much better photo!

Gorgeous picture on that one

50mm minimum size?  That counts out most opal carvings.

Geez...  entry fee is $295 for one entry.

very spooky!  :D

I'm looking for competitions to enter.  Google seems less than productive.  I'll look up that AGTA. I would love to find a competition that actually provides judges feedback as well.  Anyone knows of any?

And ya, I've now posted photos of my finished products in Kurt's thread, "Australian opal competition."  I'd love to hear what y'all think.  And there's nothing in the rules about not posting prior, but having not entered before, I was just following advice from someone who wins all the time.

It's a pool floatie!  The kind with a backrest.  :)

I wish I knew someone who went.  I'd like to confirm that mine were actually displayed since they got there so late.  I'm assuming they were.

On the Wings of Forever
Coober Pedy opalized shell carving
9 ct. and 27x22x3.5 mm

https://youtu.be/LB1Zobs_0c8

OK, well, the judging is done. Have not heard anything yet but what the heck, I'll go ahead and post my two entries. 

A Rose by the Sea
Coober Pedy opalized shell carving
21.6 ct and 28x22x9 mm

I kept the backside as an homage to the shell.

https://youtu.be/t3hFrDz9_l8

The judging was supposed to be yesterday.  So now we wait... 

I saw y'all on the previous entries!  :D

I was told that there was a problem lately with people who lost causing a problem, contesting the winners, saying the judges were influenced by prior photos. So it's not a rule but a recommendation.

Soo...  per advise of a former winner I was advised not to post them prior to the voting.   

So I guess I'll be waiting a few more weeks first.  But I did manage to finish two of the three that I was working on.  They are both Coober Pedy shells.  One with bright greens and the other has red flash.  I was very lucky to score some really nice rough to work from.  They didn't turn out perfect but I'm satisfied.

Well..  I decided to go with 2 of my 3.  Just not enough time to finish the third.  Not sure I'm entirely pleased but there comes a point when you just have to stop and say it is what it is.  I had a jewelry settings in mind but I had to give up yesterday.  Can't get it done in time.  I'll post photos later today.

Hard time deciding...