I know a number of Jewelry Making Forum members have been very active with these types of sites. There's even a forum thread going on now posted by a member who has been thinking along the same lines as I have: Is it time to consolidate? Are duplicate shops really a good idea?

I've been wondering, as far as both selling and buy, which seem to have worked out the best generally speaking. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments, but I've added a few polls below to help keep track of what (unofficially of course) seems to be general favorites in the crafting community.

If you are the impatient type, then check out my crash e-course versions, covering everything from metal fabrication, beading, metal clay, macrame, and more.

If you want to take it slow and easy through your free jewelry e-course, select from my slowed down e-courses. They are the same as my crash course versions, but instead of getting one lesson a day mail to you, you'll get one lesson a week.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene gets creative with the "Best of ABS."

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Sometimes you need to have a jewelry makeover.

Beading Arts
Cyndi reports on her experiences with firing and finishing CopprClay pieces. This stuff rocks!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi tries Ice Resin and upcycles a greeting card into a necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy learns to make murrini and deals with mud.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Even without a lot of time on her hands, Melanie finishes a clockwork themed bracelet using Swarovski faceted rings from ArtBeads.com

Humblebeads
Bead & Button stash and Heather's inspired creations are highlighted today.

Jean Campbell
Jean gives a sneak peek of her next Beadwork magazine piece

Katie's Beading Blog
Check out Katie's wire-wrapped dragonfly!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Instead of continuing on with the tried and true techniques of jewelry design, Lorelei is finally ready to take the leap and try something new.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean gets her cool stash from Use the Muse II, and muses about it

Strands of Beads
Melissa wants to know what outrageous materials are in your beading stash?

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Stop by and say hello to Andrew in Charlotte, NC this weekend. Check out his new designs and some delicious new metal clay coins!

Are you wearing some of the new scoop neck and V-neck shirts that seem so popular this summer? If so, then this is the perfect necklace because it deserves lots of neck room to show off: Keshi Pearl and Shell Pendant Necklace.

I picked up this honker of a shell pendant at a jewelry show years ago and have been saving it for the perfect pairing. When I saw these gorgeous cream-colored Keshi pearls at Artbeads.com (part of their limited edition pearl collection), I knew I had found the perfect match. In fact, Artbeads.com even has a number of similar shell pendants that would work perfectly with this necklace design as well as Swarovski crystal beads, which I used as accents throughout the necklace strap.

You can find out more about the conference including travel information at the ACC web site.

It has been copper clay time around here lately if you hadn't noticed already. First we had fine silver clay, then gold clay, then bronze came out not that long ago, so yes, finally copper is now available for metal clay artists.

Right now, copper metal clay requires a little different firing technique than silver clay, but I'm sure it won't be too long before new technology will change all of that and like silver clay there will be many more firing options. However, don't be put off by the difference because it's really not a major deal, a little messier, but not a huge hurdle either.

Along with experimenting with copper clay, also known by the brand name Coppr Clay, I have still been at it with silver clay as well, so now I have a selection of mixed metals projects to tempt you into trying metal clay:

Photography: Learn how to take great fireworks photos with these easy lessons. There's also a great reader's gallery, which you can submit to as well.

Painting: Paint some July 4th decorations with these easy-to-cut free stencils.

DIY Fashion: You'll find loads of projects for the 4th from the DIY Fashion Guide.

Cross Stitch: Stitch a quick patriotic heart - make a pin or add it to a t-shirt using waste canvas.

Family Crafts: Here are some craft ideas related to Independence Day traditions and patriotic themes.

Miniatures: Here are some free printable fan drapes that are the right size to decorate a full size cake plate or a platter for the table; just print and fold.

Knitting: Knit up an American flag placemat, star coasters, and an American flag pin.

Birding: Fireworks are dangerous to backyard birds, so remember these wild bird fireworks safety tips. Plus this week's featured bird is, of course, the eagle.

Well-known jewelry designer and author Nana V. Mizushima has been hard at work on a new book title. It's called Make Your Own Rings and covers a variety of jewelry making techniques such as metal clay, resin, silver, and wire, all focusing on making rings.

Besides mixing up techniques, which you don't often see in many jewelry making books, another "out side of the box" idea implemented by the author is to offer the text in a few different ways. You can get a hardcopy of the entire text, either from Amazon.com or her web site, or you can purchase downloadable pdf instructions for individual projects. So for example, if you aren't interested in metal clay but like some of the wire ring projects in the book, you can just purchase the wire ring projects you want, one or all of them. I have to say that this is a pretty clever idea! You can find more information about her book along with a Table of Contents, pictures of projects, sample pages and more at her Make Your Own Rings web site.

Humblebeads
Heather sketches out some new designs using this summer's hottest color.

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka!
Beading in the fresh air clears the mind, bringing fresh creativity

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Searching for some new inspiration? Lorelei's got just the place for you to find it!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Wirework, a new book by the famous Dale "Cougar" Armstrong.

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her new lunar phases and compass rose designs.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew introduces eight new fine pewter pieces from his family's company, Green Girl Studios.

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares her selection of summery pink beads and crystals. The "Watermelon Crawl" bead mix is sure to conjure up visions of a family picnic on a warm summer day!

Art Bead Scene
The Trendy Bead shows off wood filigree pendants are a perfect jewelry touch.

Barbe Saint John
Read Barbe's interview on the Objects and Elements blog.

Beading Arts
Cyndi's initial thoughts on working with the new CopprClay. There'll be lots of projects coming this summer!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi hand felts a pretty bead from wool roving.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
A trip to glass city doesn't go as well as planned. Yet Cindy finds inspiration and few new tools!