December Monthly Challenge

The theme this month is "Puttin' on the Glitz." Bring out the sparkle, bring on the bling, show off your over-the-top designs! The theme is open to your interpretation. Maybe it will be a special holiday necklace or a bracelet you have made to wear to a New Year's Eve soiree. Just make sure it's glitzy and has at least one art bead.

Pull out your favorite art beads and join in this month's challenge! We can't wait to see what you create.

We have three prizes for one lucky winner this month. A winner will be randomly chosen from all the qualifying entries on January 1st.



The Prizes:

First is a sparkly Bling Links Kit from Cindy Gimbrone. There are enough beads to inspire a few creations.

The second prize is a bright and festive holiday pendant set from Jangles.


The third prize is a copy of the book Fabulous Fabric Beads: Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry by Kristal Wick donated by Interweave Press.


Featured Designer of the Week!
From all the entries during the month, an editor is going to pick their favorite design to be featured every Monday here on the ABS. We want to give our participants more time in the spotlight! Our Featured Designer will be this Monday, so get those entries in soon.


How to enter the Monthly Challenge:
1. Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme. This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc. The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork.


***Beads by themselves and beads simply strung on a chain or cord will not be accepted.***


2. Upload your photo to our flickr group. Detailed instructions can be found here and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can't upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.


Please add the tag or title DECABS to your photos. Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.


Deadline is December 31st.


Photos are approved by our moderators, if a photo hasn't followed the guidelines it will not be approved. You may upload 2 photos a day.


What is an Art Bead?
An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist. You can read more about art beads here.


*** A bead that is handmade is not necessarily an art bead. Hill Tribe Silver, Kazuri ceramic beads or lampwork beads made in factories are examples of handmade beads that are not considered art beads.


p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.