2014 Spring Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

When the 2014 Spring Color Trend Report was released, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, was quoted as saying:

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium. While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations."

To accomplish this, soft pastels are paired with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women -the colors are all about showing off personality and individuality.

You could easily title these Spring 2014 colors as the 'Facets of a Woman', with each one showcasing the various facets of a woman’s personality – strong, determined, vulnerable, creative, sophisticated, radiant.

There are three versatile pastels, drawn straight from nature's background, that when creatively combined with one of the bolder hued shades creates a modern twist on the traditional. These new 'neutrals' are: placid blue, violet tulip and hemlock.

Below we have outlined the most closely matched Swarovski Crystal color for each Spring 2014 color trend:

Placid Blue:  Swarovski Crystal Blue Shade
Violet Tulip:  Swarovski Crystal Tanzanite
Hemlock:  Swarovski Crystal Chrysolite
Paloma:  Swarovski Crystal Black Diamond
Sand:  Swarovski Crystal Light Colorado Topaz
Freesia:  Swarovski Crystal Sunflower
Cayenne:  Swarovski Crystal Padparadscha
Celosia Orange:  Swarovski Crystal Tangerine
Dazzling Blue:  Swarovski Crystal Capri Blue
Radiant Orchid:  Swarovski Crystal Lilac Shadow

As with any color trend report, most Spring colors can carry over into Summer and the same holds true for Fall-Winter colors. We may have already welcomed the first day of Summer 2014, but these Springtime color combinations will surely transition easily into the hot summer days ahead.

Our HOT color combinations below showcase beautiful Swarovski Crystals designs by Crystal Allure Jewelry.

Pairs violet tulip with radiant orchid:

Crystal Fuchsia Dyed Jade Gemstone Beaded Earrings (E274-F)

Pairs paloma with dazzling blue:

Midnight Garden Teaberry Sapphire Crystal Beaded Lanyard (L105)

Pairs hemlock with sand:

Golden Pink Rose Floral Artbead Crystal Mom Charm Bracelet (B086)

With all these tantalizing colors to choose from it's difficult to pick just one favorite. Which color is your favorite?

Read More »

2013 Spring Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

Released on the first day of New York Fashion Week, Pantone announced their official spring fashion color report for 2013. A lovely mix of both soft and jewel tones it's a refreshing color palette for spring jewelry and accessories!

Pantone Color Report Spring 2013

Pantone's 2013 spring colors can be found in both semi-precious gemstones, as well as, the luminous Swarovski Crystal Collection. Listed below are the closely matched crystal shades:

Dusk Blue -Swarovski Crystal Aquamarine
Tender Shoots -Swarovski Crystal Lime
Lemon Zest -Swarovski Crystal Sunflower
Linen -Swarovski Crystal Light Peach
Poppy Red -Swarovski Crystal Hyacinth
Emerald -Swarovski Crystal Emerald
Grayed Jade -Swarovski Crystal Pacific Opal
African Violet -Swarovski Crystal Violet
Monaco Blue -Swarovski Crystal Dark Indigo
Nectarine -Swarovski Crystal Fire Opal

You will find some of these color inspirations translated into beautiful handcrafted beaded jewelry available through our Spring Beaded Jewelry Collection. Check the website often as we add new beaded jewelry frequently.

One color stood out amongst the rest and has been named Color of the Year for 2013. That color is emerald green and Pantone has described this color as, "Lively. Radiant. Lush ... A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.". It just so happens, Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry loves emerald and this color can be found, in our Transplant Awareness Jewelry and Organ Donation Awareness Jewelry.

Our stunning Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Earrings E70-E73 perfectly represent the beauty and elegance of the emerald crystal. When paired with peridot and erinite crystals these earrings are balanced in harmony and perfect for the multi-faceted woman!

Emerald Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Earrings E072
Sensuous diamond shaped genuine emerald green Swarovski crystals drip like a waterfall from a circular sterling silver bali frame accented by sterling silver spacers. Each wire wrapped earring is adorned with 42 points of luminous radiance for a rich red carpet, glamorous holiday look or just a jeans and t-shirt kind of day. Handmade earrings finished with sterling silver ear wires measuring 1-1/2" from bottom of ear wire.

