Happy December First Everyone

Create Your Style has a Christmas Calendar for its Facebook fans. It's 25 days of sparkling surprises. Check it out and see what you think! The picture above is for today, December 1st.  If you decide to enter the contest to choose the name that went with this design project, your name will be entered to win one of five "creative jewelry kits". Pretty cool!

Swarovski Recommended Store

 Last weekend TBF had its official celebration of being a Swarovski Elements Recommended Store. We started the morning with a wonderful brunch catered by Astaria Restaurant & Bar. There's Ron and me checking out all the yummy food.


Next we had a great Trends Presentation (given by you-know-who) featuring inspirations Fall/Winter 2012/13. For this time period, Swarovski detailed five current cities that impact and influence modern design, capturing them in a snapshot of time; Chicago, Copenhagen, Shanghai, Berlin and Istanbul. Swarovski says "It is here, in these clusters of collective creativity, that cultures merge and different views and values are not only afforded but actively encouraged. This season, the design world seeks greater acceptance and expression, and the city is the canvas upon which we paint our understanding and ideas. May we all find inspiration in the cities we choose to live."

After the presentation, guests were treated to a "make and take" project designed by Team America.  "Who doesn't love crystal?" is demonstrated by our guests checking out all the crystals placed on the work tables.

The rest of the day included our friends Sarah and Julie (left to right in their matching aprons!) from TierraCast demonstrating resin techniques using their wonderful radiant rings (which I love to use), charms, spacers and of course Swarovski Xilion chatons and flatbacks.

Thanks to everyone who made our day so memorable!

Fun With Filigrees will be in Tucson

Well, where has the summer gone! Honestly, I can't believe that I haven't blogged in so long. Lots of things have been happening. I've been busy doing some simple designing for Swarovski. I'm one half of Design Team America; the other half being Ron Rock, my friend, and Key Account Manager for Swarovski North America. We were tasked with designing simple projects for the DIY segment, which can be found on the Create Your Style website under the 'mini projects' section. 

For the summer, we designed using Swarovski's filigree components. These components seem to be under-utilized. These beautiful filigrees are set with luscious point-back crystals which create a serious sparkle to these components! Apparently, they were a big hit in Rhode Island too and Team America was asked to teach a selection of lovely filigree jewelry in Tucson. I've included a picture of one of the pieces. They seemed very 'royal' to me so the whole collection was named after Queens or Princesses! The one above is Isabella. I believe registration is open for all of the wonderful classes and 'make and takes' being offered in Tucson. If you'll be there, I hope you will stop by and say hi.

Beading by the Bay

Atlas by Rachel Nelson Smith

Asis by Sherry Serafini

Aelia by Marcia DeCoster

Beading by the Bay is back for its third year in March of 2012. The pieces for the upcoming retreat are fantastic. A bead-weaver's dream! Swarovski Elements will be hosting our Thursday night Meet and Greet with a special Trends presentation by their Key Account Manager for North America, Ron Rock (My BFF). General registration begins on September 15th. It's shaping up to be another sell out event.

Eating Blog Crow

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I made a big boo boo. On a previous blog, I stated that I don't like hook and eye closures as I was referring to a bracelet called "Diamonds are Forever". I was informed that the piece actually called for a snap! I stand corrected. I don't mind the hook and eye in itself, but I just don't like sewing them in place! Go figure....

Summer Fun With Filigrees

A few blogs ago, I mentioned that when Create-Your-Style with Swarovski Elements posts "Summer Fun with Filigrees" by Design Team America, I would send you the link. The directions are now on the website under the "Design" heading and then under "mini projects". 


Encourage your local bead store to carry these wonderful filigree components. They can be made in all sorts of color combinations and metal finishes. It does take a couple of weeks to get them in though. 


I love show and tell. So if you design something you want to share, please let me know. It can also be submitted to Swarovski as well. I'm not sure how it works, but they do post designs that are submitted by their followers on their website.

Sunday Beading...

Why is it that we seem to find ourselves in the middle of a dozen or so projects at the same time and still want to make something new? I was getting ready to watch the ballgame on T.V. - Mets vs Giants and I needed some inspiration. So, I began flipping through some old beading publications. On the cover of Beadwork, Dec. 09/Jan. 10 is a piece called "Diamonds are Forever" and just so happened to be designed by my BFF Marcia Decoster.

The piece is made up of matching medallions using ladder stitch, netting and making picots. I recall seeing Marcia wearing one in oranges and fuchsias with dangles wired in between the medallions that was fabu. Just the ticket, I thought. Using a beautiful chocolate matte seed bead for the base with a matching metallic brown to complement, the piece was coming along. I added pea-green firepolish with Swarovski Elements Bronze Shade crystals and dark brown pearls as accents. My dangles are made up of vintage crystal and Czech glass and some metal beads and charms. I will admit that I'm not big on hook and eye closures (don't tell Marcia) so I used a bronze magnetic clasp and eliminated the small hook and eye medallion. Ready to wear in just a few short hours and my Giants won too!!

