Get on board with the Magazine Challenge!

Do you have a subscription to Beadwork? Bead and Button? Are you actually doing any of the beautiful projects they work so hard to provide for us in each issue? No? Guess what! Neither are most of the rest of us! Our latest challenge, the Magazine Challenge aims to stop that!

The challenge is to take a look at your magazines for the next year, pick a project, and DO IT! And/Or, if you have any old issues laying around with projects that are still on your "to do" list, put them at the top of the pile. We pay for these magazines, don't we? Then why aren't we using them? Good question.

For those who would like to participate but don't subscribe, there's a way for you to participate! Simply go to Bead and Button's or Beadwork's/Beading Daily's project sites and pick a free one! We're giving lists of "example" projects from those sites in case you don't want to search.

The challenge runs through January 2012 (because the magazines are produced every other month and the last issue for this challenge will be December 2011/January 2012).

If you're not a Beaddreamz member, join us and have some fun with your magazines. If you are a member, pull out your magazines and join us!

Some entries have already been submitted. Here is a slideshow created by Aryd'ell to show you what members have already done:

Beadwork Magazine - International Discrimination?

As readers of Beadwork Magazine know, in every issue there is a section called "The Challenge." Readers are encouraged to send in photos of their own beadwork to demonstrate to the editors that they have what it takes in creativity to participate in the magazine's Challenge. The chosen participant for each issue is sent a selection of beads with which to compose a creative piece that may be featured in a future issue alongside pieces made by artists on the Beadwork staff using the same selection of beads. The bead packets are provided to Beadwork by manufacturers and bead sellers – a great advertising tool.

Before going any further, we'd like to assure you that we love Beadwork magazine and in no way wish to deny the quality of the magazine.

Of course "The Challenge" has rules and restrictions, one of which is clearly stated in each issue featuring "The Challenge." "Due to International shipping costs, this Challenge is limited to residents of the United States and Canada."

One Beaddreamz member, Jeanne of New Jersey, cries foul! Using the excuse of "international shipping costs" to exclude worldwide readers is riduculous when Beadwork receives discounted shipping rates and indeed mails their publication to bead enthusiasts all over the world. There are many highly skilled members of Beaddreamz who live outside of North America, not to mention worldwide readers of the magazine, and we are outraged on their behalf! Honestly, how much does it really cost to mail a small packet of beads anywhere in the world? Remember, Beadwork does not pay for the beads, just the postage.

Do you agree or disagree? Our own Jeanne has composed a letter and sent it to the editors of Beadwork, admonishing them for this unfair restriction. Let's tell Beadwork how we feel! You can download and print a copy of Jeanne's letter here:
http://www.calameo.com/read/0001512173575828974e2

The mailing address is shown on the letter. All you have to do is sign it and send it off.

Sound off about your feelings regarding Beadwork's challenge restrictions. We'd love to know what you have to say!

WT Swaps Come Home to Roost!

Swappers sent beads to their swappees, beads they were stumped by, or had had for a long time, without being able to figure out what to make with those beads.
Their swap buddies took those beads, added a few of their own, then sent back a finished creation in their swapper's size!
What fun we all had, and just look at the lovely creations!

Just Beachy!

Our "Ocean Adventures" challenge ran throughout January and February. The simple task: make something that reminds you of the ocean. Boy, did our members deliver! This challenge resulted in some extremely gorgeous and unique works of art from the group members. Feast your eyes:

Bead Embroidered Buttons

Recently a few of our members played around with buttons and bead-embroidered these little lovelies.  Aren't they gorgeous?  Click on the image to get a larger view.

The Polls are Completed!

Each month Beaddreamz polls our members to tell us which of the most recent challenge or other activity pieces were their favorites. For December, the polls were just closed and here are the results:

(Pictures can be seen in the slide shows below)

Christmas Beaded Ornament Challenge
Receiving the most votes: Panel Deco by Lynn M.
First Runner Up: Victorian Lace by Gale of AZ
Second Runner Up: Seed Pillow Balloon by Jeanne of NJ

December 2009 Calendar Challenge
Receiving the most votes: "Ice Queen" by Aryd'ell
First Runner Up: "Pearl and Seed" by Jeanne of NJ
Tied for Second Runner Up:
"Black and Silver" by Jeanne of NJ AND
"Christmas Plenty" by Aryd'ell

Congratulations, ladies, and special thanks to all of the members whose beautiful work gave us holiday cheer! You are all winners!

December and Christmas 2009

Double the Pleasure!

Below are photos of beautiful beaded ornaments created by our members for our Christmas Beaded Ornament Challenge.  

And here are photos of our members' contribution to our December 2009 BeadDreamz Challenge.

Beautiful work ladies!