1. GIVEAWAYS

Free jewelry. Doesn't that sound great? A blogger I met online, Derek Semmler has a talented wife. She makes lovely jewelry and he is giving four of her designs (two are shown above). What do you have to do? Just leave a comment on his contest post. Just like fabulous cooks who still enjoy eating out, perhaps you'd like someone else design your jewelry for you for a change. Alas, the contest is only open to US residents above the age of 18 (read the rules at the end).

2. DESIGN COMPETITIONS

Want to flex that creativity muscle and win a prize? There is still time for the following:

Swarovski has announced their 2008 Be Naturally Inspired design contest . There are three categories - professional, amateur or student. Participants are encouraged to use different techniques, in fact anything goes - sewing, knitting, clay, beading etc. All applications must be in by May 16th, 2008. The top prizes will include international exposure for the designers by Swarovski and free trips to Austria. There are also substantial cash or gift certificate awards valued from $1000- $5000 for other winners.

Step by Step.com's Bead Arts Awards is open to any bead artist. This contest's three categories are different. The first is for loose. single or bead sets, the second for bead jewelry and the third for beaded objects. There are sub-categories too. Winning designs will be promoted online and in print. There is an entrance fee of $25. Their deadline is May 1, 2008.

Fire Mountain Gem's 2008 Beading Contest has many categories, some new this year. This contest closes on April 15, 2008. Prizes are in the form of gift certificates ranging from $50-$1000. The top designs may be showcased in their catalogs, websites and their full page ads in top industry magazines with the creators' names and information.

Bead&Button's Bead Dreams Competition is open until April 4, 2008. There are five categories - handmade beads or buttons, polymer clay, non-jewelry items, seed bead jewelry, crystal jewelry and finished jewelry. The entrance fee of $25 covers up to two submissions. Finalist designs will be on display at the Bead&Button Show to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 4-8. The top prizes are to be awarded Fire Mountain Gem gift certificates valued from $500 - $1000. There are also other smaller prizes from their other sponsors. The contest info is here.

Think you are good enough? Then go for it and good luck!

Pictures with kind permission from Derek.
__________________
The Beading Gem's Journal