I love images and color.

I find that images are far more memorable than words alone and help me recall what I have read.

Below I have provided website addresses for buttons, blinkies, glitters and other graphic images you can add to your blog.

Buttons  

What are blog buttons?

Blog buttons, also known as 'antipixel buttons' or 'blog badges', are graphic images that bloggers can use for their weblogs. They're usually sized 80 x 15 pixels, but they can also come in other various sizes.

What are blog buttons for?

Often, bloggers offer blog buttons as a graphical way to get linked from other blogs. Weblog owners who wish to link to other blogs can copy these blog buttons and post them to their own blog entries and/or templates.

Where do you get blog buttons?

Brilliant Button Maker - www.lucazappa.com/brilliantMaker/buttonImage.php
This free online blog button maker creates 80x15 graphic buttons for your blog. You can customize text, images, and colors. If you want to be able to use a graphic or icon, then this is the best blog button maker to use.

Button Maker From Kalsey Consulting Group - www.kalsey.com/tools/buttonmaker/
This blog button maker tool from Adam Kalsey allows you to customize text and colors of the antipixel button or badge. It is absolutely free to use.

What are blinkies?  

Blinkies are animated graphical representations or badges in GIF that you can add to your blog's template. They usually signify a blogger's interests and personality. For example, dog lovers can add an 'I Love Dogs' blinky to their blogs. Most of these blinkies are available for free on the web and do not require a link back. The only basic rule is not to link directly to the images.

Where do you find blinkies?

There are several free blinky resources out there. Some places where you can find free blinkies are:

Blinkies - www.geocities.com/beccablinkies/the_blinkies.htm  
An interesting collection of blinkies. Some of my favorites include: 'I Need More Time', 'Freaks and Geeks Forever', 'I Can Fly' and 'Don't Label Me.'

Robotica Blinkies - http://pixelpunk.fateback.com/Blinkies
Techy blinkies available for free right here. Some blinky favorites include: 'I Love Geeks, Dorks, and Nerds', 'Crazy Shopper on the Loose', and 'Salivate for Starbucks'.

Xandorra's Blinkie Swap - http://www.btinternet.com/~andrew.e.roberts/blinkie
These are original and snagged blinkies by Xandorra. Some personal favorites: 'Certified Diva', 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' and 'There Can Only Be One.'

How do you add the blinkies?
Visit the sources of free blinkies and choose the ones you like by right clicking on the image file and saving the image to your computer. Then, upload the graphic images to your image host. Get the image URL and then add that to your blog's template. Usually, blinkies are added in the sidebars of blogs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using blinkies?
The main advantages of using blinkies include: a livelier feel to your blog and the ability to show your interests and personality in graphic format. However, this is probably best used in personal blogs.

One of the disadvantages of using blinkies is that some people don't like the use of bright, animated graphics on blogs. This is especially frowned upon on blogs that are meant to be for business or professional use. Bloggers who do use blinkies should also try to avoid using them excessively.

Glitter Graphics for Blogs  

Glitter Graphics; Glitter Graphics for Blogs and Profiles; Blinking Text; Scrolling Text; Animated Text; Blinking Pictures and Images; Scrolling Pictures and Images; Animated Pictures and Images; Glitter Graphics for Web Logs

Glitter Charm -  www.glittercharm.com
This glitter graphics resource is regularly updated. It has several pre-made glitter graphic images that you can use in your profiles and weblogs. Just click on the category, copy the code, and paste on your templates.

Glitter Graphics - www.glittergraphics.us
Find glitter words, glitter hearts, glitter graphics, glitter cartoon images, and a free glitter words maker.

Glitter Graphics - www.glitter-graphics.com
Plenty of cute, cool and interesting glitter graphics right here - from Coca Cola and Betty Boop images to Disney and Hello Kitty animation.

Glitter Graphics Now - www.glittergraphicsnow.com
Find a handful of pre-made glitter graphics for your blogs and profiles. Just copy and paste the codes to your templates and blog entries.