Dallas is coming for a visit!!

Sedona

I love having Dallas Lovett come to visit from one of our favorite cities, Phoenix. Actually, it feels like Arizona weather today with it being in the 80's - 90's. Dallas will be teaching for us in September, the 10th and 11th. So save the date everyone! We have two brand new pieces being taught here first (on the west coast). The way he engineers his designs are brilliant; as well as his use of crystals and seed beads as an enhancement in his pieces! I will let you know when the classes are open for registration. Sedona, pictured above will be on Saturday, and Camelot, pictured below will be on Sunday. Dallas' sister Roni does all his photography. Aren't they beautiful?

Camelot

 

Swarovski Elements Filigrees are Awesome!!

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.

Little Hoot's Got Relatives Everywhere!

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!

A Sneek Peek

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....

Crazy for Serena - still!!

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!!

ISSUE WATER: The Magazine For Individualists

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!!

Having fun with Carousel!

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!! 

"Almost Famous"

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.

Seems like forever....

It seems like forever since I've blogged, but I was busy scheduling our Summer 2011 class schedule. I have a sneak peek for you all. A little bit of a beautiful necklace called "En Pointe" by Marcia DeCoster. For all of you gals in the neighborhood the class will be on Saturday and Sunday, August 13th and 14th. You may check out the schedule in a week or so by going to The Beading Frenzy.

J'me Boutique

My friend Jamie at J'me Boutique in downtown San Mateo is once again reinventing her business by  launching a vintage clothing section in her shop. Today was the grand opening and the Mimosa's were yummy! If you're local ladies, check it out at 60 East Third Avenue. I wish you could see an up-close picture of the brooch necklace she is wearing, very cool!! And don't forget to recycle your old jewelry into something new. Stop by TBF on Saturday, April 16th or 23rd from 2:30pm until closing and let us help you give a new look to your old pieces.

Beading by the Bay 2011

It's hard to believe that our second annual Beading by the Bay retreat is in the past. The weekend was awesome! Beginning with a great Trends presentation by my friend Ron Rock of Swarovski Elements, having great food prepared daily and last but certainly not least three awesome women who taught three terrific projects. We certainly shared many laughs together. I want to personally thank all of you who made the weekend a truly wonderful experience. 

I'm looking forward to next years workshops featuring Sherry Serafini, Rachel Nelson Smith and Marcia DeCoster.

Brass, Your Next Favorite Metal

Yikes, Silver today was almost $37 raw/ounce. Well until it starts to drop, (ha ha) if ever, I have discovered that brass is a great alternative. Most silver jewelry being done today is translatable to another metal besides silver. Unfortunately, I do have trouble offering chain maille in copper or brass. In my opinion, sterling is still the best metal when weaving jump rings together forming simple to intricate chain designs.

This past Sunday, I sat in on a class by master Metal Smith, Iris Sandkuhler. I was interested in her techniques for texturing, stamping, antiquing and riveting metal.  The class was suitable for beginners and was a pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon. I have a new appreciation for brass components. I will continue to bring in more variety of brass items so that students have a reasonable alternative to the higher priced silver. 

Vintaj makes some great brass filigree beads and components, Tierra Cast has introduced a new brass plate to their wonderful line of casted clasps, beads, findings and charms (and they are manufactured in California to boot!) and Softflex has manufactured a great craft wire called Vintage Bronze which goes perfectly with our collection of brass beads, findings and chain. 

Oscar Night!

Okay, I admit it, I was one of millions who watched the Academy Awards on Sunday. My reasoning of course was to see what inspiration I could get from the jewelry. Many actresses wore very little jewelery, (Hillary Swank looked like she left home without them) and some were over the top (insert your favorite name here - Lady Gaga comes to mind, but it's the wrong show). The color on the runway in couture was scarlet, but the jewelry was definitely diamonds and emeralds - a pretty bobble that is green in color and measures 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.  Its composition is Beryllium aluminum silicate and it is associated with May. Those beautiful green gemstones were seen on many starlets from Annette Benning to Reese Witherspoon.  My favorite however was Amy Adams. Her jewelry was spectacular!! That little bobble on her wrist, a bracelet watch by Cartier, is 30+ carats of carved emeralds and diamonds and is valued at a cool one million. Yikes! All-in-all the Oscars, with all its glamor and glitz, is a great way to get your creative juices flowing...ah until next year.