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Gift Ideas for Jewelry Designers

Do you have a friend or relative who also gotten bitten by the jewelry making bug? Maybe he or she would enjoy a nice set of tools or have fun putting together jewelry from a kit that includes all the supplies.

While we normally spend this time of year making jewelry piece to give as gifts, don't forget about your fellow jewelry designers. I have a list of ideas for jewelry makers, from inexpensive stocking stuffer items to practical equipment and tools: Gifts for Jewelry Designers.

Gift Ideas for Jewelry Designers originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 07:22:39.

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Jewelry Junkie Link Love 11/29/09

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Ah, Etsy! So many of our problems solved by visiting Etsy for gifts for our dearest friends at this time of year. Take a look at this premade pendant, which also comes in a kit so you can teach yourself if you prefer. It's all jump rings and it's all beautiful. The Alchemist's Star!

Strands of Beads
Melissa is thankful for generous friends - who share their beading supplies!

A Bead A Day
Stop by A Bead A Day for a wonderful week of cubic zirconia sparkle sponsored by Artbeads.com. Ideas are always welcome!

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares some simple CopprClay pendants that you can have ready in time for holiday gift-giving!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses embossing powder to make a bird pendant...a fun idea!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
It's Double Dippin' Week - a week full of ideas for the Double Dips. Try a necklace and become "Entwined."

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie gives her review of Enchanted Adornments, and gives a reminder to enter teh Art Bead Scene monthly challenge for your chance to win a copy of it and some other great beads, including new Earthenwood beads!

Art Bead Scene
Are you a Twilight Fan? If yes, then check out the Twilight inspired jewelry on the Art Bead Scene!

Jewelry Junkie Link Love 11/29/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 11:02:23.

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Jewelry Supply Sales

This time of year, you often see a lot of sales going on all over the place. Some of this is due to the fact that the holidays means people are buying presents and probably making a good deal of jewelry to give as presents as well. Another reason why you see so many sales of jewelry supplies right now is because vendors are trying to liquidate inventory. Once January starts up, a new tax year begins. If they have too much stock left in inventory, this can be a tax hit for them. They want to have inventory as low as possible.

Because vendors really need to clear out old merchandise, this means there are lots of opportunities for scooping up some deals. Of course, if you are also running a jewelry business, for example you sell your finished jewelry, then you have to be careful. You also don't want to create too much inventory right before the end of the year and have issues with your taxes. But for those jewelry designers who do this more as a hobby, there are some excellent sales going on. Feel free to add to the list, but here are a few I've seen popping up among various jewelry supply vendors. Many of these sales are only going on for a few days, so they will end very soon:

Artbeads.com is having a 20% off sale right now on orders of $60 or more.

Rings & Things has a 10% off sale on sterling silver components.

Fire Mountain Gems & Beads is having an end of the year bead blow-out sale.

HHH Enterprises is having a 25% off everything sale.

Cindy Gimbrone is having a 15% off sale plus free beads offering going on right now.

Crafts Etc. is have a 50% off one item sale. The shopping cart code is SAVE0912.

Beaducation has a 20% off sale going on for its silver blanks.

These are just a few sales that I've seen going on right now. Feel free to add others you know about as a comment to this post, and remember, many of these sales will end soon.

Jewelry Supply Sales originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 10:46:34.

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Make It Merry 11/26/09

Happy Thanksgiving, folks. Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.

Snowman Ornament
Sherri Osborn will show you how to create a cute snowman face using a clear, glass ornament. It's a great project for the whole family.

Recycled Pine Cone Gnome
Get a glimpse of this pine cone gnome at the Recycled Crafts blog. It's a cute reason to collect a few pine cones around the yard.

CopprClay Pendants
Try your hand with pendant making this year with a little help from some winter foliage. The Beading Arts blog will show you how.

How to Make Paper
Handmade paper not only makes a great gift for the avid scrapbooker in your life, but you can also create tags and cards for every present on your list. Marion Boddy-Evans shows us how.

Little Town of Bethlehem Cross Stitch
Get down to the true meaning of Christmas with this simple cross stitch pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Mitten Earrings
Tammy Powley shows us how to make these cute mitten earrings using lampwork beads.

Christmas Stocking
This cute two-color Christmas stocking is a breeze to knit, even if you've never knit a sock before. Worked with bulky yarn on big needles, it will be done and ready for you to embellish in no time.

Advent Garland
If you are looking for something a little different when it comes to counting down to the holidays this year then take a look at this pyramid box garland. Use the free template to make the boxes and decorate them with your favorite festive stamps.

Miniature Gift Boxes
Have a little gift to give? Check out these free printable miniature gift boxes for small gifts or advent calendars from Lesley Shepherd.

Manga Holiday Card
Instead of a traditional Christmas card, you could go with something a little more contemporary this year. Helen South has tips on how to create a manga style card.

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 11/26/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 10:50:23.

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Chain Gang Jewelry

Books are one of the many jewelry making items many of us add to your holiday gift list, so you may want to take a look at a new book I recently reviewed. This book focuses on making jewelry using prefabricated chain. It is called Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs (Interweave Press $19.95,) and it is written by Jane Dickerson. Along with designs created by the author, nine other jewelry designer collaborated on this title.

After reading the review, you may want to add this to your "want list," or consider giving it to a jewelry making friend.

Chain Gang Jewelry originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 11:39:31.

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