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.

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.

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!

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.