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Sunday, February 28, 2010

The Beauty of Spring -Freshwater Pearl Handmade Necklace

The beauty of spring is knowing that just around the corner is summer -wouldn't you agree? Sunny, warm days with beautiful flowers in bloom and the occasional garden visitor -a dragonfly.


This is the first time Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry has used colored freshwater pearls in any design. But, when we saw these freshwater pearls we knew the size, shape and luster were right on target for our vision of this delicate design.

We chose three distinct freshwater pearl colors (olive, light blue and peacock) for their representation of the iridescent shimmer of the dragonfly.

Individually wire wrapped with sterling silver rings and light sapphire Swarovski Crystals, this beautiful Freshwater Pearl Dragonfly Charm Lariat Necklace (N099) features a sterling silver dragonfly charm that easily slips through a hand wrought and hammered sterling silver teardrop loop for a lovely lariat style handmade beaded necklace.


View All Spring Beaded Jewelry
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Monday, February 22, 2010

New Chain Gemstone Beaded Necklace

This necklace is the first in a series of beaded chain necklaces that will be designed for the upcoming Spring and Summer months.

The style incorporates a little of three different techniques seen in beaded jewelry: beading, chain and wire wrapping.

What is so unique about this handmade beaded necklace are the gemstones! In beautiful shades of brown, pink and cream, you can see a mix of bright yellow and orange in the brown gemstone beads. Adding to its' unqiueness is the fact, that no two gemstones are exactly alike.

The Golden Strawberry Quartz Gemstone Bead Necklace (N096) is accented with an elegant sterling silver chain and circle links for a touch of modern allure.
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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sacred Heart Beaded Necklace -NEW

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today is a special day for couples all over the world, as many will wed today. So as the old saying goes, "Here comes the bride, all dressed in -Red?!" That's right, red. The red wedding dress is becoming increasingly common in North America. Although it may seem an absolute fashion rebellion, the choice to wear a red wedding dress varies for each bride who takes the plunge.

For some brides, it is mostly cosmetic; they feel they look good in red and want to stand out in the warm, vibrant color that only red can deliver. Some brides will wear red for its' symbolic meaning of love and commitment, or of marriage and motherhood, or for religious beliefs. And still others choose the red wedding dress for traditional reasons relating to their cultural background.

Whatever the reason, there are a variety of ways to incorporate red into your wedding day. As previously mentioned, you could choose to wear a red wedding gown or you could create a red and white theme for your wedding through favors, neckties, flowers, bridesmaids dresses or red accented beaded jewelry.

The warm contrast between red and white is both sensual and feminine. Whether you are getting married or simply want to get your sweetheart something beautiful, you won't want to miss the Sacred Heart Freshwater Pearl Crystal Heart Beaded Jewelry Set. Embrace your unique side this beautiful beaded necklace and earrings set.

Designed with a combination of feminine Freshwater Pearls and sensual red Swarovski Austrian Crystals, wire wrapped Crystal Heart Pendant (approx. 1/2" in size) finished with Sterling Silver components.

This handcrafted beaded necklace set is new at Crystal Allure Jewelry.
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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Hill Tribe Heart Leaf Pendant Beaded Necklace

Fourteen Days of Hearts & Love
Part 13 of 14


I've decided to showcase the newest heart necklace tomorrow, on Valentine's Day. But the Crystal Allure Jewelry collection is not without other heart jewelry! When I first started these blog posts I thought I wouldn't have enough heart jewelry, but silly ole' me, what was I thinking! And of course, a hand full of other jewelry was designed as I sat in my studio preparing each of these articles. In fact, I even found a necklace I had designed weeks ago, meant to get a picture of it and just happened to uncover it on my studio table as I was "cleaning". Where in my case, in my studio, "cleaning" means shuffling things from one corner to another. Yup, my studio is the only room that looks like a hurricane hit it. Based on the type of person I am, I certainly don't understand it but I just go with it. I have always been a firm believer (and my mother will confirm this) that everything has a place and every place has a thing for it. Organize, organize, organize. Yet, in my bead studio....that rule just doesn't seem to work. An empty table, for me, seems to stiffle my creativity. Strange I know. But, I just go with it (which is probably why you'll never see pictures of my studio). :-)

But, alas I digressed. Heart Jewelry. Got it. Back on track.

