The July Challenge

Welcome to the July challenge! Can you believe that we're now in the second half of 2012 already? Thanks to everyone who has joined in with the challenges this year, we've had a brilliant response each and every month. Keep 'em coming ladies!

This month we'd like to see you create something in PINK, BROWN and CREAM.

Pink + Brown Ice Cream

Your piece must include all three colours but they don't have to be in equal amounts. You could, for instance, use mainly shades of pink with small amounts of brown and cream, or vice versa. Beads with AB/rainbow finishes are allowed but no other colours please!

Now here's the twist...we'd like you to include FLOWERS 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! A few ideas...you could create flowers using seed beads, wire, clay, felt or other materials, use flower shaped beads or beads with a flower design on them. You're only limited by your imagination!

How do I enter?
There are two ways...
1. Email your photographs to Liz at 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. In either case, please mention that it's for the July Challenge so I know that it's your 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. I'm sorry but any entries that do not include beads in some form or another will not be accepted. Your entry must be made especially for the challenge, please do not submit something that was made before July 1st 2012.

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 so that we can give full credit.

What about findings?
Findings (clasps, earwires, metal spacer beads etc) are exempt from the colour challenge so you can use silver, gold or any other colour findings that fit in with your project.

When is the deadline for entries?
The deadline is 6pm (GMT) on Tuesday the 31st of July.

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. Our sponsors have agreed to post prizes overseas so you can still enter and be eligible for the prize!

The Prize
This month we have a very special prize from our newest sponsor, the Bead Shop Liverpool. Vicky is very generously supplying everything you need to complete Sabine Lippert's beautiful "Les Fleurs" necklace from her book Beaded Fantasies. If you don't have the book then there will be an alternative prize of seed beads and crystals equivalent to the amount below, which the winner will be able to choose.

The collection contains...
1 tube of size 11 seed beads in dark bronze
1 tube of size 15 seed beads in dark bronze
1 tube of size 15 seed beads in galvanised yellow gold
6 fuchsia Swarovski Rivolis
12 fuchsia Swarovski Chatons
87 3mm padparadscha Swarovski bicones
20 4mm metalic gold Swarovski bicones
A strand of 3mm swarovski pearls
A reel of nymo beading thread
And a pack of needles.

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

Good luck everyone and happy beading!