Friday 2 June 2017

June Challenge

Welcome to the June Challenge! The theme for this challenge is:

Wander where you will.

Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca 2015.

There are so many wonderful, fascinating countries in this world of ours each with a unique history, intriguing traditions and a sense of beauty of their own. For this challenge I'd like you to take a virtual trip around the Globe, stick a pin on a map or lose a few hours on Google to choose a country that interests you and bead a piece inspired by anything about that country that tickles your fancy! You can find a list of sovereign states on Wikipedia to start you off on your journey.

Please include the name of your chosen country and a short paragraph on your inspiration so that we can all learn a little more about our world.

THE PRIZE:
This month our sponsor is Valentina and she's offering £25 to spend in her Etsy shop Beads & More by Yashma!


HOW TO ENTER:
Email a photograph of your entry to Sarah at ottbs@live.com along with any other details we have asked for. The challenge runs until Midnight on Friday the 30th of June and the winner is drawn and announced the following day. You can email your entry at any time during the month. The challenge is open to beaders worldwide.


RULES & OTHER INFORMATION:
  • Entries must have been started on or after June 1st 2017.
  • You can make any item, it does not need to be jewellery.
  • You can use any craft technique but it must include beads.
  • 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 theme or colours allowed.

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!

Sarah



Thursday 1 June 2017

April/May Challenge Reveal


Thank you to everyone who joined in with this challenge! I'm thrilled that so many UFOs now have a new lease of life as finished pieces!

Carol H

This is based on Shelley Nybakke's "Until I Breathe"

I haven't beaded for over 12 months so decided to use 5 of the "dangles"  I had already done!


Jenny A


Sarah G

The design credits for the base go to Julia Gerlach, and the Absolutely Stunning 
'Sign of the Zodiac' cameos are courtesy of Davida Krill and The Old 
Bicycle Shop....(I HAD wanted to feature every sign of the zodiac on my 
necklace, but even I (lover of all things over the top) had to concede 
that doing so would have been EVER SO SLIGHTLY mad! So I went with five.


Fatema I

I dug into my stash and created entry numbers 1,2,3, 4, 5, 7, 8,9 10 11 and 13 which are all my designs!Entry no 12 is a customised hand ornament for a client which is also my own design.Entry no 11,14 and 15  are table mats for which I utilized most of  the plastic bicones  accumulated over a period of many years.Entry no 6 and 16 are pairs of earrings which I made with the help of guide central video tutorials on you tube.All these projects were beaded during the months of April and May.


Lucy K

 Lucy finished this Anais brooch from a pattern by Ellad2 (Ella Des)



Kristen H

Kristen finished 12 pieces to enter for the challenge.  


Design credit in 7 picture: (top right)
Heather Kingsley-Heath
Melissa Grakowsky
Melissa Grakowsky (again)
Kelley Weiss
Diane Dennis
Sandra Youbger
Melissa Grakowsky (center)

Design credit in 5 picture (top right)
Erin Simonetti
Jay Dee
Justyna Szlezak
Julia Pretl
Nancy Dale  






Maureen L

The centre necklace is Nefertiti's Treasure designed by Melanie de Miguel, a workshop from several years ago.

The outer necklace is Dragon Claw Necklace designed by Laura McCabe, a kit I started last year.

The pendant and earrings are my version from a Bubble Hubble workshop with Melanie de Miguel in March this year, made to go with my outfit for my son's wedding recently.


Vidya 

Vidya finished this design from Eridhan creation.


Esther B

This is "Tassel Lariat," a workshop pattern from Helena Tang-Lim. Started in class with her last August, and just finished now! Whew!



Signy C

I completed 7 items for this challenge!

4 beaded bezels on moon cabs (only 30 or so left to go!)
2 pairs of earrings
1 beaded necklace for a pendant



Louise B



All the entries (1 per finished item) went on a list and I used Random.org to pick a number.

The Winner is Kristen H! Congratulations Kristen! Please get in touch and I'll send you your prize! 

Thanks again for entering everyone!

Sarah x