Please note: Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Earrings are sold out in Sapphire, Lt. Rose and Fuchsia.

Shop all EMERALD handmade beaded jewelry > >

Read More »

2012 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

Pantone has released their official predictions for the 2012 fall color trends. In turn, Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry has paired these selected colors with our beautiful handmade beaded jewelry. Whether you love to follow trends or not, there's no need to go out and purchase a whole new wardrobe to be stylish this fall. Simply add one of our fall color trend jewelry pieces to your regular wardrobe for an instant seasonal update.


source

Pantone's 2012 fall color picks can also be easily found in the expansive Swarovski Crystal Collection. Here are the most closely matched crystal shades:

French Roast -A sophisticated, alternative neutral hue – (Swarovski) Mocca
Honey Gold -A burnished mellow yellow — (Swarovski) Topaz
Pink Flambé -A delicious vibrant pink — (Swarovski) Indian Pink
Tangerine Tango -A deep juicy orange — (Swarovski) Hyacinth
Ultramarine Green -A deep, cooling green– (Swarovski) Palace Green Opal
Bright Chartreuse -A bright yellow-green reminder of spring — (Swarovski) Lime
Olympian Blue -An athletic blue hue — (Swarovski) Capri Blue
Titanium -A versatile cool gray– (Swarovski) Black Diamond
Rhapsody -A grayed-down purple– (Swarovski) Tanzanite
Rose Smoke -A feminine blush shade — (Swarovski) Vintage Rose

We've taken these color inspirations and translated our favorites into incredible, affordable and highly desirable handcrafted designer beaded jewelry that are now all currently available in our Fall beaded Jewelry Collection.

With the autumn season upon us and the leaves turning vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow and olive, you'll definately love these warmer Pantone colors.

For a cozy, warm traditional fall palette you might try the sophisticated French Roast (brown) and burnished Honey Gold (mellow yellow).

Earthly Yellow Jade Wood Aventurine Necklace N078
A beautiful earthly yellow jade gemstone teardrop pendant is host to natural wood beads, aventurine gemstone accent beads and 14k gold fill beads in this handcrafted beaded necklace. Finished with a 14k gold fill heart lobster clasp and our signature jewelry tag. Measures 17-1/2" with the gemstone teardrop pendant measuring 35x45mm.

Step it up a bit with the rich French Roast paired with Pantone's 2012 color of the year, Tangerine Tango. An autumn orange has never looked so stunning!

Unakite Wood Amber Crystal Necklace N119
A beautiful strand of scattered gemstones, wood beads and crystals are featured in this handcrafted beaded necklace. The chinese unakite gemstone circle pendant is a blend of greens and reds reminiscent of autumn's pleasures and complements beautifully with the autumn jasper's rich tones of fall.

Imagine pumpkins, red maple leaves, and leisurely walks in autumn. That's the earthy look and feel of the warm brick red and avocado green colors of autumn jasper. To add to this earthy fall design natural dark wood beads, amber gemstones, red aventurine gemstone and evergreen Swarovski Crystals are paired with sterling silver. Finished with our signature jewelry tag. Measures 17-1/2" with a gemstone circle pendant measuring 45mm.

But, just because it's autumn doesn't mean you can't rock a cooler tone in your fashion palette. Try the versatile cool gray of Titanium paired with the delicious muted pink of the Pink Flambe'.

Ruby Tourmaline Crystal Gray Pendant Necklace N120
A beautiful beaded strand of ruby tourmaline gemstone chips, accented by sterling silver beads, gray fiber optic glass beads, black diamond Swarovski Crystal feature a rounded gray fiber optic glass drop pendant. Handmade beaded necklace is finished with a sterling silver lobster clasp and our signature jewelry tag. Measures 17".

Browse our full handmade fall beaded jewelry collection for a stylishly autumnal style to suit you.

Read More »

Swarovski Elements Innovations: Fall-Winter 2013-14

The newly released crystal colors and shapes from the Swarovski Elements Innovation line reflect a key trending concern and interest in globalization.


