The August Challenge

Welcome to the August challenge! Well we finally had a bit of Summer here in the UK so, in celebration of the blue skies and sunshine, this month's challenge colours are BLUE and COPPER.

Wild copper grass on blue

Any shade of blue can be used but the copper must be either a copper shade or actual copper, other shades of orange or red are excluded. Beads with AB/rainbow finishes are allowed but no other colours please!

Now here's the twist...we'd like you to include SEMI PRECIOUS 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 Liz at ottbs@live.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 August 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 August 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 Friday the 31st of August.

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 our sponsor is Valentina of Yashma Creations and she's offering one lucky winner a fabulous £25 voucher to spend in her Etsy shop.

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

Good luck everyone and happy beading!