This hand-beaded purse, created by Phyllis Poehlmann, took second in a national contest. Phyllis Poehlmann of Lometa continued her winning ways with a top entry in the Fire Mountain Gems contest held in Oregon recently.

A hand-beaded wedding purse she created took the silver award in the wedding category, earning her a $75 gift certificate for supplies.

Mrs. Poehlmann came up against stiff competition from around the globe, beating out thousands of entries including some from Israel and Australia.

Her purse will be featured in an upcoming catalog as well as on the Fire Mountain Gems Web site.

In addition, Mrs. Poehlmann is waiting to hear the outcome of a state competition she entered through the Texas Extension Education Association, where she is a member of the Bend chapter of the San Saba County Club.

In that contest, she entered a Texas-designed beaded purse.

First, Mrs. Poehlmann's entry earned a district win before heading to state.

In last year's competition, she took a blue ribbon at the state contest for best of show honors.

Mrs. Poehlmann's handmade products -- including purses, jewelry, vintage glass crosses and other items -- can be seen at www.phyllispcreations.etsy.com.

Currently, the artist is creating eight pearl necklaces to fill an order for a New York woman to wear at her wedding in the spring.