Have you entered the Decorate a Beaded Cake competition yet? If not, you’ve still got time (click here to find out more). If you have, then I have exciting news here…I am officially announcing the judges for the competition!
I am hugely grateful to all these wonderful people from the beading community, across the globe no less! They have all agreed to give up their time in order to judge the entries to this exciting competition.
And, from my own experience in judging a beading competition in the past, I appreciate that is an incredibly difficult task. I am certain that everyone will produce something beautiful, creative and worthy of winning. So, I have to admit I’m a little relieved that I won’t be the one making the decision this time!
Instead, all the entries will be in the very capable hands of this wonderful group of beading celebrities!
Announcing the Judges…
So, I have great pleasure in announcing the judges. I’m sure they are all names that you already know, but just in case any of them needs an introduction, I have included a few words about each as well.
Without further ado, let’s begin announcing the judges! So, in alphabetical order, they are…
Anita Adamson
Yes, that’s right, the famous founder of the wonderful Facebook group, Seed Beads and More (which you can find at this link, if you haven’t heard of it before).
With its monthly beadalongs, and the kind, and fair group vibe, this group is truly reflective of Anita’s values. She set up the group following her own vision, and I know she will bring the same kindness, fairness and love of beading to the judging panel.
Cath Thomas
I’m pretty sure Cath Thomas needs no introduction! Whether you know her for her wonderful book, Diamond Weave, or her innovations in Cellini spiral, perhaps her Petals and Pods… Or just because of her kindness and generosity to everyone she meets.
I’m honoured to have Cath on the judging panel to bring her own unique flavour and flair.
And, just in case you haven’t come across her work before, I invite you to take a look at her shop, which you will find here.
Chloe Menage
Again, Chloe is such a popular and familiar face in the beading world. I originally came to know her as editor of Bead and Jewellery magazine, many years ago. She was kind enough to commission some projects from me, and what started as a professional relationship soon became a firm friendship.
Chloe now runs her own business, Pinkhot, selling fabulous beading patterns and giving regular online classes via Zoom. Known for her vibrant colours and the skill with which she can put together any colour palette, you can admire Chloe’s work on her website at this link.
CJ Beaders
As sponsors of the competition, I’m sure you won’t be at all surprised to find CJ Beaders on the judging panel.
For anyone who doesn’t know them, they are a UK-based bead shop, with a wholesale arm. I can testify to the fact that they have the most amazing collection of Delicas (I believe they now stock every single colour available in size 10…which makes me very happy!). And the friendly, helpful team that runs everything always provides first-class service. So, you can check them out at this link.
Leslie Pope
I almost feel like I should be introducing the next two judges together! You see, I came to know them through my work with the Beadsmith Inspiration Squad. Both of them work hard to create wonderful designs to showcase the Beadsmith product range, and support all the Squad members in so many ways. Together, they are affectionately known as ‘Team Leslie’.
But each of them is a wonderful designer in their own right, and have both had hugely successful careers in the US beading world.
So, let me first introduce Leslie Pope, Senior Designer at the Beadsmith. You may have seen her demonstrating on the Beadsmith YouTube channel. Or perhaps you know her for her beautiful, intricate jewellery, or her online bead shop (newly re-vamped, and looking fabulous, I might add!) And if you don’t know her, then you must check out her website, Twisted Sistah Beads, at this link.
Leslie Rogalski
And (alphabetically speaking, only!) here is the second half of Team Leslie…the wonderful Leslie Rogalski, Creative Director at the Beadsmith. Again, her gorgeous designs have been well-known in the US beading market – and beyond – well before she joined the Beadsmith. You may also have seen her demonstrating on the Beadsmith YouTube channel, or come across her beautiful stand at a bead or jewellery fair. She traded as Sleepless Beader for many years, and still sells beautiful kits, finished jewellery, and tutorials on the Leslie Rogalski Beadworks website, which you will find here at this link.
Rowena Henderson
Given that I set up this competition to celebrate International Beading Week 2022, and as you know, the Beadworker’s Guild originally started beading week, it seemed only right and proper to have a link to the guild on the judging panel.
So, I’m thrilled that the current editor of the Beadworker’s Guild Journal, Rowena Henderson, agreed to join the panel too. (You can find her website here).
For anyone who is a Guild member, you will already be familiar with Rowena’s eye for selecting beautiful projects. Not to mention her compelling writing, and selection of interesting articles that appear in each issue of the journal. And, if you’re not a member of the Guild, why not join? Although they started in the UK, their membership is now truly international, reflecting the worldwide community of beaders. You can find out more at this link.
So, I hope you will agree that this is a fabulous panel, representing the international nature of the beading community. Hopefully a fitting tribute to the idea behind beading week…bringing beaders together!
If you are working on your cake entry, good luck! And if this has tempted you, there’s still time to enter the competition – the closing date is 31st July 2022. So, you can find out more at this link.
More IBW fun…join this online beading class and celebrate the week together!
Follow this link to find out more and join the online beading class
