\n\tNASA likes to be on the cutting edge of technology, even social media. You can follow NASA on Twitter and Facebook and some NASA employees (including astronauts) via social media.
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\n\tNASA recently teamed up with Etsy to find the best space-related creations in the geek craft movement. Months were given for artists to create masterpieces in the categories 2D Original Art, 2D Reproductions, and 3D Art, and the winners were announced in March 2011. This gallery features work from some of the winners and finalists of the Space Craft Contest.
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\n\tA close-up of the stained glass transom. The artist, Alla Sharkova, is a software engineer by day, stained glass artist by night. She made this piece for her son’s bedroom window.
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\n\t2D Original Finalist: Space Odyssey Transom by Alla Sharkova
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\n\thttp://www.fleetingstillness.com
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/fleetingstillness
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\n\tImage courtesy Alla Sharkova
\n\tThough listed as a stained glass mosaic, the artist uses many objects in this multi-media mosaic. Inspired by the Carina nebula.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Secrets of Carina Stained Glass Mosaic by Amanda Edwards
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/mandolin2
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\n\thttp://www.mandolinmosaics.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Amanda Edwards
\n\tAs you can see, many mediums were represented in the contest.
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\n\t2D Original Finalist: Enterprise Generation Needlecraft by Becka Rahn
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\n\thttp://www.beckarahn.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Becka Rahn
\n\t3D Art Finalist: Inspiration Earth Blown Glass Vase by Beth Hess
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\n\tImage courtesy Beth Hess
\n\tThe Northstar Table by Colleen and Eric Whiteley is the grand prize contest winner. The table is not only beautiful to behold, it also has a secret, which is revealed in the next photo.
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\n\tGrand Prize Winner: Northstar Table by Colleen and Eric Whiteley
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\n\thttp://www.colleenanderic.com
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\n\thttp://www.colleenwhiteley.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Colleen and Eric Whiteley
\n\tThe table has a hidden drawer that opens with a secret switch.
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\n\tGrand Prize Winner: Northstar Table by Colleen and Eric Whiteley
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\n\thttp://www.colleenanderic.com
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\n\thttp://www.colleenwhiteley.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Colleen and Eric Whiteley
\n\tTouch the North Star on the table top to open the secret drawer!
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\n\tGrand Prize Winner: Northstar Table by Colleen and Eric Whiteley
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\n\thttp://www.colleenanderic.com
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\n\thttp://www.colleenwhiteley.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Colleen and Eric Whiteley
\n\tPaper dots come together to illustrate the point.
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\n\t2D Reproduction Finalist: Out of Many, We are ONE Giclee Reproduction Print of Dotted Planet Earth 3D Sculpture by Dorana Hernandez
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\n\tImage courtesy Dorana Hernandez
\n\tThis painting was inspired by a NASA image of the the Eagle Nebula turned on its side.
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\n\t2D Original Finalist: The Eagle Nebula, An original Space Landscape Painting by Eleanor Gilpatrick
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/Egilpatr
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\n\tImage courtesy Eleanor Gilpatrick
\n\tA digital collage art print by Jeff and Dale Ocasio. Partial image of the Carina Nebula (background) is credited to NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope Program.
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\n\t2D Reproduction Finalist: Let All the Children Boogie by Jeff and Dale Ocasio
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\n\thttp://www.ocasiocasa.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Jeff and Dale Ocasio
\n\tWear a little adventure around your neck.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Fly Me to the Moon, Oil Painting inside Spherical Brass Locket by Khara Ledonne
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\n\thttp://www.kharaledonne.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Khara Ledonne
\n\tQuilting offers a unique way to use art.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Black Holes in Multiple Quilt by Kristen Bronson
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\n\thttp://www.kristenbronson.com
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/quiltface
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\n\tImage courtesy Kristen Bronson
\n\tBe the man on the moon with this sterling silver ring.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Moon Ring by Marcus Berkner
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\n\thttp://www.berknerdesigns.com/
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\n\thttp://www.marcusberknerjewelry.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Marcus Berkner
\n\tPhotographer Nikkita Bhatka found the galaxy in india ink and water.
