Would You Like a Challenging Contest?

[CraftedRoots]

Hey, so I've been thinking for a while that we need to try a contest with specific rules to it. So far the HAF Team has had challenges that have a general theme to them, and have been lots of fun! I was thinking maybe now we should try a contest with more specific terms to it. For example, Aimee recently posted about a Craftster contest where you could create anything you wanted, but it had to be made from a board game! (http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3845.0.html) I think this could be a fun way to get us outside our comfort zones (aka the mediums we are used to) and try something new!

However, if we are all too cozy in our comfort zones, we could try to make a specific item, like a welcome sign or something, you know?

So now I would like to know how interested everyone would be if we tried something like this? And would you like to come up with ideas yourself, or should I just say "We're gonna do this!" and force you all to do it?

[LTDBeads]

I'd love to join a challenge that wasn't limited to the HAF Team. I've never joined the team since I'm closing out my Etsy shop. Could this be open to all HAForum members?

But then, I don't know how knitters or soapers would fit into a challenge that was limited to making something from a board game or making a welcome sign. Would blue, or round, or 4th of July be a better type of challenge? I'm talking from inexperience here, as I've never had the opportunity to take part in a challenge.

[CraftedRoots]

I'd love to join a challenge that wasn't limited to the HAF Team. I've never joined the team since I'm closing out my Etsy shop. Could this be open to all HAForum members?

But then, I don't know how knitters or soapers would fit into a challenge that was limited to making something from a board game or making a welcome sign. Would blue, or round, or 4th of July be a better type of challenge? I'm talking from inexperience here, as I've never had the opportunity to take part in a challenge.

Yes, it would be a forum-wide contest! And what I was talking about with the board game thing would be for everyone to step outside their usual medium and try something new. You would need to take a board game and turn it into whatever you want, be it a purse, coat, storage item, or a garden, like Aimee's neighbor did! The idea is that everyone would have to use a certain material in their creation. We'd all start with something similar, and find ways to make it uniquely grandiose!

Blue and round would be okay for a challenge where everyone would use their medium, since it would need to fit into certain guidelines. 4th of July would be too open to interpretation. Does that make any sense?

[Larissa]

I don't mind at all doing something non-soap related.  I did other art-related stuff before I was a soaper, after all. 

[LTDBeads]

Okay, sounds great, even though now that I looked at that Candy Land entry, I'm terrified. Not to mention that I couldn't afford the plants she used, not to mention the wood for that "shed", etc.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I think this sounds like so much fun!  I love a challenge that forces people to work outside their comfort zone.  Who knows, you may discover an untapped talent!

[Larissa]

I'd love to join a challenge that wasn't limited to the HAF Team. I've never joined the team since I'm closing out my Etsy shop. Could this be open to all HAForum members?

But then, I don't know how knitters or soapers would fit into a challenge that was limited to making something from a board game or making a welcome sign. Would blue, or round, or 4th of July be a better type of challenge? I'm talking from inexperience here, as I've never had the opportunity to take part in a challenge.

Yes, it would be a forum-wide contest! And what I was talking about with the board game thing would be for everyone to step outside their usual medium and try something new. You would need to take a board game and turn it into whatever you want, be it a purse, coat, storage item, or a garden, like Aimee's neighbor did! The idea is that everyone would have to use a certain material in their creation. We'd all start with something similar, and find ways to make it uniquely grandiose!

Blue and round would be okay for a challenge where everyone would use their medium, since it would need to fit into certain guidelines. 4th of July would be too open to interpretation. Does that make any sense?

Would a certain material be required, or just idea?  In the board game one, she didn't use parts of an actual board game, she created a whole new one using plants.

[trusk4u]

Sounds very interesting. I'll keep my eye on this.  Maybe I'll actually have time to participate even!

[CraftedRoots]

Would a certain material be required, or just idea?  In the board game one, she didn't use parts of an actual board game, she created a whole new one using plants.

Yeah, I was thinking that her entry didn't officially apply to the rules since it was supposed to be a board game revamp, and she didn't actually use a board, though I doubt anyone will complain. I kind of like the idea of the board game revamp because you have to take something inside a box and think of a way to create something far outside the box. If we were just playing with an idea, then that would fit into the second option a little better. And it would need to be something board game-themed, and not just board game-inspired, you know what I mean?

[aimeesrockworks]

Okay, sounds great, even though now that I looked at that Candy Land entry, I'm terrified. Not to mention that I couldn't afford the plants she used, not to mention the wood for that "shed", etc.

  You don't even want to know..... some people buy little red sports cars, she bought stained glass!  Although I will say, she shops A LOT at Value Village/Craigslist/St. Vinnies/etc. 

As for a HAF challenge, I might be tempted to step outside the world of rocks.  Maybe 

[helenapuck]

I think this would be really fun. I love getting new ideas from other people through activities like this. So I'm game. . . (teehee). . . make sure we give everyone ample time, of course.

[trusk4u]

I think this would be really fun. I love getting new ideas from other people through activities like this. So I'm game. . . (teehee). . . make sure we give everyone ample time, of course.

UGH! I can't believe you said "I'm game.." Very PUNNY!

[CraftedRoots]

Yay, thanks for all the feedback!! So the question is now, do you want a contest where:

1.) You need to use a specific item(s) to make your creations? (i.e., board game, book, etc.)

or

2.) Your creations need to be/contain something specific? (i.e., a round shape, the colour blue, a smiley face, a house shape, etc.)

[LTDBeads]

I like the second option ... that way I don't have to go buy a book or board game or whatever. I figure the ones that are in the house are ones I want to keep "as is." On the other hand, just for the sake of getting out of our comfort zones, maybe we shouldn't be allowed to make anything in our "normal" line of crafting.

[CraftedRoots]

On the other hand, just for the sake of getting out of our comfort zones, maybe we shouldn't be allowed to make anything in our "normal" line of crafting.

That's the idea. Hehe, No comfort zones allowed!! But I will keep your vote in mind. Anyone else?