Blinged Out on SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

It's official, bling is not just for the glam rockers anymore, and it goes way beyond adding a few crystals to your high school notebook.  This technique is everywhere and if you are looking for bling, the name you need to know is SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.  "Blinging" is the art of putting crystals on everything... and I mean everything.  It used to be only on small scale things like key chains, jeans and cell phones.  However, in recent years people have been going crazy with the art of Bling. "Blinging out" has officially been taken to a whole new level.  Check out this car that has been covered top to bottom in crystals!  I can't imagine the word "practical" was ever mentioned when someone had this idea, but it definitely has a wow-factor.

By using rhinestones and chatons, you can bling just about anything. They even make your massive blinging projects easy to accomplish with specialized application tools to help you get a hold of the little beauties.


I find myself wanting to bling everything in sight but I think I will need to get some new sunglasses first - talk about blinding.  Or maybe I can bling my sunglasses!  There is really no limit to what you can do with these crystals, and whatever color you are looking for, it is out there.  I have even found some really beautiful mosaics and portraits using these crystals.  There certainly is an artistry to this. 

Blinging doesn't have to be over the top.  In fact, just adding a little bling here and there can give something a great personal touch.  We use this technique in our designs here at Beadaholique, but as you can see from all the examples in this blog, blinging out jewelry is just the beginning.

What would you choose to Bling?

Don't forget to check out our SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS sale going on now through February 3!  Take 35% off Select SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS with the code: 35SALE

Featured Brand of the Month: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Week Four

Cosmic Diva Earrings in Pink

For the final week of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, I want to focus on their fancy stones. They are among the most unique shapes and sizes that SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS offers of their beautiful crystal elements. There is a wide variety of applications for these stones. For example, in Megan's Cosmic Diva Earrings, she actually layers two fancy stones onto a stamping blank to create this crystal bezel look. Many of these stones have the perfect corresponding findings and settings to make your design come together easily. SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS uses machine faceted precision cuts in all of their crystals and stones and what I find fascinating is how they use this same technology to cut their more abstract shapes like the Cosmic Square Ring. 


Featured Video: How to Use the Crystal Applicator

In this video, our designer Julie shows you how to use the very handy Crystal Applicator tool to apply snap fasteners and decorative buttons to your designs. This tool is very easy to use and you get professional results in mere minutes. A great tool for jewelry design, fashion, and home decor. Look here for more tools to help you with your crystal application.


Designer Picks

Julie

My favorite fancy stone has to be the classic Round Stone Chaton. These come in so many sizes and colors that you can always find just that perfect accent to match your design. I particularly like tiny pp10s in Metallic Light Gold, Rose Gold, and Jet Metallic Silver.






Megan

I love fancy stones - they have beautiful sparkle and they tend to make me think outside the box.  My favorites are the Rivolis and the Cosmic Ring (the same two stones I used in the earrings Kat mentioned above, actually).  I love to find new ways to use the Cosmic Ring.  It is such a cool shape and tends to result in interesting pieces.  One of my favorite Cosmic Ring colors is Crystal Vitrail Light.  The colors are gorgeous in this effect!




Kat

My selection is the Cabochon Chatons in Matte Antique Pink. I love all of the cabochon chatons because they are just as eye catching as the other faceted chatons. Some of the colors like Jet Hematite even have a mirror-like effect that can be stunning.





Karlin

I am instantly drawn to the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Crystal Rivoli in Silver Night. These rivoli stones are quite versatile and I specially love the striking color. You can use this stone for so many different styles of jewelry; perhaps in a pendant or as a link or even embedded in Crystal Clay. So sparkly and pretty!

Contest Update: Chain!

Julie's Urban Waterfall Necklace

For some jewelry designers, chain is the stuff you hang your creations on, and that's pretty much where it ends.  But chain can be so much more than that!  I love using chain as a design element - from a simple chain swag on a necklace or earring, to creating a statement piece made almost entirely of chain. 

Megan's Cameron Bracelet

Have you made a piece that you love using chain as part of the design?  If so, you should enter it into our current design contest: Chain!  You could win one of two $100 Beadaholique gift certificates, as well as gain exposure on our Facebook page and here on our blog.  The entry deadline is February 4th, so you still have time to make something if you don't have a piece on hand. 

The Duchess Ring by Megan

For more information on how to enter and for all of the terms, please see our original contest post here.

Good luck!

-Megan

Featured Brand of the Month: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Week Three

For week three, let's talk about beads - SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal beads to be specific. When a crystal bead is designed by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, they carefully plan each facet to give every shape it's own unique sparkle. Of course, I don't have to tell you just how beautiful these beads are. See for yourself.

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Bicones

When you are looking at our website you will notice that there is a sketch of each bead to really show of the unique shape of each.  Also you will notice that many of the beads have 3D visuals so you can see the facets in action.  For example, look at the 3D visual for the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Helix Bead.