On this thirteenth day of Hearts & Love, I wanted to highlight the Green Grossular Garnet Gemstone Beaded Necklace (N085), featuring a Karen Hill Tribe Heart Leaf Pendant. Just as every element of nature comes together, so too did the elements of this necklace. The green garnet gemstone is simply beautiful, beyond words and complements perfectly with the wood beads for a truly nature inspired beaded necklace.

And as ironically as my confession above about a messy studio....well, I just spend a half-hour looking for the remaining green garnet gemstones to get a close up picture of them so that you could truly appreciate what I'm trying to convey in their beauty. But, as suspected I just can't find them. Note to self: clean table. (right).

The heart shaped leaf pendant was handmade by the Karen Hill Tribe in northern Thailand. Using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation and a higher silver content allows them to easily shape their metal into very different styles. As a result, no two pieces are exactly alike. So even if I ever decided to make a similar style necklace, the heart leaf pendant will be uniquely different than the one shown here.

You simply can't go wrong with this beaded necklace because green and brown are the new "black" of the fashion world!
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Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Heart of a Survivor

Whether you have had a lung transplant, heart transplant, or any organ transplant, your body, mind and spirit endure more than some can imagine. It can be physically and emotionally draining leading up to -through -and post transplant. But you do it because you have the will to live and transplant is a gift of life -a second chance.

For these reasons and many more, I designed the Organ Transplant Awareness Survivor Heart Bracelet (B173-TX) as a symbol of the strength and will to be a SURVIVOR. What makes this bracelet even more unique is not only does it support transplant awareness but it's also the perfect gift for that special transplant person on Valentine's Day.

Designed with emerald Swarovski Austiran Crystals, .925 Bali, accented by pearlized white seed beads and sterling silver heart beads that spell, SURVIVOR. This beautiful beaded awareness bracelet is finished with a sterling silver lobster clasp and custom Crystal Allure Jewelry tag.

This beaded bracelet is new to the online store.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Window Heart Earrings Grounded in Tradition

While preparing today's post, I had wondered what does the old wedding custom of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" really mean/represent? So I did some research. It turns out the old saying in full reads:

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.


Each item represents a good-luck token, that if given to the bride and carried/worn on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" represents a bride's connection with her family and the past; "Something new" symbolizes optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead; "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married family member or friend, whose good fortune in marriage is suppose to carry over to the bride's new marriage; and a sixpense in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security.

It is the "something blue" that carries a bit of history with it. The color blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. The brides of ancient Rome wore blue to symbolize love, modesty and fidelity. In the Christian faith, the Virgin Mary was dressed in blue, associating the color with purity. And although it would be hard to believe now, with all the choices a bride has for wedding gowns, before the late 19th century, blue was the most popular color for wedding gowns (hence, the proverb, "Marry in blue, lover be true").

When I saw these beads, three words came to mind: princess, castle, wedding. I pictured them designed with some soft blue Swarovski Crystals and immediately thought of a princess -we all want to be a princess on our wedding day (and everyday if the truth be told!); and the beautiful frosted window heart beads reminded me of regal castle style windows -you know the ones told in fairy tales...where only princesses' and queens live.

The finished design of the Crystal Blue Frosted Heart Beaded Earrings (E200) reminds me of a beautiful bride with a classic wedding style -fit for a princess!

