The September Challenge

Welcome to the September challenge! It's theme time again and we'd like you to create something inspired by Animals!

Photo courtesy of DrJohnBullas

This can be any animal of your choosing including fish, birds and insects or even a combination of several animals if you wish. There are so many ways to incorporate an animal into your piece...animal shaped cabochons, pendants and beads, animal print peyote patterns...to name just a few. We're sure that all of you very talented beaders can come up with many more ideas!

When you submit your entry please let us know which animal you've chosen as your inspiration. We want you to have absolute free rein so this month there is no twist.

How do I enter?

There are two ways...

1. Email your photograph 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 make it clear that it's for the September Challenge so we 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. We're 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, to make it fair on everyone who takes part please do not submit something that was made before September 1st 2013.

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 them credit.

When is the deadline for entries?

The deadline is 6pm (GMT) on Monday the 30th of September.

  

Can I enter more than once?

You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen theme. All entries will be shown here on the blog but you will only be entered into the draw once.

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!

Any other questions?

If you have any questions about the challenge please feel free to email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month we have a guest sponsor which is Vicky from The Bead Shop Liverpool and she's offering a £15 voucher to one lucky winner!

The winner will be drawn by Liz after 6pm on Monday the 30th of September, using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced later on the same evening.

Good luck everyone and happy beading!