2020 Seed Bead Contest Winners and Finalists



Design Idea LA5X Necklace

Like its celestial namesake, Laura Giusti's Le Soleil shone with an undeniable warmth that lit up the room with fierce allure. To mimic the fiery movement of the sun's rays, Giusti created a three-dimensional ruffled collar--a detail that immediately caught Chris' eye. "The consistency in the waves is stunning," she observed, "and the colors are beautiful." Even after moving on to other pieces, the judges returned to bask in the radial patterns and red-haute color nuances of this year's Gold Medal Grand Prize design.

Design Idea LA69 Necklace

Inspired by the star-flecked summer sky visible from her flower garden, Patricia Parker's Stella Polaris shone with an eye-catching vibrancy that kept Chris and the judges coming back for further exploration. "It's so well finished," Chris remarked, "and the colors are so warm." Not only is Parker's piece stunning, but convertible as well. The outer strand of the necklace can be detached and worn as a matching bracelet. It was this transformative quality and attention to detail that earned Parker's design the number two spot in this year's contest.

Design Idea LA5S Necklace

Julie Anstaett's Ocean Gem is an undersea treasure that feels like it was plucked from the Atlantean royal jewels. Chris saw the complete sea urchin skeleton focal as "so creative" and said, "I've never seen anything quite like it." It was this unique element, combined with a cool color palette of teal and gold, that solidified this piece's top tier standing.

Design Idea LA5U Necklace

With masterful florist-level composition, Keiko Wada's design Wakamurasaki caught everyone's attention. Wada's cascading, wearable beaded bouquet was inspired by Wakamura, a character in the novel Genji Monogatari. Dripping with wisteria blooms, springtime hues and woven organic forms, it's no wonder that her design was quickly named as this year's Employee's Choice. "It's absolutely beautiful," Chris said as she gently turned the piece to admire it further. "Even the clasp is stunning."

Design Idea LA4Y Necklace

Alex Roeder's inspiration for Carnival came from the annual Brazilian festival's samba dancer costumes--a connect that immediately drew the judges to the piece. "It's so flexible, I could see a dancer wearing this," Stuart said, continuing to admire the design's vibrant celebration of movement and color as he happily marked it the winner of the President's Award.

Design Idea LA5E Necklace

"Rocio" means dew in Spanish, and it was the vivid colors captured in the morning droplets of Edwin Batres' garden that inspired his dimensional design. Packed with textural appeal, Rocio's creative twist on the chunky jewelry trend had judges raving and was promptly named Trendsetter. Chris was quick to comment on the tactile quality of the beads. Turning the piece in the light, she said, "The dew effect is amazing, and it's so light!"

Design Idea LA4Z Necklace

Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial for how tiny they are. It is this brave willingness to defend their woodland territories that inspired Andrea Grzabka's Treetop Warriors. "Unbelievable, the back is as beautiful as the front," Chris remarked. Unwilling to leave the charmingly detailed piece without an award, she named it the winner of the unbound Whimsy Award.

Design Idea LA5W Kente Shawl

Inspired by the handwoven Kente cloths traditionally worn by royalty in Ghana, Africa, Larry Brown's Beaded Kente Shawl honors the tradition with a mix of cultural symbols and patterns of his own creation. Chris admired the complex details and took note of the "very beautiful work."

Design Idea LA6G Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set

One of the few good things to come out of this year's lonely summer is Tatiana Van Iten's design, Quarantine. In true 2020 fashion, her inspiration came from her favorite TV binge. Chris complimented the design's lively pink and red assemblage of Chinese symbolism, calling it a "beautiful combination of artifacts." It was for this decorative quality that it was chosen for the Spectacular Sculpture Award.

View All Winning Designs Here

Category Name View Winning Design
Grand Prize Gold Laura Giusti Necklace
Grand Prize Silver Patricia Parker Necklace
Grand Prize Bronze Julie Anstaett Necklace
Art and Decor Michele Dischino Dreamcatcher
Other Accessories (Tie) Ezartesa Bracelet
Other Accessories (Tie) Ezartesa Bracelet

Category Name View Winning Design
Art and Decor Vada Jo Veter Home Décor Ornament
Coordinated Sets Tatiana Van Iten Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set
Large and Statement Necklaces Shoko Kimura Necklace
Necklace Ryoko Dowling Necklace
Other Accessories Ceri Matthews Purse

Category Name View Winning Design
Art and Decor (Tie) Lisa Yerby and Sam Yerby Home Décor Statue
Art and Decor (Tie) Diane McPhee Home Décor Pillow
Coordinated Sets Connie Kuilema Necklace and Bracelet
Large and Statement Necklaces Marina Garbo Necklace
Necklace Lisa Martinez Necklace
Other Accessories Marian Crane Sandals

  Name View Winning Design
  Keiko Wada Necklace

  Name View Winning Design
  Alex Roeder Necklace

  Name View Winning Design
  Edwin Batres Necklace

  Name View Winning Design
  Andrea Grzabka Necklace

  Name View Winning Design
  Larry Brown Kente Shawl

  Name View Winning Design
  Tatiana Van Iten Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set

AnGeGi Soutache Francesca Lobbe Lois Thome
Barbara Briggs GLITZYstones and beads Oksana
Beauty and the Beads Irene Kravtsova Olga Bott
Betty Cox Iryna Shlapakova Orna Gilchrist
Christina Brown Jenn Stephens Sue Hicke
Delia Cepoi Julie Anstaett Swetlana Bondarava
Edwin Batres Kateryna Klimov Tawny Druar
Elena Landzberg Kathy Emerick Tiffany Conley
Elizabeth Edwards Kylie Drapala Yvette Jones