A completely new color to the Swarovski Elements palette, Light Turquoise, is reminiscent of clear blue skies, Alpine treks, Arctic Winters and Caribbean summers. It would pair beautifully with a smoked quartz for a true earthy design; or create elegant interest in black and white jewelry designs; it would even look fresh and flirty when combined with pearls.


Crystal Allure Jewelry has used indian sapphire satin crystal in numerous designs, including our latest Artisan Lampwork Pendant Crystal Beaded Necklace (N124-B), because we love the shimmering effect of the satin coating on the subtle blue color. Now, we have more options to choose from with the addition of the shimmering silver and blue of Crystal Blue Shade.

For a more mysterious and elegant look, Crystal Grey Pearl, is a great option. Pair it with the new Crystal Blue Shade for a romantic look.

Left to right: Victory Pendant, Pure Leaf Pendant, Key Pendant

In addition to the new beautiful colors, there are also many new shapes added to the line. Our favorites are the Victory Pendant which is shaped like a medal; the Pure Leaf Pendant symbolizes the back-to-nature trend inspired by a leaf and the Key to Open the Forest shape symbolizes the artists' (Yoko Ono) hopes and dreams for our planet.

With all these new Swarovski Crystal colors and shapes, it's hard to choose which to add to the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs collection!

Image Source

Read More »

August Birthstone: Peridot, The Evening Emerald



Peridot Cluster Crystal Beaded Earrings (E149)

Peridot, the modern and Swarovski Crystal birthstone for August, is a pale green variety of chrysolite. The depth of green depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure.

To some it is considered to be the underdog to the emerald. However, this gemstone sets itself apart from the emerald with its' exclusive sea grass color.

Peridot is transparent with subtle color in a variety of greens, ranging from light yellowish green to a dark olive. The purer green a peridot is, the higher the value. Any tinge of brown greatly diminishes the value of a peridot, as well as visible flaws. The peridot is occassionally referred to as the "poor man's emerald".

The origin of the name peridot is derived from the Greek word "faridat" which means "gem".

The Ancient Egyptians called the Peridot "the gem of the sun" and believed it had the power to ward off evil. It was popular for peridots to be set in gold (gold being the metal of the sun) to dispel the terrors of the night.

The Romans referred to the peridot as "The Evening Emerald" because they noticed that its' green color was so vivid in the evening lamplight that it resembled the deepest green of emeralds. They also wore peridots for protection from enchantment and against melancholy and illusion.

Crystal Green Lucky Charms Shamrock Anklet (A113)

From Ancient times wise men and healers have believed that gemstones have mystical powers. During the Middle Ages peridots were worn for foresight with regard to future events, for divine inspiration and eloquence.

Giving a piece of jewelry containing the peridot birthstone of August is said to bring the wearer good luck, peace and success, its' powers also include health, protection and sleep.

Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years or better and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of pitdah. It was used by the Egyptians as early as 1500 BC.

Peridot use peaked during the Baroque era, but the gemstone fell out of favor over time until the 1990's when a new source in Pakistan re-ignited interest in the forgotten gemstone.

Historical legend has it that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.

August Birthstone poem - the Peridot
"Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved alone."

Read More »

2011 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

At the start of every new season, Pantone unveils their latest color choices, of the moment, in fashion. Their decision is made by surveying the designers of fashion week to identify the most “directional” colors. If you’re looking for new affordable ways to incorporate color into your wardrobe this season, look to our beaded jewelry interpretation of Pantone’s color pallet.

“Taking cues from the great masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside, designers are paying close attention to texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing balance between colors.”

The hit colors for 2011 are: Bamboo, Emberglow, Honeysuckle, Phlox, Cedar, Deep Teal, Coffee Liqueur, Nougat, Orchid Hush, and Quarry.

As you can see, our intrepretation is a carryover from the 2010 fall colors (Chocolate Truffle, Woodbine and Purple Orchid) and that is because we see a similarity in the colors with 2011's Coffee Liqueur, Nougat and Phlox. Although honeysuckle was the "color of the year", we took our inspiration from the traditional warmer, deeper tones of the autumn season.