Designer Picks:


Julie

I probably use bicones the most in all my projects because they are so very versatile but it is fun to switch things up and use some of the other SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS bead shapes as well. I particularly like the Stairway (Square) bead and its faceted puff design. I used these when I created the Enchanted Waltz Earrings and I think they add a really unique look to the design.



Megan

While it's true that bicone beads are a major go-to for so many of us, I have to say that one of my favorites of the less commonly used bead shapes are the Round Mini Beads.  The mini beads have such a pretty style, with a beautifully faceted flat surface.  I love to use them in multiples, like I did in my Layla Earrings, and let them sparkle.





Kat

I am instantly drawn to the classic shape of the rondelle bead. I just cannot get enough of the beautiful facets and how they catch the light. I used the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS 8mm crystal rondelles in Crystal Astral Pink in my Cabo Adventures Bracelet to bring out the gold and pink strands of this bracelet. I think the rondelles really make this bracelet stand out.

Karlin

I like the simplicity and versatility of bicone beads, especially in Crystal Bronze Shade. I used this bead in my Boho Chic Earrings and think they add a subtle sparkle that can be easily translated into different styles of jewelry. Some of my other favorite colors of bicone beads include Jet Hematite and Crystal Satin.





Don't forget to check out the beautiful SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal pearls as well. They are wonderful to incorporate into your design.

A Sneak Peek at CzechMates Triangles!

Our CzechMates Triangle Beads are now available!  See all of the gorgeous colors HERE.

I'm really excited that we're adding all of the CzechMates 2-Hole System to our website.  I'm such a fan of bead weaving, and the different shapes of these beads offer so many new possibilities.  Be sure to check out our new selection as it goes live over the next couple of days.

One of the shapes I'm having fun experimenting with is the brand new CzechMates Triangle Bead.  It hasn't even been released yet, so I thought I'd give you all a little bit of a teaser and show you what's on my table today.  I've been working on a sort of modified triangle stitch using these unique new beads that I'm simply thrilled with.  The peaks of the triangles give such a dynamic look to the stitch!

These little beauties will be released in February, and wait until you see the colors and finishes - they're drool-worthy!  Keep an eye out for them, and for some new inspirational projects to help you get started with these new beads.

-Megan

Featured Brand of the Month: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Week Two

This week I want to highlight the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal pendants. Their pendants run the gamut of shapes from architectural, like the Avant Garde pendant, to whimsical, like the Starfish pendant. They serve as great focal pieces to a stunning design.  By offering a variety of sizes, I find that I can use the smaller ones for earrings, and when I want to be brave I can go for a larger statement pendant.  With over 65 unique shapes, sometimes it's hard to choose. 

Featured Video: How to Use a Pinch Bail

This is wonderful video that shows you an easy way to utilize some of these pendants in your designs by using a pinch bail. The Golden Goddess Necklace, by Julie Bean, is the perfect example. In this design, Julie used a pinch bail on the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Crystal Navette pendant to secure it to a fern connector bar.

Designer Picks for SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Pendants

Julie

My favorite pendant has to be one of the smaller ones offered by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, the Xilion Pendant. I love how the facets catch the light and sparkle on these round little accent pieces. One of my favorite applications is to wire wrap a round form and then hang three to five 6mm Xilion Pendants from the wire wraps, so pretty!




Megan

It's hard for me to choose just one favorite SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS pendant as my favorite.  I love so many of them!  One that I continually come back to is the Helios Pendant.  It comes in vitrail medium (one of my favorite effects) and the facets sparkle with a gorgeous rainbow of colors.  It certainly packs a punch, and catches the eye!




Kat

One of my favorites is the Urban pendant. It is a new shape from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, released as part of their Fall/Winter 2014/15 Innovations. It's sleek and cool but still has all the facets that make it sparkle. This modern design looks stunning in one of their newest colors, Crystal Lilac Shadow.

Karlin 

I've always been a fan of vintage jewelry, and so I'm immediately drawn to the Flat Baroque Pendant by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. I like the touch of drama this piece offers, especially in Jet or Crystal Silver Shade. I would add this pendant to a longer dark chain, which I think would modernize it, but also keep its vintage feel.




Share your favorite SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Pendant with us in the comments below.  We would love to hear what speaks to you!

Featured Brand of the Month: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

As we kick off 2014, our chosen brand of the month for January is SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. They are known for their gorgeous array of precision cut crystals from Austria. You can tell that we all love these crystals, pendants and findings because we have over 500 projects that use SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. We just can't get enough. It is a good thing that they are always coming out with new shapes and colors for us to incorporate into our designs. Take a look here at the last few seasons of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Innovations.

