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.

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NEW Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Awareness Bracelet

For some individuals, not only are they affected by cystic fibrosis, they are also faced with related diabetes issues. Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD) is extremely common in people with CF. This unique type of diabetes remains the inspiration for our unique selection of designer beaded awareness bracelets.

Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Awareness Bracelet (B028-D2)
Designed to raise awareness of both cystic fibrosis and cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD), this beautiful handmade beaded bracelet sparkles with purple Swarovski Austrian Crystals and gray Pearls accented with sterling silver beads. Finished with a sterling silver awareness ribbon charm and our signature jewelry tag.

Purple is the awareness support color for cystic fibrosis, which is often referred to as 'sixty five roses' by young children. Gray is the awareness support color for diabetes.

Beaded Bracelet measures 7-1/2"

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More International Shipping Options

Over the years, Crystal Allure Jewelry has been shipped worldwide. Although in the last few years, we had scaled back our shipping options in response to website host changes.

Well, today, I'm happy to announce we have re-opened shipping options to Australia and New Zealand!

We're slowly opening back up our expanded international shipping options. And now you can have Designer Handcrafted Beaded Jewelry by Crystal Allure shipped to anywhere in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom -and now Australia and New Zealand!

If you're interested in having Crystal Allure Jewelry shipped to you but don't see your country listed, simply contact us prior to checking out.

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Custom Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Custom Swarovski Crystal Stack Earrings (E044-E047)

Joyce had visited the Crystal Allure Jewelry website and found a pair of earrings that would coordinate with a crystal necklace her brother-in-law purchased for her sister. She contacted me to create a custom pair of emerald Swarovski Crystal earrings to complement this necklace and she also requested a custom pair in sapphire too.

We took an existing handcrafted beaded earring design and customized it a little more to fit her needs and desires. The results were simply stunning. A minimalist look in a purely feminine style with a hint of sparkling presence.

One of the things I love most about Swarovski Crystal is there are endless possibilities when it comes to color and cut options. I find I could make the same earrings 20 times over and never get bored with the brilliance of Swarovski Crystals. Their quality is unmatched which is why they are the hallmarks of my designs.

Enjoy your earrings Joyce!

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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.

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NEW Awareness Bracelet: Ovarian Cancer Survivor

The Transplant Awareness Survivor Heart Bracelet has been so popular that I customized it in red for a customer in celebration of her daughter's heart transplant anniversary. I love every design I produce and especially love this design so I have begun expanding the design for other awareness causes and colors.

Now available at Crystal Allure is our teal Ovarian Cancer Awareness Survivor Heart Bracelet. A sparkling beaded strand of Swarovski Crystals, sterling silver beads and letter heart beads, finished with our signature jewelry tag.

Call me unaware but I was completely surprised to learn PAP smears do not detect ovarian cancer. Then what the heck do I do them for? I know. Precaution. But still, my whole focus of doing them was because I had thought (up to today) that they detected ovarian cancer, if it existed.

How about you? Did you believe PAP smears detected ovarian cancer?

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About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer has long been called “The Silent Killer”, because it usually isn’t discovered until its advanced stages. However, early-stage ovarian cancer does produce the following symptoms:

-Abdominal bloating, pressure or discomfort
-Frequent urination or gas
-Persistent nausea, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea
-Unexplained weight gain or loss
-Fatigue or backaches
-Abnormal bleeding or pain with intercourse

Listen to your body and if in doubt, see your doctor. YOU are your best advocate.

Help spread the word: Ovarian Cancer -"It Whispers -So Listen!"

Other Facts:
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Teal is the nationally recognized ribbon color for ovarian cancer awareness and support.

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Gift Idea: Pretty is a Pendant

Fuchsia Venetian Crystal Beaded Pendant Set (P09)

You know the old saying "the best things come in small packages"? I, for one, believe that to be very true! And just in time for the holidays, a perfect stocking stuffer is a beaded pendant from Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry or better still a Pendant Gift Set.

Each pendant arrives on a sterling silver chain and gift packaged in our lovely signature organza bag.

Already have one, two or more of our beaded pendants and just need the pendant, without a chain? No problem! Simply email me prior to placing your order and I'll adjust the item for you.

A single pretty pendant drop necklace lends a demure touch to your femininity. Pair with the matching earrings and OH-LA-LA!

View Beaded Pendants and Pendant Gift Sets

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NEW The Great Beaded Pumpkin Keychain

Love pumpkins and wish you could have them year round? Now you can with our adorable Halloween Pumpkin Charm Crystal Lampwork Beaded Keychain (K103).

There's no need to be afraid of our adorable Jack-O-Lantern beaded keychain! A "scary" strand of black and orange Swarovski Crystals and an artisan lampwork glass bead are host to an adorable sterling silver pumpkin keychain. Total length (including ring) 3-3/4".

Our pumpkin keychain is also perfect for attaching as a charm to book bags or school backpacks!

In keeping with the theme of autumn pumpkins, we also have available a new category of beaded gifts: zipper pulls and purse charms. Add them to purses, handbags, book bags, tote bags, luggage, jean belt loops, you can even clip them on shoelaces! The possibilities are endless.

Wicked Witch Lampwork Zipper Pull Bag Charm (ZP101)
Scare up some frightful style by simply clipping our wicked witch beaded lampwork zipper pull bag charm on your coat, jacket, jeans belt loop, purse, handbag, school bag, book bag, luggage or anywhere you can think of. Or grab two and clip to your shoelaces for double the fun! Total length 2-1/4".

Pumpkin Patch Lampwork Zipper Pull Bag Charm (ZP100)
It's the Great Pumpkin! Fall pumpkin lovers will just adore this lovely lampwork beaded zipper pull. Easily attaches to coats, jackets, purses, handbags, tote bags, jean belt loops, shoelaces -well, just about anywhere! Total length 2".

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NEW Personally Yours Purple Heart Beaded Keychain

NEW to the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs boutique, is a beautiful, customizable Personally Yours Purple Heart Picture Frame Charm Beaded Keychain K104.

We designed it -you can personalize it! Our beautiful beaded keychain features a heart-shaped picture frame to personalize with a picture of your loved one or favorite pet. Accented with stunning dark and light purple glass beads, Swarovski Crystal Pearls, sterling silver beads and Bali.

Total length (with ring) 4"

Not so much a key carrying person? No worries! The Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs collection of handmade beaded keychains are versatile enough that you could even stylize your handbag, purse, computer bag, or well, any bag by simply slipping the ring onto the handle. So go ahead -Unlock Your Style with a beautiful beaded keychain by Crystal Allure!

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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!

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