The handmade beaded jewelry pictured above is from our Fall Beaded Jewelry Collection:

Green Garnet Hill Tribe Leaf Pendant Necklace N085
Designed with stunning green garnet gemstones, natural wood beads, sterling silver and featuring a Karen Hill Tribe heart-shaped leaf pendant.

Hand Stamped Crystal Garnet Sterling Fern Charm Bracelet B185
A stunning 3-strand hand stamped crystal and stone charm bracelet featuring a strand each of sterling silver hammered chain links wire wrapped with amethyst Swarovski Crystals; a full beaded strand of gorgeous semi-precious green garnet, natural wood bead accents, sterling Bali and beads; and a third strand of simple sterling silver chain, finished with a hand stamped fern leaf sterling silver charm and our signature jewelry tag.

View the full Fall Beaded Jewelry Collection

Read More »

Swarovski Elements Innovations: Fall-Winter 2011-2012

Swarovski has introduced some fabulous new colors and shapes to their line of crystal beads. Who could possibly resist them?

Now, I admit, I (personally) am not a huge fan of wearing yellow, I must say I'm still draw to the new Sunflower color. For the simple reason yellow reminds me of summertime and sunshine. It makes me feel good. So there is definately a design coming using this new color!

Other shapes you can expect to see coming to Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs include the Lucerna, Mini Pear, Helios and Wild Heart beads and pendants. The Lucerna crystal is a reflection of a chinese lantern and I had used a lantern shaped gemstone in a past design, so I'm really looking forward to testing out this new shape. There are already some new designs ready to be pictured using the Mini Pear and Wild Heart pendants. As well, the Helios will make for a fantastic shimmering contemporary jewelry design.

Swarovski also introduced large hole crystals and two new colored protective coatings for the starfish crystal. With all these new innovations here and the existing irresistible shapes and colors already available from Swarovski -I'm in heaven!!

Don't forget to sign up for the Crystal Allure Studio Blog RSS feed to receive notification when these new designs roll out.

Read More »

Personalizing Jewelry with Hand Stamping

I finally decided to just jump in and switched gears to start the bracelet, which was to compliment the Green Grossular Garnet Hill Tribe Leaf Pendant Gemstone Necklace. For the bracelet, I wanted to keep with my signature technique of beading. But, as the design progressed, it just didn't give me that "fuzzy" feeling, so I added to the design some chain and wire-wrapping in a three strand style. Then it was time for the metal stamping.

You can see at left, attempt #1 resulted in a double stamp of the fern leaf. In my very first shot at handstamping, I stamped the metal, but the image wasn't very good. So I thought the stamp was in the exact same spot and I tried again -Oops! No good. Attempt #2 turned out much better. I did end up stamping it again but this time, I got the metal stamp positioned correctly in the image impression.

Attempt #3 shows the last step of the fern leaf metal handstamped charm. The stamped image is further improved upon after having darkened it and buffed it with a pro polish pad.

The necklace, as well, evolved from a single strand where the handstamped charm was going to be the "main" charm with the acorn charm right next to it. But that seemed too simple, lacked personality and that feminine touch! So, I decided to do two strands to really showcase the beautiful handstamped tag. It took forever to come up with a 4-5 letter word that would fit on the stamping blank and be tied with the autumn season. But, as I thought about the fall time and how beautiful it is, the first thought that came to mind was a renewal of body, mind and spirit.

The dangling autumn colored Swarovski Crystals are remininscent of falling leaves (a theme in all my fall jewelry) with an acorn charm that one might find that has fallen from the tree and landed in the pathway. The sterling silver blank stamping tags at Artbeads pair perfectly with both the starter metal alphabet stamps set and fern leaf stamp.

Read More »

2010 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

I know. I know. Fall...really?! I can't avoid admitting I'm a tad late in presenting these wonderful beauties, created with some tools I received back in September through a beaders blog program.
Our challenge: the "colors of fall" -choose traditional colors or current fashion colors from the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Fall 2010.