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\n\t2D Reproduction Winner: Universal Thoughts Photographic Triptych by Nikkita Bhatka
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\n\thttp://nikkitabhakta.carbonmade.com/
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkitabhakta
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\n\tImage courtesy Nikkita Bhatka
\n\tLeft view
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\n\t2D Reproduction Winner: Universal Thoughts Photographic Triptych by Nikkita Bhatka
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\n\thttp://nikkitabhakta.carbonmade.com/
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkitabhakta
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\n\tImage courtesy Nikkita Bhatka
\n\tMiddle view
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\n\t2D Reproduction Winner: Universal Thoughts Photographic Triptych by Nikkita Bhatka
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\n\thttp://nikkitabhakta.carbonmade.com/
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkitabhakta
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\n\tImage courtesy Nikkita Bhatka
\n\tRight view
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\n\t2D Reproduction Winner: Universal Thoughts Photographic Triptych by Nikkita Bhatka
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\n\thttp://nikkitabhakta.carbonmade.com/
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkitabhakta
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\n\tImage courtesy Nikkita Bhatka
\n\tThis stunning titanium ring won the 3D Original category. Yellow diamond Sun.
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\n\t3D Original Winner: Brother Sun, Sister Moon Ring by Patrick Burt
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.net
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Patrick Burt
\n\tWhite diamond Moon
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\n\t3D Original Winner: Brother Sun, Sister Moon Ring by Patrick Burt
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.net
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Patrick Burt
\n\tThe ringed planet might be the best part of the piece.
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\n\t3D Original Winner: Brother Sun, Sister Moon Ring by Patrick Burt
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.net
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\n\thttp://www.patrickburt.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Patrick Burt
\n\tWhat goes on in an astronaut’s head?
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: The Astronaut Ceramic Sculpture by Adam Maron and Quincy Pearson
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/PearsonMaron
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\n\tImage courtesy Adam Maron and Quincy Pearson
\n\tClose-up
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: The Astronaut Ceramic Sculpture by Adam Maron and Quincy Pearson
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/PearsonMaron
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\n\tImage courtesy Adam Maron and Quincy Pearson
\n\tEmbroidery modernized
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\n\t2D Original Winner: High Texture Hand Embroidery of the Moon by Rachel Hobson
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\n\thttp://www.averagejanecrafter.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Jote Khalsa and Rachel Hobson
\n\tDo you remember where the missing galaxy was in Men in Black? The uranium glass in this marble glows under blacklight.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Fomalhaut (18th brightest star in the sky) Handblown Glass Marble by Scot Bennett
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\n\thttp://www.cherryglass.net/index.html
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\n\thttp://www.cherryglass.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Ryan Bennett
\n\tRegular lighting
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Fomalhaut (18th brightest star in the sky) Handblown Glass Marble by Scot Bennett
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http://www.cherryglass.net/index.html
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\n\thttp://www.cherryglass.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Ryan Bennett
\n\tA galaxy that could fit in your pocket.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Spiral Galaxy NGC 7742 Handblown Glass Marble by Scot Bennett
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\n\thttp://www.cherryglass.net/index.html
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\n\thttp://www.cherryglass.etsy.com
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\n\tImage courtesy Ryan Bennett
\n\tIt is amazing what some people can do with fabric.
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\n\t3D Art Finalist: Stellar Flare Quilt by Suzanne Kinkade
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/SLicKJewelrynQuilts
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/zanna28
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\n\tImage courtesy Suzanne Kinkade
\n\tAmazing fractal art
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\n\t2D Reproduction Finalist: Celestial Staircase Fractal Art Print by Kelly Dietrich
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\n\thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/kellydietrich
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\n\tImage courtesy Kelly Dietrich
Nicole Bremer Nash is Director of Content and Social Media for HuTerra, where she uses SEO and social media to promote charitable organizations in their community-building and fundraising efforts. She enjoys volunteering, arts and crafts, and conducting science experiments at home. Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Transylvania University, and has experience in copywriting for education, print, business, and the web. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter via @HuTerra.
