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Check Us Out In HER Magazine
April 21st, 2008
 You can pick up your own copy at one of the convenient “pick up locations” listed on the site or sign up for their newsletter. Enjoy! Posted in Website News, In The Spotlight | No Comments »
Three New Jewelry Sets Added
February 22nd, 2008 I have added three new, one-of-a-kind, jewelry sets to the website. All are available for purchase and can be viewed in greater detail under the category: jewelry sets. Amethyst Twist Crystal Choker Necklace Set - Flirty and Alluring. Choker necklace features deep purple fiber optic twist tubes that lends a lusterous and luminescent quality to the set. The shimmer of the purple fiber optic tube is technically called chatoyancy. Accented with jet black Swarovski crystals and 14kt goldfill spacers. Necklace Set #: NES1-4A-208  Did you know? Cat’s Eye -or- Fiber Optic Beads start out from the same material used for fiber optic telephone cables, created from quartz fibers. The fibers are fused together and then machine cut into innumerable shapes and sizes. Who knew something so beautiful could come out of that! Sapphire Crystal Sodalite Rose Pendant Necklace Set - A sodalite gemstone carved rose is accented with sapphire Swarovski crystals, sterling silver spacers and black beads. Finished with a sterling silver lobster clasp. Designed with an everyday neutral black color, the sodalite rose and sapphire crystals lend a look of sophistication to this lovely set. Necklace Set #: NBS1-4A-208  Sapphire Blue Royal Pearl Necklace Set - A royal blue faceted glass teardrop pendant is accented with sapphire Swarovski crystals and Swarovski pearls in this lovely necklace and earrings set. Inspired by the stunning Princess Diana of Wales, this pearl and sapphire necklace set will look regal whether wearing a suit or jeans. Necklace Set #: NES2-4A-208 
Enjoy!
Posted in Website News, NEW Jewelry | No Comments »
New Pearl & Crystal Bracelet Sets
February 11th, 2008 All new pearl & crystal bracelet sets are available for purchase under our new category: jewelry sets. Be Mine Pearl & Crystal Heart Bracelet Set - Swarovski pearls are accented by pink Swarovski crystals that are surrounded by sterling silver. Straight from the heart is a sterling silver BE MINE heart charm. Delicate earrings feature sterling silver french ear wires. Bracelet Set #: BS2-5-208  Love You Pearl & Crystal Heart Bracelet Set - Swarovski pearls are accented by deep red Swarovski crystals that are surrounded by sterling silver. Straight from the heart is a sterling silver LOVE YOU heart charm. Delicate earrings feature sterling silver french ear wires. Bracelet Set #: BS3-5-208  Marry Me Pearl & Crystal Heart Bracelet Set - Swarovski pearls are accented by aurora borealis Swarovski crystals that are surrounded by sterling silver. Straight from the heart is a sterling silver MARRY ME heart charm. Delicate earrings feature sterling silver french ear wires. Bracelet Set #: BS4-5-208  Enjoy!
Posted in Website News, NEW Jewelry | No Comments »
Genuine Crystal by Daniel Swarovski
January 11th, 2008 The World’s Finest. Virtually all Crystal Allure jewelry uses genuine Daniel Swarovski crystal -either exclusively or in combination with other stones. Swarovski makes the world’s finest lead glass crystal and is a leader in jewelry component manufacturing as well as industrial glass and precision optics. The Swarovski Company uses only high lead content crystal glass. Typically, a full thirty-two percent of the glass is lead and lead oxide. The presence of lead increases the glass’s refractive index, bringing it closer to the same sparkle that a diamond has. By cutting the glass in just the right way, internal reflection from inside the shiny surfaces of the glass cause the light to reflect internally. This internal reflection results in sparkle as the glass is tilted, adding to its beauty and to the beauty of your jewelry. Aurora Borealis Effect (AB) Jewelry made with AB crystals displays more colors. This shimmering prism effect is caused by the reflections of light from surrounding colors in the environment. Think of the extra sparkle your jewelry would have if it was coated in millions of microscopic mirrors. This is the jewelry effect you get with Austrian Swarovski crystals coated in Aurora Borealis. During the 1950’s the Daniel Swarovski company made important advances in the development of its crystal production. It experimented with manufacturing processes in which the stones were coated with wafer thin metal particles in order to increase their sparkle. This process required the material to be steamed in a vacuum. In 1956 Manfred Swarovski, the grandson of the company’s founder, created the Aurora Borealis effect which shimmers in every color of the rainbow. To this day, Swarovski continues to demand the highest possible quality of their products to distinguish themselves from the rest of the market. They are incredibly secretive about their processes. Even their workers in the factories do not see what other workers are doing so that they cannot share any secrets with others. So when you are ordering crystal jewelry, and you want that extra shimmer, ask for the Austrian Swarovski Aurora Borealis crystal. Posted in Swarovski Crystal | No Comments »
