The July Challenge

We have something a little different for you as this month I'm handing over the reins for the July challenge to Catherine Chinoy! Over to you Catherine...

"Welcome to the July challenge, which departs from the usual colour themes, but will hopefully stretch your creativity just as much!

As I am a full time worker in a research laboratory, I love scientifically inspired art pieces. For this month, I would like you to choose a scientific subject, and interpret it either literally or in abstract form, and share your project and your inspiration with us.

I'd also like you to have completely free rein, but if anyone is struggling for ideas, then try typing in 'Scientific Discovery', 'History of Science', 'Famous Scientists', or Scientific Images' into your favourite search engine. Discoveries from any branch of Science, Technology, Mathematics and from any era are valid.

From Atoms to Astrophysics, Microbes to Ecosystems, Past to Present.... can't wait to see where inspiration leads you. "

~Catherine

How do I enter?

Simply email your photograph to Liz at ottbs@live.com
*** Please also include a few sentences describing your project ***

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. 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 be fair on everyone who takes part please do not submit something that was made before July 1st 2014.

***Please remember that your entry MUST be a finished piece***

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 Thursday the 31st of July. 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 at all about the challenge please email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month we have a guest sponsor, Chantal from Snoochy, who's offered this lovely Inspiration Kit which includes: 1 Star & Moon Pendant, 2 x Large Wooden Beads, 8 x Packets of Czech Glass Beads, 1 x Small Packet of Vintage Freshwater Pearls, 2 Metres of Waved Polyester Cord, Silver Jumprings and Silver Eyepins. All beautifully presented in a little black box!

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

The June Challenge - And the winner is...

Thanks to everyone who joined in with the June challenge, we hope you enjoyed playing with last month's colours of blue, green, orange and copper! The winner of the draw is at the bottom of the post but before that, take a look at all the wonderful entries...

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

JENNY

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

A brand new challenge for July will be posted later on today so don't forget to pop back. Teaser: we have something a little different for you this month ;)

May Giveaway Winner is...

Ok we have a winner of the may giveaway. I would like to thank each and everyone one of you for entering, and making it so much fun.

The winner of this fabulous pattern from Sylvie Camps...

 is...

KATHY B!!!

Congratulations Kathy. If you could contact me with your email address, i shall get sylvie to email the pattern to you.

Carol xxx

The June Challenge

Welcome to the June challenge! Wow, are we half way through the year already? We hope you've enjoyed the challenges so far, including the tricky men's jewellery challenge last month. Well fear not, we have lots more fun lined up for the rest of the year! This month it's colour time and we'd like you to create something in Blue, Green, Orange and Copper.

Photo made by Liz using images from Judy Baxter & Ron Lute

Real copper, copper plated and/or metallic copper finish are accepted and any shade, light or dark, shiny or matt is absolutely fine. Blue, green and orange are self-explanatory really and any shades of those are accepted, AB finishes included. Please make sure that you have all four elements (blue, green, orange & copper) in your piece and also that your piece is finished.

This twist this month is TREES. Remember that this is entirely optional but if you include the twist as well as the colour scheme then you will receive two entries into the draw! Just a few ideas: tree charms, branch connectors, cabochons or beads with tree designs, tree of life pendants, or maybe even make a miniature tree using wire! *NOTE: Leaves and/or flowers won't count on their own as trees!*

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.

When is the deadline for entries?

The deadline is MIDNIGHT in your own time zone on Monday the 30th of June. The challenge winner will be announced the following day.

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 June 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.

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 are happy 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 Rachel and she's very kindly offering £15 to spend in her online shop RB Beads!

The winner will be drawn by Liz on the 1st of July using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced the same day.

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

The May Challenge - And the winner is...

Thanks to everyone who took part in our May challenge, what a fantastic collection of men's jewellery you made! The winner of the draw is at the bottom of the page but don't forget to look at all the entries along the way :)

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

*** KRISTEN ***

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

We have a brand new challenge for June coming later on today so don't forget to check back :)

May Giveaway

May Giveaway

This month the giveaway prize is this gorgeous beading pattern by Sylvie Camps. The pattern requires knowledge of the stitches Netting, Freeform, Peyote, and Cubic Right Angled Weave (CRAW).


Thornbird Necklace

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 Friday 6th June and the winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Saturday 7th June. Please remember when you comment to leave a way for me to contact you, should you be the lucky person to win.

N.B. If i do not have a reply to my winning email within a week, i shall re-do the draw.

Good Luck.

Carol xxx

The May Challenge

Welcome to the May challenge! It's theme time this month and we have a bit of a stinker for you, something that a lot of beaders have trouble with. We'd like you to make a piece of MEN'S JEWELLERY! This is probably the most difficult theme we've ever on the blog had but we hope that you'll all step up to the challenge, get those beads out and make something special for a guy :)

You have three items to choose from - bracelets/cuffs, necklaces/pendants and rings - or make a set if you're feeling particularly brave! But remember that your entry must include beads. 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

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. 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 be fair on everyone who takes part please do not submit something that was made before May 1st 2014.

***Please remember that your entry MUST be a finished piece***

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 Saturday the 31st of May. 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 at all about the challenge please email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month our sponsor is Celia and she's offering one lucky winner £15 to spend in her shop www.Jencel.co.uk!

Good luck everyone and happy beading!

Disclaimer: This challenge and OTTBS are in no way affiliated with Johnny Depp (sadly!).