Jewelry links are an excellent way to create a multi-stranded design or to make a dangling focal for an elaborate piece. There are so many ways to use links it often becomes overwhelming and beginning beaders shy away from exploring new options. The simplest way to use a link is to create two separate strands and then connect them to a link with jump rings. This will add length to your looks and create more dimension! Here are few more ways you can add links to your next idea:

• Set off a focal point in a necklace
• Create an asymmetric look with one side single strand and the other side multi-strand
• Embellish with flatbacks to create a unique pendant
• Add a dangling charm to an earring idea

Discover what fun new creations you come up with when you work links into your designs. Check out some free jewelry ideas below to incorporate links for some inspiration!

Urban Poppy Bracelet

Copper Couture Necklace

Nesting Necklace

Celtic Tale Earrings

-Marissa

Get ready to shop and save big during our Memorial Day Sale! Right now you can save 20% store-wide, with no minimum purchase. Stock up on your basic essentials or buy that beautiful pendant you’ve had your eye on for a while. Just use the coupon code ZZMY20 when you check out to score this amazing deal. Hurry! This sale ends Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 so find your favorite beads and jewelry supplies now!

Looking for something to make for your father before it’s too late? Make a quick keychain that reflects his interests. Our Catch of the Day Keychain was made for Artbeads CEO and Co-Owner Devin to reflect his love of fishing and to display three of his handmade flies. You can learn how to create a Father’s Day keychain by reading the free instructions in our Learning Center and then personalize it with things that your dad likes!

-Marissa

Don’t forget to enter to be our next Jewelry Design Star! Our second round of Jewelry Design Star entries is happening right now, so be sure to submit your idea before Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 11:59pm PST. Voting will open the next day and will run until Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 11:59 pm PST. We’ve got a lot of beautiful designs already but are still searching for more. Do you have a jewelry idea you want to show off with the world? Enter it in our contest! We will select a few honorable mentions to feature in our gallery along with the winner also. So go on and share your creative side!

Enter the Jewelry Design Star Contest or learn more on our site.

-Marissa

Are the crashing waves calling your name? Can you smell the sweet, sea salt air while your toes are planted in a grassy field? If you’re ready to be whisked away to the sea, enter the Artbeads Ocean Dreams giveaway. Ten lucky winners will each receive an oceanic goody bag filled with a sparkling Swarovski crystal starfish pendant, cute sea life pewter charms (including a dolphin, sand dollar and turtle!), and a collection of other blue-hued components. All of these pieces are enough to create a darling bracelet and simple necklace perfect for summer. Enter the contest on our Wildfire page and leave your name and e-mail address. We will randomly select 10 winners. Hurry! This contest will be gone faster than an ocean breeze!

One entry per person; must be 18 or older to enter. Open to the US and Canada excluding Quebec. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. This contest runs from tonight, May 16, 2012 until Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be announced Friday, May 25, 2012. Prizes are valued at $20 each.

Don’t forget to “like” Artbeads on Facebook!

-Marissa

Whether you prefer Eggplant, Lavender or Violet, rock your favorite shade of purple in honor of Wear Purple for Peace Day! This soothing shade reminds us of so many peaceful things, like a refreshing grape soda or a romantic winter dinner. This holiday was invented as an open invitation for aliens to visit our planet, since purple is a universal symbol of peace. Be prepared for peace offerings by creating purple-themed jewelry designs with the jewelry supply mothership— Artbeads!

Are you a purple person? Take this fun color personality test to determine what your favorite colors say about you!

-Marissa

Create elegant, chic style when you make this lovely necklace idea. The organic feel of the brass and simple layout, paired with the colorful cabochon in the focal point, reflects an artistic idea of natural beauty. Its touch of steampunk influence allows you to wear this idea with both evening attire and daily outfits. You can learn how to make a simple steampunk necklace by reading the free instructions for this Monde Necklace in our Learning Center! Get a new look just in time for summer.

-Marissa

Love to look at buttons but not sure what you can do with them? There are endless ways to incorporate buttons into any project, whether it’s jewelry or craft related. Of course buttons are great for use in clothing and accessories, but why not branch out with a new approach? Find your favorite button and use it as the focal point for a necklace! You could place it inside a picture frame pendant and fill it with resin, or embellish it with seed beads for a unique display. With so many sizes, shapes, colors and styles, your button adventures are limitless! Shop for buttons and stop by the Learning Center for amazing ideas that are free for you to view, including the Color Spectrum Necklace featured above.

-Marissa

Congratulations to the winner of our Queen for a Day Giveaway, Olga T. from Nevada! Olga’s mom will be treated like the queen she is with a $100 Artbeads gift certificate and Olga will be awarded a $50 gift certificate for herself! You can read why Olga thinks her mom deserves to be a queen below. We hope everyone has a wonderful Mother’s Day, however you choose to celebrate it, and remember that every mother should be treated like a queen. Thanks to everyone who participated. If you’re still looking for easy inspiration for a homemade gift, check out our collection of FREE Mother’s Day ideas in our Learning Center.

My mom is my Queen! I would like the world to know that I’ve the best mommy in the whole world. The first word that I’ve said when I was a baby; it was your name mommy. You were near to me from the beginning of my life, loved me, protected me, cared about me and cherished me. You inspired me with your creativity of beauty and fashion. You’re the best mom that every child can wish for. With you I learned this wonderful world. I [am] proud to have a wonderful, loving, caring, the most generous and understanding mommy. You’re an amazing fashion designer and talented seamstress. My mommy is very beautiful and she’s my best girlfriend. Her advice is always full of wisdom and sincerity. I know that I always can come to my mom for the support that I need in difficult times. My mom gave me the best of everything that I needed to start my life. She wanted me to look back on a happy childhood and grow up to be happy adult. And that is what I am today! I am very grateful to my mommy for everything!

Stay tuned for our next contest coming soon!

-Marissa

Congratulations to Irina Wilson, the first winner of Artbeads’ Jewelry Design Star! You can learn more about Irina on our Jewelry Design Star Spotlight page or view other great designs from our honorable mentions over on the Showcase page. Do you have an eye for amazing designs and want to share them with the world? Enter our next Jewelry Design Star contest for your chance to be the next winner!

-Marissa