This week in an interview from across the pond I have caught up with Zoya Gutina about her jewellery making career and the exciting new fashion colorworks beading contest. Take a look at Zoya’s stunning work to inspire your potential contest entries, and read on to find out how you can get involved and what you can win!

Zoya

Can you tell me about yourself and your career in jewellery making?

I was born and raised in the USSR but for the more than 12 years have lived in the United States in New York City and now in Alexandria, VA. I hold a Diploma from the College of Culture in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. Since 2002 I’ve been designing gemstone and beaded jewelry, I’m currently a member of the Bead Society of Greater New York and of the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association  in Alexandria, a participant and a winner  of many international jewelry contests and exhibitions.

What is the Fashion Colorworks contest and how did it start?

The first international Fashion Colorworks Beading Contest is a great challenge for all designers who work with beads. Since I launched my website http://mylovelybeads.com I had a dream to sponsor a bead contest. Last fall I read an article on Pantone Color Institute, the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems, and their report on top 10 colors for spring 2010. This inspired me, and idea about a contest based on Pantone’s spring color trends came to me!

Spring Romance Necklace by Zoya Gutina

Have you had a good response so far to your beading contest?

I hadn’t expected to receive any submissions the first week the contest started, but I did! I’m optimistic and believe that the contest will attract many designers, and the beadworks will be amazing.

How long has the contest been running?

The entries for the contest will be accepted since April 1 until June 15. Ten best beadworks will make the final; they will be announced on June 20. The winners will be announced on July 1.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to professional and amateur beaders from around the world.   Entries may be the work of a single person or collaboration by several people (up to 4).

Mid-Summer Night's Dream Necklace by Zoya Gutina

What could I win?

I think for the first time the awards are great – gift certificates from our sponsors: Beads Direct UK ( http://www.beadsdirect.co.uk ), Artbeads.com, and Soft Flex Company. First of all, we will select 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. Besides, there are three special prizes: People’s Choice, Best Use of Color, and Best Use of Materials Awards. The total of prizes is about $450-500 (that’s £300+!). In addition to that, the First Place Winner will be featured on the main page of http://mylovelybeads.com website for one month; all winners and finalists are going to be featured in my monthly illustrated online newsletter that has 6,500 subscribers. I’m not talking about blogs and social networks, it goes without saying!

If I want to enter, what should I do?

To participate, you will need to create a piece of bead jewelry based on one of the suggested color triads announced by the Pantone Color Institute as top 10 colors for spring 2010 (see below). Entries can include jewelry, accessories, jewelry-related objects and sculptural objects, as a single piece, as well as an ensemble. Each entry must be not less than 50 percent seed beads. A participant may submit up to 3 items – one in each color combination. There is no submission fee! For more information, see the contest rules.

Pantone colours for beading contest

How do I submit my entry?

This year submissions should be sent by email at info@mylovelybeads.com - please send pictures and a text file with the entrant’s information and entries descriptions.

Poppy Fileld Necklace by Zoya Gutina

How will the winners be chosen?

A panel of three independent jurors will choose the winners. 10 beadwork finalists are open for online voting to determine People’s Choice Award Winner. Best Use of Color and Best Use of Materials Award Winners will be defined among all beadwork entries.

Any other tips?

I hope the first Fashion Colorworks will make success, the first comments from bead designers say that!

Feeling inspired? Want to have a go? Why not visit mylovelybeads.com to get some more information and start work on your entry!