Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Aug 1, 2021 12:32:03 GMT -5
Hi all, I've been planning on doing this for a long time but finally set my mind to just get it done. This thread is intended to simply assist the winner of the cab contest in picking the upcoming contest theme - and only if they need it. At the same time I personally find data (in small doses) very interesting and would like to open it up for discussion regarding themes and see what kind of ideas emerge. Everyone is welcome to chime in even if they don't play. For the purposes of this thread please try to keep the topic on contest themes and try not to get into the nuts and bolts of how the contest is structured or managed. Going forward whenever a contest ends and I'm asking the winner for the next theme I will try to simply reference this thread just in case they need some ideas as a starting point. So here is a table of what we've done since April 2020 - I picked this starting point simply because it's the point where I started managing the contest. Cabochon Contest 2024 Results:Cabochon Contest 2023 Results:
Cabochon Contest 2022 Results:
Cabochon Contest 2021 Results:
Cabochon Contest 2020 Results:
| Contest | Theme | Category | Entries | Winner | Votes | | Dec 2020 | small/ring size | skill/cut | 17 | oldschoolrocker | 50 | | Nov 2020 | moss agate | material | 14 | EricD | 48 | | Oct 2020 | jasper | material | 17 | jadedvision | 52 | | Sep 2020 | petrified wood | material | 19 | gemfeller | 42 | | Aug 2020 | plume agate | material | 11 | oldschoolrocker | 37 | | Jul 2020 | banded agate | material | 10 | pauls | 22 | | Jun 2020 | orbs/spots | material | 10 | gemfeller | 35 | | May 2020 | asymmetrical | shape | 7 | stonemon | 30 | | April 2020 | bright colors | color | 9 | taylor | - |
As you can see there seems to be four basic categories that have emerged, material, color, shape, and skill/cut. In regards to these categories are there other categories that you'd like to see without excessively narrowing the contest? Personally I would enjoy seeing more shape focused contests but that's just me. |
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Aug 1, 2021 13:24:01 GMT -5
Another thought I've wondered about is how soon is too soon to when to repeat themes?
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Aug 1, 2021 14:46:58 GMT -5
I've thought about more shape related contests also. Have also thought about a specific material but understand that would likely limit participation a lot depending on material. Also thought about combo themes, like oval jasper or rectangle blue material etc etc. As for time frame on repeating a theme I'd say minimum 6 months. From your list that would leave a healthy selection of repeats to choose from if need be. And long enough for most to have aquired new material to use. But I'm good with repeating whenever too cuz I always seem to find other material I'd like to use shortly after submitting my entry lol.
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Post by parfive on Aug 1, 2021 16:00:18 GMT -5
Earring pair?
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 1, 2021 16:00:54 GMT -5
Materials can indeed get tricky if it's too specific. For colors some of the seasonal Fall/winter/spring/summer seasonal themes generally have good participation, probably because it leaves enough room for interpretation to include all of us. Shapes are fun, especially when a guy can cut a concentric square.   Ideas that occur to me: Crystals, to include types of quartz crystals ie rutilated quartz, cacoxenite amethyst, or any cab with a drusy crystal element to it. "Live edge" like wood, mineral pseudomorph or anything where some of the original rough is left as found and some polished into a cab. |
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Post by MsAli on Aug 1, 2021 16:37:47 GMT -5
I love the idea of shapes, sizes, etc. to push my skills
Rich has a great idea with pairs.
There are so many combinations, I think we can go months without repeating
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Aug 3, 2021 10:37:50 GMT -5
Shapes are fun, especially when a guy can cut a concentric square. I'll have you know it takes a real special kind of talent to cut a concentric square. Maybe one day I'll post a tutorial on it  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 7, 2021 13:47:00 GMT -5
Maybe one day I'll post a tutorial on it Did I say I was going to do that? Bet I did, I did take pics |
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Post by holajonathan on Jan 10, 2022 0:45:07 GMT -5
I am open to suggestions for the February Cab Challenge theme. I am looking for something with a broad appeal. I like the "matching pair" (for earrings, but not necessarily) idea. Feel free to post any new ideas here, or if it's super secret, send me a message!
