Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Starts Today – Step 1) Submit Photos

"If you could, please post pics of the prize beads we are eligible to win." ~Jocelyn-C

As my favorite reality tv show host, Jeff Probst of Survivor fame, would say… "Want to know what you are playing for?"

Thanks Jocelyn for asking about the contest prize package. As I mentioned in the last article of this Bead Giveaway series, my bead inventory is constantly changing from day to day.

So although I can't give you an exact rundown of everything you'll receive, the photo above shows roughly what to expect. There is a larger version of the same photo further down on this page as well.

As you can see, many of the techniques from past video tutorials are represented. The retail value of the prize package will be in the $100 to $150 range.

Now in regards to which back issue will be used as the theme for this inaugural bead giveaway event, there is a clear winner. Volume-014 came out ahead with the most votes from you guys.

As a result, your photo entries will based on the following tutorial topics: Jupiter Beads, Faux Raku Smooth, Faux Raku Crackle and/or Torn Clay Watercolor Technique

Please understand that the main reason I am hosting this contest is to give you guys an incentive to spend more time actually applying the techniques you are learning about each week at the Polymer Clay Library.

It is not a competition to decide who can make the most beautiful beads. It is not a popularity contest. And it's not about being able to submit professional quality photographs.

The main objective is to simply get you guys to use the techniques… because that the best way to learn is to do. Linda-D summed it up very well, in a comment following the recent 2009-01-06 Rose-M article titled, Making Polymer Clay Beads for No Reason Other Than to Learn How (a must read).

Cindy, thanks for re-running Rose's comment, since I did miss it the first time around. Rose, not only did I not think "duh," but my reaction was more along the "aha!" line, with that all-too-usually dark lightbulb over my head finally lighting. Thanks to your comment, I started thinking that the only way I'll get better at creating with polymer clay is to create with polymer clay, and I don't need a purpose. Thank you! Even though I promised myself that I wouldn't make any resolutions this year, I think I have one now. ~Linda-D

That part about "…the only way I'll get better at creating with polymer clay is to create with polymer clay," captures perfectly, the entire essence of this fun bead giveaway event, that is about to get under way.

By the way, here's is Rose's original "duh" comment that Linda-D was referring to.

I love the idea of having leftover beads. Somewhere in my subconscious is the idea that everything I make has to have a purpose. Watching Cindy's videos showed me that people make beads just for the making. I'm sure you all are thinking duh, but this was an eye opener for me. So, for the past few days, I've been making lentil beads – one of a kinds – just for the practice and fun. I plan to make some book beads to use with the book hooks I'm planing to make for a few friends. I made one yesterday for myself (I confess to being a page corner turner) and like the look of it. Maybe having a pretty book hook will get me using it. I'm looking forward to making more of the beads in the videos I purchased. I see a future with a big container of beads. ~Rose-M

And here are a few more notable quotes worth reading. They will help to put you in the right frame of mind for getting over any fears or reservations that you may currently have about participating.

Before Christmas I wanted to add to Rose-M's comment about having so many beads etc. Your thoughts, Rose, hit home with me and I had planned that "after things settle down again" I need to revisit the techniques that have given me a challenge that I didn't conquer. Not that something interesting didn't happen but I moved on and now like you say, Cindy, when the need for that accomplished technique comes it will take that much longer to have the sense of accomplishment that a finished project always gives. I've told my granddaughters many times to "learn whatever you can now because you don't know when you'll need it later on". Now I need to do the same in my clay world. It is all fun and rewarding so now I'll enjoy the "happy accidents" (as artist Bob Ross would say) but stay with the technique to really make it mine before going on to something else. It'll just take a mite longer to get to that something else but there will great satisfaction in mastering that new technique. Many thanks to you, Rose and Cindy, for putting more light on this subject. What a year 2010 has started out to be! ~Joyce-M

Some of the happiest days in my craft room are those when I get distracted and start working on a technique or combining colors just for the sake of wanting to know how it would turn out. Interestingly, the results are often those I love the most. ~Elizabeth-S

I think it's true we tend to put pressure on ourselves about being practical along with things/actions having a specific use. Funny how as adults we often try to get back to some of the qualities we lost when we were young. You never see a child put off something enjoyable because it didn't have a purpose! They just do… it's something I'm trying to get back to as well… This bead giveaway contest will be a fun way to keep motivated. ~DJ

Hi Cindy and all. On my way to way the Tribal cane tutorial, I stopped to read all the comments re Make the bead and the purpose will come. In working with PC I have never thought that way so it is good that it has made me think. I just try every tut even if I dont think it is me, or have done it before, as every time I look I find something new from it. Even an inspiration I hadn't thought of before comes up. As to what to do with all the weird and wonderful beads I test out on, I just love having them around and they get used for something, even just to go back and to look at. As Cindy said, try everything as it all comes in useful sometime and expands your mind to becoming the creative artist you want to be in whatever medium. ~Elizabeth-K

