April Giveaway Winner!

Many thanks to everyone who entered the April giveaway! I got Random.org to give me a number from 1 to 31 and and it chose comment number 21 which belongs to Sherry. Congratulations Sherry, I'll be in touch with you shortly!

Liz x

The April Giveaway

It's giveaway time again and up for grabs this month is this gorgeous set of artisan lampwork beads made by Tan Grey. I've been cherishing these for a long while but I think it's time they went to someone who will actually make something with them! The set is comprised of a 1.5" inch rectangular focal with matching spacer beads, all in summery shades of deep red, orange, pink and peach.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is to comment on this post! The giveaway is open until midnight (GMT) on April 29th and the winner will be drawn and announced on the 30th. Please remember when you comment to leave a way for me to contact you should you be the lucky winner.

Good luck! Liz x

Tutorial - Starburst Earrings

Perfect for using up those last few cylinder beads, these pretty Starburst earrings are also very quick and easy - they take literally minutes to make!

You will need:

• A small amount of cylinder beads in colours A (centre colour), B (main colour) and C (accent colour).
• A size 10/12 beading needle threaded with about half a metre of beading thread.
• Pair of earwires
• 2 x 4mm jump rings, thin enough to go through a cylinder bead.
• Pliers

How to make:

Pick up 4 A beads and sew through them all again plus one more to create a circle.

Pick up 1 A bead and sew through the next bead in the circle. Repeat another 3 times.

Step up at the end of the row by passing the needle through the first bead you added, ready for the next row...

Pick up 2 B beads and sew through the next bead. Repeat another 3 times.

Step up through the first bead you added...

Pick up 1 B bead and sew through the next bead. Repeat another 7 times. Some of the beads will be added between the pairs from the last row, as shown below...

Repeat the last row once more, picking up 1 B bead each time. Step up.

The key to this design is to keep the tension light. Don’t pull the thread too tight as this will cause the edge to curl!

Pick up 2 B beads and sew through the next bead. Repeat another 7 times and step up through 2 beads at the end.

Pick up 1 C bead and sew through the next 2 beads. Repeat another 7 times and step up.

Pick up 2 B beads, 1 C bead and 2 B beads and sew through the next C bead. Arrange the beads so that they form a triangle with the C bead at it’s tip. Repeat another 7 times.

Follow the thread path another couple of times to stiffen the points (if necessary) before weaving both ends of the thread into the beadwork and trimming. Open up a jump ring with your pliers and slide it through one of the cylinder beads on the points, add an earwire and close the jump ring to finish. Repeat to make a second earring.

Hope you have fun making these! Liz x

The April Challenge

Welcome to the April challenge. It's colour time again but as a twist on the usual, there is no colour scheme this month. Instead we'd like you to make something in SHADES OF ONE COLOUR! 

The first step is to choose your colour. It must be one of the 13 colours listed on this website... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Shades_of_color_templates

Any of the shades listed in the template for your chosen colour are allowed, but no other colours please! And you can use as many or as few of the shades as you like in your entry.

Now here's the twist...we'd like you to include RIBBON in your entry. The ribbon must be in your chosen colour and contain no other colours. The twist is entirely optional but if you choose to use the twist as well as the tones of one colour then you will receive two entries into the draw!

How do I enter?

Simply email your photograph to Liz at ottbs@live.com

We're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group as well but please make sure that you've also emailed your entry. Entries that have not been emailed will not be accepted. By submitting your entry via email you are giving the admin of Operation Tackle That Bead Stash permission to share your email address with the sponsor should you be the lucky winner. We take your privacy very seriously and will not share your email address with anyone else.

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, please do not submit something that was made before April 1st 2014.

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.

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 MIDNIGHT in your own time zone on Wednesday the 30th of April. The challenge winner will be drawn at random and announced the following day.

Can I enter more than once?

You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen colour way. 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, or about your entry and what is/isn't allowed then please email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month our sponsor is Valentina and she's offering one lucky winner £25 to spend in her online shop Beads and More by Yashma!

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

The March Challenge - And the winner is...

A huge well done to everyone who took part in our March challenge! You all made some amazing pieces inspired by ancient civilizations! As always the winner is at the bottom of the post but please take some time to look at all these incredible entries...

Everyone's names went into the list randomizer at Random.org and the luck beader who's name is at the top is...

Congratulations Ruth, you're the winner of the £15 voucher to spend at RB Beads!

We hope you all enjoyed the challenge this month, don't forget to check back later today when we'll have a brand new challenge for April!