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Make It Merry

Thanks to lots of talented crafters, and especially About.com's DIY Guide, I have a list of fun projects to make and enjoy over the holiday season, from Thanksgiving goodies all the way to Christmas.

Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders
What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.

Make a Gingerbread House
Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.

How to Draw a Christmas Tree
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.

Paint a Glass Ornament
Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.

Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern
Don't just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Stitch a Pear Trio
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free 'Pear Trio' needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.

Easy Christmas Ornaments
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.

Print Thanksgiving Placecards
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying 'awwwww'. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.

http://phyllisdobbs.info/2009/11/03/christmas-approaching-time-start-handmade-items/ ">Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.

Make a Miniature Christmas Tree
Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.

Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins
Sometimes you just can't commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you're ready for pie...and when you're overstuffed.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make It Merry originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 09:24:58.

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New Digital Craft Magazine

I just heard about a new magazine that sounds kind of interesting, and not just for jewelry folks. It is called Totally Creative, and according to the web site's description, it covers all types of crafting such as jewelry making, beading, sewing, polymer clay, and mixed media.

Other than the fact that is covers jewelry as well as lots of other crafts, another interesting aspect is that it is a digital magazine that comes in the form of a pdf file. From what I can tell reading the site, there is no hardcopy option. Subscriptions are normally $24.95 but right now they are $19.96, and this includes 6 issues a year. There is also an option to get a free trial issue that you download right away.

With all the magazines that seem to be coming, going, and transforming lately, this idea of a strictly digital magazine may be something that we see more of in the future. What do you think? Have you seen the trial issue of this magazine? Do you think digital is the way to go now? I'm off to download my freebie, so my thought are still in flux as to what I think about this and the digital magazine idea in general, but I'm interested to hear what other jewelry designers think.

New Digital Craft Magazine originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 15:40:15.

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Deal on Make Your Own Rings Book

Nana V. Mizushima, author of a number of jewelry making books including Make Your Own Rings: Easy Ring Projects to Do at Home, which I reviewed on this site not that long ago, emailed me recently to tell me about a great deal she has going for those interested in purchasing her new book (either hardcopy or as a pdf file).

Right now, she is offering 20% off. The retail list price for the 166 page full color paperback is $29, but if you go to her website, makesilver.com, and type in the discount coupon code amazonrings77, you will get 20% off of her website price of $25 - the paperback will be just $20 and the PDF version (this can be e-mailed directly for viewing on-screen) will be just $12! The discount coupon is good only for items purchased on the makesilver.com website.

Deal on Make Your Own Rings Book originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 08:05:43.

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Jewelry Junkies Link Love 11/01/09

A Bead A Day
Looking for a great way to commemorate a special moment or gift? Design a piece of jewelry!

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene is having a book fair. Read up on your favorites!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has finally discovered how great polymer clay is.

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva
Not thinking about your holiday gift list yet? Cindy helps get you started with a Knot Ready for Prime Time Lucky Knots and Friends Projects so you can get started now!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares her final Crystal Week necklace... a piece she calls Woodland Mermaid

Jean Campbell
Jean celebrates her favorite holiday by showing off her costume and some very cool baubles

Jewelry & Beading
Krystal Backer, beading artist, shares her creative inspirations with Cyndi.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Have you been following Lorelei's Necklace Round Robin? Come take a look at the finished pieces!

Snap Out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a delightful book by the editor of BeadStyle: Cathy Jakicic

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her favorite necklace created for Cynthia Thornton's Enchanted Adornments and winner in the metal clay category of the British Bead Awards

Jewelry Junkies Link Love 11/01/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 19:11:10.

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Bead Road Trip to Shipwreck Beads

Imagine a building the size of your local Wal-mart, but instead of being filled with towels and toasters, this store is filled with beads and tons of other jewelry making supplies. That's how Janet Wickell, About.com's Guide to Quilting, described her experience at Shipwreck Beads' brick and mortar store located in Washington state. Janet is also a lover of beads and jewelry, so she was nice enough to take some pictures and give us a virtual tour of the place. Thank you, Janet!

Here's what she told me about her trip:

There are sidewalks leading up to and along two sides of this building -- all filled with loads of beads. Outside, a customer told me that there are more in layers below, that the beads sunk during the first attempt and had to be added again.

At the front of the store there is a large room filled with gemstone bead strands on sale -- all laid out on tables. There's also a separate room devoted to books.

Items are mostly organized by material type, but some things are displayed in a couple of places. I've never seen so many findings. They're mostly stored in organizer-type drawers and sorted by material. Some things are sorted by type, like butterfly items, cat items, etc.

Their new catalog came in the morning we were there, so I brought one home with me (it almost brought my suitcase over the 50 pound mark).

They were busy, but very organized. When you walk in, you pick up a little push cart outfitted with trays and a necklace tree. So you can keep everything pretty well organized as you walk the aisles. There were always people checking out, but that group was organized too so the backups were minimal. There were also quite a few people in the aisles to answer questions, a very well-run place.

Bead Road Trip to Shipwreck Beads originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 06:56:52.

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