"I've noticed that the best pieces come from the things we love and surround ourselves with. Well, I love Betty Boop! She's all about feminine bling and "more is more"! As you can see, there is no finding that goes unused. I put whimsical things together (since Betty is such a whimsical icon), bringing everything together with color! I found a Betty Boop key chain at a dollar store, pulled off poor Betty's head and, with a sterling silver head pin, turned her into a one-of-a-kind focal bead. It's fun to look around and see what unique object can be recycled into a charm with a twist of wire and a bead! There are two strands of faceted round black onyx beads and three strands of round garnet beads, with pink accents highlighting the black and red. I soldered a frame using a mini print of Betty I found in a collectible catalog (you could alternately use a sterling frame charm). With fun glass beads and a lot of hearts, a treasure trove of charms are created!" - Linda Valentino Michel

View more 2008 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!