Bead Dreams 2008 Competition

Deadline: April 4, 2008 (RECEIVE)


Bead Dreams 2008
Juried Competition of Bead Artistry
Sponsor: Bead&Button Magazine


Bead&Button magazine sponsors Bead Dreams, a juried competition of exceptional bead artistry from around the world. We display the accepted pieces at the Bead&Button Show and award ribbons in five categories.

The outstanding piece among category winners receives a Best in Show trophy and a $1,000 gift certificate from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

How to Enter

We accept submissions online only. The online registration form will be available in January, 2008.

Categories (We reserve the right to reclassify the category of an entry according to the rules.)

Handmade Beads or Buttons: A unified collection of four or more handmade beads or buttons.

Polymer Clay: A unified collection of four or more beads or buttons, jewelry, or a nonwearable item (at least 85 percent polymer clay).

Objects or Accessories: A non-jewelry item or accessory, including, but not limited to, purses, shoes, sculptures, or wall hangings, in any bead-related media.

Seed Bead Jewelry: One piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is predominantly seed beads or bugle beads, including, but not limited to, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

Crystal Jewelry - New category for 2008!: One piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is predominantly crystals, including, but not limited to, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

Finished Jewelry: One piece, or an ensemble of jewelry, that is made from one or more of the following: glass beads, crystals, semi-precious stones, wire, metal clay, or seed beads (piece must be less than 50 percent seed beads).

Eligibility and Rules (Truncated)

The competition is open to professional and amateur beaders from the U.S. and around the world. Bead&Button Show faculty and exhibitors may enter the competition. Kalmbach Publishing Co. employees and family members are not eligible.

All work entered in the competition must be original. The entry fee of $25 covers up to two submissions. You may not submit more than two entries in any one category. We reserve the right to reclassify the category of an entry.

Entries may be the work of a single person or a collaboration by several people.

Entries must have been produced between May 2007 and April 2008.

We reserve the right to exclude large pieces from the Bead Dreams exhibit at the Show, if space constraints and/or security concerns present an issue. We will notify you of your acceptance status by April 25, 2008.

All accepted pieces must be received at the Bead&Button magazine editorial office no later than May 9, 2008.


Judging and Awards

The editors of Bead&Button, BeadStyle, and Art Jewelry magazines will select the competition finalists. Finalists will be on display at the Bead&Button Show, June 4-8, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Before the start of the Bead&Button Show, a team of judges will select first, second, and third prize winners in each category. A panel of one judge from each category will choose the Best in Show winner and runner-up from the first-prize winners.

Artists retain ownership of their work and do not need to be present to win.

Complete details available on the website.