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Post by fernwood on Feb 7, 2022 4:18:56 GMT -5
I think these would be some fun themes for the FCC.
1. Past FCC winners. Maybe include another theme with it that is very challenging. A specific category rock or fossil? Something that is tough to get a nice polish on.
2. Past FCC entrants that have never won. Include another theme of something that is easy to get a nice polish on.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Feb 11, 2022 10:55:32 GMT -5
1. Past FCC winners. Maybe include another theme with it that is very challenging. A specific category rock or fossil? Something that is tough to get a nice polish on. 2. Past FCC entrants that have never won. Include another theme of something that is easy to get a nice polish on. The past winners idea has come up before and I do think it's a great idea so as a step in that direction I've now added the "winner" data to the chart above. I think it would be fun to add an "All Stars" contest on as a standalone event running alongside the regular contest - maybe extend the contest timeline to 90 days? I also like the challenging theme idea for the all-stars contest - lets get some dialog from the group on the idea before I put it together. Regarding past entrants that never won theme - I think the process of tracking down everyone who entered in the last couple of years but didn't win sounds like a nightmare so it would have to be voluntary and honestly I'm not fond of excluding some of our best cab makers just to give folks like me a chance for a participation trophy. I would rather challenge myself to up my game from a material, artistic, skill, lighting, and photography standpoint and move up to the level required to win the contest at full strength. |
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Post by fernwood on Feb 11, 2022 11:00:18 GMT -5
Past entrants who did not win would need to be on an honor system. There have been so many great cabs submitted by those who did not win.
I would hope that no one would say that they have never won, but submit a cab for this theme.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Feb 11, 2022 11:13:10 GMT -5
Past entrants who did not win would need to be on an honor system. There have been so many great cabs submitted by those who did not win. I would hope that no one would say that they have never won, but submit a cab for this theme. Again I'm not a fan of having our regular monthly contest with a theme being "don't enter if you won before" but if someone has an idea how to work that out as a standalone contest I'm open for ideas. If I had to pick between the two ideas - past winners or past losers-like-me  I would go with a winners event and like I said I'll make damn sure I work to get myself into the winner's bracket before the 2022 winners contest runs. |
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Post by fernwood on Feb 11, 2022 11:19:04 GMT -5
Let's see what others say.
I would love a FCC for those who have not won, but entered. I have won in the past.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 11, 2022 14:53:09 GMT -5
I can see both sides of having a non-winning bracket and a winning bracket. If the "non-winning" bracket were chosen, I'd have no problem sitting out a month and watching from the sidelines. If a winners bracket were chosen, I'd have no issue duking it out with the others who have won! LOL If you do this though, I won't be able to stop myself from thinking of it as a "varsity" and "junior varsity" split with the team...and I don't know that that's really necessary. I've talked about it behind the scenes, but never said anything on the forum. I truly believe what wins these contests is material. If a person has an amazing material they're willing to put up for the contest, they're 80% towards a win. I do believe the "technical" part of what a cabochon should look like plays a minor part...but the pictures play a bigger part than even the technical part. I know that holajonathan and I were talking about his idea on how to even the playing field - which I think is brilliant. I'm not calling Jonathan out for him to disclose his idea. I'm just saying there is a way to even the whole playing field. And until the time comes for that, it's going to be the one with the biggest/baddest toys, in a given month, wins. IMHO. The contest is for fun...and as long as it continues being thought of as such, then I'm game for whatever route the majority wants to take it. I probably shouldn't be drinking coffee in the afternoons! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 11, 2022 15:06:36 GMT -5
I can see both sides of having a non-winning bracket and a winning bracket. If the "non-winning" bracket were chosen, I'd have no problem sitting out a month and watching from the sidelines. If a winners bracket were chosen, I'd have no issue duking it out with the others who have won! LOL If you do this though, I won't be able to stop myself from thinking of it as a "varsity" and "junior varsity" split with the team...and I don't know that that's really necessary. I've talked about it behind the scenes, but never said anything on the forum. I truly believe what wins these contests is material. If a person has an amazing material they're willing to put up for the contest, they're 80% towards a win. I do believe the "technical" part of what a cabochon should look like plays a minor part...but the pictures play a bigger part than even the technical part. I know that holajonathan and I were talking about his idea on how to even the playing field - which I think is brilliant. I'm not calling Jonathan out for him to disclose his idea. I'm just saying there is a way to even the whole playing field. And until the time comes for that, it's going to be the one with the biggest/baddest toys, in a given month, wins. IMHO. The contest is for fun...and as long as it continues being thought of as such, then I'm game for whatever route the majority wants to take it. I probably shouldn't be drinking coffee in the afternoons! LOL That's funny because other people think it is a popularity contest between contestants. That's why Tommy moved the thread for voting.
