How to choose Show Entries?

[SlowMover]

My carving club's annual show is next month, and I have been staring at my shelf trying to decide what to enter for judging/competition. I didn't enter anything last year as I had only been carving for about 6 months and didn't feel that I had anything good enough to enter (or to be seen by my peers). This year I have a few pieces that I would like to enter, and a couple that I feel really excited about.

My question is "How do you all decide what pieces to enter in a show?" I don't know if I should go with the most technically difficult pieces, or with the ones that are the most visually appealing. I don't care if I win a bunch of ribbons or not, but would like to win one or two, and I really want to put out a good exhibit. What criteria do you folks use when it is time to put something on the table for the judges?

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.

[TreeWizard]

Enter something that's different. Something that came out of your own head, not a pattern from a book or something you saw in a mag. ( no offence to WI).

I've entered two different shows and in the last one I entered 4 items and the ones that took prizes were the ones that came from my own head.

[Dagwood]

Depending on how many carvings you can enter into each catigory will also effect what you can enter. if it's your club, you want to represent as much as you can. the other thing to think about is presantation. theres no worse feeling that going to a show and seeing empty tables when you could have brought carving with you. the other thing is, if its your design and your happy with it and your doing it to represent the club and not worried about ribbons BRING IT. either way just have fun. i usually bring carvings to fill up space. i dont worry if this one is better than something someone else will bring... I'm already my own worst Judge

[Grayhorn]

I would say bring them all. Someone will like each one of them. It will surprise you.

[johncarves]

Enter everything you have! Whether you like it or not.

I've entered a lot of competitions and Judged quite a few. It's still a mystery to me.

John Moore
Greenville, SC
http://www.johnmoorewoodcarver.com