Interview with the January Challenge "Rising Star" Winner

Lea Paličková is the 2017 Rising Star!

Congratulations on winning the Rising Star challenge. Your necklace is spectacular! 

First if you could provide a little background such as where you are from or live now and what your work or career is. Your Etsy shop profile mentions you study geography, are there any favorite places or influences that sparked your interest in that subject?

I come from Czech Republic, the home of well-known Czech glass beads. I’m just a regular girl that grew up in the country. I came to the „big city“ after getting accepted to the University, where I chose to study nature and geography. I wouldn’t say that anything specific led me this way, I’ve been just interested in all the things around me. I’ve always been interested mainly in the abiotic part of nature, and I’m still fascinated by weather… And now, when my university studies are over, this subject of knowledge makes my living. And what do I do when I come home from work? Beading, of course…

In your shop you offer many wonderful pieces of beadwork. How long have you been beading and how much time weekly do you devote to your craft?

I started with beading when I was a young girl, when I was stringing my mom’s and grandma’s beads. As I said before, my country is one of the biggest beads producer. Almost in every house you can find in the attic a huge chest full of old beads… So, it was easy to start playing with beads. I started beadweaving after years, approx. in 2009. This technique charmed me so much that even now I am able to spend most of my time beading. It’s hard to say how much time a week I spend beading, it depends on many conditions. I would say I spend with beading about 10-15 hours a week.

Do you have friends or relatives who also work with seed beads, or are there any beading societies or groups you belong to?

No one from my family is beading. If someone beads something, the initial impulse comes from me. Quite often my sister-in-law asks me to bring some beads along, because she wants to do something for herself. She uses my tutorials to create some floral jewelry.
On the other hand, beading is quite popular in Czech Republic and I’ve met a lot of interesting and inspirational people thanks to beading. Beading societies, like you can know from US, aren’t common here. Here it’s more a question of arranging meeting bead friends for a dinner or a glass of beer and then beading together all night long.


 Your work shows a wonderful interpretation of nature, is that the main source of your inspiration?

Yes, mainly I’m trying to find my muse in nature. This is the reason why I enjoy working with nature materials the most. I’m not good at using shiny Swarovski crystals, but psst don’t tell anybody. When I walk outside, I’m trying to perceive all colors and shapes of nature surrounding us. My most favorite season of year is definitely autumn. You can find everything in it: beautiful color transitions and often unsuspected color combinations, mysterious morning fogs and first hoarfrost as well. Anywhere around us is a lot of inspiration, you just have to keep your eyes open.

What artists or bead workers do you admire or feel have influenced your work?

I’m trying, as I always did, not to get influenced by other authors. Because of it, I use Pinterest as little as possible. I would like my work to reflect just my ideas and moods
However, there is a lot of beaders that I adore greatly. One of many is for example Kinga Nichols with her color and material combinations, Apollinariya Koprivnik with her sparkling treasures, queen of sea urchins Joanne Zammit and I can’t forget to mention my best-bead-friend Denisa Kangas

What are some of your favorite materials to work with?

I love to work with any natural material. Gemstone cabochons, druzies, any kind of fossils, pearls and shells, wooden beads, ceramics and so on… I rather work with irregularly shaped material. Glitter and perfectly polished surfaces gets me a little insecure, because I’m not always sure how to work with them to get the perfect result. I really love combination of matt and gloss and Czech glass beads.

Your patterns in your shop are lovely. I especially like the way you use the two holed beads in your designs. What are some of the joys you have experienced or challenges you have faced selling on Etsy?

The greatest joy is when you receive positive feedback of your work. Like when customer send me a picture of finished piece of jewelry made with my tutorial.

Where do you see your work with bead weaving evolving in the future?

My big dream is to have my own studio – room just for me and my craft passions. I hope it will be soon, because we are planning reconstruction with my boyfriend and I hope he will be kind enough to let one room for me in our future home
Anyway in this „dream studio“ I would like to have a craft oven for making ceramic, glass or even copper enamel. I would love to create my own components for my beaded jewelry.


