Have you ever thought of entering a craft contest? There seems to be a never ending number of them on the Internet. I even have a CFE/Contests category on this blog for just that reason.
Honestly, I’m not one to normally enter contests myself, mainly due to lack of time, but this article from a Meylah, entitled “Everyone Wins: Why You Should Enter Contests,” got me thinking more seriously about the additional benefits to entering contests other than winning.
Generally, some of the reasons suggested in this article includes added professional exposure; a chance to expand your creativity; trying something different than you might usually do when it comes to your normal crafting direction; and creating traffic for your blog, shop, or web site.
If you aren’t normally the type to enter contests, then you may think differently after reading this article.
March 7, 2010 at 10:50 am
I’ve entered only a few beading contests in the last 5 years. I keep me eye out for them, but they are far and few between. I guess with the recession, bead stores don’t have the prize money or time to host them. Fire Mountain beads does a huge contest every year with a gazzillion categories to enter, but the drawback is that you must purchase beads and materials directly from them and the design must be made with their items, so you’re kind of shopping with them to enter their contest. I just feel that puts a damper on y creativity and uniqueness…as everyone is shopping and buying their pendants, beads, pearls all from the same source. I guess everything has its own set of pro’s and con’s! LOL
March 7, 2010 at 11:47 am
You have a good point. There are actually a lot of contests, but many of them required entrants to use materials from the vendors who sponsor them.