The Best of KGI Worldwide Design Contest 2009
Beadwork magazine is mentioning the winners of our contest in their "bead buzz" section. Look for the June/July 2009 issue. Names of the first three winners along with a winning design photograph are shown on page 96.
Last year's winning piece "Fall Foliage Flower Bracelet" designed by Daeng Weaver, and her semi-finalist piece named Princessa Necklace were featured on the cover pages of Beadwork magazine. Both designs were shown there as projects with detailed descriptions on how to make them. If you wish to recreate these beautiful designs look for February/March 2009 (Fall Foliage Flower Bracelet) and October/November 2008 (Princessa Necklace) issues of Beadwork.
Click images to see larger detail.
Scarlett Lanson / Scarlett Rocks Designs1st Place Winner
Sedona, AZ
Flora and Fire - I am an 18 year old designer from Sedona. My website is www.thebeadersmuse.com. In creating this piece, I thought of abstract blooms radiating light. From a 2" choker embellished with 300+ Margarita sew-on stones on a detailed web of herringbone stitch, are six beautiful wildflowers. Hand-woven with seed beads, each petal is studded with 3mm bicones, and the floral centers contain a bezeled fancy stone. The choker drapes softly around the neck, while secured by a black ribbon. The intensely vivid colors graduate around the collar, subtly transitioning from fire colors (Volcano) to flora colors (Vitrial Medium) thus the name.
Tatiana Van Iten2nd Place Winner
Hanover, IN
Smoke on the Water - I was born and raised in Russia. I graduated from the Leningrad State University with a Master of Arts degree in photojournalism. Twenty four years ago I married an American citizen and moved to the United States. I learned beading from my grandmother at the age of six, and pursuing this art ever since then. I make most of my necklaces free-hand, with no pattern, and I use a variety of materials including Crystallized™- Swarovski Elements because they give my necklaces a sparkling brilliance and life that I just don't get with the other materials. The necklace which I submitted for this year's contest was inspired by my husband's favorite song "Smoke on the Water" ("Deep Purple"). On the back of the necklace you can attach the scarf or the ribbon on the clasp.
Kristal Wick / Kristal Wick Creations3rd Place Winner
Arvada, CO
Labyrinth of the Heart - I started with white silk, worked my surfac design magic, then hand glued over 2,400 Crystallized flat backs onto the silk. I then sewed the pillow with a black trim with loops. I made silk beads out of the same silk and created dangles with over 650 Crystallized beads and pearls. I wanted to create a home décor piece honoring my heart journey. The "labyrinth" highlighted with crystals on my pillow symbolize this journey.
David Mandel / Show must go on! 4th Place Winner
New York, NY
A Holiday Affair - Boxes of festively wrapped gifts, a roaring fireplace with a menorah ablaze and a glamorous holiday tree topped by a perfect star. All combined these pieces make up my entry for the contest.
The free standing fireplace is actually a wearable brooch and consists of a Siam brick hearth, mantle surrounded by Jonquille trim and festooned with a Peridot and Olivine garland with red coral berries topped with a Hanukah menorah with candles of Chalk White and Topaz flames. The rhodium platted free standing tree has branches consisting of Emerald and Peridot navettes. A filigree double sided five point star is adorned with Fuchsia centers surrounded by Rose AB stones. My hope is that this vignette brightens any table top and brings a sense of a joy to anyone who experiences this holiday scene. Additionally as one goes out the door they can pin the brooch on a winter coat and clip on the glamorous earrings to wear with a sparkling holiday outfit and be the hit of any party!
Mary Beth Pfeiffer 5th Place Winner
South Windsor, CT
Sparkling Sangiovese - I am a Middle School Teacher who loves to design in my spare time, keeping in touch with my creative mind and combining that with a love of Math. My work is logical, always referring to the Elements and Principles of Design to initiate my piece, make changes along the way, and evaluate it when it is finished.
This year I found the wonderful Japanese art of weaving called Kumihimo. This is an art that uses a disc and fibers to weave a braided chain; I was instructed in the use of this disc with seed beads on these fibers to make a bracelet or necklace. I played with using larger beads - pearls and crystals, not always of the same size, and so created the necklace to my piece. I also enjoy playing with different shaped crystal stones, attaching them together to create a geometric shape - playing with Math. In the end, designing and making this piece was very satisfying.
Erica Bapst / AdornHonorable Mention
Canandaigua, NY
Autumn Waves - Living in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York there is an abundance of natural beauty to pull from. My muse is Canandaigua Lake and its surrounding hills in autumn. This time of the year the shores are covered with the wonderful earthy tones of fall and act as a contrasting backdrop for the jewel toned blues and the dancing sparkle of the water.
I have taken this muse and have represented its essence in oxidized sterling silver, Crystallized™ - Swarovski Elements in Golden Shadow and Crystal Vitrail medium, Pacific Blue Opal, Mocca, Crystal Dorado 2x, and Indicolite colors fading from one to the next acting as the sparkle within each shining wave.
Elisabetta Cavagnino Honorable Mention
Vercelli, Italy
Infinite Crystal - Elisabetta is an Italian girl who loves creativity in every kind of manifestation existing in the world. She is a graphic designer and she loves to create jewelry. She specializes in wire wrapping designs. The piece she created represents the infinity of crystals. The sew-on stone in the center of the piece gives a precious aspect. The featured shape has such a delicate detail framed with the coil wrap and accented with silver beads accompanied with Crystallized beads.
Rhonda Enright / Four Generation Jewelry Honorable Mention
Atascadero, CA
Garden Delight - We started making jewelry in May last year to make pieces that match clothing we purchased. We have not stopped and are trying to build a website to sell our things. We love how Crystallized™- Swarovski Elements shimmer and bring our pieces to life.
I love watching creatures in my yard. I love the dragonfly because of the luminescence of its wings and the wide variations of the body and colors. So quickly they flit around in the garden to delight your eyes and mind, and then disappear as quickly as they had come.