RMSC Show Recap
January 9th, 2008 Back in November 2007 I participated in the local Rochester Museum and Science Center Holiday Show. It was my first show at this event and it was quite a large show, held inside and hosted a variety of fantastic artists. I was very pleased with the select number of jewelry vendors there as well as the fact that they were disbursed around the building. It was a great time and a terrific show for Crystal Allure. I was so busy that I was glad my husband with me (he’s so helpful and supportive!). He even made a sale while I was walking around the event. I found many benefits to this show: (1) it was held indoors -no battling the unknown elements; (2) it was near the holiday -great shopping times; (3) the vendors were spaced apart nicely and there was a limited number of jewelry vendors and; (4) the spaces were large enough to use three 6′ tables. Having all that space aloud me to put out quite a few of my pieces and really highlight them (using a small lamp). Sadly, I forgot my camera and didn’t get pictures of my set up. It was a three day show and both Friday and Saturday the show was brimming with people. Busy, busy, busy. But it was such a fun and exciting show and it was so relieving to be around other artists who took their craft seriously (and was their bread-and-butter). I’m really looking forward to the show in 2008! Although the whole event wasn’t “perfect”. I had an extremely rude woman actually study one of my pairs of earrings and then literally took them apart!!! When I saw her studying them (which are the classic signs of someone who is planning on copying your design) I went over to talk to her and explained the inspiration behind them. They were a dangly pair and she said she liked them but didn’t like the bottom dangle (and nonchalantly mentioned she had a friend who “might be able to fix them”). She then took them around a post (which separate two of my tables) to look at them in the mirror. While walking around the post, she actually had the gall to take the bottom dangle off them (they were assembled using a simple loop technique) so she could see them without the dangle. UGH! I was so peeved that someone actually took apart my creation and tried to hide it (and worse yet I honestly believe she felt it was within her right to disassemble my jewelry!). She then re-assembled them and put them back (now that she studied them long enough I’m sure she went and had her friend copy my design). Some people…ugh. The only other “mishap” was a young woman paid for a bracelet and pair of earrings using her credit card. They were a gift to her mother for Christmas. Well, I took all the info, but when I processed the card, it failed. Unfortunately, we are rarely given the exact reason why a card fails so my only recourse was to send her a letter telling her of the problem and offering another method of payment. Well, she did email me and said the card should work. I explained it’s possible I wrote the card number incorrectly (which if she can just call me, we can verify the numbers) or she could send me a check. On into late December I had yet to hear from her (very disappointed I must say) so I send her an invoice and requested payment by check. Needless to say, the show was in November, it is now middle January 2008 and this woman never paid me! Can you believe it?! That is so rude. Here she gives her mother handmade jewelry that cost me supplies, labor and design time and never paid for it (I wonder what her mother would think of her for that). I guess it’s true some people just don’t have a conscience… All things considered, it was a terrific show and I was so happy to be a part of it. I received fantastic comments on my jewelry designs, had an opportunity to find out what customers are looking for in their jewelry and did great in sales. Thank you to all who purchased one of my Crystal Allure designs and for those of you who signed up for the newsletter -stayed tuned to your emails…there will be an open house being announced in early 2008! Stephanie Posted in Events & Show Talk | No Comments »
I Took The Pledge -Will You?
