It is really important, in all fairness to the judges, to note that the two major pieces of supporting evidence did not arrive at the library (and were therefore not a part of the documentation) until the week after regionals. So the regional docs were not nearly as well done as the final docs (which are on the website). Note too that I did the garden in six weeks from start to finish - and the finish was the night before regionals. Improvements can be made to docs but not to the item itself - so I always concentrate the energy on the item before regionals and on the docs before kingdom.

 

The Garden was cross entered: Miscellaneous Studio Arts and Sciences (where it was more of an art piece) and in Miscellaneous Domestic Arts and Sciences (where it was more of a minature garden design). Scroe sheets were Midrealm. Laurel judges are in capitals, non-laurels in lower case.

 

 

      Judge A = 2 + 2 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 = 22

               Needs Primary Sources! Pictures! More Secondary would help too. You seen to be making the arguement that the presence of glass bead flowers in 1499 implies the existence of pocket gardens similar to those of later (17th century) in the 15th century. I'm not convinced completely - talk to me - Does not particularly resemble pieces from the same time. It's Beautiful.

 

      Judge B = 2 + 2.5 + 4.4 + 4.5 + 2 + 4 = 19.4

               You need to cite your sources. It looks like you may have several good sources, use them appropriately. Expand on techniques a bit more and add more discussion. Score could be higher if your documentation had a developed discussion so I could determine period styles. The criteria are not well suited to judging this entry in this catagory. It seems like you put a lot of work into this. Tie it all together with better docs.

 

      Judge c = 2.5 + 2.5 + 5.75 + 6 + 4 + 5 = 25.75

                Some information could ise more citation of sources. For example, when you talk about colors could you cite the exact source? Color/clearer pictures would be helpful. You make a good argument that these gardens could have been made prior to 17th century but I don't see clear evidence for it being 16th century. Great interpretation and logical placement of all the elements. This is an amazing piece of work and you did a great job with all the individual elements. I;m not convinced it is totally period. This took a great amount of time and patience and it's a beautiful piece of work!

 

 

      Judge d = 4 + 3 + 5.25 + 5.5 + 4 + 6 = 27.75

                Everything Explained perfectly! A reason for every damn thing - Very Nice! I am totally convinced these existed. Finishing= I really think you should have covered the plywood with satin, felt, paint - anything. Also the shortersections of the back wall - it just has a quick-finish look, like you ran out of time. (But I can't take off too much for it.) Love it! I cannot imagine trying to render Flora this small and you had to do it numerous times to get it scaled! OMG!!! OMG!!! you are a sick puppy girl!

 

      Judge e = 4 + 3.5 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 6 = 29.5

                 WOW - everything I wanted to know is here - Thank you. WOW, the only thing I was missing is a picture perhaps of your patterns for the flowers. Wow. Wow. What can I say. You accomplished what you set out to do and what you set out to do was glorious. This may be your last "garden" but I sincerely hope it is not the last project of this scope you try.

 

      Judge f = 3 + 3 + 4.83 + 5.5 + 4 + 6 = 26.33

                Good checking to verify the flowers as well as the project itself. Good choices on the beads. I know you used scrap lumber but cover it! even if you have to use shelf paper. You are out of control! A truely stunning piece, beautiful.

 

 

      Judge G = 3.5 + 3 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 6 = 28.5

                I like the quotes being used. The total insanity of this is very authintic. Your use of authentic materials is very good. The beads are wonderfullu tight and extreamly well chosen for their task. I would put some texture on the walls. I know, I am picking, but what can I say? Your creativity is wonderful, showing the mastery of the Art you have achieved. The touches you added is what makes this the superb piece of work it is!

 

      Judge h = 2 + 3 + 4.33 + 5.5 + 3 + 6 = 23.83

                Keep looking for more primary sources in period, I know there are some! It is just out of period, but extreamly nice none the-less, but yes - it could have been done in period. Show me the patterns! All seems logical to me and works very well for an eye-popping piece. AWESOME! So when are you going to be making your own beads? I'd love to see the patterns for some of these. You did an excellent job.

 

      Judge i = 2 + 2.5 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 6 = 26.5

                Some references were from a later time period. Wow, this is unreal - different patterns for all different flowers - a lot of work! - very nice minature of Italian garden. Great garden and bead design - done very nicely - very believable looking minature garden. I really like this  beaded garden. It's a great minature of a Italian Styled garden. The beadwork and flower colors are very pleasing to the eye

 

 

      Judge J = 4 + 4 + 5.75 + 6 + 4 + 5 = 28.75

                WOW!! Completely Awesome!! [I couldn't make out this part but something about glue] A tree is not a tree! [Smiley] the small one truly resembles an olive tree (approp' for Italy) and the tall one a plane or sycamore. WOW! The details! So marvelously minature! Also the vines closely resemble. "The wonder" a common vine in medditerrian lands. These plants are quite as wonderful as the daffodils and deserve a name too!

 

      Judge d = 4 + 3 + 5.67 + 5.5 + 4 + 6 = 28.17

               Hoobah! Won't repeat myself - Visable plywood takes off a point. Kindof bugged me - onlyh a little! Again, I can't imagine the time involved in reducing Flora in Beads - Do I see a book here? Woah Nelly! - This is just too much. You have to do a book on this! At least a site!

 

      Judge K = 4 + 3 + 4.29 + 5.75 + 3 + 6 = 26.04

                Excellent explanation of substitutions. Incredible - Wow for you. I hope you feel proud of this wonderous piece of art.