The call has gone out again this year for the annual Halstead Bead, Inc. Business Development Grant competition. This is the fifth year this company has offered this grant which is designed to help American jewelry designers who are trying to enter into the bridge jewelry market. Bridge jewelry refers to jewelry that is in between costume jewelry and fine jewelry, which probably describes the jewelry many readers of this site make.

The grant winner will receive a $5000 cash business grant, $1,000 Halstead Bead, Inc. gift certificate, a feature in the company's catalog and on the web site, an engraved plaque, and lots of promotional opportunities. Obviously, this is a big deal! The deadline isn't until this summer, but considering the amount of work it requires to fill out any grant application, it is never too early to start. Here are a few tips to think about if you are considering applying:

Make sure you thoroughly read all the requirements before apply to make sure you know what you are getting into and that you even qualify to enter in the first place.

If you do qualify and decide to fill out the application and collect the other required materials, such as photograph, double check that you have provided all the necessary information. The easiest way to get booted out of the running to not follow the instructions.

Turn in the best quality work you can, meaning excellent photographs and well-written text that has been edited and proof-read thoroughly.

Read the company's Hints and Tips section. This information comes directly from the company, so that means you can find out details about what it might be looking for in a grant candidate.

Finally, check out previous grant winners. It is always helpful to see who has won previously.

Whether you are interested in making Valentine's jewelry or enjoy other types of crafting, the About.com hobby guides have it all covered for you this holiday!

Contests: Maybe you can win some cool stuff to use for crafting by taking a look at this Valentine's Day Sweepstakes List from the Contest guide.

Needlepoint: Embellish a candy heart pillow, stitch a quick heart gift, or create a lovely posted card.

Candle and Soap: From roses to chocolate to champagne to candlelight - all the scents ofthe day combine to create an ambiance of sensuality, peace and love. Handmade soaps can be used as gifts for your Valentine, or to just pamper yourself on V-Day.

Painting: Add some symbolism to your Valentine's this year using this symbol dictionary.

DIY Fashion: Make a cute heart pin, cut out some heart stencils, or try to craft a number of Valentine's gifts.

Collectibles: Find Victorian children and Valentine scraps that are perfect for paper crafts or digital scrapbooking. Frame these antique scraps and postcards as-is or use for your handmade cards and gifts.

Crochet: Enjoy these free crochet patterns for Valentine's Day. You'll find a variety of ideas for crocheting delightful heart motifs, flowers, and other romantic pretties.

Family Crafts: I hope this collection of crafts, recipes, gift ideas, coloring book pages, games, and other activities help you to have a fun Saint Valentine's Day.

Rubber Stamping: Find ideas for gifts and decorations that are ideal for Valentine's Day or quick to make Valentine's Day cards for the special person in your life!

Cross Stitch: Stitch your way into your beloved's heart with a sweetly crafted Valentine needlework. Some charts are simple enough to complete in a day - other's may take until next Valentine's perhaps.

Miniatures: Printable valentines boxes, tiny roses, rose covered pillows and boxes of tiny chocolates made from polymer clay provide lots of unique ways to present or create gifts for a special someone. Fill the boxes with real or poly clay chocolates , make them as beads , or use them to hold special gifts.

Knitting: Knit up something special for your Valentine, from a bag to hold cards to a cabled scarf decorated with Xs and Os.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reveals the delicious ingredients she received for the Bead Soup Party.

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie introduces her new line of findings: Katiedids™ Creative Components. Look what you can do!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei's blog has a new look. And she heads to cooking school!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Kim Miles! Who makes prettier Valentine's day, or "just for yourself" gifts than Kim? Wait til you see what she has up her sleeve...the Ace of Hearts, so to speak!

Strands of Beads
Melissa is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from Artbeads.com this week!

A Bead A Day
Lisa is hoping to get some ideas for using a bright red, swirly stoneware pendant just in time for Valentine's Day.

Art Bead Scene
Searching for a way to achieve an etched metal look? ABS has a free tutorial for you!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Are you a follower? Barbe has a giveway for her blog readers.

Beading Arts
A beautiful glass bead becomes the focal point of a Valentine's Day necklace!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi did "knot" stress out making this new necklace!

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva
With the help of Vintaj brass, Cindy whips up a set of tethered butterfly earrings with her bronze floral charms.

I get all kinds of newsletters from various jewelry supply vendors. There is so much going on right now concerning contests, free project materials, supply sales, and call for entries I decided to collect a bunch and link to them for you here. If you have any to add, feel free to do so in the comments.

Combs for a Cause: Beadshop.com has announced a new initiative to donate some of the company's proceeds to charity. They are also interested in your stories as well and have set up some free information to help such as project handouts for beaded combs and how to host a bead party for charity.

Sale and Contest: Artbeads.com is running a 15% off sale right now on orders that are $60 or more or 5% off $30 or more. They also have a contest going on over at the company's Facebook page where you can win a $1,000 shopping spree.

Your Designs Rock: Rings & Things' "Your Designs Rock" competition is taking entries, and the deadline is coming up at the end of the month. There are five different categories and top prize is $750 worth of Rings & Things merchandise. All the details can be found on their web site.

Crystallized Winners: Winners of Fire Mountain Gems & Beads' 2009 Crystallized Contest are posted on the company's web site, and they are amazing! There is also information about the 2010 contest posted.

Ugly Necklace Contest: Finally, for the wild jewelry makers out there, don't forget the Land of Odd's Ugly Necklace Contest. The deadline is in March. Winners receive some substantial merchandise gift certificates.