I've been thinking about doing this contest for a while and today I've finally decided to start it. This contest is for the best life counter abacus creation. I think it would be a lot of fun to have a contest that's a little more hands on, provides room for lots of creativity and is competitive.
For those who don't know what they are, life counter abacuses are counting frames (abacuses) used to keep count of life totals or poison counters. Life counter abacuses are made using multiple MTG cards, beads, and other items to give them a 3D effect.
The instructions and rules for this competition are pretty simple.
1.) If you're interested in being apart of the contest, PM me and I'll add your name to the "Participants list" Participation sign up deadline is April 18th, 2014.
2.) Create a life counter abacuses, use whatever you'd like...the more creative the better.
3.) Submit your entries. Basically leave a comment including a picture of the start of your abacus and the finished product with a note that has your handle on it. (Just for me to know you actually made it and didn't buy it off ebay or etsy.) Deadline for entry submissions will be May 2nd at 12pm.
I've decided on May 2nd as the deadline because I'd like everyone to have an ample amount of time to create an abacus. Also this date will be the release day of JIN
Judging and prizes: Myself and a willing mod will judge the entries and pick a winner by the end of the day on May 2nd. The winner will receive 5 booster from either JIN, BOTG, or Theros. Their choice...you can mix and match also if you'd like.
This contest will be a definite go if I get atleast 5 people to participate. If 10 or more people participate, I will do 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes and maybe even honorable mentions, then modify this post mentioning new prizes.
If you have any questions, need suggestions on where to get tools feel free to PM me. Also, FYI there are a lot of youtube tutorials on how to make a MTG life counter abacuses if you're unsure how to go about your entry. :)
Participants:
1.) Noblellama
2.) Death, The Kid
3.) Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth
4.)Anoobass
5.) Erik_The_Gray
6.) Arbitratur
7.) Thetrufflehunter
8.)Skyshadow
My name must be in BLACK AND WHITE so you know
I'm in!
I have already made my favorite one. I would submit it but idk if the rules are to make one for the contest. If you allow me, I'm in :)
We have 5 participants. The competition is a go :D
Nice. And thanks for holding a contest.
You're welcome :) Its no problem at all
I'm in. I've been looking for an excuse to cut up my 20 {Jace, the Mind Sculptor} for a 3d Jace abacus ;).
But seriously I'll make one, I don't actually have 20 Jaces... :/
Lol XD on my last one I used a couple {Firedrinker Satyr}
Sometimes the abacuses take trial and errors...a bunch or errors. XD wouldn't want to mess up a whoa expensive card. I'm working on a dark prophecy one now. I even found some white bunny beads to use with it ^_^
Good luck on whatever card you decide to use :)
Quote from: Erik_the_gray on March 21, 2014, 11:56:12 AM
I'm in. I've been looking for an excuse to cut up my 20 {Jace, the Mind Sculptor} for a 3d Jace abacus ;).
But seriously I'll make one, I don't actually have 20 Jaces... :/
I'm pretty sure I have a playsey
Quote from: Noblellama on March 21, 2014, 09:25:29 PM
Ooo, a travesty in and of itself but I could do a foil bronze sable counter!!!
I had a hunch that you might create a bronze sable counter :P
Count me in
Im in
Does it just have to be able to count life/poison counters? An could someone post pictures of 1 or 2 so i can get an idea? Ive got some good ideas brewing in my head as is.. Hmm
Oooh its an actual abacus.. Does it have to be an abacus like the old school counting type or can i do something totaly different that still counts life/poison?
This is an example.
this is not my entry for the contest.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wkmf4se55q87uyt/Photo%20Oct%2002%2C%2010%2003%2000%20AM.jpg
My question is:does my counter have to use beads or can i make it TOTTTAAALLY different and not even remotely an abacus :p it seems hard to be ultra creative with the same basic design, and i dont exactly have a surgical scalpel or the steady hands to make the coolest looking 3D cards
I will tell you this, my hands are not that steady, and I've made 8 so far that all look very good. As far as a blade goes, you can use an xacto knife from Walmart or any crafts store for like $10
Regardless im going to make my own thing, if its not acceptable ill be alright cuz its gonna be sweet
Yeah xacto knives are pretty cheap, I've even found some for as low as $5. Also most craft store give student discount. I recieved your message and your idea is ok for entry, as I mentioned before the more creative the better :D
My glue is drying :D
Quote from: Anoobass on March 30, 2014, 08:51:13 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on March 30, 2014, 06:27:53 PM
My glue is drying :D
Hope it turns out great :)
It looks awesome! The {goblin bushwhacker} is barely hanging on, as it is just attached to the top of the frame by his hand.
