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• Beading Contest 2019 featuring Crystals Winners and Finalists

2019 Crystal Contest Winners and Finalists

Giannella Cau said she had invoked the mythology of ancient Greece and their Graces, the goddesses of charm, beauty and human creativity. Particularly, she drew inspiration from Anthea, the golden blossom, and the flowers that she was known for. Floral arrangements made of crystals heighten the beauty of the piece which kept drawing the judges back to it.

Chris and Stuart both commented on how truly great the piece was, with Stuart walking right up to the piece as soon as he entered judging!

With inspiration drawn from the Arabian epic One Thousand and One Nights, Stefania lucci brought the mythical Scheherazade to life. Sherazade (and love triumphs) impressed everyone that saw it for the "breadth of technique and selection of crystals used." Stefania can now tell her story about how this piece won her Grand Silver for her piece that Chris called "absolutely gorgeous"!

Melinda Baur knows how to light up the night with dazzle and gleam which is why she created the Knitted Party Swing Dress with 3000 crystal bicones (placed by hand!). Because of her training as a biochemist and professor, Melinda says her inspiration for her dress came from things both in and outside of the lab. She combined not only wonderful beading technique but also amazing knitting skills to make the entire dress. Our designers were impressed by the hemwork, saying that it was "very difficult to do well, and she did this very well!"

Stuart was in awe of all of the different entries into the contest, but this one in particular struck his attention. The Indian Wedding Necklace by Shenna Lehmer drew his eye with the bold, vibrant colors. Inspired by the wedding necklaces that she had seen online, her use of pearls and crystals really captured every stunning detail. That is why Stuart awarded this design with the President's Award.

Get a boost of confidence with this Trendsetter Award-winning piece Queen of Hearts by Ekaterina Uskova. She said that the piece fills her with confidence with the large gemstones and bold colors, and after our designers looked at it they agreed! One designer said that Ekaterina "finished the back exceptionally well for detail and quality" while Chris said that it was "So fun, so unique looking, I absolutely love this piece."

When it came time to pick the Employee's Choice, Kristina Joseph really captured everyone's attention with her Snap Judgement. Drawing inspiration from comic book culture, she not only created a beautiful piece, but also a fun nod to pop culture that shows you can find inspiration anywhere for your art. Between the detail that went into it (it's extremely customizable!) and the stunning quality, everyone had fun with this piece including Chris, who said with a laugh: "I want to have the gauntlet and stones in real life! I'd never have to commute to work again!"

For Sheila Christie, Greece and the Pacific northwest meet into one piece. Icarus Falls, The Phoenix Rises draws from the warning of hubris for Icarus, told not to fly too close to the sun or else his wings would melt, and the power of the bird of fire. As Icarus' wings melt away, the flames reinvigorate the phoenix, allowing it to take flight. This style of necklace, the use of feathers and the warning draws many parallels with the stories of the trickster Raven for many indigenous peoples of the Pacific northwest.

"Just wonderful and fun, like all art should be" is what Chris had to say about the White Swan by Glitzystonesandbeads. She drew her inspiration from watching a swan swim its way gracefully over the surface of a lake, drawing parallels with the famous ballet Swan Lake. It was a whimsical piece that made everyone laugh with joy.

Category		Name		View Winning Design
		Giannella Cau		Necklace
		Stefania Iucci		Costume
		Melinda Baur		Dress
Fashion Accessories		Sharon Demaris		Earrings
Jewelry Design Sets		Patricia Tribble		Necklace and Earring Set

Category		Name		View Winning Design
Fasion Accessories (Tie)		Allure Bijoux		Brooch
Fasion Accessories (Tie)		Allure Bijoux		Brooch
Fasion Accessories (Tie)		Allure Bijoux		Brooch
Jewelry Design Sets		KaoriNa		Necklace and Earring Set
Necklace		Jody Young		Necklace

Category		Name		View Winning Design
Fashion Accessories (Tie)		Edwin Batres		Designer Bead
Fashion Accessories (Tie)		IGI Design		Pendant
Jewelry Design Sets (Tie)		Gay Isber		Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set
Jewelry Design Sets (Tie)		Karen Leslie		Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set
Necklace		Guzialia Reed		Necklace

		Name		View Winning Design
		Kristina Joseph		Interchangeable Bracelet, Ring and Earring Set

		Name		View Winning Design
		Sheila K. Christie		Necklace

		Name		View Winning Design
		Shenna Lehmer		Necklace

		Name		View Winning Design
		Ekaterina Uskova		Necklace

		Name		View Winning Design
		Glitzystonesandbeads		Necklace

		Name		View Design
		Anita M. Russell		Brooch and Earring Set
		Chris Davis		Necklace
		Claudia Maria Pirv		Necklace
		Clorinda Mirto		Necklace
		Colleen Ireland		Necklace
		Crystal Creations by Lilly Boudine		Necklace
		Edda Lucia Guastalla		Necklace
		Edda Lucia Guastalla		Necklace
		Edwin Batres		Earrings
		Iha Vahlberg Orre		Necklace
		Iryna Shlapakova		Necklace
		Janet Healy		Bracelet
		Julie Anstaett		Bracelet
		Kathleen Devine		Necklace
		Keiko Wada		Bracelet
		Marina Garbo		Necklace
		Melanie Armstrong		Earrings
		Michelle and Natalie Packard		Bracelet
		Natalia Savastano		Necklace
		Rangashrii Santhanam		Necklace and Earring Set
		Rangashrii Santhanam		Bracelet and Earring Set
		Susan Sassoon		Necklace
		Susan Sassoon		Necklace
		Tina's Jewelry		Necklace
		Zegna Aston		Bracelet and Ring Set