If you'd like to participate in the 2010 Your Designs Rock Contest, now's the time to start planning your entry. This popular event is sponsored by Rings & Things, a big supplier of beads and jewelry making components. But entries aren't limited to jewelry designs -- you're free to submit a wall hanging, sculpture, item of decor, or just about anything else you can think of, as long as a majority of its components were purchased from Rings & Things.

About ordering from Rings & Things

Rings & Things is a wholesale supplier in the sense that it has a total minimum order requirement of $25, and charges a $4 processing fee on orders between $25 and $50. However, anyone can shop there. You can order through their Web site, by phone, by regular mail, or by fax. You can also purchase their catalog, or request one for free with your first $50 order.

Contest prizes

This year's Grand Prize is $750 in Rings & Things credit. There will also be a First Prize of $150 credit in each of five categories, and Honorable Mentions will each receive $75 credits. As an added perk, some winning entries may be featured in future issues of the Rings & Things catalog and promotions, with credit given to the artist -- which means potential exposure to an audience of about one million people.

Entry categories

Here they are:

• Glass and crystal
• Mostly metal
• Found objects and miscellaneous
• Gemstones
• Metal clay

Deadlines and more helpful info

Entries will be accepted between January 1, 2010, and
February 28, 2010 (<---That's your deadline).

All the info you need to participate is available on the Rings & Things website. Here are the most helpful links:

Main contest description page

Contest guidelines

FAQs

Previous winners

Have fun with this one, and good luck!