I regret to say that between school and working on a room renovation, I will have to drop out of the contest.
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on March 30, 2014, 08:59:45 PM
Quote from: Anoobass on March 30, 2014, 08:51:13 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on March 30, 2014, 06:27:53 PM
My glue is drying :D
Hope it turns out great :)
It looks awesome! The {goblin bushwhacker} is barely hanging on, as it is just attached to the top of the frame by his hand.
A tip a learned, make a stand for said cutout. If he is 10 layers from the bottom, make 10 small pieces roughly the same size, glue them together, then glue the top and bottom to the base/image respectively. As long as the image is bulky enough, the chance of seeing the stand is minimal to none.
Pics?
Sorry, I'm gonna have to drop I'm to busy with school and work to try this
How's it going guys and gals? :)
Quote from: Metalxdelights on April 26, 2014, 11:08:17 PM
How's it going guys and gals? :)
Made 2, gonna make a third soon!
I... Totally forgot.
Yeah mines only half done, haven't had much time as of late...
Just have to cut about 12 lands, then I'm done!
Cut! Do we PM your or post here?
When will winners be announced?
I don't know to handle this. Only one person participated and submitted an entry by the deadline :/
Just do an extension, give them 2 weeks and than if its still 1 than he wins by default
Two week extension? You can make these in like a day.. How about a 3-4 day expansion?
Well two weeks is reasonable cause people have lives
Quote from: Skyshadow731 on May 03, 2014, 04:23:02 PM
Well two weeks is reasonable cause people have lives
Then they shouldn't have signed up for the contest. If they saw no open opportunities in the remaining time, then they could just cancel their participation.
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 03, 2014, 04:25:46 PM
Quote from: Skyshadow731 on May 03, 2014, 04:23:02 PM
Well two weeks is reasonable cause people have lives
Then they shouldn't have signed up for the contest. If they saw no open opportunities in the remaining time, then they could just cancel their participation.
Geeze, he was only offering a suggestion, and a good one at that. No need to jump down his throat.
I say do the 2 week extension. The problem was that there was too much time to start with, a lot of people forgot about it.
Quote from: Arbitratur on May 03, 2014, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 03, 2014, 04:25:46 PM
Quote from: Skyshadow731 on May 03, 2014, 04:23:02 PM
Well two weeks is reasonable cause people have lives
Then they shouldn't have signed up for the contest. If they saw no open opportunities in the remaining time, then they could just cancel their participation.
Geeze, he was only offering a suggestion, and a good one at that. No need to jump down his throat.
I say do the 2 week extension. The problem was that there was too much time to start with, a lot of people forgot about it.
I think he is the winner is there is no extension, so I understand the jumping down of throats. He played by the rules and is the only one to do it by the deadline. I'd be kinda pissed if that was me and people were saying extension. It's like cheating him out of a win.
I'm fine with an extension, I just think 2 weeks is too long. I may be being a bit harsh, but I have little sympathy for you if your excuse is "there was too much time, and I forgot".
By all means, you are entitled to your opinions. I was just saying a little less throat jumping. Sorry if it came off wrong 😝
Quote from: Arbitratur on May 03, 2014, 10:49:31 PM
By all means, you are entitled to your opinions. I was just saying a little less throat jumping. Sorry if it came off wrong 😝
You're good. I probably came off way too aggressive. I just couldn't think of a different way to phrase it. MXD, we need your final say. I'm not opposed to winning on the spot, but I'm fine with an extension, preferably under 2 weeks. Closer to 5 days sounds right.
Some of us have teachers that swamp us with homework, so I'd say one week.
Quote from: Juvia, Water Woman on May 03, 2014, 10:57:33 PM
Some of us have teachers that swamp us with homework, so I'd say one week.
I'd be down for that, but with a strict deadline. Does anyone appose a 1 week extension?
Alrighty here's the deal. I started this contest so far back so that people could have ample enough time to submit their entries because I understand that life sometimes gets in the way. I honestly think that Truffle should just win because he met all agreements to contest. But I also see that you have discussed among yourselves about an extension. A two week extension seems just like too much. A life counter abacus doesn't take that long to make, especially if you've already had it started. New Deadline is Thursday at 12pm. Sharp, no later.
I don't have the time, then! I've got a research paper to write and am flooded with homework- I can do one on Friday and Saturday, but not earlier. I guess I'm dropping out.
