I have just finished 14 pieces that I collaborated on, with my friend Ron, that are being sent to Swarovski Elements in Austria.
The interesting thing is that we designed solely with filigrees as the focal pieces. I was unprepared for how great the pieces turned out. When you wear filigrees, you feel like Royalty so a lot of the named pieces are after famous "Royal" women. Notice, I followed my own advice and named the pieces before I sent them off! The beautiful collar below was also created with one of my most favorite findings, the Radiant ring, by our friends at TierraCast.
Three of the 14 pieces will be held out so that they can be taught for Swarovski in Tucson next year. Swarovski's website Create-Your-Style (which highlights the Do-It-Yourself projects) will feature all eleven projects with pictures and instructions by America's design team! When they are posted, I will let you know.
It's been a while since I've been in front of my computer blogging, but I just had to share this one with you. My BFF Marcia has a traveling companion called Little Hoot. When she travels, Little Hoot goes with her to many exotic places, I might add. Marcia usually shares her travels with Little Hoot on her blog. So I was helping set up the jewelery entries in the Fine Arts division of the San Mateo County Fair and as I was leaving, I was walking through the Home Arts division. Whom do you think I saw on display for all to see? One of Little Hoot's relatives. He's probably one of his cousins from his Dad's side. So to all you Dads, Grandpas and Brothers, have an early Happy Father's Day from the Hoot family!
We just got a preview of an exciting new class! My BFF Marcia DeCoster has done it again! Take a look at the picture above of her Dream Keeper Vessel Ring and reserve Sunday, August 14th on your calendar. It's a class you won't want to miss. Need I say more? In this case, a picture does say a thousand words....
Since I can't play favorites, I'm highlighting another version of Serena. My friend Maclovia, Mac for short has recently learned to weave with seed beads. We have another addict! She finished three Serena bracelets. I've talked about this design before. It's from a book by my BFF Marcia called, Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Oppulence.
Mac wove her piece in a beautiful metallic chocolate brown and the embellished top is with a matte metallic chocolate brown and Swarovski Elements Sand Opal. It is super elegant!!
If you haven't checked out the inaugural issue (in this soon-to-be annual publication) by Create Your Style with Swarovski Elements, run to your nearest bead store and take a look. This beautifully created magazine is filled with artistic inspiration and design projects and instructions created by Swarovski Ambassadors.
There are NO advertisements and the pictures are beautifully photographed. For $10, it is a steal! Swarovski does include a section about their design contest, cruises and shows and also devotes a section to the world's water crisis; a must read. At the end is a listing of Swarovski Recommended Stores, globally. We will be listed in the next issue, which is way exciting!!
My BFF Marcia gifted me her kit from Beading by the Bay called Carousel. I just finished it! It never ceases to amaze me how truly talented my 'beady' friends are. The spinning component, which is aptly named, is really genius. Not that all my friends aren't geniuses...
The way the layers of the 'Carousel' fit together is brilliant. The piece was exclusively designed as a project for Beading by the Bay, but I'm telling you as soon as Marcia begins to teach it, sign up quick!!
I was told that I was famous the other day! I got quite a chuckle out of that. It appears that some of my designs and those that I collaborated with my friend, Ron Rock, are now on Swarovski's website. The pieces were designed for the DIY (Do It Yourself) market of Swarovski Elements and we were told would not be for publication. We were to create designs using the latest innovation products at that time. Working with a color palette of Jet, Crystal and Golden Shadow got to be a bit of a challenge though. Also, that of using big holed beads! Honestly, how many ways can you string up big-holed beads? So why are they now appearing on the website? I know not. However, if I'm asked again, I will name my pieces and then send it off to Austria! Hopefully, I'm a little more creative than calling a necklace piece "Bracelet". A big lol.
Three of the 14 pieces will be held out so that they can be taught for Swarovski in Tucson next year. Swarovski's website Create-Your-Style (which highlights the Do-It-Yourself projects) will feature all eleven projects with pictures and instructions by America's design team! When they are posted, I will let you know.
