The January Challenge - And the winner is...

Huge thanks to everyone who joined in with our January challenge, where we asked you to create something inspired by a famous painting. We had a massive response and a great range of paintings and artists chosen! Before we announce the winner, please take a look at all the fabulous entries!

Asri was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's "Blossoming Almond Tree"

Carolyn was inspired by Degas' "The Sunrise"

Catherine was inspired by Georgia O'Keefe's "Oriental Poppies"

Coral was inspired by DaVinci's "Mona Lisa"

Dawn was inspired by Kevin Sloan's "Fog, Flowers and Bees"

Esther was inspired by Monet's "Water Lillies"

Ericka was inspired by Alphonse Mucha's "Reverie"

Gloria was inspired by DaVinci's "Female Head"

Iryna was inspired by Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"

Janice was inspired by Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Adam"

(Pattern by Pam Gordon)

Jeanne was inspired by Piet Mondrian's "Trafalgar Square"

 Jenny was inspired by Gustav Klimt's "Flower Garden"

Kristen was inspired by Picasso's "Portrait of Marie-Therese"

(Design by Mikki Ferrugiaro)

Louise was inspired by Monet's "Irises in Monet's Garden"

 Mary Kearney was inspired by Johannes Vermeer's "The Girl With a Pearl Earring"

Mary Marshall was inspired by Monet's "Water Lillies"

 Michelle was inspired by Josephine Wall's "Eros and Psyche"

 Liz was inspired by Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa"

 Pam was inspired by Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Monroe"

 Rachael was inspired by Van Gogh's "Starr Night"

 Sarah was inspired by Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss"

 Sherry was inspired by Van Gogh's "Self Portrait with Straw Hat"

 Caroline was inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

 Stephwas also inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

 Tammy was inspired by Tamara de Lempicka's "Arums"

Tanya was inspired by Bruce Gray's "Raindrops"

 Tracy was inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

 Yasmine was inspired by Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa"

Ev was inspired by Monet's Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe

Everyone's names were put in the list randomizer at Random.org and the lucky beader who is at the top of the list is...

Congratulations Gloria, you're the winner of the £25 worth of beads from this month's sponsor Beads and More by Yashma!

We hope you've all enjoyed this challenge, pop back tomorrow when we'll have a brand new challenge for February!

The January Challenge

Welcome to the January challenge! We're starting 2014 off with a theme and we're challenging you to create something inspired by a famous painting...

Take one painting that is well known, classical or modern, and make something inspired by it. Please remember to let us know the name of the painting and the artist that you've chosen as your inspiration when you submit your entry. We want you to have absolute free rein so this month there is no twist.

How do I enter?

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

*** Please note that we are no longer accepting entries via Flickr *** We're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group if you are a member 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 if you are 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, to make it fair on everyone who takes part please do not submit something that was made before January 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.

When is the deadline for entries?

The deadline is Midnight (in your time zone) on Friday the 31st of January. The winner will be announced the following day.

  

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 our sponsor is Valentina and she's offering a £25 voucher to spend in her shop Beads and More by Yashma!

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

The December Challenge - And the winner is...

Thanks to all of you who joined in with the December challenge! We asked you to create something in Black, White and another colour of your choice and here's what you all made...

Everyone's names went into the List Randomizer at Random.org and the lucky beader who is at the top pf the list is...

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

Thanks once more to everyone who joined in with our challenges during 2013 and also to those of you who dropped by to leave comments, your support is very much appreciated! Please come back a little later today when there'll be a brand new challenge for January.