Hi! I meant to announce the winner, but I have to admit I'm torn. Which of these should win? Cast your vote in the comments section. The first is by Ann Cruzen:
"I mixed the colors using the closest shades I had on hand to your recipe and I liked how they turned out. To me they had a rich medieval tone ( my husband thought I had some berries on the baking tray!) .
So then my first thought was to use your "dragon bead" but the studded beads reminded me of the mechanical owl which I thought fitting to use an owl bead. My husband loaned me his wire cutters and I *may* owe him a sharpening as I think I nicked them cutting the nails for the studs! "
I'm drawn to the shape of the piece and the intricate wire work around the owl, which perfectly sets it off. The varied use of mixed color metals is an interesting design element, making it more wearable with either gold or silver. The studded beads are also very nicely shaped and luminous looking. Well done, Ann!
This entry is by Patty Gasparino:
"I hope it's not too late I was dying to do this! This is one of my favorite books!!!
I only had a few days so it's not as polished as I would like - I used your sweet bird toggle and simple chain.I will be blogging about this tomorrow. "
Blog:
http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/
Shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/thejunquerie
Fan Page:
www.facebook.com/#!/MyLifeUndertheBus
I love the simplicity of design in this piece, which is a great counterpoint to such an intricate bead. The sweet robin's egg blue of the clay is one of my favorites, as it goes so well with silver. The use of the flowers along with the nail heads is really creative and looks fantastic! Great work, Patty!
OK, let's decide together! This was a fun project and i enjoyed seeing the entries. VOTE and one the votes will WIN A PRIZE! I'm feeling festive, gearing up for Bead and Button and nothing says 'festivity' like a giveaway.
52 comments:
Wow, they are both beautiful! My vote would be for the simpler one--I love the decorated blue bead. I'm sure it was fun to look at all the entries!
These are both grand! I know it was hard work for you to get it down to these two!!!
I love the first because it's more ornate, but I love the second because of the simplicity and for taking the technique one step further.
I think I'll vote for the first though and recommend a nice runner's up prize for the second!
Lol Andrew! I won't vote but thanks so much for letting me join in!
They are both very beautiful! I have to say I like the simplicity of the second, So my vote is for Patty Gasparino, The beaded blue bead is beautiful.
While I love how ornate and dramatic the first choice is, the second just calls me in a big way! My vote is for the second.
I love them both and I agree with Andrew about the ornateness of the first one and that they both need a prize :)...But I will disagree and vote for Patty because I like her innovation in the use of technique from the book. :)
This is tough because I love owls, but I also like the flowers on the bead of the second one and the bird clasp. I will vote for the second one because I also love the blue color and the way it goes so well with the silver. Great job to both designers!! I'm super excited to have a chance to still win something even though I ran out of time to submit a design :)
They are both gorgeous. I lean toward the simplicity of the second one also.
I'm voting for Patty's because I love the simplicity and cool blue and innovation in her design. Love everything about it! Nice job, Patty!
Ann's is beautiful, too, but I love the clean lines and non-intricacy of Patty's (I'm an Ikea kind of girl).
They are both quite lovely but i fell head over heels for Patty's necklace as soon as I saw it on her blog! That's my vote!
Its hard to vote in public as not to hurt anothers feeling with my name attached to it. But The first is really wonderful and Beautiful! But I have to pick the 2nd because of Pattis lovely simplicity. Its radiant to be worn on a warm Summers evening out to dinner! I too ran out of time to join in!
I love them both, but I'm choosing the second one based on two things: 1. It's the one I'd be most likely to wear myself; and 2. I love the flower studs.
This was a hard choice for me, because I like the colors of the first one better, but I have to go with #2.
Both are just beautiful! My vote is for Patty and the simple elegance of her piece.
I agree with the previous commenters. Both Pieces are beautiful! Kudos to all who participated (I hope you will show us the other entries as well) and to the two finalists.
I think the first necklace is beautiful, but the pictures don't do I justice. It's so difficult to take good pics of jewelry (ask me how I know ;) I'm partial to owls, too. And the colors of it resonate a lot with me.
The second one is presented with awesome pictures and it is lovely in all its simplicity. The idea of using the tiny flowers as studs is fabulous!
I had to write two numbers down, and then pick one, see, you are not the only one who can't decide :)
My vote is for the owl.
But only because I can't cast a vote for both ;)
Congrats again to both finalists and good luck to both!
Jana
Hi, my vote is for the second necklace - it feels more balanced, seems more wearable, and I am a sucker for silver.
-Sarah
The first necklace is gorgeous BUT - the contest was themed around the studded bead. As studded beads go, I prefer the second one!
My vote is for Patty's as well! I like that she put her spin on Cynthias' bead design and I like it's simplicity.