I knew I'd never be able to choose between the two color groups so I knew from the beginning I wanted to do two separate designs.

The first design would use traditional seasonal colors in Swarovski Crystal with a seasonal flair.

The second design would use colors chosen from the PANTONE Fall color palette. The two colors I chose, which are also my favs, were green (Woodbine) and purple (Purple Orchid).

Keep a watch out on the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs website for new handmade Fall Beaded Jewelry designs. Better still, sign up for the newsletter and you'll be notified when new designs roll out!

Read More »

Summertime Fun and Sparkling Designs

Yeah! It cooled off just enough this past weekend that I was finally able to get some pictures taken.

In partnership with the Artbeads Design Partner Blog Program, I received my beads back in May. The theme was Summertime Fun and I immediately thought of incorporating Swarovski Crystal Elements. I also decided on a Lillypilly Shell Pendant that I've had my eye on.

My Inspiration: Ocean blues, sandy beaches and natural materials. I chose Swarovski crystal shapes in bicone, cosmic rings, starfish, pearls and a lovely hammershell teardrop pendant. My first thought was to incorporate these bead materials into one or two designs and then I had a dream...yes, I literally had a dream about using these crystal beads in a particular way.

One of the other great opportunities of being a Design Partner is my ability to review products. I had not yet gotten into stock any of the "new" Swarovski Crystal Xilion cut crystals -until now. You can see from the picture at left, that the new Xilion cut showcases more facets, more color and more light. Just look at the mirrored image of each crystal bead, the crystal bead on the left (Xilion) shows more points of light than the traditional bicone crystal. Isn't it just fabulous?!

So far I have not used the Lillypilly shell pendant in a design yet, but did want to provide a review of it. I was very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and dainty the pendant was. It will definately work perfectly in a beautiful summer design. My only criticism is that the drilled hole was not exactly centered on the pendant.

The goal of my Summertime Fun idea was to really highlight the luminosity and beauty of Swarovski Crystals by showcasing each one in its own design. To do that I pulled out some of my personal stash of beads and materials and fashioned the beginnings of a beautiful summer jewelry collection.

I also just had to get the new jewelry pieces pictured with a few of my personally collected shells, right from the beaches of Sanibel Island, Florida! When we vacationed years back, I spent just about the entire time on the beach (loved it!) and I'd walk the beach and collect shells. I even brought back some sand!

This collection also begins a fresh new start of the crystal jewelry offered by Crystal Allure Jewelry by going back to its' roots. I'm very happy with the end result because in the summer, I don't like to wear bold jewelry and I personally think by showcasing the crystals on their own, it really makes the crystal stand out.

Of course, I did run out of materials (again) and still have some of the crystal beads left. But those new designs will be forthcoming.

Disclosure: As a Design Partner of Artbeads.com, I periodically receive products, beads and/or components free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I have in no way been compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Read More »

The Art of Electroforming Leaves

The art of electroforming a real leaf is a delicate process.

First, a real leaf is pressed flat and dried. Once it has dried, the leaf’s pulp is removed in a light acid bath which produces the result of a leaf "skeleton".

This skeleton is very fragile as it only has the veins of the leaf holding it together. The leaf is then dried once more and then hand painted with a copper based paint (which allows it to be electroformed).

Next, the leaf is submerged in an electrolytic solution and with the magic of the positive/negative charges from electricity, metal deposits onto the copper based surface. This process takes place over a period of three days.

Logically so, if the leaf has fine veining then a "filigree" leaf will result; if a leaf has little veining then the electroformed surface will be solid. Tip: Prolonged electroforming will also result in a more solid form. Taking the extra time during the electroforming process insures the metal deposits are uniform.


Oak Leaves Swarovski Crystal Earrings (E135)

The final metallic leaf finish is dependent on the electrolytic solution used.

The leaf jewelry Crystal Allure offers have been electroformed in 24kt gold but other variations exist that include sterling silver or iridescent rose gold (which is a combination of 24kt and copper).

How To Care For Your Leaf Jewelry
Leaves should be cleaned carefully with a warm cloth and not with abrasives to maintain its longevity. Each leaf is unique and special, capturing a part of nature, resulting in a beautiful piece of wearable art. Over a period of time, our 14kt gold electroformed leaf jewelry will age to a deep brown-red.