Not all people are gonna be happy with everything all the time. (unfortunately)
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 11, 2022 15:09:35 GMT -5
I can see both sides of having a non-winning bracket and a winning bracket. If the "non-winning" bracket were chosen, I'd have no problem sitting out a month and watching from the sidelines. If a winners bracket were chosen, I'd have no issue duking it out with the others who have won! LOL If you do this though, I won't be able to stop myself from thinking of it as a "varsity" and "junior varsity" split with the team...and I don't know that that's really necessary. I've talked about it behind the scenes, but never said anything on the forum. I truly believe what wins these contests is material. If a person has an amazing material they're willing to put up for the contest, they're 80% towards a win. I do believe the "technical" part of what a cabochon should look like plays a minor part...but the pictures play a bigger part than even the technical part. I know that holajonathan and I were talking about his idea on how to even the playing field - which I think is brilliant. I'm not calling Jonathan out for him to disclose his idea. I'm just saying there is a way to even the whole playing field. And until the time comes for that, it's going to be the one with the biggest/baddest toys, in a given month, wins. IMHO. The contest is for fun...and as long as it continues being thought of as such, then I'm game for whatever route the majority wants to take it. I probably shouldn't be drinking coffee in the afternoons! LOL That's funny because other people think it is a popularity contest between contestants. That's why Tommy moved the thread for voting.
Not all people are gonna be happy with everything all the time. (unfortunately)
It can't be that...I won twice! My wife will tell you I'm not that popular! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 11, 2022 15:14:12 GMT -5
That's funny because other people think it is a popularity contest between contestants. That's why Tommy moved the thread for voting.
Not all people are gonna be happy with everything all the time. (unfortunately)
It can't be that...I won twice! My wife will tell you I'm not that popular! LOL Sorry Jason, I didn't mean to come off short. I didn't think I had time for a long message.
Your concerns have merit. I really try to vote for the best cab - from a technical standpoint FIRST and then I look at the rest of it. I mean, I love eye candy, too- but the cab should be the focus first when it comes to voting. But, I understand one will gravitate to the prettiest rock. Maybe we need a couple more categories. 
Are you going to tell us yours and Jonathan's plan?  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 11, 2022 15:21:34 GMT -5
Why are we trying to decide which one? Can't we have one for past winners and one for past players?
Wouldn't it be cool to have the winners play off?
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 11, 2022 15:31:53 GMT -5
It can't be that...I won twice! My wife will tell you I'm not that popular! LOL Sorry Jason, I didn't mean to come off short. I didn't think I had time for a long message.
Your concerns have merit. I really try to vote for the best cab - from a technical standpoint FIRST and then I look at the rest of it. I mean, I love eye candy, too- but the cab should be the focus first when it comes to voting. But, I understand one will gravitate to the prettiest rock. Maybe we need a couple more categories. 
Are you going to tell us yours and Jonathan's plan?  Nope. It's his idea - so it's up to him to bring it up when he's ready. He might be mad I even brought it up! LOL I didn't take it as you being short. Why are we trying to decide which one? Can't we have one for past winners and one for past players?
Wouldn't it be cool to have the winners play off?
Like I said...I'm game either way. I wonder, if the thought is that this going to be a one-time "Tournament of Champions" kind of deal or is it going to be an ongoing split? |
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I would go with a winners event and like I said I'll make damn sure I work to get myself into the winner's bracket before the 2022 winners contest runs.