I can see why you are torn over picking a winner! They are both gorgeous and I would wear either of them.
But since we have to choose, I would vote for the second one because I like more simple pieces, and because of the design on the polymer bead.
I really love the simple blue and the elegant flowers of the second bead!
I Love the bright blue bead and the flowers were an awesome touch! I vote for number 2.
Shannon C
O gosh, I love them both! I'm totally a flowery blue girl though so Patty it is :-)
Both are so beautiful! I favor Patty Gasparino's.
Both are wonderful - but if I had to choose I would go with Patty - I could see me wearing that design
Love them both, buth the second one is pure genius!
Ann wirework is amazing, but Patty's bead called to me. I love the color and the design of the studs. My vote is for Patty. :)
They are both gorgeous! It's hard to decide on one of the two, but I really love the simplicity of the second one.
I can't get over how beautiful the second necklace is!!! I want it!!! My vote goes for the second one. :)
I vote for Patty's -- so gorgeous!
Both are beautiful. I think the simpler one is the one I would choose. What makes it as dramatic as the more intricate necklace is the large scale of the blue bead. It definitely makes a statement. Plus, the length adds drama as well. Choose with your heart!
I agree with everyone that both are worthy. I am leaning more towards the second one , I like the simplicity and balance of the piece. I would be happy to own either, though!
My vote is for the second one. It's gorgeous!!
My vote is for the blue one. Beautiful color, love the flowers on it and the use of the bird toggle.
BTW your book is fantastic!
Mardel
Patty Gasparino: gets my vote too.It is the simplistic yet attractive look in blue and silver that woman would love to sport with so many attire options.
Wow, gorgeous pieces. Are you going to have a gallery so we can see them all?
I would vote for the second one. I love the intricate bead and the beautiful bird toggle.
Ann
mycriticaleye.com
www.annrishell@gmail.com
I really love your book! And in saying that my vote goes to the first necklace because the studded beads are more representitive of the those beads in your book. Plus I prefer the overall design.
This is soooo hard to pick because they are such different designs and both have their merits. I will go for Patty's design because I favor simple, clean lines. However, I'd love to own either one!
i think both are so creative but i have to go with Patty,her creativity and choice of color i just love it! ttfn L:)
I loved the simple blue bead necklace.
Both are great, but my personal preference is for simplicity.
Loving them both! Gah! How to decide? I think the color on the first is my favorite, and that owl bead among the leaves is very ornate. I do see medieval references there!
And although I have a propensity for intricate designs myself, I am more drawn to the second. I love the addition of the flowers. Beautiful work! #2 gets my vote.
Enjoy the day, Cynthia! Looking forward to seeing you at Bead & Button!
Erin
Both of these designs are great!The intricate owl focal is really pretty, but I love the extra details that were included in the blue bead of the second entry...it is so stunning! This really highlights how effective this technique can be. The silver components and sweet bird really set it off, and it would be so wearable!
Without reading the other comments, I place my vote for #2. I think her use of the flowers is a spin-off of your original design. And that's what you were after - another person's take on your idea!
Love your book, BTW.
What a difficult choice: both finalists have made lovely entries.
In the end, I vote for the second. Love the simplicity, crisp colours, addition of flowers in the focal bead and the sunny summer mood.
These are BOTH beautiful pieces. Love the creativity.
The blue one, in its simplicity is my vote. I love the way the blue bead was done. Such a great take on the design. LM.
They're both wonderful. But I'm voting for the owl because I like how it's front and center and the style seems to suit him.
(But I love how the blue bead is studded and the simplicity of that design too)
While they are both great pieces, I'm partial to the second because it reminds me of an old Wedgewood cameo pendant I have that used to belong to my great aunt. And she has truly made simplicity work in that necklace.
I vote for #2. I feel that she expanded on and showed more ideas for using your technique.
(Although it's very cool, with necklace #1 my eyes went to the pendant and not to the beads.)
I agree with Andrew that there should be a runner up prize. Kudos to you both. Mel
I was thinking about joining in this contest but forgot to being caught up with kids and end of school!
While both necklaces are pretty I cast my vote for the #1 because a.) it is more my style and b) it followed the directions ( sorry, its the "mom" in me to be fair in a vote ).
Both finished pieces are nice but aside from personal tastes from what I read Anns beads were based on Cynthias book which is what I read the contest was about (making the first book project and creating something with it?)
Patty's blue bead creates a world of its own. I vote for the second.
Rita
The first is so very regal and very beautiful! I vote for # 1!
I vote for #2. Love the simplicity and the beautiful blue with silver.
i prefer patty's piece. that blue is amazing with the silver.
The blue one is my favorite.
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