Here at BeadStyle, we get lots and lots of submissions. This morning, we reviewed submissions for 52 Bracelets (on sale in mid August) and for upcoming issues of the magazine.
Cathy, Jane, Stacy, Erin, and I all have different design sensibilities, but we share a commitment to showing fun, stylish, beautiful jewelry. We love to see your designs! Here are some tips to help you get your work accepted.
- Look over back issues to familiarize yourself with the magazine. We rarely run stitching projects, and when we do, the techniques are very simple. Also, we don't show many home décor or men's jewelry projects — you've told us you're not really fans of those.
- We look for jewelry's visual appeal. Beyond that, though, you can also let us know why you think your design is a good fit. Did you use unusual materials? Is it a new take on a classic? Is it budget friendly?
- Edit before you send your ideas. Two or three well-chosen pieces suggest you understand our magazine better than photos of every piece in your new collection. Be selective; we don't need to see each piece in every color option.
- On a related note, we're happy to look at images of specific jewelry, but we aren't able to go through hundreds of photos at a time (so please don't send a general link to your Web site). Again, be selective.
- Keep our lead time in mind. We work several issues ahead. Now (in February), we have all of the July issue lined up. So it's best to submit designs that are suitable for a couple of seasons away. That said, we sometimes schedule timeless projects for an issue several months away.
- Please don't submit photos of jewelry you can't bear to part with. If we accept your design, we will need to hold on to your jewelry until the magazine goes into production. We understand that you could be selling your jewelry instead, and we try to keep that in mind. You can expect to receive your jewelry back by the time the issue goes to print.
- Provide information about where you bought supplies. If you bought your beads at a show, please research other options and let us know where readers can buy materials. Also, we will need prices for our shopping lists.
- When we accept your submission, we'll send you a list of questions about your design inspiration and tips. Please send this back in a timely manner.
You can find more information in our guidelines. Good luck; we hope to hear from you soon.