Wednesday, March 25, 2009

"Use the Muse" Contest


I am really excited to have been a part of the "Use the Muse" contest. It made me use colours and beads in a combination that I normally wouldn't try. My necklace was started, torn out, restarted and torn out again. The third try worked. I really am happy with the way that the daggers spread out on the ring; the crystals, pearls and bugles lay on the ring, and the subtle colours in the beads and Russian spiral necklace.

I completed my work, duely took pictures and sent them off to be judged. Within several hours, I received a phone call from Scarlett about my submission pictures. (Scarlett! Called me!! Actually called me. Someone from a magazine called me....)

Turns out that there were one or two kits that didn't include the muse.....I was one of the lucky ones. My assumption that the muse was the brass lock charm was incorrect. Scarlett and I talked for quite while - I did my best to assure her that I was okay with what happened. I wouldn't blast her on my blog or bad mouth her to anyone that would listen. Scarlett mailed me the "muse" to see if I could incorporate it into my design.

When I did receive the muse, I looked at it, turned it over, placed it on my necklace, moved it, debated and made my decision. I was happy with the way that my piece looked without the muse and decided that I wouldn't have a piece in this contest. My decision, my call.

I was thankful for the opportunity to "design" my own piece using items that I would never have picked up in a bead store. I learned that I can made something that I really like, love even with items chosen for me and it made me think outside that "box" that I am so comfortable in. As a result, I think that my artistic box is a little larger!

10 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

When I clicked on your blog, I thought..where is the muse? Am I thinking of the wrong challenge. After reading your post, I was thinking its a beautiful piece and a good experience for you. The fact that you received a phone call is impowering and a renewal in faith in people. YOU WERE NOT JUST A NUMBER!! yay! I am glad you weren't upset. Its the way of the Universe to take things as they come and find the best in them. I am so glad you did.

coolmoon said...

Yeah, your photo confused me at first, too. I was an entrant, and had the beautiful brass cross to work with. It's too bad you weren't able to work with it, and I'm glad you were ok with the outcome. If you've looked at her entrants' gallery - my entry is "Scarlett in Chains". It's toward the end of the line...I posted it on my blog, too...
Hope you enter the next one. I know I will...

Melissa said...

I'm not a beader so I don't know anything about the contest, but your necklace is STUNNING!! I am continually in awe of the beautiful work you do, Liz. :)

The bad Liz said...

Thanks all! The experience to complete this piece really pushed me, which is a good thing....Now, to make another and write down what I do.....Yikes, what am I thinking???

Ellen said...

Oh Liz, I looked & looked for your entry in the gallery & wondered where you were. I am disappointed for you & admire your attitude. Thinking outside the box is always a good thing..

Your necklace is gorgeous & no doubt looks fantastic on..

Marcia DeCoster said...

Love your necklace, do I see right angle weave? Beautiful use of the daggers. Scarlett is a delightful young women and your response is so gracious as are you you. Really nice work.

The bad Liz said...

Oh yes Marcia - you did spy some RAW around a plastic ring that I found on my hubbys workbench. He hates it when I start stealing (or liberating) items from his stash.

The RAW has a way of taking over other stitches that I thought that I loved and pushing them to the back burner. I wonder who I have to thank for that!!

Timaree said...

I think you made a great piece and it's good since you like it, that you didn't change it to fit the muse afterwards. Staying true to your vision is better than getting it posted on a different blog (since we get to see it here anyhow). You can always join in again. It is nice that you were called up personally. This world is too impersonal sometimes; it's nice to hear of when it isn't.

Mary Timme said...

I ran into one of my necklaces the other day -- I'd made it for a friend and she was wearing it -- and was amazed at how well I'd done it and what a great piece it was! Whatever the muse was, it couldn't have added a thing to what you made.

Prairie Emporium said...

Your necklace turned out beautiful, I know you will be proud to wear it. It looks like Scarlett did work very hard on the contest and I know she was probably upset also that it happened. You sound like a doll, someone I would be proud to know with a great attitude.