Tucson - Here We Come!!

I finally got all the kits made for Swarovski's Sparkling Make and Takes. The earrings are beautiful; one design more conservative than the other. Hopefully, appealing to a broad range of beaders. If you're in Tucson come on by Swarovski Elements showroom located in the YWCA venue at 525 North Bonita Avenue. It will be open on Tuesday, February 1st. All the workshops and Make and Take projects will be on display. And if there are openings for any of the classes, you can sign up then. Crystal Cascade is shown above in Crystal Golden Shadow and Crystal Copper (not pictured is Crystal Silver Shade).

Pictured above is Tearful Hearts made with Swarovski's latest heart design, article #6240, the Wild Heart pendant (pictured is Dark Indigo and Crystal - not pictured is Indian Pink and Crystal). The design of the heart with its elongated point is reminiscent of old German glass heart beads. They are way cool!!

Create-Your-Style's Newest Recommended Store

We are so proud to announce that we have just been added to an elite group of stores, world-wide, by Swarovski Elements as their newest recommended store. WOW!! We are in very good company and it is truly an honor to be singled out by Swarovski. We would love to hear from you if you have visited any of our sister stores listed on the website. Let us know and we will post it!

Chiclets

My friend Rachel is an incredible bead artist. I've lovingly nick-named her 'the bead machine'. Her incredible talent for design and execution is mind-blowing! She hails from Santa Cruz and you probably know her by her full name, Rachel Nelson Smith. I'm privileged that Rachel has consented to teach for me once more. Her beautiful project is called Chiclets. If you're in the neighborhood and want to take a class with this awesome woman, it will be on Saturday, March 5th from 11am - 5pm.

Sensational Bead Embroidery

Who else but Sherry Serafini could be associated with a title Sensational Bead Embroidery! Today, I saw a preview of some of Sherry's designs that are in her book. Lark Books had a teaser online. Her designs are incredible and every bead weaver will want this book in their library. I already ordered a number of copies for the shop and hope we will see them earlier than the expected release date of April. I haven't done much in the way of bead embroidery, but I'm looking forward to dabbling in it and Sherry's book will surely provide the inspiration that I will need. I'll keep you posted.

Beading by the Bay is Rockin'

BEADING BY THE BAY has 4, I repeat 4 spaces left! WOW! Marcia DeCoster, my co-producer in this little venture, and I are absolutely delighted! For those of you who have already registered, I look forward to seeing you in March. Swarovski Elements has graciously offered to host our "Meet and Greet" which takes place on Thursday evening. While enjoying an assortment of goodies and beverages, my friend Ron Rock of Swarovski Elements will tantalize us, once again, with the latest Trends presentation featuring the most current products and innovations by Swarovski. It was a blast last year! The fancy desserts by the hotel's pastry chef were rivaled only by the beautiful crystals that were all over the room, with the latter having a zero calorie count!

My friends at Tierra Cast are generously donating goodies from their product line for each of our students. Thank you Sarah and Julie!

If you register by tomorrow, January 5th, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a set of kits, one for each class taught!! How exciting is that? Pictured above is a sneak peak of Maggie Meister's three colorways for her project this year entitled, Olivia. 
Bellissima Maggie!!

Tucson 2011

It's hard to believe that the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is just a mere four weeks away! I wasn't planning on going this year, but received an opportunity from Swarovski Elements to teach two Sparkling Make and Take projects. The make and takes are not pictured yet on their website, but hopefully they will be soon. If you are making the trek to Tucson this year and want to learn a quick technique (sessions are one hour long) using our favorite crystals by Swarovski, check it out. The cost of each session is $10 which includes all the materials necessary to complete your sparkling project. There is a catch, however, you are limited to a maximum of three Make and Take sessions!

I will be meeting up with my BFF, Marcia, who is driving in from San Diego. It's a great place to meet up with your creative sisters while oohing and aahing over a city-full of stone, glass, hand-mades, crystals all sorts of wonderful things to spark your imagination and creativity. I look forward to meeting up with Tracy and Janice of Wired Arts. Two gals that together cover the realm of wire and metal in beautiful, artistic pieces that they teach all over the US and Europe.