Interview by Patti Parker

July Challenge Winner Interview: Svetoslava Todorova- LuckyDesignCrafts

Svetoslava Todorova is the winner of the July Challenge 'Mystical, Mythical and Magical Creatures'. We asked her to tell us a bit about herself.

See all the beautiful original submissions!

Check out Svetoslava's Shop

First of all I would like to express my gratitude to all Team members for being so kind with me and to beg for forgiveness - English is not my native and if there is something unusual, please be lenient.
I've been born in ancient town Plovdiv - the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.
Plovdiv is a beautiful small town in central Bulgaria. Its unusual very eventful history has left many valuable architectural monuments - Ancient Theatre, Roman Stadium, the Renaissance complex "Old Town" etc.
 
I love my hometown and where do I lived in the world, I always go back with love and warm memories of this little romantic place under the sun - home to many artists, musicians, writers ...
Now I'm living in London with my beloved family.
I finished my education with two master's degrees - Master of Music in Pedagogy and Performance - Classical piano.
 
Although I no longer practice my profession as a musician, for me the classical music will remain forever a fundamental and very important part of my life. I can't do anything without music - whether working or resting, there is always music. Very often through music I manage to visualize my ideas.

Long, long ago, as a child in the home of my grandmother I found an antique beaded bracelet, belonged to one of my ancestors. The bracelet was in poor condition and my grandmother told me that was made sometime in the 18th century. That was my first encounter with beads. But it all started decades later.
 
One day, three years ago, surfing the net, I came across a very beautiful necklace of beads. The author was Albena Petkova. Now I know that it is one of the most prominent masters, but then for me it was a miracle. So I started to follow the work of the beadweaving artists .
Actually I started working with beads at the beginning of this year. The start, of course was hard - did not know and could not anything. But it was so interesting and curious how a pile of beads can be obtained such amazing things. That is all. My curiosity turned into love, love has become a passion.
For me, as for every artist the greatest challenge is his latest work. I am a huge lover of Fine art. Currently I try to reproduce series of necklaces, borrowed from the paintings of Renaissance artists.
The challenge here is that a different material must achieve a similar effect. The exceptional skill of old masters in working with shade and their approach to detail for me has always been something special and difficult, because the paint must be replaced with beads.
The are three artists with very special part in my heart: Albena Petkova, Joanne Zammit and Nadia Gerber. Three different artists, three different styles, emotions, approaches to the material.
Lately I'm trying to build my own online shop: luckydesign.co.uk/, but it is not finished yet.
 
Warm hugs to all

Svetoslava/Sveti/

May & June Challenge Winner Interview: SunShine Sturtz- OfYourLove

See all the beautiful original submissions!

May & June

Check out Sunshine's Shop here

Congratulations on winning the May and June challenges. Your bracelet and necklaces were a wonderful realization of the themes.

I see you have a fondness for the whimsical in your jewelry. How do you come up with your designs?

My designs are almost always inspired by my components. I love components!! I rarely set out with very much of a plan other than a few key components laid out then it grows from there. This can sometimes backfire because sometimes I get many hours put in in and then I will want to do something else that wont work because of bad planning. This does however push me to get creative sometimes: "how can I make this work without taking it apart."

I love your May challenge piece, it interpreted the theme beautifully in a way that wasn't overdone. The energy of the gemstones make it seem magical. I found a few rough gemstones in Colorado when I was there years ago. Do you ever use found stones or objects in your work?

I have a collection of found objects, I have a collection of all kinds of things that I see as "beading components" that I will "use someday"

Your jewelry is bold, colorful and fanciful, and carries well over distance. do you have a theatrical background, or other training in the arts?

I don't have any "training" in any of the arts. I was in a few shows during my first attempt at college. I love theater, and I would get into it again if I had the time and/or there was community theater where I live.

The materials and style of jewelry sometimes encourage a first hand look. Do you have any other outlet like galleries or craft shows that allow people to see your work in person, and possibly drive sales to your Etsy shop as well?

