Join the Fun!

What happens when you give 15 different people an identical collection of beads? You get a TON of eclectic beaded projects! Four times a year, Bead Unique recruits 15 people in the Bead Unique Community to participate in a Bead Swap.

Here's the Idea

Bead Swap
Quick Links

Winter 08 Swap
Spring 08 Swap
Summer 08 Swap
Fall 08 Swap
Winter 09 Swap

How do I participate?

How Do I Participate in a Bead Unique Bead Swap?

A number of people, usually 15 individuals, are chosen to participate in each Bead Swap. (This number includes three members of the Bead Unique Staff and one regular Bead Unique columnist/designer. Bead Unique hosts FOUR Bead Swaps per year.) To play in a Bead Swap, here's what you'll need to do:

  1. If you're not already a member, sign up to join our Bead Unique Community. (It's FREE!)
  2. Once the announcement is made on the Bead Unique Community page, send an email containing the required information to the Bead Swap organizer. Bead Swap participants are chosen on a first come, first served basis.
  3. If you are chosen, you will then receive a confirmation email containing further information and details. You then make or buy 16 identical bead items (one for each of the other 14 swap participants, one for yourself, and one extra to be photographed by the Bead Unique staff). The items can be charms, lampwork beads, seed beads, stone, found items, or something you make.
  4. Send the items to the Swap organizer with return postage by the specified due date.
  5. A few weeks later, the Swap organizer will send you one item from each of the other participants. In other words, you will receive a great goody bag full of eclectic items!
  6. You then have until a specified date to create one or more pieces in any, some, or all of the following categories: beaded jewelry, art jewelry, home décor, and fashion. Use your own tools, wire, thread, etc. You can add chain, other beads, seed beads, or whatever you need to complete your beaded creations. Make one piece or many—it's up to you. You can use all of the items or just a few…whatever your creativity moves you to create!
  7. Send your completed bead pieces to the Swap organizer by the specified due date. Bead Unique may feature one or more of YOUR pieces on the Bead Unique Magazine website or in a future issue of Bead Unique Magazine!

Important Notes:

  1. In order for us to accommodate as many people as possible, you may only participate in one of the four Bead Swaps per year.
  2. Specific due dates and other details will be provided in the announcement for each Bead Swap.

If you have questions, contact the editors of Bead Unique Magazine at editors@beaduniquemag.com.

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