Read More »

Rhodonite vs. Rhodolite Gemstone

Garnet is a popular beaded jewelry component and has been used since the bronze age as an ornamental gemstone. The color range of garnets run from reds to greens.

Rhodonite Gemstone Beaded Necklace (N071)

Rhodonite

The rhodonite gemstone is a stone of grace, elegance and gets its' name from the Greek word for rose, rhodon.

Giving rhodonite its' distinctive appearance are black manganese oxide veins running through its' beautiful muted rose-pink color.

This uniqueness in its' coloring is why rhodonite is carved into beads and ornamental objects. In 18th century Russia, it was used extensively for decorating the Russian court.

Rhodonite is mined in the United States, Brazil, India, and Russia and is the official gem of Massachusetts.

Rhodolite

Rhodolite comes from the garnet family and is a mixed crystal of almandine and pyrope. It, too, gets its' name from the Greek word "rhodon", meaning rose.


Rhodolite Garnet Gemstone Beaded Bracelet (B124)

The rhodolite garnet generally features a magnificent velvety red with a fine violet or raspberry-red undertone. This "purple-red" color is the most sought after color for rhodolite.

This coloration and the commonly inclusion-free nature of the rhodolite garnet has led to it being used as a semi-precious gemstone.

Rhodolite is a beautiful stone that tends to be lighter in color than most other kinds of red garnet. It can easily be confused with ruby because of the similarity in color. However, rhodolite garnet is not artificially enhanced in any way.

Originally found in the USA, it now comes mainly from the gemstone mines in East Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

A fun-fact about rhodolite garnet:
At the auction of the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis at Sotheby's in 1996, a striking cabochon garnet flower brooch from the 19th century was sold for $145,000.

Read More »

2009 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

Happy Autumn to everyone!

Our goal at Crystal Allure is to strike a balance with our jewelry designs that will easily transition from day into night. This is why you'll find our mixing of opaque and semi precious stones with hints of crystal works so well in our designs. We design pieces that have longevity and versatility for a look of classic femininity with a dash of color.

If you ask 10 different people what the "hot" colors and fashions of the fall season will be, you will get 10 different answers. Although we do not follow the latest trends and fashions, per se, to make it easy for you to coordinate your wardrobe with accessories, we have researched and compiled what we feel will be the colors of the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Look for some of these colors in our newest beaded jewelry designs.

We start the season with classic autumnal colors and then transition during the season into winter with vibrant jewel tone colors. These jewel tone colors will carry you into the winter season with the blues ruling the fall/winter season!

JEWELRY MUST HAVES
Statement Necklaces make a great focal for any outfit. The one below features a filigree "snowflake" metal pendant accented with black Swarovski Crystals, blue lapis gemstones and sterling silver.

Blue Lapis Snowflake Crystal Beaded Necklace (N069)

Cuff Bracelets whether beaded, wire-wrapped or memory wire bracelets, you'll definately want to get at least one cuff bracelet in your jewelry collection this season. This cuff bracelet is an abundance of autumnal color with oak leaf charms uniquely designed as a cuff bracelet using memory wire.

Autumn Splendor Czech Leaf Charm Cuff Beaded Bracelet (B121)

Closer to the holidays, Chandelier Earrings, in jewel tone colors will be the "it" accessory to have in your collection. Prefer the classic look? You can still enjoy chandelier earrings but instead, opt for designs with crystal shimmer -think Crystal Ice Swarovski Crystal beaded jewelry by Crystal Allure!

FASHION ON A BUDGET
I think we all agree, we are on a perpetual quest to be fashionable but on a budget. That being said, how do you incorporate the colors of the season into your wardrobe without breaking the bank?

Choose pants, jackets and sweaters in neutral shades (black, brown, grey, etc) and add seasonal color to your basics with blouses, jewelry and accessories.

Keep a watch out on the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs website for new handmade Fall Beaded Jewelry designs. Better still, sign up for the newsletter and you'll be notified when new designs roll out!

