January/February Challenge Theme

Two months ago, our challenge winner was two winners who were tied; triz and SmadarsTreasure. Last month, we had a single winner and that was triz, so she was able to choose our next theme, all by herself!

Here is what triz has to say about it when I asked her if she'd come up with something yet:

I actually finally came up with something last night: Tropical Holiday

After all the snow what could be better than escaping to a tropical paradise! :-)

I know how she feels. Even though winter hasn't really set in here yet, I'm dreaming of a warm holiday. What about you? Yes? Then take those dreams and turn them into something wonderfully beadwoven for our January/February Challenge!

Yes, this is a busy time of year and that is why we are giving you from November 30, 2008 until February 5th, 2009 to get it done! It's the first challenge of the new year so it's your exciting opportunity to get going by participating early in the year.

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between November 30th, 2008 and February 5th, 2009.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

November Challenge Winner

There were 480 votes (up again from the last month's number!) this month and fewer entries so we have a resounding winner with 140 votes (29% of the total). Congratulations to triz of who won with her Let My People Go Collar ! Triz says about this piece:

The inspiration behind “Let My People Go” came from the story of Pesach (Passover). Pesach commemorates the departure of the nation of Israel from Egypt. It marks the birth of the Jewish people as a nation led by Moses over 3000 years ago. It is as much a celebration of our spiritual freedom as it is the physical liberation from slavery.

Second: 14. The Hoshen - a Breastplate - beadshead

Third: 4. hands against time cuff - thebeadedlily

Fourth: 6. The Greek Key - BeadsAndI

Fifth: was a tie between 9. ONE WORLD Bead Woven Embroidered Cuff Bracelet - caraway and 15. Plaid Pride Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

Sixth: 12. Proud to be an American - dreambeadweaver

Seventh: Another tie: 16. Patchwork Cuff - playnwithbeads and 1. Catching A Dream Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

Eighth: 5. Celtic North American Native - SilkenLariat

Ninth: The third tie! 3. Beaded Ancestral Expressions Petroglyph Totem Cane - SalamanderHouse and 8. DNA in Violet and Blue - Wide Beadwoven Peyote Cuff - time2cre8

Tenth: 7. Hungarian meets French - beaddiddy

And now, it's time to start watching for the entries for the December Challenge. You can be sure that many of our EBW members have been working on their entries for the 'Snow Queen' theme. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the January/February Challenge theme at the end of November.

Many thanks to all of the amazing beaders who entered the November Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote! We appreciate your participation! If you haven't participated in our challenge before, it's time to get your thinking cap on and get beading!

Etsy BeadWeavers' November Challenge - Ancestral Expressions

The entries for the challenge are in and yet again, they are simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Click on the item in the text list below the mosaic to see more detail of each piece! Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote, November 9th thru the 15th!

Voting begins on Sunday, November 9th and ends midnight November 15th. The best way to show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on November 9th.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between November 9th and 15th!

1. Catching A Dream Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

2. Florida Gators Orange and Blue Herringbone Bangle - njema

3. Beaded Ancestral Expressions Petroglyph Totem Cane - SalamanderHouse

4. hands against time cuff - thebeadedlily

5. Celtic North American Native - SilkenLariat

6. The Greek Key - BeadsAndI

7. Hungarian meets French - beaddiddy

8. DNA in Violet and Blue - Wide Beadwoven Peyote Cuff - time2cre8

9. ONE WORLD Bead Woven Embroidered Cuff Bracelet - caraway

10. Trail Mix - ThesePreciousThings

11. Roses and Pearls Necklace - SpringColors

12. Proud to be an American - dreambeadweaver

13. Let My People Go Collar - triz

14. The Hoshen - a Breastplate - beadshead

15. Plaid Pride Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

16. Patchwork Cuff - playnwithbeads

December Challenge Theme

Our last challenge winner was two winners who were tied so triz and SmadarsTreasure got together and jointly decided on the theme "Snow Queen".

Here is what triz has to say about it:

December is the month I associate with snow. Sadly I don't get to enjoy snow anymore, as I no longer live in Europe, but I miss waking up first thing in the morning and seeing white all around, the city tranformed into a magical land... and that land of course has a queen, the Snow Queen!

