On Assignment

The Expressions department of Somerset Studio is open to all who wish to share their paper and mixed-media art and crafting projects including cards, collages, altered books and assemblages. The publisher carefully considers each and every submission.

If your artwork is selected for publication within the pages of Expressions, you will receive a voucher for a FREE issue of Somerset Studio. You may redeem the voucher for a current issue, an available back issue, or extend an existing subscription by one issue. The choice is yours!

ARTWORK SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

All artwork must arrive at our offices on or before the published deadlines. We prefer submissions of original art, but we also accept professional-quality 4"x5" transparencies or color slides. No digital or color-copy submissions are accepted.

All artwork must be identified with the artist’s name, address, e-mail and phone number clearly printed on a label attached to each sample. As artwork often gets separated from instructions during our selection process, we ask that you also inscribe your name and address somewhere on each piece of art. If you desire acknowledgment of artwork receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.

If the artwork is three-dimensional, attach your identification with a removable string, or pack the sample in a plastic bag with your identification. Artwork without proper identification will not be considered for publication.

Concise yet thorough instructions must accompany each art sample. Attach individual sample instructions to each piece of artwork and include credits for all stamp images used.

ART MANAGEMENT POLICY

Sometimes, a piece of artwork submitted for one issue may be better suited for an upcoming issue. Other times, submissions are forwarded for consideration to the editors of The Stampers' Sampler or Legacy, our sister publications. For these reasons we may hold your sample for an extended period of time — nine-12 months is common. Rest assured that we will take excellent care of your artwork. In the meantime, if you move, please send a postcard or e-mail to the editor with your new address.

Due to the large volume of artwork we receive, Somerset Studio will return only those submissions accompanied by sufficient postage in the form of cash, check or money order made out to Stampington & Co. If you wish to have your artwork insured for the return journey, please include sufficient funds and indicate your preference in a postcard or letter enclosed with your submission. Please do not attach postage to packaging, and do not send loose postage stamps. Contributors from outside the US, please send postal coupons obtained from your post office or a check or money order in US funds to Stampington & Co.

WRITERS’ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Somerset Studio seeks project-based technique articles on paper and mixed-media art and crafting projects. If you have a unique artistic technique you’d like to share with others, send samples of your artwork accompanied by a query letter outlining your article idea to the Editor-in-Chief, Somerset Studio, 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. The editor welcomes brief e-mail queries: someditor@somersetstudio.com. No telephone calls, please.

Please note that the artwork itself often sells the article. The editor seeks first-rate projects and encourages artists who have not published articles before to submit ideas, as editorial assistance will be provided.

For the Melange department, the Last Page column and occasional features, Somerset Studio seeks outstanding artwork accompanied by creative articles and essays on art adventures and discoveries. Competitive editorial compensation is provided for all published articles.

NOTE TO CALLIGRAPHERS

Somerset Studio regularly seeks alphabet Exemplars designed in a vertical format, accompanied with basic instructions. Exemplars receive full-page attention and are also featured in The Lively Art of Lettering department. If we publish your Exemplar, you’ll get a FREE one-year subscription to Somerset Studio.

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

Somerset Holidays
Handcrafted Projects for Christmas, Halloween & Other Holidays
For most art and crafting enthusiasts, holidays are the best reasons to create handcrafted projects … either to keep and treasure in the home, or to give and share with friends and loved ones. But with so many holidays that seem to come around more quickly with the passing of each year, even the most creative minds need project ideas. Christmas cards, gift wrap papers, wreaths, advent calendars, Halloween trick-or-treat pails, papier mâché Valentine hearts, glittery paper hats for the New Year, patriotic paper fans for Independence Day, and Thanksgiving table decorations are just some project ideas that you might consider. Somerset Holidays is sure to become a holiday tradition in many homes, where ideas for creative celebrations abound. Please submit your most festive projects for the following categories to be considered for this beautiful 144-page publication.

Deadline for artwork to be received: April 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Holidays · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Sew Somerset
The Art of Creative Sewing & Mixed-Media
More than ever before, artists are discovering the joy of combining sewing with mixed-media projects, as artists recognize that stitches are not limited just to fabrics. Machine stitching can be added to almost anything including paper, transparencies, fabric, batting, canvas, foil, paper bags, kraft paper, and so much more. For those who choose to work with more durable materials like wood, metal and clay, stitches can also be added, but usually by hand.

