Bead Trends is currently looking for designs with the following themes for our January 2011 issue:

* Quick & Easy
* Fashion Favorites – Features designs from a variety of styles and mediums that can be a personal favorite or necessary staple in any wardrobe.
* Birthstone – Garnet
* Anything Goes – The beaded possibilities are endless and not just limited to jewelry. What about pillows, table runners, picture frames, lamps, clothing, candle collars, wine glass charms, and home decor?! This category can contain jewelry and a whole lot more!
* Earrings
* Color Challenge – Soft corals, grays, blues, ivory & taupe.
* Funky Chic – Fabulous sense of style, eclectic designs, modern expressions of you!
* Crystal Creations – We want to see those wonderful sparkly crystal designs that are so fun to make and wear!
* All Mixed Up – Mixed metals, textures, fabrics, leathers and more. Use wonderful design elements in fabulous and unexpected ways!
* Inspired By…- Designs that were inspired by something you love including nature, family, memories, art and more. We want to see your inspirational pieces and hear their stories.

If you would like to submit your work to this publication, please e-mail a photograph, the name or title of your piece, and contact information to: beadsubmit@northridgepublishing.com.

If submitting multiple pieces, please send a separate e-mail and photograph for each design.

Deadline for the January 2011 issue is 11:59 p.m. MDT, July 30th, 2010. All ideas should be your original work and not previously published.

We will review all submissions, and if selected, we will contact you by August 2nd with additional information. All pieces will need to be shipped to us directly for photography and arrive in our office by August 12th. Your creation will be returned to you insured, after the issue has been printed.

Debra Wisinski sent in a set for our September issue, and the earrings came in this little sunning box. Isn’t it adorable? Elephants are officially my favorite pachyderm. Also check out these cute little elephants that are on  necklace in the set. I just want to hug them.

I thought it would be fun to post an idea of a something you can make with kids for their dads. This tie may not be an everyday tie, but I have no doubt my dad would have worn it to work occasionally to show off how awesome and loving his kids are. It is not an extremely difficult project, once you get the hang of it, but gets repetitive, so is probably best for kids on the patient side.

This one says “NATAL,” because it was a gift someone made for my husband while he was living in Natal, Brazil. Depending on what you feel your kids are ready for, you can make it one solid color, stripes of color, spell out “dad,” put his initials, or an intricate pattern of your choice.

Quick tips to get you started:

1. (Photo shows the back view) This tie is equal width throughout its length, except for BOTH ends, which taper to a point (dropping 1 bead at a time).
2. See close up for weaving pattern.
3. (Photo shows the back view) At the top of the tie, on the last row before it begins to taper,  pass through an appropriate length of sturdy memory wire to form the collar.
4. String the rest of the memory wire with beads and  create a hook on the side of the collar. Here it will be easy to reach, but concealed by the shirt collar.
5. (Photo shows the back view) Take the top of the tie (the tapered triangle remaining above the memory wire) and tuck it behind the tie. Where the apex of the triangle falls, pinch the sides of the tie together and secure the apex to both sides. This will form the “knot.”
6. 1.5 to 2 inches below the “knot,”  reinforce one row of bead with a length of sturdy wire so that the tie uncurls (from the knot) and lie flat.

This tie used faux pearls, but feel free to mix it up. This will be hanging from someone’s neck though, so whatever you choose, MAKE CERTAIN THE BEADS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT and that the holes are big enough for your memory wire.

Have Fun!

Here’s the last of the cufflinks!

18.   The Birdwatcher: Tatoo Swallows Cufflinks by TrixieAndBeever
19.   The White Knight: Dragon II Cufflinks, by Dedalo
20.   The Sushi Lover: California Roll Cufflinks by marine13
21.   The Speed Demon: 5 Speed Stick Shift Cuff Links by blinkphoto
22.   The Handyman: Keep it Level Cuff Links by blinkphoto
23.   The King: CACHI Cuff Links by EsseKaye
24.   The Entomologist: Bee Cufflinks by CosmicFirefly
25.   The Adventurer: On your Way Cuff links by Outoftheblue