Thank you both for such a timely and inspiring theme.

We all have a busy time of year ahead of us so it's going to interesting to see what our EBW Team members come up with for this challenge! It's the last challenge of the year so if you haven't already participated this year, it's your last chance! Why not just DO IT!!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between October 31th, 2008 and December 5th, 2008.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

So, if you've already finished your entry for the October's challenge (Ancestral Expressions - voting begins November 9th) then get beading on a wintery Snow Queen piece!

And The October Challenge Winner Is....

There were 440 (up from last month!) votes this month and making a choice was sure difficult, resulting in a First Place tie between 1. Black Panther Necklace - triz and 17. Gotcha - Beadwoven Cat and Mouse Bracelet - SmadarsTreasure.





Second: 6. Animal passion necklace - FleurDeIrk

Third: 10. Turtle Talisman - ErtheFae

Fourth - another tie: 2. Flight of the Great Blue Heron - beaddiddy and 13. Petroglyph Cuff - HighDesertBeadscapes

Fifth: 3. barbary coast cuff - thebeadedlily

Sixth: 16. Where's The Orca Necklace - wMarlaine

Seventh: 11. The Mane Event Necklace - njema

Eighth: 5. A Feathered Affair - beadsandblooms

Ninth: 14. Safari Ric Rac Freeform Herringbone Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

Tenth: 15. Kiss of the Spider Woman Necklace - SpringColors

Be sure to start watching for the entries for the November challenge. Many of our beadweavers have been working on their entries for 'Ancestral Impressions'. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the December Challenge theme at the end of October.

Many thanks to everyone who entered the October Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote! We appreciate your participation!

Etsy Beadweavers October Challenge - Animal Instinct

The entries are in and once again, they are simply stunning! Click on the item in the list below the mosaic to see more details! Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote!

Voting begins on Thursday, October 9th and ends midnight October 15th. Please show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on September 9.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between October 9th and 15th!

1. Black Panther Necklace - triz

2. Flight of the Great Blue Heron - beaddiddy

3. barbary coast cuff - thebeadedlily

4. Just chasing my tail - Chrisbeads

5. A Feathered Affair - beadsandblooms

6. Animal passion necklace - FleurDeIrk

7. What Remains -Fossil Necklace - SalamanderHouse

8. Nautilis Fossil Cuff - vanishingpearl

9. Magpie Cuff - nemeton

10. Turtle Talisman - ErtheFae

11. The Mane Event Necklace - njema

12. Stripes of the Tiger Beaded Cuff - dreambeadweaver

13. Petroglyph Cuff - HighDesertBeadscapes

14. Safari Ric Rac Freeform Herringbone Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

15. Kiss of the Spider Woman Necklace - SpringColors

16. Where's The Orca Necklace - wMarlaine

17. Gotcha - Beadwoven Cat and Mouse Bracelet - SmadarsTreasure

18. Dragonfly necklace - PFordCustomJewelry

19. Fish Instinct Bracelet - enchantedbeads

November Challenge Theme

Tears of Joy by Deb of beadsandblooms won our September challenge with her Search Light Art Deco Bracel. Her prize for winning is the privilege of choosing the theme for the next challenge. Deb has chosen a theme which I am sure will inspire you for the Etsy BeadWeavers November Challenge:

Ancestral Expressions

Deb says:

I've given a lot of thought to my theme for the November challenge and finally decided. Since November has always been a time of homecoming for me with Thanksgiving and getting family together, that thought led me to family, which led me to heritage and ancestry. So I'd like to challenge everyone to get back to their roots and create something that links them with their heritage. My theme for the November challenge is Ancestral Expressions. Hope this will be fun for everyone. Personally, I have some Bohemian and Irish roots to explore.

Thank you, Deb, for such an inspiring theme.

What will the EBW team members come up with for this challenge? I'm sure it will be interesting and I can hardly wait to see! So let your imaginations run wild and see what you can come up with. Certainly you have lots of room for your unique creativity here!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between September 30th, 2008 and November 5th, 2008.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

OK everyone, if you've already finished your entry for the September's challenge (Complimentary Contradictions - voting begins October 9th) then get beading on an Ancestral Expressions piece!