Whether you sew by hand or machine, we invite you submit your most innovative and imaginative art projects that incorporate sewing, for this brand new special publication. Some project ideas include:

• Scrapbook layouts
• Art quilts
• Greeting cards
• ATCs
• Altered books
• Art journals
• Art jewelry
• Wall hangings
• Collages

Sew Somerset will feature projects of the highest caliber that Somerset Studio is known for … projects that will surely take your breath away … projects that will look “So Somerset!” In this 144-page publication, you will find beautiful photographs, easy-to-understand techniques, and a bounty of tips, ideas and inspiration. Sew Somerset will help you learn how to add stitches of varied lengths, sizes, colors, and dimension into your next art project.

Altered Couture (Volume 3!) (Newsstand Date: November 1, 2007)
A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for the second volume of this exciting publication. Chapters will include Skirts & Dresses, Pants & Overalls, Jackets & Vests, Shirts & Tops, Children’s Wear, Sassy Shoes, and Accessories.

Deadline for artwork to be received: June 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Somerset Home (Newsstand Date: August 1, 2007)
You are cordially invited to submit artwork to be considered for this special publication showcasing handcrafted items to decorate the home. A Somerset Home will feature items from every room in the home – from the bedroom, the kids’ room and the bathroom, to the kitchen and the living room. And don’t forget the backyard and the front porch! We are looking for a variety of items including but not limited to: embellished pillows, wall art, hooked rugs, altered lamp shades, quilts, table top items, aprons, embellished chandeliers, garlands for the mantle, decorations for the front door, slipcovers, and more!

Deadline for artwork to be received: March 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Home · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Somerset Wedding 4 (Newsstand Date: February 1, 2008)
You are cordially invited to submit artwork to be considered for this special publication as we discover more elegance, more inspiration and more romance. Somerset Wedding 3 will feature breathtaking photographs of exquisite handcrafted ideas that make the wedding day the perfect day. Please submit invitations, bridal accessories, favors, wedding books and albums, programs, menus, centerpieces, gifts, thank you cards, bridal journals, altered books, collages and other wedding-related paper art, mixed-media art or wearable art that capture the Somerset Studio tradition of romance and timeless beauty.

Deadline for artwork to be received: August 1, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Wedding · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Upcoming Themes:

Vintage Halloween (September/October 2007)
Witchy women, jack o’lanterns, gothic tales, fairies and goblins … the magical holiday of Halloween is filled with wonderful images and ideas that beg for artistic expression. We’d like you to stir the caldron, cast a spell, do whatever’s necessary to conjure up some spooktacular vintage Halloween artwork. Think elegant and sophisticated, romantic and timeless as you sort through your collection of black and white photographs, ephemera, old papers and pages. For the Sep/Oct 2007 please submit paper and mixed-media projects that capture the beguiling and enchanting spirit of a vintage Halloween.

Deadline for artwork to be received: April 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Studio · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Special Holiday Projects
Somerset Studio invites you to join in our annual tradition of showcasing your most special holiday projects. We’re looking for greeting cards, gift-wraps, advent calendars, ornaments, table decorations, stocking stuffers, and assorted handmade gifts and artwork that celebrate the season.

Please use colors, words and images that are most inspirational and meaningful for you during the holidays. We look forward to projects made with paper, rubber art stamps, calligraphy, and mixed-media that will add sparkle to our traditions of giving thanks, rekindling our faith, and reconnecting with family and friends.

Deadline for artwork to be received: June 11, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Studio · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Green
Join us in our celebration of the color green! This fresh, friendly color is all around us: from the tropical rainforests to the lush hills of Ireland; the bright granny smith apple or a scoop of pale mint ice cream; or maybe you’re stirred by the sea foam of the ocean or the green grass of the earth.

With so many shades, you’ll have plenty to choose from the many hues of jade, forest, mint, sage, emerald, pine, olive, or lime. We want to see what you can come up with for this lovely color. Show us what inspires you about green with your paper and mixed-media projects.

Deadline for artwork to be received: August 13, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Somerset Studio · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653