  8. Like so many strong emotions, rejection can feel physical (like a slap in the face or a punch in the gut), but like physical pain, it eventually fades. With your talent, it shouldn't take long to move on from the brief dissapointment. I think your work is amazing - and I'm CLEARLY not the only one. Enter again next year and get these seen by as many people possible; they're stunning. Can't wait to see your next piece.

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  9. Beautiful pieces, both of them, finalists or not!

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  10. You are already a winner for those of us who read your blog. Your lovely work is an inspiration. You are quite right rejection cannot be allowed to define you it's just something to add spice to the fire of your creative spirit.
    I look forward to seeing more of your work over the year and can't wait to see how this experience inspires your piece for 2011.

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  11. I really like your first piece! And, don't worry about Bead Dreams. Create for yourself first, and you will always be a winner! :D

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  12. I love both pieces and I'm sorry you didn't get into the competition! Seems like you have a good perspective on it though :)

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  13. wonderful work....i love it.
    Your have much talent!!!

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  14. Both pieces are wonderful, but the Jerusalem necklace is truely spectacular! We all experience rejection in our lives, but if we are smart, we learn and grow from it as I am sure you will. Thank you for sharing your uplifiting spirit. Your amazing talent inspires me.

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  15. Please try again next year. Your work is beautiful.

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  16. Thanks so much for sharing your words. Neither of my entries made it in this year, but I'm more determined now to really kick it up a notch next year. Your work, as always, is breathtaking.

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  17. Smadar - you are an inspiration to me. Your work has always been...your generosity...and now the dignity and wisdom of this entry. Both pieces you entered are superb. You are not only a fantastic beader - but a great jewelry artist.

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  18. Smadar - Your work is always incredible, in my humble opinion. I am amazed at how creative you are, and I'm honored to count you among my friends.

    The Jerusalem necklace is gorgeous, but my favorite of the two is actually the wire wrapped piece. I love the simplicity of it, the colors, and the shapes of the leaves. It's wonderful!

    And even though they didn't make it into Bead Dreams, I think they're both worthy of being entered in other contests -- keep your eyes open! :-)

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  19. Aww you poor thing. All that work and then to be rejected really must sting. Your work is some of the most gorgeous beadwork I've ever seen. The designs are inspiring and wonderfully put together. I am sorry they did not choose your pieces. Their loss, because your work is divine!

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  20. Thank you so much, dear friends and readers, for your wonderful comments and encouragement! They really make me feel much better! :)

    Laura - a slap in the face is exactly how I first felt, but like a slap in the face, the pain fades as time passes... ;)

    Jama - I am sorry you didn't enter this year, but keep beading and don't stop aiming high... ;)

    Thanks again, everyone!

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  21. Your "Jerusalem" piece is so very beautiful, and it evokes that deep, mystical feeling that Jerusalem has, which people have tried to describe for thousands of years. It took my breath away, and made me write to a stranger.

    You can truly be proud of this piece forever!

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  22. Smadar- Your "Jerusalem" is absolutely stunning. I was shocked that it was not accepted. I can never figure out what exactly judges are looking for. I think it says more about the judges taste or style than it does about your jewelry. I know exactly how you feel- I have "suffered" enough rejection to keep me very humble. But then, something wonderful will come up and keep you going. Just keep creating your wonderful creations until the right people come along to really appreciate it- which I guess if you look at the comments- you can see they are all around you!!

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  23. Esther, your comment made me shiver.. Thank you so much for posting your comment, it made the whole thing even more worth while!

    Thank you too, Betty, I appreciate your encouragement! In a way, I think it's good not knowing what the judges are looking for - that way you can create more freely and from your heart...

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  24. Not accepted ?!? you made an exquisite beadwork : a beautiful idea , original and wearable ( that's important for me ).
    I tried to partecipate two years ago , but i was very sad because i guessed my necklace was pretty . This year i had a lot of work in my shop ...probably i will try another time.
    Don't worry , be proude of your necklace!!

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  25. Smadar you are an amazing artist and I have admired your work for months ( I am a new beader ) It is very sad not to see your art accepted. I hope knowing you inspire others is of some help to you. I will be making one of your designs soon!

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  26. Thanks so much, Claudia! I hope next year would be better for both of us.. ;)

    Thank you too, Kristen, and welcome to the amazing world of beading!, and I would love to see your work :)

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  27. If you have started recently on working wrapped wire, uhmmm What do you be able to do in the future? I love that necklace, it is really beautiful.

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  28. Cheer up, You are a great talent and you inspired many of us.You are a paragon of mine.Thank You!

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  29. Thank you so much, Lola and Zsuzsanna!

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  30. Breathtakingly beautiful jewellery, Jerusalem looks absolutely amazing and professional! I'm a beginner beader, i can't even imagine how many hours of work and how much talent it takes to create something as beautiful as these pieces.

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  31. I can not believe why your projetc were not selected to the Show. Maybe the Bead&Button managers were looking for a more accessible style for begginers/intermediate beaders.
    Your desings are amazing. Fist one stunning and gorgeous and the second one full of daintiness, elegance and extreme refined.
    Congratulations!!

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  32. Cecilia, thank you for your nice comment! I guess we all would have to wait and see what B&B picked for the show (in just a few weeks from now) ;)

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  33. Dear Smadar,
    I don't like the notion of comptetition in Art...One more time, proof is here. A great talent, amazing creations and finally an enormous disappointment.
    2 years ago I saw really stunning creations in Milwauke and some I dislike. I noticed that it was always the same creators year after year in those contests and sometimes nothing really original but too much "heavy/charged". I also noticed that american "eye" is not the same that europeean vision.
    So, keep faith and trust in you, don't worry and continue to do what you know so well how to make: beading, beading, beading!

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  34. Thank you for your comment, Pat. I appreciate your encouragement! I'll sure keep beading...as long as I can! ;)

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