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Submitting a project or article to Bead magazine

At Bead Magazine we love to hear from readers who have ideas for projects or articles. We have outlined below everything that we require in a submission as well as the process involved. There is also an example of a submission for your guidance.

As well as ideas for the magazine, we also like to hear any ideas for Bead-TV. These wouldn’t need to be written up but instead you would be filmed demonstrating them. If you would like to submit and ideas for this or discuss this please email elizabeth@ashdown.co.uk

If you are unsure about any of the steps or requirements please contact us.

All submissions are to be sent to:

The basics

• All projects and articles must be your own work. If they’re influenced or based on anything else, you must let us know in the submission
• All projects and articles must be original. They must not have been, nor planned to be, published elsewhere. If this is not the case please enclose full details with your submission.
• All the stages that form the process from beginning to end are laid out below. Participation in all of these stages is expected and if you have any reason why you cannot take part or contribute please contact Bead magazine asap.
• Payment is based on a number of factors; complexity of project or article, how much in-house work is done by Bead, combined with number of pages within the magazine, and is decided by the Editor.
• Bead Magazine reserve the right to reject work at any stage if the content or quality is not as expected or agreed or if any work does not arrive by the agreed deadline.
• All authors and designers will be asked to provide an appropriate photograph of themselves as well as a bio to be published. These form part of the submission and are expected by the deadline date.

The Process

1. Once we have received a submission from you this will be acknowledged asap.
2. We will then consider whether the item is appropriate, and if so, how it can be used within Bead magazine. This process can take some weeks and we may contact you for further information
3. Once accepted you will be give a deadline as well as information on exactly what is expected as part of the finished submission. Word count guidance will also be given if appropriate. Please note that although we will be working approximately one year ahead you will be expected to provide all items many months before the publication date.
4. At this stage, if you are planning on photographing steps for a project, you may be asked to submit a test photograph and once this has been approved you will be given the go-ahead to take other photographs.
5. You will be expected to provide ALL items that form part of the finished product by the deadline date; this includes photographs, words, the finished item, beaded steps etc. If at any time you think there may be a delay please contact the magazine asap to discuss this. If the deadline is missed with no communication or agreement, then Bead magazine reserve the right to reject your work.
6. Once all work is received it is edited, photographed etc and then sent onto the designer. At this stage you may be contacted for further words, photographs, quotes, captions for pictures etc as required to ensure the work looks its best on the page. You may also be sent a copy to proofread and check. You will be given a date of when this is expected by.
7. All items may be held onto until the magazine is published. If you need anything back before them please let us know and we will try to accommodate this.
8. Payment is sent once the magazine is published.

All submissions needebsite if appropriate.

• Information on you: beading and jewellery making experience, any writing experience or work published.
• All submissions should be written or typed clearly. If typed then please include them in a word document which you can submit by email or on a disc. If on a disc please also include a paper copy.

Article submissions

We welcome articles on a wide range of subjects concerning beading and jewellery making. Please bear in mind however that we are a Uk based magazine that concentrates on beading, wirework and jewellery making. Any submissions concerning articles should contain:

• Everything included under ‘All submissions need’

1. A detailed outline
2. Author bio
3. Word on inspiration for the article
4. Examples of your writing; not necessarily the article, other writing can be included.

Project submissions

We welcome projects on a wide range of finished items and using a range of techniques. Please bear in mind however that we concentrate on beading, wirework and jewellery making.
Also to be used in Bead magazine, projects must use beads, tools, findings etc that can be easily sourced within the Uk by readers. If you have a project in mind that doesn’t fit this, please make it clear when submitting and include details of where and how it can be purchased instead.
All project submissions must contain:

• Everything included under ‘all submissions need’

• Details of a specific project. We cannot accept general submissions e.g. ‘a strung necklace’.
• A photograph of the finished item.
• Project title
• Introduction to the project. This must include inspiration, stitches and techniques used, when, how and why it was designed and made, if it was inspired or based on anyone else’s work etc, a detailed description of the finished piece- including size, words on any variations that are available.
• Bead store- a detailed list of anything required for the project i.e. beads, materials, tools, notions etc. This must be specific and include colours, weight, measures, sizes and exact quantities as appropriate. Also an approximate cost to make the project, not including tools, if someone had to buy all the materials.
• Full step-by-step instructions with each step, row or round, numbered. These instructions must be for the piece you are submitting and not for a general piece or technique. If it is later found that the words do not match the finished piece you may be asked to re-write or re-make as appropriate. These changes will be given a deadline and form part of the final submission.
• Words on any variations or different ways the piece can be made or finished.
• Any tips, notes or advice anyone wishing to undertake the project will need.
• A supplier list for all items under Bead store. This must indicate which items are from which supplier and include websites and phone numbers as appropriate.
• Please also indicate whether you feel you will be able to photograph all of the necessary steps or if you are able to provide hand-drawn or computer generated diagrams. All diagrams are expected to be re-done by in-house illustrators and you may be asked to work with them to ensure the diagrams are correct.