I am a terrible sales person! Once in a while I bring out my dog related pieces to a dog show, but I rarely even attempt to sell things. I am not a very good business woman! I would rather invest the time in making more things. As a result though, I don't sell much. My next step in that kind of growth is to learn better photography.

Do you have a favorite stitch to use or type of jewelry to make?

I am addicted to Bead embroidery now. There are no rules. I can use any components, any beads, and it is very forgiving... there are no "mistakes"

How long have you been making jewelry, and is it your main focus in crafts or life?

I started playing with beads when I was about 12. I had recently acquired a step sister who was about my age, and she taught me the basic brick stitch earrings she had learned. Then for my birthday she and my step mom gave me my first little red toolbox with my first needles, and pliers and a few beads. But I only discovered BE about 5 years ago and that was the game changer. I wouldn't even say jewelry is my main focus with beads. I like to make "bead paintings" and I have big ambitions of making something sculptural soon! It's not my MAIN focus in life... It is probably tied with Newfoundlands. (hence some Newfy pieces in my beadwork.)

What are some of the challenges and joys you have faced with respect to your jewelry making and Etsy shop sales?

I barely have any sales in my etsy shop. Actually, the only reason I even opened one was to participate in the challenges. I think I have only had 6 sales since opening. But again, I am bad at marketing. The challenge has been to not worry about sales, and trying to make something that someone might buy. When I am driven by sales, I just get depressed that my stuff isn't selling, I tell myself "nobody likes my stuff." Instead, I just make things that _I_ like to make. that I WANT To make... if it sells, cool, if not, it is just added to MY collection. :)

Who is your favorite artist, be it in beads, painting or even music?

I am lucky to live near, and consider myself to be friends with two of the BEST bead artists in the universe: Kinga Nichols, and Heidi Kummli. Heidi was my first B.E. teacher, I am amazed by everything she makes. She has a knack for finding really unique components. I was honored to be invited to her first Shaman Bead Workshop, at her house which was amazing!! A very small group (5 I think) and two days spent up at Heidi's house in the most beautiful location!! (to me anyway, because I am a 'Mountain Kid') I met Kinga shortly after taking up BE, and I saw that she lived in the same town as me. at first I was intimidated by her awesomeness! Her work is incredible! The colors!! The textures!!! the critters!!! Turned out she was also simply amazing as a person!!!

And my sister. She is my favorite artist. She can do anything. She often helps me with designs, has made several components for me when I can't find exactly what I want, she makes it for me!! She can draw better than I can, so she has often sketched out my bigger ideas for me to work with. She is actually my favorite person in general. :)

Is there anything else you would like to add or say to the EBW community?

Thank you all for being awesome!!! The people I have met in the bead community, the friends I have made in this community are all awesome! Nice! Supportive!!! It's a fantastic loving community!!! THANK YOU !!!

Interview with April Challenge 'Pompeii' Second Place Winner Edita Kricenaite of RebelSoulEK

  

See all the beautiful original submissions!

 Make sure to also visit these links!

Edita Kricenaite’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RebelSoulEk

Edita 's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelsoulEk

Edita’s Website:  http://www.rebelsoulek.com/

Hello Edita,My name is Patti, interviewing you on behalf of the Etsy Beadweaver Team. Your Lava neckpiece is a wonderful mix of freeform and bead embroidery and a lovely interpretation of the theme. How do you design your pieces, do you draw them out first or just follow where the beads lead you?

Thank you for your nice words. I don't always use the same scheme. Sometimes I see my future works on dreams, sometimes I get a complete image in my mind and cant forget it till realization, sometimes I take interesting material in my hands and simply allow the flow of brainstorming, like a visionary I let the same material to tell its own story :).
I don't always do sketches, but noticed with the sketches I make fewer mistakes, less jewelries needs to be repaired. However work "on a flow" brings me much more fun and more unexpected decision. I can say that the method of creation is dictated by my mood.

Who is your favorite artist or bead artist, and why?