Read More »

NEW! The Crystal Allure Learning and Resource Center

I have been consumed. Yes, with my website. But, I needed to dedicate this time to the redesign. It just has to be done so I can move on to more important things. So, I've been plugging away at the website and I'm quite pleased with how it's turning out. I'm excited to enter the fall season (my favorite time of the year!) with the new look in place and new designs to follow. Yes, yes. It's still summer. But you know how that goes...in business you must always look ahead.

With the new website look, there have been MANY changes (too many to count or even list) and I still have much left to do and finish. But, I'm excited about our new Learning & Resource Center. I've had this feature in place (in various forms) since I started in business, but with the new web look, this whole bigger concept just fell into place -and it feels quite at home. Again, still working on the page a little, but you can get the idea.

The purpose of the Learning & Resource Center is to provide information on beaded jewelry, caring for your handmade Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs, proper measuring and even general information on some of the techniques I've used and the materials of our designs. It is my hope this added information will be of benefit to my customers, visitors and fellow artisans.

My task will be to begin filling the page with useful information and jewelry articles (I have tons of info for the page, just need the time to format it into something readable and get it listed). But, you can hop on over to the website now and read what information is already available and feel free to contact me with what information you'd like to see.

Read More »

About Yellow Opal Gemstones

Yellow opal gemstones are known as the 'Stone of Comfort' and it soothes babies in times of any upset, as well as improves neurological health.



Shop Yellow Opal Gemstone Jewelry

Read More »

Article: Buy Handmade

Today I came across an article written by Kim Crow and just had to share. I certainly got a good chuckle after reading it! A very lighthearted article about her need to rein in her spending, being a self-professed necklace-a-holic and the realities of "I'm going to make my own jewelry".

I found myself, with eager anticipation, reading her accounts of a recent New York trip as if I were telling the story myself. It can be difficult sometimes to look at a retail price tag and not think for a moment, I can make that. But the reality is, unless you plan to make that endeavor into a business, in the end, it'll cost you more to purchase all the supplies you need not to mention the time it'll take to learn the technique(s), than if you just had purchased the item.

However, in support of my fellow artisans I will say, always, always, always look to buy handmade before retail! Support the many fantastic artisans that are out there today and really take a look at their craft -talk to them, learn what goes into their craft and you'll quickly find, quality meets price. More times than not, you'll get a one-of-a-kind as well.

Read the full article and leave your comments about it below. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Read More »

Jewelry Advertising Opportunities

If you are looking to drive traffic to your handcrafted jewelry, handmade jewelry, or beaded jewelry website, then you should take a moment and consider one of the jewelry advertising opportunities available through Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs.

Not sure if you wanted to or need to advertise?
A study by the Kellogg School of Management showed businesses that reduce their advertising during a recession will be challenged by negative sales growth when conditions improve. Those who maintain or increase advertising will benefit from significant growth. The Kellogg researchers also found that increased advertising during a recession will help grow market share considerably post-recession.

Gain online market share through one or all four of our available advertising opportunities.

Jewelry Advertising Opportunities:
1. Beaded Jewelry Blog for Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs
2. Jewelry Directory
3. BeadedJewelry-Blog
4. Handcrafted Jewelry Directory Top 100

--------------------
What is the Handcrafted Jewelry Top 100?
It is an online jewelry directory where you can advertise your handmade jewelry business, as well as, browse some of the finest artisan handmade jewelry designers, handcrafted jewelry artists and lampwork glass artists around the web.

What makes the Handcrafted Jewelry Top 100 directory unique is that it only hosts' website links to artisans. No commercial sites are allowed to join. What that means for the consumer is, no matter what site they choose to browse, the items they are assured any purchase they make is handmade and not mass-produced.


How does it work?
Adding your site to the directory is completely FREE (all that is required is that you place a link back to the directory from your site).

You can register for FREE just by opening an account and entering your website data and banner (for visitors to see and click over to your site). This registration requires you to place a Handcrafted Jewelry Top 100 banner on your site (the banner and link information will be provided to you when you register).