Can't wait for the Fridays of January to come. And I finally finished something!! I actually made beads into jewelry. I made memory beads out of my aunts funeral flowers. She passed away in September. Then I made bracelets for her daughters and grandaughters. I promised myself to get them done before the new year. As I said before my New Years resolution is to clay more instead of just watching what everyone else is doing. Like the others, this blog and Cindy's lessons are what makes getting up early everyday worthwhile! It is the first thing I look for everyday! ~Maureen-G

These tutorials are brilliant! Love the diversity – from tribal patterns to pretty lace. Thanks so much Cindy for all your work, inspiration and creative teaching style. We both have the same resolution in mind this year Maureen! Much as I look forward to learning I will be doing all I can to play with clay in the next few months. Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and wishing lots of joy, warmth and peace in the upcoming New Year! AND lots of creative adventures too. ~DJ

I played a little last night with my clays, keeping in mind the things I learned from your videos. Wasn't great… but I am getting there.  It's funny because I know in my mind how these things are supposed to be done… I guess my hands just haven't figured it out yet!!  I am so intrigued with so many techniques and I have to keep reminding myself that I have to PRACTICE doing these things for it all to come together. For instance, mokume gane… when I tried to do it…well, let's just say that my dog could have done better!  But I know (in my head) that I can do this and get good results… now if I can just get my hands to get on the same page!! Sorry for the rambling… Thank you again for showing my hands how to behave!!! ~Pepper-C

I have been terrible towards the end of 2009. I have not made any time for Cindy or her videos. I moved the end of October and just finally unpacked the very last box. I have a whole craft room to myself now with a door and everything. (I still have a 9 year old who likes to sneek in and search for items to use for his matchbox cars and army guys). Anyway… for the start of the new year my goal is to watch your videos every Friday and actually make what you teach. I have done quite a bit in the past and was doing really well. But then… life got in the way. I miss you! I promise, I will be a good girl the new year and will not miss a thing. I look forward to all the excitement you will bring in the new year. ~KlayKisses

What a surprise I got to see the photo of my ear rings posted here at your blog. Learning the techniques and applying them like with these ear rings is what I joined for and have appreciated the videos, thank you. I hope it enthuses your other members to put their work in too. Thanks for the comments and thanks for thinking enough of my little effort to put in here. ~Elizabeth-K

I think this is a wonderful idea, Cindy. This would give me, a somewhat new clayer, more incentive to jump in and try what I've learned. ~Linda-K

Hopefully you took the time to read those comments that I compiled above. They explain better than I ever could, about the reasons why you should participate in this bead giveaway contest. So let's get to it.

This week, all you have to do is email me photos of your polymer clay beads and/or jewelry projects, inspired by what you learned in the video tutorials from the Volume-014 Back Issue Package.

You can get my email address from one of the weekly newsletter issues you receive each Friday. Or simply post a note in the comment section at the end of this article, asking that I respond to you with my contact information. I will then forward my email address directly to you, right away.

Your photos do not need to be professional quality, but they do at least need to be in focus. Along with your photos, remember to include the following information:

• First Name
• Last Name
• City
• State/Province/Region
• Country
• A Short Caption or Title for Your Photo

Each project or bead photo that you submit, counts as a separate entry into the draw. Multiple entries are allowed, and they do increase your chances of winning the prize… which as you should know by now, is a gift package of polymer clay beads, handmade by me.

PHOTO: Giveaway Beads. Click here for details of prize package.

If you do send in multiple entries, the photos can not just be different angles of the same bead or project. You must actually make different items.

On Friday January 22, I will publish the first round of photos received between now and then, in a separate post. And in that post, I will explain the next steps. But if you want to know all the steps up front, I did publish an outline last week, at this link: Contest Guidelines

By the way, January 22 is not the final deadline for you to send in your entry photos. This contest will extend into February to give everyone lots of time to participate. But please don't procrastinate, or you may just miss out on the opportunity to win the prize beads.

I'd love to participate but am a bit nervous about showing my work to all you experts out there. I'm also not sure how to post the photos to you either. ~Liz-D

No need to worry Liz-D. We are all friends here. If you know how to email me your photos, then you can enter.

And as I said earlier, this is NOT a competition to decide who can make the most beautiful beads. It is NOT a popularity contest. And it's NOT about who can take the best photographs… although by participating you will probably learn some helpful picture taking skills along the way.

What this fun initiative IS all about, is encouraging you guys to spend more time having fun with your clay and actually applying the techniques you are learning each week from the video tutorials in the members library.

Any questions? You know what to do. Post them in the comments section below.