My favorite bead artist is Guzel Bakeeva (GBD). Her works are romantic and bold, modern but at the same time has that antique taste, and all of them are very artistic, original and unusual. Her shapes and color palettes are simply amazing. As I look at her works I feel that energy of maximum creative potentiality! I wish people looking at my work in similar way.

What are your favorite styles or stitches in beading, and your favorite materials to use?

My favorite style I can call "guns'n'roses". I mean I like romantic, slightly medieval style mixed with modern drama, freedom and a little drop of aggression. I don't like than my work seems to be too sweet. I love contrasts. Every time I seek to impress myself.
I usually choose bead embroidery, but also like bead weaving stitches (mostly herringbone or peyote). It’s hard to choose favorite materials, I like to use something new and something very shiny. I also like natural materials such as wood, semi-precious stones, copper, brass...

Do you listen to music or watch movies while you work on your beading?

I frequently watch movies, TV shows or listening to educational lectures. Very often my laptop is my worktable, and it is constantly covered with seed beads...

Is there a technique you are looking forward to learning more about?

I would like to insert more bead weaving element to my works. I think the most beautiful are mix technique works. For now I mostly use bead embroidery, because it is a less time consuming technique than bead weaving.

What do you like best about working with beads? What do you like least?

The most fascinating thing about beads is how very small seed beads can make a large object. Order out of chaos;). I also like to play with colors. Working with seed bead calms me, teaches patience, sometimes I feel when my mind falls into a trance. I love that state of being here and now. 
I like least ... when my embroidery thread ends! Each time this fact irritates me!!! I know it is stupid :D. I also hate when some very expensive beads accidentally spill on the floor... Well you know that feeling ...


What led you to working with beads? Do you have an arts background or training?

In Lithuania (my birthplace), we have a proverb, "The apple does not fall far from the tree." Meaning: Children Observe daily and - in Their Behavior - often follow the example of Their Parents. My mother embroiders pictures with seed beads. Previously I made fun of her hobby. It seemed a useless occupation and a waste of time. Then my own life turned so that I fallen in love with this hobby too.
After studies at Academy of Fine Arts (Bachelor of Architecture) I moved to another country (Italy). There I lived for a few years without a job and friends. At first I had to learn new foreign language, to make tons of new documents and adapt to the new way of life. It was a very difficult time for me with a lot of free (and boring) time! Then suddenly I found Bead weaving online courses and enrolled there. It changed my life. So far, my course teacher Vitalija Velyviene became one of my best friend and counselor in seed beads (and my own) life.

Italy is a beautiful country, and offers much to inspire, such as Pompeii. Is there another country you desire to visit, and why?

If only I could my entire life to dedicate to the trips and exploration of this world! Currently, I wish the most to see India, Japan and Australia. I like to travel to completely different environment where everything seems like a dream. I like to experience culture shock, because it makes me feel like a child, where the whole world is undiscovered miracle and full of opportunities! Such an inspiring feeling!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the EBW community?

I wish all members good luck, inspiration and lots of sales. 
I wish this lovely activity becomes the main job to every of them.
I wish each of them could unfold their uniqueness, sense of love and beauty. 
I believe our creativity could make this world a better place! So keep calm and don't stop beading :* .

Thank you so much. It is nice to learn about you and your methodology. I can't wait to see more of your bead work. Good luck with all your future endeavors.

Interview with Solar System Challenge Team Winner: Cira Troilo of Cira Design!

See all the beautiful original submissions:

Make sure to also visit these links!

Cira Troilo's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CiraDesign

Cira's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CiraDesignSoutache

Greetings Ms.Troilo,

Allow me to introduce myself; I am Patti, a fellow member of the Etsy Beadweaving Team.
Congratulations on winning the February EBWC, The Solar System. Your necklace is beautiful; I loved your interpretation of the planets and their orbits.

I'm flattered that you have contacted me following the challenge of winning the February EBW team, a victory that is unexpected for me.
With pleasure I answer the questions that you ask me, which will allow me to get to know better the group and followers.

