The December Challenge

Welcome to the December challenge! It's colour time and the theme is METALLICA. No, we don't want you to create something inspired by the rock band (although you can if you want to!). Rather than choose a particular colour scheme this month we're inviting you to use ONLY metallic beads in your piece.

Thinking that metallic means just gold or silver? Wrong! There are so many glorious colours made in metallic and galvanized finishes these days - including Miyuki's Duracoats and Toho's Permanent Finish as well as all the beautiful metallic finishes on other types of beads - that you may be spoiled for choice. And if you want to use just gold and/or silver then that's fine too!

Specifics for this challenge:

• You can use as many or as few colours as you like but please make sure you are using only metallic beads in your piece.
• They can be shiny and/or matte.
• Please note that silver/gold lined beads do not count as metallic.
• If you're using a focal bead, it doesn't need to be metallic. So if you have a gorgeous handmade bead or a cabochon that you wish to use in your project then please feel free to do so.

THE TWIST:

For the twist this time we'd like you to include TWO-HOLE BEADS with a metallic finish in your entry. Also known as twin-hole beads, we mean the speciality beads that have two holes like Superduos, Tila beads, Rulla beads or Silky beads to name just a few! Remember, the twist is optional, you do not need to include it for your entry to be accepted but if you do you will receive two entries into the draw. 

THE PRIZE:

Our sponsor this month is Valentina and she's offering £25 to spend in her online shop Beads & More by Yashma!

HOW TO ENTER:

Simply email a photograph of your entry to Liz at ottbs@live.com. The challenge runs until Midnight in your own time zone on Thursday the 31st of December and the winner is drawn and announced the following day. The challenge is open to beaders worldwide.

RULES & OTHER INFORMATION:

• Entries must have been started on or after December 1st 2015.
• You can make any item, it does not need to be jewellery.
• You can use any craft technique but it must include beads.
• Findings are exempt from the colour challenge.
• Your entry must be a finished piece.
• If your entry isn't your own design you must credit the original designer.
• The photo above is for decorative purposes only, please refer to the text below it for details on the colours allowed in this challenge.

There is more detailed information on the challenge here but if you have any questions please leave a comment below or email us. 

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

The November Challenge Reveal

Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our November challenge, where we invited you to be inspired by a book. You all used a variety of titles as your inspiration with Terry Pratchett as the most popular choice of author! The winner of the prize draw is at the bottom of the post but take a look at all the wonderful entries along the way :)

All the names went into the List Randomizer at Random.org and the lucky winner who's name is at the top is...

KRISTEN HO

Congratulations Kristen, you're the winner of the £15 voucher to spend at Old Bicycle Shop!

We hope you enjoyed this challenge, whether or not you took part. Please drop by a little later on to see what the challenge is for the last month of 2015.