The Ugly Necklace Contest
Established in 2003 by LandofOdds and Beaddazzled beadshops, the Ugly Necklace Contest challenges jewelers to make a hideous, yet functional piece of wearable "art".
In addition to three photos of their ugly necklace, artists must submit a short poem describing their work. No entry fee required. Prizes are awarded to the top two entries, and the top ten entries are posted on the LandOf Odds web site.
Contest Criteria is important for this one.
All judges involved in the Contest will use the following jewelry design criteria:
• HIDEOUSNESS: The degree to which the artist makes the ordinary....noteworthy, and in the case of this Contest, UGLY.
• SHAPE, COLOR, BALANCE, PROPORTIONS & USE OF MATERIALS: How the artist has selected, mixed and placed shapes, colors, textures, patterns and materials to achieve UGLY.
• CONTEXT: How the necklace might relate to a wearer, or a particular context (present-day, historical or otherwise) in which the wearer might find herself. Anticipating how or where the necklace might be worn. • UNIQUENESS OF DESIGN: Something especially clever in the design, and how the designer achieves both functionality and ugliness within the same piece.
• QUALITY OF ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN ENTRY
As the contest rules state, "It's not easy to do ugly!" Designers must eschew all talent in balance, color theory and texture combination to make the ugliest piece of jewelry that can be mustered up.
2005 Winners
Jann Ferris
"My Cajun Condiment Collar"
WINNER
Mary Poag
"i, i, Eye"
RUNNER UP
Bonnie Anderson
"My Butt Ugly Necklace"
Elizabeth Long
"Untitled"
Rachael Schultz
"Try Channel 8"
Heatlher Kelterer
"Flossing Accident"
Karen Vogler
"PMS (Post Menopause Survivor) Necklace"
Tim Oliver
"Untitled"
Andrea Dupree
"My $2. Ugly Necklace"
Daphne Gillen & Marge Van Dusen
"Ode to a Necklace of Hated Beads"
