In Judi's own words, "having fallen in love with the square Swarovski crystals, I felt I had to incorporate them into my silver clay. Since the crystals can't be fired at the temps needed for Art Clay, another method was necessary. Art Clay paper is very malleable, even after fired, so it was the perfect solution to "hug" the crystal. After several experiments, I found a pleasing design wrap for the crystal, then created the background square to complement it. Swirls and squares just seem to go together, so this was the perfect texture. Using Pebeo Vitra 160, I added a touch of color to the silver to enhance the swirls and meld with the color of the crystal. I've enjoyed the multistrand beading wire to create necklaces for my work, but I needed something to create an extension to the pendant. I've always liked the look of floating beads/crystals, and it appears to work well with this pendant, creating an extension which continues around the neck. A magnetic clasp was used for easy attachment and removal" - Judi Weers

Polly’s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well. Review the 2008 contest details to see what this contestant was up against. And remember, it’s never too early to start planning for the 2009 contest!