Your soutache work is beautiful. I must admit I am not that familiar with the technique. How long have you been doing soutache work?

I have realized soutache jewelry for about 3 years now.

Where were you introduced to soutache? Have you taken classes? Do you teach classes or write tutorials?

I started to approach the soutaches self-teaching, I have never taken courses or read books about it. The techniques three years ago were not as widespread as now. One day, browsing the web, I saw pictures of these, such "strange things", I wanted to understand how they were made. So I bought the material and tried. Initially I was only doing horrible things, then watching a video on Youtube in Polish, and not understanding a single word of the woman who introduced it, I began to understand how to sew braids. Between the Italian soutache workers, I have been among the few pioneers who spread this technique in my country.




Do you sell your work in galleries or at shows as well as in your Etsy shop?

I sell my soutache creations via Etsy and on my Facebook page. In Italy, artisan work is little recognized and it is hard to find boutique or people that give you the opportunity to realize the dream of an exhibition or to see my works displayed in a shop window. I am self taught also in this: I created my logo, my banner, I try to make myself known with social media and with the internet tools, looking for customers, and I intend to postulate to shops. However, Italy has not recognized the right value to the "handmade", because people prefer the chinoiserie maybe even some bigger jewelery houses known.

Do you belong to any bead groups, societies or guilds? Are there other people you know who work in soutache?

Enrolled in various groups facebook Poles and Russians especially in the beginning, I have been much help on the Soutache technique, although I must say, creative people hardly reveal their secrets. Through the rhythm of numerous errors, I can now say I have reached a level that satisfies me.

One of the memories I have from my travels to Europe is the architecture. Is that one of your inspirations in your designs? 

Living in Italy and having in my cultural background as a humanities education, I am inspired a lot by nature, landscapes and monuments geometries. Inspiration of my work in soutaches are often typical Italian regions, such as I have recently created a collection dedicated to Sicily. Other times, however, I draw inspiration from the world of fashion, referring to designers like Valentino oppuro Roberto Cavalli. Elegance and inspiration, are some of the faces of my way of being.

Your choice of colors is so vibrant. Is color the first element you look to when designing your jewelry?

The colors are the strength of my creations, I can not create anything without the use of color. Few works are monochromatic, black above is almost banned in my palette, rare are the creations in this color. But also in my daily life I play a lot with colors in clothing, furnishings, or in how to wear makeup. I use it to cheer me up!



What other types of beads, stones or materials do you like to use? 

For my work in soutaches I prefer good quality material: hard stones, crystals, beads of the Czech Republic (which I collect), hand-made items I purchase from other creative to fit them in my creations. Rarely use plastic or stuff of dipoco value.

Are there other crafts or art that you do as well? Have you combined any of them with your soutache work?

In addition to soutache I really like the bead embroidery, but I do not get the results I want. I have got beads of various shapes and colors, but my embroidery technique is not yet blossomed. Every so often, to get away from soutache, I realize works in embroidery.

How much time a week do you have to devote to your jewelry making?

I dedicate to soutaches most of my free time: it is my outlet, it brings me up when I am down; to know I can create something beautiful that will be born from my own ideas and my hands, makes me feel good. Slowly it is turning into a job and very often in the past I have completed bijoux on order for special occasions such as weddings or major holidays.

(Cira) Thanks Patti, for the opportunity you gave me.


(Patti) Thank you Cira. It was a pleasure getting to know you better and having a chance to learn more about your work. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful soutache pieces in the future challenges. 
--------------------

Patti Parker is an interviewer part of the EBW blog team! (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseBluBeads)
Want your chance to be interviewed? Participate in the monthly challenges and try your luck!
Upcomming Challenge: March 2016 - Masquerade!

March 2015 Challenge Winner

Congratulations to Karen Parker from WizardIslandDesigns who won both the team and public votes with her fantastic "Monarch Migration" necklace!