This week is all about color and effects. A great feature on our website is the Shop by Color within the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS category. We have over 130 colors and effects to choose from. If you are instantly overwhelmed, the Color Carousel is a wonderful tool for finding color combinations. By rotating the main color, the wheel will adjust to give you three harmonious colors, two contrasting colors and one pearl color. I cannot tell you how helpful this is when you want to expand the colors in your design.

Once you have chosen your favorite color of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, I recommend using the Bejeweler Pro Tool for applying all your colorful flatback crystal rhinestones. This tool is so versatile, it works for many different sizes of crystals.

Designer Color and Effects Picks


Julie

Being a redhead, I am always drawn to various shades of green and I just love the selection that SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS offers. My favorite green has to be Palace Green Opal. There are not a lot of beads offered in this milky green color, but the ones that are available are gorgeous! To me this green has a vintage feel to it, circa 1940s and I love that! I can also see it worked into Moroccan or Middle Eastern designs.


Megan

I remember one of the first times that I went through and looked at all of the effects available in our SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS category.  I was instantly drawn to Heliotrope.  It's a gorgeous blend of blue, purple, and pink.  I love the rich colors and the subtle shifts when the light hits the surface.  Photos just don't do it justice!

Kat

I recently discovered my love for Crystal Astral Pink. This color has a unique bright pink and orange quality. This is a great color to use when you are looking to the color for direction in your design. I find that with crystal astral pink, the more facets in my chosen crystal the better. It only helps to bring out this beautiful color.

Karlin

I absolutely adore the color Black Diamond. It's the perfect mix of black combined with a little something extra. I love to pair it with findings in silver, as well other SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS beads in Jet. It's cool and a bit edgy, but still sparkly and elegant.

Be sure to check back every week in January for more about our brand of the month: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Beading Contest: Chain!

Chain comes in so many styles and is one of the most versatile components used in jewelry making. While others may think of chain as something you just hang a pendant on, jewelry designers know that chain can be used to make the pendant itself! Chain can be cut to custom lengths to serve as the foundation of a piece, as design accents, or even as the main focal. For our next beading challenge, we want to see your original creations featuring chain in some form.

For an idea of what we’re looking for, be sure to view our inspiration projects below. You’ll see chain of different styles and lengths used in a variety of ways. In our Tandy Earrings, bright sterling silver chain add movement and sparkle to a pair of earrings. With the Urban Waterfall Necklace, two colors of curb chain create a striking waterfall effect, and in our Cameron Bracelet, rolo chain and faux suede cord are woven together for an intricate look. Chain can be combined with so many other components—we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To enter, send a photo of your finished piece to us by 4PM PT on Tuesday, February 4th. Finalists will be chosen and posted on our Facebook for public voting on Wednesday, February 5th through the 12th. All finalists will also be featured in the next issue of The Beading Wire going out Thursday, February 6th.

Two winners, one domestic and one international, will each receive a $100 Beadaholique gift certificate and further exposure on our blog, website and in another issue of The Beading Wire. An Editor’s Pick chosen from the remaining finalists will receive a $50 gift certificate.

Rules/How to Enter:

Email us a clear, in focus, well-lit photo of a beading project of your own design which fits our theme and uses one or more products which can be found at Beadaholique. Email one photo, at least 500 px in width or height but no bigger than 1600 px wide and 1600 px tall, to challenge@thebeadingwire.com (do not use this for questions; contact us here) with the following included in your email:

Subject line: Name of Piece (Example: Hearts Unchained Necklace)

Body: Very important! In the body of your email, make sure to include the following:
full name—required
email address—required
country of residence—required
optional: a brief description of your piece

Important Dates:
Tuesday, February 4th @ 4PM PT: Last day to submit
Wednesday, February 5th: Finalists will be posted on our Facebook and notified via email. Public voting starts.
Thursday, February 6th: Finalists will be featured in the next issue of The Beading Wire sent to the entire Beadaholique email list.
Wednesday, February 12th @ 4PM PT: Voting ends. Winners will be notified via email within 2 business days and featured in the next issue of The Beading Wire.

Other Rules—Updated 11/2012:

One entry per person. If you send more than one entry, you may be disqualified. If your entry does not meet the “Rules/How to Enter” stated above, you may be disqualified. Winner must respond to our email notification within 2 weeks to claim gift certificate. No one person may win more than once every 12 months (excluding Editor’s Choice). By entering, you retain the rights to your original jewelry design but are giving Beadaholique, Inc. permission to use your submitted photo(s) on our websites, newsletter, Facebook, blog and other properties. For consistency and fairness, watermarks and other text or logos will be edited out of photos. We encourage finalists to promote their business, store or website in the comments for their entry, though please limit it to just one link/promotional comment. The terms and conditions that apply to all Beadaholique contests and giveaways also apply here.

Tips:
Send in a large, clear, and well-lit photo.
Try to use natural light to illuminate your photos.
Double check to make sure that your full name and email address are included in the body of your email. We continue to receive submissions with no contact information.