April Beading Challenge
Do you ever feel like you need a little creative push? Are you looking for some inspiration to think (or, BEAD) outside of your comfort zone? Want to bead outside your box and possibly win a prize at the same time? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Welcome to the Eureka Crystal Beads APRIL BREADING CHALLENGE!
* * * For GENERAL PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES, scroll to the bottom! * * *
Let’s talk about April’s theme: CRYSTAL CUP CHAIN! This month we want to see what you can make featuring these super sparkly connected crystals of beauty! (
Crystal Cup Chain consists of individual crystal stones in settings (in this case, prong settings) and connected by a flexible metal base. There is absolutely no purchase required for entry to the prize giveaway, or the April challenge, but we do sell a variety of cup chain on our website in case you’re wondering where to find it. Below is a helpful compilation of some information about cup chain, and some links to blog posts and tutorials outlining ways to work with it!
FINISHES
Metal settings come in choices of (from Left to Right) Gun metal, Silver, Rhodium, Brass, and Gold – so many options!
COLORS
Preciosa Crystal Cup chain comes in a variety of colors, sometimes with utterly dazzling Aurora Borealis finishes! (or no finish at all, if you prefer a more subtle look!)
For a simple approach, we carry easy-to-use cup chain endings that are a breeze to use! (To see an example, check out this YouTube video tutorial from the ECB channel!)
Come take a peek at all of Eureka’s Preciosa Crystal Cup Chain and cup chain findings!
We hope you challenge yourself to use some Cup Chain to come up with something spectacular to submit for the April Challenge!
GUIDELINES:
HOW does this all work? Every month there will be a theme to follow. Examples of themes could be to feature a color or color palette, to show off a specific product, to work within a technique, or take inspiration from a fashion movement or decade! We welcome beader’s to submit creations of their own design, or ones that followed a pattern or video tutorial. Just make sure that you credit the designer (if the designer isn’t you). Themes will be announced at the beginning of each month. APRIL 2019 THEME: CRYSTAL CUP CHAIN!
What is the DEADLINE for submissions? The deadline for submissions each month is the last calendar day – easy peasy!
How do I SUBMIT my entry? First, you’ll need to be a member of our online Facebook group: The Beader’s Nook at Eureka Crystal Beads. JOIN HERE, it’s free and fun! At any time during the month you can post your submission in the group to show it off and say a little something about it! ***NOTE: You’ll have to use the hashtag “#Nook419” (which should turn into a blue link after you type it) in your post so we can collect all the submissions at the end of the month. (In case you’re wondering: “419” = April 2019. So next month, the hashtag to use will use 519, for May 2019) >>> Learn more about The Beader’s Nook HERE!
PRIZES, you say? Yes, that’s right! Each month we’ll select (1) participant at random to win a fun beady prize. There is no purchase required for entry. Our goal for these challenges is to be low-stress way for you to challenge and push yourself, but not to be in competition with your peers. Let’s all have some fun! (More serious competitions, for those interested, are coming down the pipeline – stay tuned!)
Can I submit MORE THAN ONE entry? Absolutely! Who are we to stifle your creativity!! BUT, it should be noted that additional entries will not gain you advantage in winning the random month-end prize.
Eureka Crystal Beads Blog 
Fun challenge to try to use cupchain.
I have never used cup chain. I guess I better get started learning.
Love seeing all the projects posted in the ‘Nook’
I love to be challenged with new products and techniques pertaining to beading!
I am so glad to read this can be altered to a vintage cup chain. It is a beautiful design
This is great!!!!
I recently completed a kit from another shop that uses cup chain, Is it okay to enter giving credit for the kit?
Hi Kristine! Great question. You can certainly credit the designers name. 🙂
I haven’t done anything with cup chains – but have seen some really fun ideas using them – might be time to order some! 😀
Love all your stuff
I was going to ask the same thing as Susan Picken above. Question answered. I do have a stash of cupchain but still working on bead embroidery. I always have something to do. Never bored!
I really enjoy reading your blog posts, learning new things and getting new ideas.
This is pretty cool. Thanks!
I wish I could afford to make all the beautiful things I see.
Can’t wait to see what creative minds do with this one
I can’t wait to get started on this fun challenge. Been wanting to try cup chain
winning is one of my favorite things!!!
Love your contests , your tutorials and your merchandise !
I am going to have to try something. Sounds like fun!
What is the most commonly used size of cupchain used for bead embroidery? I bought some that is not metal mounted and not sure the size.
I don’t think there is a most commonly used size of cup chain, or a way I can determine that – for bead embroidery, that is. I think the 3mm-4mm range is great for it, though. 🙂
This could be fun. 🙂
I’m so allergic to any metals but gold so although I’d love to give this a go- it would require some way of burying the metal….which is yet a bit beyond my skill set, sadly.
I understand, Kiri! There are ways of doing it. Consider checking out Pinterest, YouTube, and Google for some ideas to be inspired by 🙂
I have one that I did somewhat recently, can that count, or do I need to create something new?
That can absolutely count, Tanya! 🙂
I love this site and all the goodies you have. Things are priced right and everyone is great to deal with. Thank you!!!
I have used cup chain before in bracelets that I made a few years ago, I love the crystal ab.
This is a great challenge. I can’t wait to see the entries.
This is a great challenge! I love using cup chain in beading! ❤
Can’t wait to see what people come up with!
I haven’t tried cup chain yet. I’d like to do that soon.
Wow, So many colors in cup chain.
I am always looking for new ideas for cupchain and this will get my mojo going. Thanks Leah!
You probably don’t want to hear this, however, trying to bead projects at a specific time overwhelms me, then I don’t finish any of them. Plus, Facebook and I don’t get along anymore
I understand totally, Sue ❤
I think that this is a great challenge! I am just now entering the world of making jewelry and I primarily work with seed beads. It would be cool to find out how to use cup chains!
I better get to work
I think the April challenge is fun. It certainly has me challenged since I’ve never used the cup chain before in any of my projects.
I have some ideas that hopefully works out.
Can’t wait to get started!
Sounds fun. Can’t wait to get started!
What a nice challange
I hope I am able to get some cup chain so I can enter my work
wish I could bead every day
This is a fun and Awesome Giveaway!! There’s so many different options of what u can make. So many pretty colors!!
Very awesome
I need to get some cup chain, always forget to order lol I’ve never used it
It’s a fun and versatile challenge. I love it
Is it alright to use Cup chain in my stock or do I need to purchase yours!
No purchase necessary, Susan!! You can certainly use what you have 🙂 (Sorry for the delay in this reply!)
That’s very nice of you