Kelly Snelling was the top vote-getter in our first objects and elements Reader Challenge, garnering 44% of the popular vote. The second highest vote count went to Brenda Gebhart at 24%. Congrats, ladies, on being recognized by our savvy readers for your beautiful work!
Here's a full look at the tintype pendant Kelly made and entered for our clasp challenge. She'll receive our undying affection and a few goodies from the store for her participation.
As of midnight July 8, 258 readers stopped by to participate in our challenge. Wow!
We must say it's been wonderful to see all the participation. We can't believe how well people responded to our little idea, and your enthusiasm has definitely given us some momentum to come up with a list of fun design challenges to stretch our creativity as artists.
Again, we'd like to thank Sharon, Karen, Brenda, Erin, Renate, Tonya, Nicole, Nancy and Kelly for having the courage to send in images of their gorgeous clasps. It takes courage to be an artist and to share one's work with the world. It takes confidence and courage to let that work be judged by others.
Please check back with us in 2 weeks for the next Reader Challenge. Because we were unsure how the first one would fly, we gave extra time to the submitting and voting part of the contest. However, we intend to get this feature going on a monthly schedule.

Congratulations to you, Kelly! You submitted a beautiful piece. But then, it was so hard to choose from ALL the beautiful pieces!
Posted by: Deryn Mentock | July 16, 2009 at 07:47 AM
gORgEouS!!! as is very typical of ALL kelly's art!!!
Posted by: barbara | July 10, 2009 at 10:15 PM
What a great piece Kelly! It is so inspiring to be included in this wonderfully talented company. I like the challenges...keeps me on my toes! I hope that I can participate in more of them.
Enjoy the day! Erin
Posted by: Erin Prais-Hintz | July 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Congratulations, Kelly, for your winning entry!! And congratulations to everyone for making this first challenge so great! I'm looking forward to the nexT!
Posted by: Renate | July 09, 2009 at 10:11 PM
thank you! i'm very humbled to win your first contest. it was great fun to participate in the clasp challenge. and i so enjoyed the creativity of all the entries. each was stellar. i appreciate the opportunity to play along and look forward to more challenges with you all.
Posted by: Kelly Snelling | July 09, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Well deserved Kelly....congratulations!!! Your piece and the story behind it was is simply beautiful! Thanks Jen for the wonderful opportunity and I look forward to the next. Keep em comin!
Posted by: sharon | July 09, 2009 at 02:44 PM