The 11 categories in Handicrafts are: 1. Decorative Stitching —smaller items including embroidery, counted cross stitch, needlepoint; 2. Dolls; 3. Games; 4. Jewelry; 5. Large Models; 6. Miscellaneous; 7. Mosaics; 8. Other Textiles—including quilts, batik, T-shirts, weaving; 9. Pottery; 10. Small Models; 11. Sculpture. Be sure to read the Graphic Arts rules.
February 1, 2008....
Handicrafts
The specific rules for handicrafts are:
1. Decorative stitching (small items)
a. No kits or patterns should be used without major changes.
b. Embroidery, weaving, and sewing are included in this category.
c. Work should be neatly done, flat, not puckered, with even and uniform stitches, and with no knots or dark threads showing through from the back. In cross-stitch, all the stitches should cross the same way.
2. Dolls
a. Only handmade dolls may be entered; in order to support and validate the entrant’s creativity no purchased kits or patterns should be used without major changes.
b. Delegates may enter a single doll or a group of dolls; dolls may be monsters as well as recognizable historical or mythological characters.
c. The workmanship and neatness of dolls are essential aspects considered by the judges.
d. Entrants are urged to complete as much stitchery as possible by hand.
3. Games
a. All writing must be legibly presented in ink.
b. Must be in a box or container, which compliments the game board with a list of equipment (so pieces don’t get lost).
c. There should be no computer-generated graphics, but printed rules are acceptable.
4. Jewelry
a. Must be handmade only.
b. Workmanship and neatness are essential aspects considered by the judges.
c. Should be mounted to protect the art.
5. Large models
a. Must be larger than 12 inches in height, width and depth.
b. Must be more accurate and intricate in detail than smaller models.
6. Miscellaneous
a. Projects must not be entered in the miscellaneous category simply to avoid the penalty for failure to comply with rules in other categories.
b. Miscellaneous handicrafts are those that do not fall into the above categories (e.g. wood- work, decoupage, scratch art, etc.).
7. Mosaics
a. Should be made on a firm background—not cardboard, unless paper tesserae are used.
b. Whatever type of tesserae are used, the entire space should be covered, including the background area, but only by one layer of rice, rocks, etc. Do not build up or overlap tesserae. Do not leave spaces between the tesserae. Tesserae should be approximately the same size and thickness to give a fairly level finished product. They should be individual, separately colored pieces, and firmly attached. Lines drawn to place tesserae should not show, and there should be no lines painted on the surface of the finished mosaic.
c. Remember that Roman mosaics were usually floor surfaces and meant to be walked upon. They were not just pretty pictures.
8. Other textiles (large items)
a. Batiks, banners, and T-shirts with glued-on or painted letters or designs should be entered in this category.
b. The same basic rules apply as for decorative stitching.
9. Pottery
a. Must be handmade only—no molds.
b. Must be a container of some sort (vase, jar, urn, sarcophagus, etc.)
10. Smaller models
a. Must be 12 inches or smaller in height, width and depth.
b. Must be actual three dimensional representations of objects, not flat pictures.
11. Sculpture
a. Must be handmade only—no molds.
b. Must be a figure of some sort, either done in the round, or a relief cut from flat surfaces.
c. Should have a base to protect the art.
The criteria for judging are:
1. Originality/Creativity
2. Degree of Skill
3. Design and Color
4. Accuracy/Authenticity
5. Adherence to Classical Theme
6. Neatness
7. Adherence to Rules
8. Overall Effect
