Hi Peoples!
I am still in  my cave but exited (again)  long enough to write this update on what's happening in my fibre craft world. This consists principally of two (three if you count being in my cave writing / editing / drawing diagrams)items:

ONE:        CONTINUING CALL FOR SAMPLES OF TEXTILE WORK  
  
TWO:       "NO RULES" KNOTTING CONTEST

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ONE:  CONTINUING CALL FOR SAMPLES OF TEXTILE WORK   

If you are interested in contributing / taking part, then you can find all details on my previous journal here: [link]

Note: By "Textile Work" I mean anything tha uses thread, cord, rope, or any similar material to produce an ornamental or practical object including: macrame- knotting- crochet- knitting- lacemaking- kumihimo- sprang- tatting- temari- naalbinding- weaving- string and nail work- patchwork- embroidery- cross stitch- lucet work- tapestry- rugmaking- coiled basketry- wall hangings- needlepoint- dressmaking & tailoring- tablet weaving- and any other expression in sculpture or other forms using the materials mentioned above.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TWO:       "NO RULES" KNOTTING CONTEST

I love knotting!... I've seen what may be produced by deviants and I'm impressed...  I was given a friendship bracelet by a Mayan warrior, (at a ceremony where he wore his full fighting regalia), which was made by his wife and sits proudly on my wall at home.  I have seen the most amazing things made with cord from 30ft high sculptures to exquisite jewellry made from pure silk thread so fine you need to tie many many knots just to fill a 3mm square space.  From chinese pan changs to spanish turks head knots, the humble reef or square knot to japanese fancy Shinto priest cord knots, the availability and diversity of knots to create an astonishing variety of forms in macrame is truly only limited by the imagination and patience of the maker....  and we haven't even touched on the variety that colour and beads bring to the equation!

My point is this:
We have many contests that define parameters that entrants must adhere to, be that colour, form, theme, or other variables...  Although interesting in their own way, they constrain rather than free the imagination soooo.... this time we are going to have a contest where there is no limit to what is made, how it is made, or any other rule other than one: the item must be entirely knotted,   ("entirely knotted" = mostly knotted such that the piece is primarily based on knotting for it's form, theme and construction:  Armatures or wire to help with shape or rigidity is allowed...  and, of course the piece may be with or without beads or other ornaments),   We would like to see the best that you guys out there can come up with!

The contest will run until: July 14th (to allow enough time for you to create something special) Anything from bags, bracelets, belts to anything else, (not necessarily beginning with the letter "b"   ), is admissible, remember, whatever you make must be the best you can do, even unfinished pieces are admissible as long as it's fairly easy to see what would be the end result...  told you there were no limits.... If deviants feel they would like more time to produce their best, we are prepared to prolong the competition until the end of July... but we need several deviants to request this option.

Please submit your entry (ies) to this folder: [link](you may enter as many pieces as you like... however, I would recommend concentrating on one, or at the most two, as it's about originality and quality above all)

Some examples of bracelets and knotted work for inspiration, or simply viewing, are to be found at the bottom of this journal....

To provide some incentive to see as many fine examples as possible the prizes available are:

1st Prize   
One of Nimuae's amazing friendship Bracelets! ( [link] )
+ A pair of Peter's Dragon Earrings ( [link])
+ 6 month premium membership
+ 250 points
+ News Feature
+ journal features

2nd Prize   
3 month premium membership
+ 250 points
+ News Feature
+ journal features

3rd Prize   
250 points
+ News Feature
+ journal features

All Entrants
In addition all entrants will be featured on our group frontpage in their own widget window for two months starting from the date of publishing the results.


Please Note:

Anyone who wishes to participate in the prizes by offering a journal feature on their dA profile will be most welcome! Please note me asap if you are happy to do this and we'll list your name on the contest info...

This contest will be open to all deviants in our group, affiliated groups and any member of a craft based group on the deviantArt site. If anyone wishes to enter this contest who isn't craft-based... join a craft group!  Naturally all entries must be original and made after this announcement appears. Please insert in your artist comments that it is designed for our contest together with our logo, ( )


Nimuae and I are greatly looking forward to what gems will appear in the contest folder!

Good luck to all of you who enter!

Peter.


Here are some examples for inspiration:

Karen Smith: "Knotworks"  (jewellery) [link]
Amazing Italian Macrame by Adriana Lazzari: [link] (yes! it's all done with knots!)
Kaliste Bracelets: [link]
Joan Babcock's Online Gallery: [link]
Macramania: [link]
Macrame Boutique (Irina Serbina): Necklaces [link]
"Smitten by a Knot" Macrame blog: [link]
Macrame Collective Galleries: Sculpture: [link] Jewellry: [link]
Nimuae's Gallery on dA... [link]
My Gallery on dA... [link]
Wendy Elizabeth's online Gallery [link]
The winner and runners up of our "Choose your colors!"-Contest are: