Blog for Beaders

Each year our launch coordinator and owners look over thousands of products from various vendors to find just the right things to put on our website. They are always on the lookout for anything new and exciting. This past year we’ve launched more than 5,600 new products! Visit the Best of 2010 page to see what you may have missed that has been added to our inventory. We’ve divided the products into sections to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. From beads and findings to gemstones and supplies, it’s all at your fingertips.

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At Artbeads.com, we’re constantly updating our website with new products. This week, we’ve added porcelain star pendants, Caspia beads and finished necklace. Check our New & Featured Products Page each week for updates to our wide selection of beading products and tools.

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The idea for this gorgeous yet simple Copper Illusion Bracelet came into being as our designers were working on a Handy Tip video for creating simple loops. They realized that the links they were creating would look lovely together, especially with just the right clasp.

If you’re new to creating jewelry and want to practice making simple loops, this design is a great way to use the links that you create. You can choose you favorite color of Swarovski 5811 12mm round large hole pearls or another bead in a similar size, such as the ones below, to practice with.

12mm Botswana Agate Beads

12mm Venetian Glass Round

12mm Blue Cat’s Eye Beads

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As our Christmas gift to you, we’ve decided to do something totally unprecedented. For the first time in our history, we’re featuring a 20% off coupon with no minimum order! This special opportunity may never happen again, so take advantage of it while you can. Use coupon code ZZ-XMAS20 at checkout before the sale ends on Sunday, December 26, 2010.

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One of the hottest trends this season, large-hole beads have been showing up everywhere. Our Caspia Collection features everything you need to capitalize on this trend and make fashionable jewelry in a snap. With beads ranging from casual to elegant, this style is easy to adjust to fit personalities and personal tastes.

Browse our Caspia jewelry ideas to get inspiration for your own jewelry designs or see what other customers have enjoyed in our new Top Rated Caspia section. To make the cut, the products in this section must have received the highest marks in quality, value and appearance.

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Santa stopped by Artbeads.com a bit early this year and left goodies scattered throughout the store. Right now, you can save up to 55% on more than 2,000 items. To find these fantastic deals, look through product pages for items with the Secret Santa flags. Santa has some busy days ahead of him, so this sale ends on December 24, 2010. Hurry, prices can change anytime before Christmas day!

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Place an order by December 31 for your chance to win a new Apple iPad® with Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB! One of the hottest trends this holiday season, the iPad® will help you become a better jewelry and craft designer anywhere you go! Use it to watch Handy Tip videos and learn new techniques in the Artbeads.com Learning Center, or browse through our store and find the products you need on the go. Its simple touchscreen technology makes shopping and surfing the internet loads of fun.

NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THE ARTBEADS.COM iPad® Giveaway SWEEPSTAKES. Visit the iPad® Giveaway page for more information about rules and non-purchase entries.

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This rich-looking necklace is one of my personal favorites. It features freshwater pearls in a saturated blue shade that are complemented with hand-crafted Grace lampwork beads.

These particular lampwork beads are made from clear aqua glass combined with beige, white and purple in a swirling pattern that imitates a breathtaking celestial display. Each bead takes five to ten minutes to make. Once the bead is finished, it is placed in a kiln to slowly cool. This process is called annealing, and it gives the bead added strength. Since these lampwork beads are hand-crafted, they add a special artistic touch to the necklace.

You can create this necklace by following the instructions in our Learning Center. Or, if you’re interested in using images of the universe to inspire your own jewelry designs, check out the pictures available at the Hubble Picture Gallery. Then, you can browse our selection of glass beads to create your own design.

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The What Inspires You? design contest is officially over, people have voted for their favorite designs and the winners can be announced! Congratulations to Hana, Irina, Oleksandra, Tammy, Atena, and Khang! They had the winning inspirations and designs.

I love the variety in the winning designs, from the many color schemes to the various techniques used to create them. Want to see the designs for yourself? Check out the Winner’s page to view photos of each creation and to read notes from the artists.

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Do you have all of your gifts lined up for friends and family this Christmas? If you’re like me, you’re still scrambling to find something for at least a few people. Artbeads.com has a great ideas section featuring gifts that are quick and easy to make. Simply browse through the selection and click on a design that fits the personality and taste of your friend. You’ll be shown free easy-to-use instructions and a components list is included to make it a simple shop. You can also check out our Holiday Shipping Schedule to make sure everything shows up on time.

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