January 2nd, 2008 What is this? A pledge to buy handmade, during the holidays and everyday. You can make your pledge at buyhandmade.org where at last count there were 11,228 pledges.  Why buy handmade? Various reasons are listed on the site but one I can truly appreciate, being an designer/artist myself is -uniqueness and connection. With mass production, you get lower quality cookie cutter products. Personally, I get so tired of going into stores only to find mass-produced products -EVERYWHERE. Granted we may not be able to replace all our purchases with handmade items, but when you can wouldn’t you prefer a unique one-of-a-kind or limited edition product? Just the other day, I purchased a specific glass vase for two reasons. The first, I had an idea for it. The second, because it was handmade and handblown in Poland (which is part of my heritage). Sure I could have purchased another glass vase for a little less, but why when I could get a handmade item of good quality? And you know what? I love that vase! Another good reason to buy handmade, is you get the opportunity to build a relationship (if you wish to) with that designer. So take a moment and visit buyhandmade.org and make your pledge. Keep in mind though, good quality handmade items are for sale all across the internet -not just on specific group type sites promoted on buyhandmade.org. Many serious artists have given their blood, sweat and tears (not to mention an arm and leg to finance their business expenses) to set up their online businesses so that they can offer their customers and visitors a pleasant shopping experience and unique, quality products. One only has to type “handmade” into a Google search to find all the fabulous handmade products available for sale! Or be more specific in your search string such as, “handmade crystal earrings“, etc. For unique handmade Swarovski Crystal & Gemstone Jewelry, visit CrystalAllure.com Posted in Coffee Break Chat | No Comments »
Wedding Tulle -Wedding Essentials
December 28th, 2007 I had the pleasure of celebrating my own 6th wedding anniversary this past December 22nd. Having been a December bride (mind you with no snow!) I am still enamored with all things sparkling and snowflake themed. That said, I was introduced to a very un-typical wedding company -Wedding Tulle, which provides “all the extras for an extra special wedding” that include stationery, accessories, favors and more. Bree Gianassi Little, owner and designer, has a simple goal: To bring color, fun, and just plain good taste to an industry that often surrenders to the comforts of tradition. Their studios’ stylish output aims to help brides jump out of the predictable wedding box. Their products speak to brides that feel overwhelmed by monstrous wedding invitation binders, petal paper and organza everything. I truly believe she has accomplished that goal and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this Snowflake Wine Stopper favor -and it’s only $2.50!! What a dazzling find for any winter bride!  And for those of you who are spring brides, you won’t be able to resist this dainty Miniature Natural Birds Nest favor either. It’s just adorable! If you’re having a spring wedding, get creative and use those egg-shaped malted candy eggs to put inside!  Whatever your theme or dream, you’re sure to find a spectacular and unique wedding need at Wedding Tulle! Posted in Coffee Break Chat | No Comments »
Real Gold Dipped Leaves
November 6th, 2007 It’s a sad thing when you purchase a particular bead/component for a jewelry design and end up not doing anything with it for nearly a year. Where does the time go?! What is so fantastic about the new pieces I’ve posted is that they come directly from nature. That’s right. Picked right off the tree (okay, well, maybe the ground?). And what better way to celebrate the peak of the fall season than to be adorned by these lovelies. This necklace and earrings are designed with real oak leaves that have been hand-dipped and electroformed with 24kt gold. Accenting these leaves are genuine Swarovski crystal copper set against the warmth of gold.
So how’d they do that? Electroformed Genuine Leaves The art of electroforming leaves - A real leaf is pressed flat and dried. Once dried, the leaf’s pulp is removed in a light acid bath, resulting in a fragile leaf skeleton. The leaf is dried once more and then hand painted with a copper based paint, which allows it to be electroformed. The leaf is next submerged in an electrolytic solution and with the magic of the positive/negative charges from electricity, over a 3 day period, metal deposits onto the copper based surface. 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. Prolong electroforming will also result in a more solid form. The final metallic leaf finish is dependent on the electrolytic solution used. 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. Posted in Website News, NEW Jewelry | No Comments »
Contest For November
November 6th, 2007 Newsletter subscribers -where are you?! Sadly, the September newsletter winner did not claim their prize of a lovely pair of earrings fashioned after purple grape bunches. That’s too bad, I love giving away beautiful jewelry. Well, this next contest comes at a perfect time. Just in time for holiday parties. Our November newsletter subscriber prize is a pair of sterling silver and sparkling genuine Swarovski crystal earrings in black and white. What a fantastic accent to any upcoming holiday party.
The winner is: claudia_dunn and she/he will have one week to claim their prize. Posted in Website News | No Comments »
Moss Agate
November 5th, 2007 I’ve posted a new moss agate and crystal necklace and earrings. This necklace design was strung using moss agate gemstones complemented by sterling bali and Swarovski crystals. Each moss agate oval is uniquely different through a natural process that creates bands and patterns within the gemstone.
Moss Agate is a chalcedony (pronounced kal-sed-on-ee) that is formed in the sedimentary process whereby viscous silicic acid has been penetrated with iron silicate solutions without becoming mixed (essentially weathered volcanic rocks). This creates streaked moss green inclusions. It is a semi-precious gemstone, which despite its name does not contain organic matter. Moss agate is one of the more modest members of the crystal world. It lacks the glitter of lapis lazuli, the radiance of clear quartz, or the chatoyance of tiger’s eye. However, this multi shaded green variety of agate looks similar to moss when viewed from a distance and if you examine a moss agate closely (and especially if you hold it up to the light) you may discover a world within it. When used in jewelry moss agate is believed to bring the wearer health, friends and riches. Moss Agate folklore: Midwives use moss agate to lesson pain during child birthing and to assure a good delivery. It is considered to be a stone of new beginnings and abundance. Healing properties of moss agate: ~Speeds up recovery Posted in Website News, NEW Jewelry, Gemstone Information | No Comments » |
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