For your banner to be visibile on the list, you must be listed as one of the Top 100 sites. If you are not listed in the Top 100, you can get there by promoting the Handcrafted Jewelry Top 100 banner on your site, in a prominent place, for visitors to click over to the site (each visitor that clicks over gives your banner listing 1 vote -the more votes -the higher in the list your banner will be).

Remember to add the personally coded Handcrafted Jewelry Directory Top 100 banner to your website once you sign up -the more clicks on the banner from your site, the more likely your banner will stay visible at the top of the list.

Read More »

2008 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

Looking ahead: The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2008 Colors are out and what an exciting trend this is going to be! Quoting the New York Fashion Week February 1-8, 2008:

A Season of Change

Best described as a season of change, fall ’08 is defined by rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York's fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples in the top five tones used in their collections, followed by variations of warm red, orange and yellow.

"Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright, exciting undertones," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Conventional tones such as warm autumn hues, chocolate browns and steel grays are also among the fall color choices. Blue and purple tones have become staples, as illustrated by Blue Iris, one of the top 10 colors chosen by designers this season, and Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2008."

Keep a watch out on the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs website for new handmade Fall Beaded Jewelry designs. Better still, sign up for the newsletter and you'll be notified when new designs roll out!

Read More »

Types of Metals used in Beaded Jewelry

Beginners in Jewelry Design
When handmade jewelry designers are just starting out in jewelry design, they may choose to use pewter, base metal, silver plate or gold plate metals. Some of the reasoning is their inexperience in the types of metals used in beaded jewelry; other times they choose lower grade metals to keep their costs down; or they simply may be choosing to design fashion jewelry only, which is typically made using lower grade metals.

Bridge Jewelry Designers
As a handcrafted beaded jewelry designer becomes more knowledgable and experienced in their craft, they may decide to upgrade the quality of the metal they are using in their designs. These bridge jewelry designers may then choose to upgrade to sterling silver, rhodium plate, gold fill or vermeil. A bridge jewelry designer is generally concerned with producing a quality piece of jewelry for their customer but they tend not to be so concerned with the costs of reproducing the piece multiple times over, since most bridge jewelry designers do one of a kind jewelry or will only reproduce a jewelry piece a few times.

Fine Jewelry Designers
High end designers will use only fine grade metals such as sterling silver and 24 karat gold. Using these metals offers the consumer a high-end piece of jewelry where the sticker price equates to the quality of the jewelry piece. The higher price tag might be a result of the unique materials used in the piece or it may reflect the costs of reproducing the jewelry piece multiple times over for the mass population.

If you happen to be allergic to low grade metals, you should definately look for a handmade beaded jewelry designer who uses sterling silver in their beaded jewelry designs. At times, a designer may also throw in a lower grade metal bead in their jewelry design simply because the style of the bead fits with the design and they cannot find the equivalent in a sterling silver metal.

For a more in depth explanation to each type of metal used in beaded jewelry, check out our types of metals jewelry article for metals used in handmade beaded jewelry designs.

Read More »

June Birthstone -Pearl

Happy Birthday June Ladies!

June is the month that was dedicated by the Romans to the queen of the gods Juno (Regina) -- Hera to the Greeks. The modern June birthstone is the pearl. Pearls have been a passion and even an obsession of people throughout the ages. They have been ground up and used in cosmetics and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach conditions. Some cultures swear by pearls as an aphrodisiac. These gems have adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a favorite of Cleopatra.

Pearls continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of beauty and purity. Pearls are the perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown. Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs offers June birthstone earrings in both Swarovski Crystal Pearl and Light Amethyst Swarovski Crystal (the alternate Swarovski Crystal birthstone which is more affordable than Alexandrite, the traditional birthstone of June).

img


The June birth flower is the rose, or the honeysuckle, as roses and honeysuckles bloom throughout June. June is also sometimes called the "Rose month."

June is known for the large number of marriages that occur over the course of the month. With June being named after, Juno or Hera, the goddess of marriage and a married couple's household, some consider it good luck to be married in this month.

Pearl is also the suggested anniversary gift for the 30th wedding anniversary.

Read More »