I bet it will still only be {TheTruffleHunter} who has an entry at the deadline!
Fine by me :P
Tick tock goes the clock.
Post pics!
I have no idea where the photo is. MXD, can you post it?
Truffles entry http://m.imgur.com/Lacjmkh
Hello...?
It's sad I forgot about this but idk if I made it in time, anyway, just sent mine in. Hopefully it counts.
Quote from: Anoobass on May 08, 2014, 09:49:16 PM
It's sad I forgot about this but idk if I made it in time, anyway, just sent mine in. Hopefully it counts.
post it?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/98ip43a2radpoxm/2014-05-08%2021.45.03.jpg
Island in the back is foil, so you get a shine at the right angle
Quote from: Anoobass on May 08, 2014, 10:41:58 PM
Island in the back is foil, so you get a shine at the right angle
That's really cool! How do you get the edges to not be white?
I just used an Xacto knife and sharpened it a lot.
After looking at these I'm thinking of turning some {Search the City}a into an abacus
Verdict?
Well played...
Foiled?
C'mon metal!
Shall we have a runoff vote, or is anubis's even in time before the deadline? We are like 5 days past the deadline...
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 08, 2014, 11:14:32 PM
Quote from: Anoobass on May 08, 2014, 10:41:58 PM
Island in the back is foil, so you get a shine at the right angle
That's really cool! How do you get the edges to not be white?
Dude just use a marker and color all the edges, that's what I always do. it looks unfinished with the white edges
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 13, 2014, 09:57:36 AM
Shall we have a runoff vote, or is anubis's even in time before the deadline? We are like 5 days past the deadline...
I missed the original deadline but as far as I know i made it in time for the "extended period". But I'll wait for mxd to respond, it I her contest after all.
Quote from: Anoobass on May 13, 2014, 02:13:14 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 13, 2014, 09:57:36 AM
Shall we have a runoff vote, or is anubis's even in time before the deadline? We are like 5 days past the deadline...
We're 5 days past the extended deadline :P
I missed the original deadline but as far as I know i made it in time for the "extended period". But I'll wait for mxd to respond, it I her contest after all.
But the day he submitted it was the right day :P
I think his should qualify for judging, he made the extended deadline, that was the whole reason for the extension..
Quote from: Arbitratur on May 14, 2014, 11:01:37 AM
I think his should qualify for judging, he made the extended deadline, that was the whole reason for the extension..
So final 2. How should we organize votes?
I say, you vote for me, and I vote for me. Then we tally the votes up and see who wins. :P
Seriously though, shouldn't MXD be in charge? Even though she hasn't been active, it's still her contest?
I agree. I just want this to move faster :P
Mmmmmmooooooovvvveeee ffffaaaaaasssttteeeerrrrr...
She hasn't been seen in 11 days. Does anyone have her email or something?
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on May 18, 2014, 11:47:40 PM
She hasn't been seen in 11 days. Does anyone have her email or something?
Dude, relax... Don't worry about it. U can't rush the host or u will surely lose.
Fine. I'm impatient :P
I apologize for not getting on soon. I've been getting adjusted to a recent move.
Alrighty. I recieved both submissions, one from Anoobass and another from Truffle. They were both good and I enjoyed something from each of them. Anoobass' piece was very clean and I really appreciated the depth of the image. Truffle was first to submit and I like the card that he chose as well as the golden beads.
I think you both deserve something. Would you both be open to splitting the prize? If not I have a winner in mind.
I'll be on consistently for the next three days.
Truffles
I withhold my vote, as it would be biased.
I'm fine with whatever you feel appropriate as it is your contest.
Should we put a voting deadline? By we I mean metal :P
I'm going to split the prize between Truffle and Anoobass. Can you both send me a message with your address. :)
Thank you for the ruling and the contest. Maybe next time all participants will send in entries :).
Quote from: Anoobass on May 24, 2014, 12:04:54 AM
Thank you for the ruling and the contest. Maybe next time all participants will send in entries :).
you get your packs yet?
I have not.
Another empty contest...
Hey man, .stuff. happens. I just learn to deal with it. Life sucks, always has, always will, no changing that. Best thing to do is accept it, and that the good days with the bad.
Quote from: Anoobass on June 14, 2014, 10:46:59 PM
Hey man, .stuff. happens. I just learn to deal with it. Life sucks, always has, always will, no changing that. Best thing to do is accept it, and that the good days with the bad.
Agreed