Illustrating Steps

All project steps are expected to be illustrated with photographs; however, in some cases we may decide it is appropriate to use illustrations and/or diagrams. It is Bead magazine who decide this and we will let you know what we feel suits each project when we contact you regarding your submission. Please do not spend a lot of time making samples, drawing diagrams or taking photos in advance of your project being accepted and Bead Magazine contacting you regarding illustrating the steps.
Once we have discussed with you how best to proceed, you will be expected to provide anything expected by the deadline date. As a guide you may expect to be asked to provide at least one photograph or illustration per step.

If we feel photographs are appropriate, you can take them (subject to a test photograph being approved) or we can. If Bead magazine are taking the photographs you may be asked to provide beaded or made samples as appropriate for each stage.

If it is decided illustrations are to be used you will be asked to provide these, either hand drawn or computer generated for our illustrator to work from.

All material submitted to the magazine is accepted on the basis that copyright in the work will be vested in the Publisher who assumes all rights worldwide, in all forms and media. However, we are happy to discuss you being able to use them yourself afterwards. Whilst great care is taken with submitted pieces, the publisher can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to contributions. Material is accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the Publisher as to its commercial value.

PROJECT SUBMISSION EXAMPLE

Designer Details

Guidelines for suggesting a profile in Bead Magazine

Bead Magazine regularly runs profiles of designers and bead makers as well as anyone else we feel may be of interest to our readers.

We welcome suggestions for people or groups you feel should be included, you are also able to suggest yourself.
Please bear in mind that to help us decide if we should profile someone, the first thing we need to know is why he or she would be of interest to our readers. You need to ensure you give us some idea of why you are suggesting yourself or someone else for a profile.

We receive lots of suggestions and do not always have the time to research why we should include someone; you need to let us know this upfront. We are unable to accept suggestions that are simply requests to look at your website. It will really help us decide if you give us all of the information we ask for below.

Also bear in mind that we are limited as to the number of profiles we can run in an issue or year, so even if someone is accepted, it may be a long wait until the profile is published. If this is the case you will be told this when contacted.

Making a suggestion

All suggestions need to include the following details:

• Your name
• Your contact details
• The name of the person you’re putting forward, if not yourself
• Their contact details
• Their website if appropriate
• Information on the person concerned, some ideas are:

 

 

• Are they a beader or jewellery designer
• Do they make beads, if so, what materials do they use
• Do they make any other product which mat be of interest to our readers
• Do they run a shop or sell an unusual product
• Are they an author or teacher
• Do they do anything unusual or new
• Is there any specific reason they should be included
• Are they involved in any upcoming events
• Anything else you can think of
• If possible please include photographs that illustrate why we should choose this person, this helps us in the selection process

Please send all suggestions to:
jean@ashdown.co.uk
Or
Bead Magazine
Ashdown Publishing
Ancient Lights
9 River Road
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9EY

Becoming a reviewer, product tester or Bead Soup participant for Bead Magazine

Bead Magazine regularly prints reviews and product tests. These are undertaken and written by readers and whether you’re an individual or part of a bead group, read the information below and get involved!

Reviews and product tests are unpaid, however you usually get to keep the item concerned. If not, you will be told this when asked if you want to do the review.

The Bead Soup/ What We Did pages and articles are the next step up from a product test or review. These will involve using a material, tool, book or finding to make a finished item.
These are unpaid, however you usually get to keep the item concerned. If not, you will be told this when asked if you want to participate.

Getting involved

To be added to our lists of potential reviewers or Bead Soup participants, please send your name, address, phone number and email to either:

jean@ashdown.co.uk
Or
Bead Magazine
Ashdown Publishing
Ancient Lights
9 River Road
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9EY.

Make sure you indicate if you’re interested in reviews or bead soup articles. If you’re a group wanting to get involved please let us know approximate numbers.

Also include details of your level of beading as well as any other jewellery related interests e.g. wirework, chain maille, polymer clay etc.

Once an appropriate item needs reviewing etc you will be contacted to confirm if you are still interested and if the item is appropriate. At this time you will be given a deadline and any specific needs e.g. how many words, any particular areas to look at. If you’re still interested the item will be sent to you and you’ll be expected to send the required words back by the deadline. If at any time you think there will be a delay please contact the magazine asap.