TEAM VOTE RESULTS

1st place: Karen Parker from WizardIslandDesigns - 32 votes (36%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225089994/monarch-migration

2nd place: Dayna Miles from DaynaMilesDesigns - 10 votes (11%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225134186/the-bluebird-bead-embroidery-cuff

3rd place: Barbra and Meredith from bjswearableart - 9 votes (10%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/223893851/a-spring-garden-in-soutache-ebwc


PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS

1st place: Karen Parker from WizardIslandDesigns - 49 votes (25%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225089994/monarch-migration

2nd place: Mariya Zhalnina from BeadCatcher - 31 votes (16%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/208589567/welcome-spring-beadwoven-necklace-ebwc

3rd place: Angel McIlwain from PaintedTreeStudio - 24 votes (12%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/224863961/flight-of-the-bluebirds-or-spring


Congratulations everyone!

Thanks to all who participated in the March 2015 “Spring Migration” Challenge and to everyone who voted.

Announcing the Winners of our February Challenge

Congratulations to the winners of the February 2015 Challenge "Let The Show Begin!"

Team Winner & Public Vote Co-Winner:

Kris Empting-Obenland from KrisDesignFSP

Public Vote Co-Winner:

Mariya Zhalnina from BeadCatcher

TEAM VOTE RESULTS:
1st place: Kris Empting-Obenland (KrisDesignFSP) 16 votes (19%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/220907717/knutselkralen-necklace

2nd place: Ulrike Günther (PrettyNett) 14 votes (17%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/220057166/beaded-pedant-rising-star

3rd place: Mariya Zhalnina (BeadCatcher) 9 votes (11%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221429205/love-story-beadwoven-necklace-and

Well done also to Angel McIlwain (PaintedTreeStudio) who came in a very close 4th with 8 votes (10%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/219017307/carnival-let-the-show-begin


PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:

1st place: Kris Empting-Obenland (KrisDesignFSP) & Mariya Zhalnina (BeadCatcher) 28 votes (14%)
Kris' entry: https://www.etsy.com/listing/220907717/knutselkralen-necklace
Mariya's entry: https://www.etsy.com/listing/221429205/love-story-beadwoven-necklace-and

2nd place: Angel McIlwain (PaintedTreeStudio) 24 votes (12%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/219017307/carnival-let-the-show-begin

3rd place: Ulrike Günther (PrettyNett) 23 votes (11%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/220057166/beaded-pedant-rising-star

Congratulations everyone!

Thanks to all who participated in the February 2015 Challenge and to everyone who voted.

Congratulations to our "Rising Stars"!

Team Co-Winners: Diana and Joanne

Congratulations to our EBW Team co-winners for January 2015 “Rising Stars”. Diana of BeadworkAndCoe and Joanne of JoanneZammit both had 13 votes (22%).

Team Vote Results:

1st place: Diana (BeadworkAndCoe) & Joanne (JoanneZammit) 13 votes (22%)

Diana’s entry: https://www.etsy.com/listing/217275397/seed-bead-embroidery-necklace-beadwork

Joanne’s entry: https://www.etsy.com/listing/217378475/sea-urchin-necklacewith-seaglass-drop

2nd place: Linda (TraditionsJewels) 10 votes (17%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/214619605/the-ocean-floorfree-form-peyote-collar

3rd place: Ileana (enchantedbeads) 9 votes (15%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/215468373/ebwc-beadwoven-peacock-necklace-vintage



Blog Winner: Ileana

Congratulations to the winner of our public vote, Ileana of enchantedbeads who won with 86 votes (31%)!

Public Vote Results

1st place: Ileana (enchantedbeads) 86 votes (31%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/215468373/ebwc-beadwoven-peacock-necklace-vintage

2nd place: Joanne (JoanneZammit) 60 votes (22%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/217378475/sea-urchin-necklacewith-seaglass-drop

3rd place: Diana (BeadworkAndCoe) 30 votes (11%)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/217275397/seed-bead-embroidery-necklace-beadwork

Thanks to all who participated in the January “Rising Star” Challenge and to everyone who voted!

