The March Challenge

Welcome to the March challenge! As we are heading toward Spring, we have chosen Pastels for this month's challenge.

Sugar Skulls, Paper Flowers

Dictionaries define the word Pastel as "a soft, pale shade of any color" so you can use any colours for this challenge but we'd like you to include at least 3 different pastels in your entry. White is accepted as well as greys and beiges. No dark colours please!

Now here's the twist...we'd like you to include LEAVES somewhere in your entry. These can be either beadwoven, embroidered, made from polymer/metal clay or actual leaf shaped beads or charms (or any other way you can find to make a leaf!). The twist is entirely optional but if you choose to use the twist as well as the colour scheme then you will receive two entries into the draw!

How do I enter?
There are two ways...
1. Email your photograph to Liz at ottbs@live.com
2. Or add them to our Flickr group pool.

Choose whichever way is easiest for you, you don't have to do both. In either case, please mention that it's for the March Challenge so I know that it's your entry. We're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group as well but please make sure that you've also submitted as above. Entries that have not been emailed or added to the Flickr pool will not be accepted.

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. I'm 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 March 1st 2013.

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 6pm (GMT) on Sunday 31st of March.
 
Can I enter more than once?
You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen colourway. All entries will be shown here on the blog but you will only be entered into the draw once (or twice if you've used the twist).

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 online shop Yashma Creations!

The winner will be drawn by Liz after 6pm on Sunday 31st of March, using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced later on the same evening.

Good luck everyone and happy beading!