Designed using Sterling silver earwires, they are an enchanting pair of earrings for the Bride-to-be, an anniversary gift or just because. A coordinating necklace can be designed for a complete 2-piece jewelry set.
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Monday, February 8, 2010

Pearl Heart Dangle Beaded Earrings

Every year on Valentine's Day, February 14th, thousands of couples walk down the aisle to say, "I Do". Some couples plan their special wedding day a year in advance, others simply decide to get married just days before Valentine's Day. Whether you get married on the sweetest day of the year or not, the universal symbol of love is the heart and pearls have always been a timeless accessory for brides to wear. Pearls are smooth, lustrous, highly regarded for their beauty and are a symbol of femininity. What bride doesn't feel like royalty or a princess in pearls?

Marry together the symbol of love (the heart) with the symbol of feminine beauty (the pearl) and you have a look that is classic, timeless and will never go out of style. For example, have you ever seen wedding photos from the 80's? We all have. Those mile high poof-shoulder dresses, hair permed and/or teased to the sky with cans of hairspray holding it in place. At that time, that was the style of weddings, but to look at those pictures now, aside from a small chuckle or two, they are clearly outdated.

I wore pearls for my wedding and looking back at my wedding pictures, now 8 years ago, I'm so happy I choose a timeless, classic accessory. I, personally, have always thought of pearls as wishes. Seems strange, I know. But when I designed the Swarovski Pearl Heart Charm Beaded Earrings (E202), I thought they'd make the perfect accessory to either a Bride, as a Valentine Gift or even as an Anniversary Gift.

I'm also no poet, but I did dabble a little when I was in high school. While pulling together this blog post, I also pulled together this wonderful little poem that seemed quite appropriate for these pearl earrings.

If pearls were wishes,
I'd wish for you,
a heart full of love,
with love times two!
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Sunday, February 7, 2010

NEW Blue Heart Beaded Cell Phone Charm

Sometimes love is as simple and sweet as a heart fluttering beneath blue skies and sparkling stars.

Open Heart Pave' Blue Beaded Cell Phone Purse Charm CPC6
Design features a sterling silver open heart charm, faceted blue glass bead, pave' style sterling silver bead and sterling silver. Length: 3-1/4".

Everyone has cell phones these days and what makes this little Valentine's Gift so fabulous is you can even attach the charm to jeans, purses, MP3 players and even iPods -the ideas are endless.
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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Love You Conversation Heart Charm Beaded Bracelet

Sometimes it's the little things -those small acts that show how much you love someone. Every now and then you hear a story about a grand expression of love, that it almost became an "event" in itself.

For example, those men who go way above and beyond to show how much they love their sweetheart, say by having the electronic billboard at a football game changed (during half time of course!) with perfectly chosen words to express his eternal love. Hmmmm, well I'm guessing that probably cost as much as the diamond ring he is considering buying her.

A sweet gesture -yes! Expensive -oh yes! So why not just show her you love her with a beautiful bracelet, say, with a timeless conversation heart -charm. The best part of her gift? She'll love this tasteful expression of love because it's also zero calories!!

Don't tell her you love her -show her! Say it with our treasured handmade beaded bracelet and earrings set featuring a love-ly sterling silver conversation heart charm that reads "Love You", surrounded by red Swarovski Austrian Crystals and Pearls, sterling silver Bali, lobster clasp and earwires. Bracelet measures 7-3/4"; sterling silver earrings measure 1/2" from bottom of earwire.

This beaded pearl heart bracelet stacks perfectly with the coordinating Marry Me and Be Mine heart charm bracelets.
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Friday, February 5, 2010

Secret Crush Lampwork Heart Beaded Earrings

Come on now, admit it. You've had one...we've all had one at one time or another. You know what I'm talking about, that......Secret Crush.

Okay, okay. I'll start us off -Hi, my name is Stephanie and I've had a secret crush. In junior high there was this boy, of course he didn't even know I existed. To this day, I still don't know why (although I suspect there was some conniving with his best friend) he gave me his phone number and told me to call him sometime. Sounds easy enough and boy was I blown away.

So one night I worked up my courage, picked up that phone and made that call. Needless to say, it was an awkward phone call -I'm sure our young ages had a lot to do with it -but for the most part, it was like pulling hair out to make conversation with him. We hung up and that was the end of that. From afar, I still had a secret crush on him, although I had learned that secret crushes are more beautiful than sometimes the real deal!