February "Warmth" Challenge Winners

Congratulations to Vicus for winning the popular vote on our blog for her entry, "Treehouse With Fire in Winter," with 89 votes!

Congratulations to WizardIslandDesigns for winning Team Vote. Her entry, "Phoenix Necklace," scored 13 votes for 1st place!

Our other Winners are as follows:
BLOG VOTE
 2nd place - zviagil, "Fire and Ashes Bracelet." 61 votes
3rd place - WizardIslandDesigns, "Phoenix Necklace." 48 votes
4th place - The VerdantEdge, "Fiery Embrace Choker." 42 votes
5th place - BeautyGlamourLuba, "Red Rose with Black Necklace." 36 votes
6th place - HauteIceBeadwork, "Crazy Quilt Cozy Collar." 35 votes
7th place - tattoedraven, "Memories of a Pendleton Blanket Necklace." 24 votes
8th place - AngelqueCreations, "Desert Fire Necklace." 19 votes
9th place - TraditionsJewels, "Winter Fire Shibori Collar." 18 votes
10th place - MaewaDesign, "Butterfly Shibori Necklace." 14 votes

TEAM VOTE 
2nd place - TheVerdantEdge, "Fiery Embrace Choker." 9 votes
3rd place - HauteIceBeadwork, "Crazy Quilt Cozy Collar." 8 votes
4th place (3-way tie) - beadn4fun, "Gone to Pieces Crazy Quilt," beadsandblooms, "Spiced Wine Shibori Cuff," and MaewaDesign, "Butterfly Shibori Necklace." 7 votes each
7th place (3-way tie) - TraditionsJewels, "Winter Fire Shibori Collar," Vicus, "Tree House with Fire in Winter Collar," and BeadCatcher, "You Are My Sunshine Necklace." 5 votes each

Congrats, ALL who entered! 

December "Out of this World" Winner

Exotic Alien Skin by tattooedraven

 Congratulations to tattoedraven December Challenge Winner of both the Internal Team vote and the Blog Vote! Raven's piece, "Exotic Alien Skin Bracelet," won the Team vote with 11 votes, and the Blog vote with 66 votes! Here are the results of the rest of the voting:

Blog Vote:
2nd place - rill with "Draco Necklace" - 53 votes
3rd place - beadn4fun with "Navigating the Planets Steampunk Style Necklace" - 29 votes
4th place - svetush with "Ethereal Flower ArtGlass Necklace" AND BenitaStyleBG with "Lunar Path Necklace" - 24 votes each
5th place - RattleTattleAround with "UniversAll Necklace" - 21 votes
6th place - Angelque Creations with "The Red Planet Mars Necklace" - 19 votes
7th place - enchantedbeads with "Eye Obsession Evil Eye Cuff" - 14 votes
8th place - suegoode with "Beaded Planet Brooch" AND MaryTDesigns with "Otherworldly Bangle Cuff" AND StudioNKM with "Glam Alien Woman Pin and Earrings Set" - 12 votes each
9th place - WizardIslandDesigns with "Starry Night Tiara" - 11 votes
10th place - HauteIceBeadwork with "Klingon Courtship Necklace" - 10 votes


Team Vote:
2nd place - rill with "Draco Necklace" - 10 votes
3rd place - RattleTattleAround with "UniversAll Necklace" AND beadsandblooms with "Dark Side of the Moons Bib Necklace" AND BenitaStyleBG with "Lunar Path Necklace" - 4 votes each
4th place - suegoode with "Beaded Planet Brooch" AND Hapwardare with "Stargate Address to Kheb Choker" AND WizardIslandDesigns with "Starry Night Tiara" - 3 votes each
5th place - beadn4fun with "Navigating the Planets Steampunk Style Necklace" AND HauteIceBeadwork with "Klingon Courtship Necklace" - 2 votes each


CONGRATULATIONS to ALL who entered!! Also, congratulations to Ewa of Maewa who SOLD her challenge entry piece, "Eclipse of the Sun Brooch" during the Challenge! Challenges are great for bringing traffic to our Etsy shops!