The March Challenge

Welcome to the March challenge! This month I was inspired by two colours I saw next to each other in this Fashion Report from Pantone, Rhapsody and Titanium, which I've translated into Purple and Grey.

Floating Flowers

Don't be scared by the mention of grey! For the challenge, grey can be as deep as haemetite or as pale as silver (yes you can use silver for the grey!). And of course, there are many shades and tints of purple: lilac, mauve, violet, amethyst and magenta to name just a few.

Now here's the twist...the keyword for this month's challenge is Crystal so we'd like you to include crystals somewhere in your entry. This twist is entirely optional but if you choose to use the twist as well as the colour scheme then you will receive two entries into the draw!

How do I enter?
There are two ways...
1. Email your photographs to ottbs@bigstring.com
2. Or add them to our Flickr group pool.

Choose whichever way is easiest for you, you don't have to do both. If you add to the Flickr pool please make sure to mention that it's for the March Challenge in the description or title so we know that it's your challenge entry. We're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group as well but please make sure that you've also submitted as above. Entries that have not been emailed or added to the Flickr pool will not be accepted.

What can I make?
Anything as long as it involves beads! Any technique is accepted, from beadweaving and stringing to wire work and bead embroidery. Lampworkers and polymer clay artists are also welcome to submit beads they've made.

Does it have to be my own design?
No. We're happy for you to make something using a pattern from a book, magazine or tutorial but if you do please let us know the designer's name and where it was published so that we can give full credit.

What about findings?
Findings (clasps, earwires etc) are exempt from the colour challenge so you can use silver, gold or any other colour findings that fit in with your project. The same goes for things like spacer beads. As long as the main part of your design is in the colours for this month then that's fine.

When is the deadline for entries?
The deadline is 6pm (UK time) on Saturday the 31st of March.

Can I enter more than once?
You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen colourway. All entries will be shown here on the blog but you will only be entered into the draw once (or twice if you've used the twist!).

I'm not in the UK, can I still join in?
Yes of course! We welcome submissions from around the world so don't worry if you're not in the UK, you can still enter and be eligible for the prize!

We're really happy to announce that Rachel from RB Beads will now be joining us as a sponsor and the prize this month is this wonderful collection of Miyuki seed beads and Swarovski crystals in fabulous metallic finishes! In the collection are 4 tubes of Delica beads, 2 tubes of size 15, 4 tubes of size 11, 2 tubes of size 8 and 100 Swarovski crystals.

The winner will be drawn by me (Liz) after 6pm on Saturday the 31st of March, using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced later on the same evening.

Good luck everyone and happy beading!