With the Secret Crush Crystal Heart Lampwork Beaded Earrings (E219) you can wear your heart on your ears -and not your sleeve! A pair of lovely ruby artisan lampwork hearts with swirls of white and flecks of gold are accented with Sterling Silver Bali, Swarovski Pearls and Crystals and dangle ever so femininely from leverback earwires.

Psst -get these beaded earrings on sale now, limited time only!
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Thursday, February 4, 2010

Sending All My Love Heart Charm Bracelet

Nowadays there are many reasons why your one true love is not by your side -they had to travel for their job; they are serving in the military; they are in another state taking care of family. Regardless of the reason, we all know how heartbroken we are when we are not with our true love.

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart. ~Kay Knudsen

The old saying goes 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. But what if that absence is on or near Valentine's Day? Why not send her all your love? Swarovski style! Just because you might not be with her doesn't mean you can't show how much you miss her. The Sending All My Love Red Crystal Love Letter Heart Charm Beaded Bracelet (B141) says it perfectly with deep red Swarovski Austrian Crystals and Heart Charm, Sterling Silver Bali and Heart toggle clasp with a beautiful Sterling Silver Envelope Charm -sealed with two heart kisses!
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Amethyst Heart Charm Beaded Bracelet

So what does February, Hearts and Amethyst have in common? My birthday! Yes, today is my birthday and I am making a shameless plug using one of my favorite crystal heart bracelet designs. I absolutely love the color purple, hearts and anything sparkly! I definately think I was born in the month that most represents who I am.

Aquarians are one of the most creative and artistic signs in the zodiac (and I'm not making this up just because I am a jewelry designer!). One of the ways that an Aquarian shows love is through creative ideas and once they are truly in love, they are fiercely loyal. Some famous people born in February: Farah Fawcett, Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Aniston, to name a few.

Knowing all this, naturally it would follow that I would design a bracelet, in purple, with crystals and hearts! In the Purple Freshwater Pearl Crystal Heart Charm Beaded Bracelet (B138) design you get double the love with both the Swarovski Crystal Heart charm and the Sterling Silver Heart toggle clasp. The purple freshwater pearls are such a unique color that I simply can't describe them. But, my partiality towards the color purple makes every shade simply beautiful!
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Be Mine Conversation Heart Charm Beaded Bracelet

We all remember as children both giving and eating Sweethearts Conversation Heart candies at school. You remember them...the tasty pastel sugar hearts pre-printed with quirky phrases expressing love and devotion. Even today as adults we recognize and associate them as the American icon of Valentine's Day and they are still the best-selling Valentine candy around.

NECCO (New England Confectionery Company) has been manufacturing these lovely candies since 1847 and manufactures over 8 billion hearts each year. The company has since discarded all its previous phrases and updated them with new expression of love, the candies now come in brighter and bolder new colors and there are even new flavors. But the symbolism of this iconic candy is still the same.

As kids, we loved getting Conversation Heart candies. But as adults, it might seem a little childish or awkward to give and/or receive a box of these candies as a gift on Valentine's Day. Which is exactly why giving this unique beaded bracelet as a gift is perfect. Every woman loves sparkling Swarovski crystals. In romantic colors of pink and white with a tiny conversation heart charm this handcrafted bracelet is just enough to express your love.

Be Mine Swarovski Crystal Pearl Heart Charm Bracelet Set BES4
Won't you BE MINE? Say it with heart...and style with our handmade beaded bracelet and earrings set. Design features a beautiful strand of Swarovski Pearls accented by pink crystals. Sterling silver beads, Bali, lobster clasp and BE MINE heart charm. Beaded bracelet measures 7-1/2"; beaded earrings measure 1/2" from bottom of earwire.

This beaded pearl heart charm bracelet stacks perfectly with the coordinating Love You and Marry Me bracelets.

This Valentine's Day -say it with heart!
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