A Bead A Day
The sun shines brightly on A Bead A Day when happy yellow cubic zirconia's are used in a simple necklace design.

Art Bead Scene
Be Inspired! Think about creating jewelry that tells a story.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Artbeads Crystalized Elements! Need you say any more?

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is selling jewelry in a show for the first time and is trying not to "jinx" her favorites!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Meet the newest addition to the Through the Looking Glass Nugget Charm Family - Alice Blue!

Jean Campbell
Jean discusses how Steampunk jewelry design fits into a larger "Poetic Couture."

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi is sharing a series of Gift Guides for handmade jewelry lovers!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Taking ya back to the Open House 2008! Now stay tuned for pics for Open House 2009 on Dec. 5!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
The ever breathtaking beadmaker Kim Miles pulls out all the stops for the Holidays and gift giving. But that is not all! If you have the "secret word" on the secret day" every week, you get a fab discount!

Even if you are short on both time and funds, you can make a number of simple jewelry projects to wear yourself or give away as a little "something" to friends and family this holiday season. For example, this Frosty the Snowman Pin requires just a little glitter, glue, and a pin back. He's really cute and I think he's not necessarily just a feminine-style pin so even guys who want to get into the Christmas spirit may enjoy attaching him to their coat lapel.

All materials for this pin I purchased at my local craft store, and I'd say the supplies were easily less than $5, including glue and glitter, which I have enough left over of both, allowing me to make more Frosty pins!

It's the first week of December, so it's time you got cracking on those holiday crafts. Here are some winter treasures to get started with.

Winterscape Needlepoint Ornaments
Create a needlepoint ornament with these Winterscape printable patterns. Cheryl Fall has your pattern and how-to.

Antique Christmas Scraps
Use these great looking antique Santa illustrations to use on all your paper projects-- scrapbooks, cards, ornaments and newsletters!

Knit Tinsel
If you can make an I-cord, you can use a fancy eyelash yarn to make knit tinsel in no time for your hearth or holiday tree. Sarah E. White shows you how.

Shrink Plastic Necklace
Use shrink plastic to create unique charms to make necklaces and other items of jewelry. These are quick to make and are perfect for last minute gifts!

Sweater Holiday Lighting
Make a light-up Christmas tree using an old sweater and a little know-how form the Sweater Surgery blog.

Printable Paper Sleigh
A Printable Sleigh to fill with goodies. This sleigh fits dolls house scale dolls, but it also stands nicely behind most commercial reindeer figures to make a table decoration. You can print it in the colors shown, or use the template to construct your own sleigh in the color you want.

Peace Cross Stitch
One message during the holidays that everyone can agree with is 'Peace'. Create this simple cross stitch with the free pattern and instructions from Connie G. Barwick.

Draw a Santa
Decorate cards, tags and more when you learn how to sketch the perfect Santa from Helen South.

Glittery Wood and Wire Snowman Earrings
These super easy snowmen earrings are a whimsical design that even the beginning jewelry maker can create.

Ribbon Wreath Craft
Find out how you can create a unique wreath using pieces of ribbon. By looking at this finished project, you will never believe how easy it is!

Holiday Pear Quilt
Create a pear quilt as a holiday gift or just to spruce up the place. Cyndi Lavin at the Mixed Media Blog has your tips and instructions.

Cuttlebugged Christmas Cards
These quick Christmas cards were made using my Sissix Big Shot, ProvoCraft Christmas Tree embossing folder, Versamark inks and embellishments. Get the instructions at the Firenze Cards blog.

Christmas Card Art Worksheet
Make a watercolor Christmas Card out of a cathedral rose window without all that pesky drawing. Just print this outline from Marion Boddy-Evans on a sheet of watercolor paper using waterproof ink.

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.

I previously blogged about how lots of jewelry supply vendors have sales going on right now, but there are also a number of contest and giveaways in the works too. Artbeads.com is one vendor who is running one until later into December. They are calling it a "Holiday Cheer Giveaway" and have launched it on Artbeads.com's Facebook fan page (where you'll find all the rules and details too). The prize is a $100 Artbeads.com Gift Card.

If you want a sure thing, I also have a 10% off deal for you over at their site. The coupon code is SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424 and it expires December 31, 2009.

I'll continue to keep an eye out for any other vendor promotions going on and let you know about them.