Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski
by Laura McCabe
Fantastic sparkle! With the precision of an engineer, Laura McCabe has counted and measured so that you don’t have to. There are charts included in this book that will save you a lot of time when you decide to bezel a few rivolis for yourself
This is a gorgeous book that anyone who enjoys sparkle will love looking through. A lot of the projects are similar, or are variations on each other, but that’s to be expected with a book that concentrates on something specific like this. It’s not a beginner’s book either, …read more

What’s Up Wednesday

Nothing even comes close to comparing with the sparkle and beauty and color selection of real Swarovski crystals. Many other faceted beads are called “crystal”, but true crystal glass has a high lead content that gives it that extra shine.
Here are a couple of good sources for all the colors and styles of Swarovski crystals:
The Beadin’ Path
Many vintage and hard-to-find styles
Jewerly Supply
An amazing selection
Best Buy Beads
All the contemporary shapes and colors
Rainbows of Light
Incredible selection and organization
Create Your Style
Swarovski’s own site, with design ideas, a design tool, links to events and stores
Bead Stuff
Fabulous color and shape charts
Jerry Smith Beads
Charts …read more

The Beadin’ Path is one of the recommended stores for supplies
Swarovski’s newest design competition is focused on letting nature be your muse. Here are the basics, and you can visit the Create Your Style website for all the details and a link to online registration.
Deadline, May 16, 2008
Water and a healthy environment have always been important issues for Swarovski since its foundation in 1895. Daniel Swarovski I was already an impassioned environmentalist who recognized the importance of maintaining the purity and sustainability of natural resources beyond the creation of perfect precision-cut crystals. He saw nature as the perfect …read more

New Years 2008 Swarovski Drop Earrings
I think these are totally gorgeous! Even if I don’t get around to making them in time for New Year’s, they’re definitely on my list for very very soon! Just in case I have an elegant occasion or two that I have to attend. Like, I don’t know, maybe the birth of my first grandchild…?
That’s right! For those of you I haven’t told yet, my son and his wife are in the process of creating a brand new little Green Bay Packer! I’m so excited! They are due on their first anniversary, which I think …read more

This is a relatively newer project of mine: Swarovski Pearl Glam Earrings. I’ve used this faux pearls from Swarovski to make a number of other jewelry pieces (which I’ve set aside for a project I’m working on), and I have to say that I’m still pretty impressed with them, and I plan to buy some more.

In my continuing efforts to fight the frump, I made these Swarovski Pearl Glam Earrings. I’m wearing them this very minute while I blog, and I’m not wearing a moo-moo! So there!

I received some gorgeous Swarovski crystal butterfly beads fro Jerry Smith Beads – www.jsbeads.com – and was inspired to make a complete set.
Pictured above is the Rainbow Crystal Butterfly Bead Bracelet. I’ve also made a pair of matching earrings and a matching necklace, which is adjustable.

I have a major soft spot for hand bags, so when I saw this leather purse by Swarovski, complete with crystal sparklies, I have to admit to a few drops of drool. But, at $400, well, let’s just say it will be on my wish list for a good long while!
They have some gorgeous beaded crystal bags on their site if you want to dream a little today.

 Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD over at b5media’s A Hearty Life recently posted about the Go Red for Women campaign. If you join up, you will be sent this cute Swarovski cyrstal pin, along with information about keeping yourself and thus your heart fit.
I know for me, since my dad had a mild heart attack last year, I’ve come to realized it was time to get my act together. I’ve sent away for the pin, and I’ve also started blogging about my attempt to get into some kind of decent shape.

BeadBabe has Swarvoski crystals on sale. From their recent flyer:

BeadBabe.Com allows you combine a vast majority of our items to reach volume discounts including sterling silver, Czech beads, silver wire, beading supplies and beads of nearly every origin. We have now added high value Swarovski Crystals. When your net discountable order reaches $250, you will have reached the 50% discount level. Discounts are calculated automatically in the shopping cart.

Now, $250 does sound like a lot of money, especially if you figure you are buying just crystals and not any other supplies. However, if you know of some other beaders this …read more