The British Bead Awards are one of the highlights in Bead’s calendar. Last year the standard of entries was fantastic and now we’re calling for designers to enter this year’s awards. There are nine categories, including a brand new Polymer Clay Category, and The British Bead Awards are open to everyone from around the world, whatever your experience. So why not give it a go!
Not only do winners get the kudos of winning, you will also see their piece printed in our Winners' Gallery in Bead magazine. First prize winners receive a snazzy engraved award and £150 worth of beady treats from our lovely sponsors. 2nd prize winners receive £50 worth of goodies and 3rd place £25 worth. All winners will also get a subscription to the Bead iMag and Bead.TV. On top of this, all the finalists will have their work displayed at the October Big Bead Show for thousands of visitors to see!
All entries are judged anonymously, by a panel of experts. This year's esteemed judges are Diana East, Linda Jones and Jennifer Airs.
The categories are:
Seed Bead Work – Jewellery: The main material used must be seed or cylinder beads. Sponsored by The Spellbound Bead Company.
Seed Bead Work – Non-Jewellery: The main material used must be seed or cylinder beads. Sponsored by ThreadABead.
Wirework and Chainmaille Jewellery: Main material used must be metal wire or jump rings. Sponsored by Purple Moon Beads.
Metal Clay Jewellery: Main material used must be any brand of metal clay. Sponsored by PMC studio.
Crystals: Can be jewellery or non-jewellery but the main material must be glass crystal beads. Sponsored by The Bead Shop (Nottingham) Ltd.
Handmade Glass Beads and Components: Not finished jewellery but individual beads, sets or components made of glass. Sponsored by Tuffnell Glass.
Polymer Clay: Jewellery or non-jewellery, main material used must be any brand of polymer clay. Sponsored by Staedtler Fimo.
Beyond Beads Jewellery: Finished jewellery made using other materials e.g. glass beads, semi-precious, wood, felt, fabric, shrink plastic, metalwork. Sponsored by Cookson Gold.
Best in Show: Selected by the visitors to the Big Bead Show. Sponsored by Totally Beads.
How to enter
Download an entry form and send it along with images of your chosen piece of work to Elizabeth King elizabeth@ashdown.co.uk or post to it to: Bead Awards, Unit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel, BN18 0AG.The deadline is Friday August 17 2012. The entry fee is just £10 per submission and must be paid upon entry. For full rules and entry information and to download the entry form visit www.thebigbeadshow.co.uk and click on Bead Awards.
