Accessorizing your nails with Swarovski crystals is a fun and popular fashion trend that enhances your everyday style!
The sparkling nail art trend began in glamorous Hollywood with celebrities desiring an additional special touch to their normal manicures. They always want to shine in a new stunning (and of-course sparkling) ways! This glitzy trend spread like wildfire and now is a style fave for fashionista’s around the world!
For long lasting glam, the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS can easily be applied into the wet layer of the top gloss gel after the color as been applied. Using the Crystal Katana tool is the fastest, and easiest way to set the stones into place. You can also apply the crystals using glue or regular nail enamel.
Watch this informative demonstration video on how to apply Swarovski Crystals to your nails and turn them into your newest most sparkling accessory!
I recently watched a very informative video on “how to make money selling your crafts” and wanted to pass along the insightful information. I have highlighted a few of the major bullet points for you and you can watch the full video below!
#1 ~How do I begin?
*Begin with the end in mind and define your niche (seen at the 1:57 mark on the video).
* It’s important to define your ultimate goal. What is it that you really want?
*What is driving the desire to sell? Is this a side project, is it a career path for you, is it pin money or do you want it to pay your bills?
It’s Important to Define Your Niche
*Is there a market for your product line?
*Investigate price points – can you be competitive on price with the current market?
*Do you want to sell wholesale, retail or both?
#2 ~How do I price my beautiful products?
Take the following things into account when pricing your work (seen at the 3:30 mark on the video).
*The market will establish a ceiling.
*Consider cost of goods sold.
*Take into account the amount of time you spent creating the piece. (consider the learning curve and price your work according to the time it takes you to create it when you are proficient at the technique).
*Intangible benefits of working from home should be factored in as well.
*Adjust your pricing based on if you are selling wholesale vs. retail.
#3 How do I Market My Products?
*Marketing is all about building and establishing relationships. (seen at the 6:06 mark on the video).
*Utilize Social Media! In today’s world, it is incredibly important to build relationships using social media.
The most important aspects: Have a Website, Facebook Page, Blog Regularly, Pinterest, Twitter and Newsletters. These are great places where your creativity and personality can shine! Have fun with these, allow your passions for life to shine through. The more your customers get to know you and/or your brand, the more they learn about your story and the history behind your products, the more loyalty they will have for you and the better they will feel about supporting you and your work. You have to ware all of these hats to be affective in today’s market!
*Building a Website : (seen at the 6:15 mark on the video).
~You can hire a professional or do it yourself. A good web hosting company makes it easy. Decide on a shopping cart or brochure site.
*Elements of a Good Website (seen at the 6:41 mark on the video).
~Clean and well organized. Promote a cohesive brand and image. Good pictures are an absolute must. Link to all your social media outlets and contact information. Make frequent updates to your home page to keep it fresh and helps with search engine optimization.
*Facebook Business Page (seen at the 8.30 mark on the video).
~It’s important to attract “fans” because those fans have friends that see what they “Like” which will grow your clientele. Post fun and informative updates, use lots of bright colors/pictures that link back to your blog, website etc.
* The Importance of Blogging (seen at the 9:02 mark on the video).
~It’s a great way to establish a personal relationship with your customers and prospective customers. Drive traffic to your site by attracting search engines to your website. Engage your reader with a story and don’t try and sell products here, Your website and newsletters should serve that function.
*Blogging Etiquette (seen at the 10:17 mark on the video).
~Use a great title! Give your reader something of value. Use lots of great pictures. Content should be rich in organic search terms. Be YOU! Don’t be afraid, It can be fun and informal, most of all let people get to know you.
~Utilize free tools to track and analyze the performance of your social media outlets such as statcounter.com and Alexa.com.
Bracelet Design Inspiration ~ Summer Grace Charm Bracelet made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS
DIY Swarovski Crystal Charm Bracelet Design and Instructions below.
I was sitting in the middle seat of an airplane the other day chatting with the people next to me and the gentleman to my left complimented me on my Swarovski crystal bracelets which grabbed the attention of the young lady to my right.
She perked up and said enthusiastically, oh yes gorgeous, I love Swarovski crystals!
It’s certainly wonderful to meet people who love and admire Swarovski Crystal Beads as much as I do. They were very impressed that I had made the jewelry myself, which I have to admit, felt really great that they appreciated my designs so much. It got me thinking about the status of the Swarovski brand. I suppose the age old saying “you get what you pay for” really applies to crystals. Yes, Swarovski is a higher end product because of its superior quality, clarity and faceting structure, yet it remains affordable to many people, of whom especially value excellence. People appreciate and are always drawn to exceptional products.
People have also truly embraced the idea that they can do many things themselves. The DIY market has exploded in popularity recently and it’s because when you make something yourself, there is an added benefit of feeling talented, skillful and capable of achieving things on your own.
Self sufficiency, now that is universally a very powerful feeling!
There is a genuine sense of pride when you take the rains and accomplish things yourself! You automatically infuse more value into what you have done, you appreciate it more and the enthusiasm that comes from creating something beautiful is poured into your next project, the next and the next. You come to the realization that you yourself are creating a continuous cycle of creativity, joy and self expression that is fun and immensely rewarding!
In the spirit of “Do It Yourself” here is a beautiful Swarovski Crystal Charm bracelet waiting to be made by you!
I thought I would have a little fun this Friday by sharing my favorite no bake, chewy almond butter granola bar recipe with you! They are oh so dangerously good, packed full of healthy ingredients to keep your energy level up while you’re having fun making jewelry!
I love making these little sweet & healthy treats for a great snack around the house and they are always kid, friends and family friendly. Everyone Loooooves them & can’t seem to get enough…myself included!
I have tweaked this recipe from a few different ones I’ve tried over the years. The great thing about these is that you can add or remove anything your heart desires.
Lets start with the yummy ingredients:
1 lb of freshly ground almond butter
(I have tried almond butter from a jar but it’s just not the best and I do not recommend it. It doesn’t have the right consistency and it’s certainly not as tasty)
1 lb chopped mixed nuts
2 cups low fat granola
1 cup oats
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup dark or light corn syrup
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup of coconut flakes for the top
1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips for the top (my favorite is Ghirardelli white chocolate chips)
Directions:
Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper. Set the stove to low heat. In a medium pot (about a 6 quart pot) mix all of the ingredients together. Once everything is mixed well, pour into your lined pan spread out evenly pressing everything together and and to your desired thickness. Add the remaining coconut flakes and chocolate chips to the top and gently press them into the mixture. Cover and refrigerate over night. Once they are cold, cut into your desired bar or bite size pieces. Keep these in an air tight container refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
Here’s a little secret…I couldn’t even get through writing about these tasty little nuggets of joyfully packed goodness without enjoying one myself. They’re just too good! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do and please feel free to post your favorite snack or sweet treat recipe for all to enjoy!
Rock Star Pharrell Williams Shines from Head to Toe!
Pharrell’s Sparkling Swarovski Shoes (courtesy of Swarovski)
Pharrell Williams sure knows how to make a style statement with the sparkliest Adidas shoes I’ve ever seen!
Pharrell celebrated his 41st Birthday in the most stylish way possible, by rock’n these stunning Swarovski embellished Stan Smith custom Adidas kicks. Pharrell debuted these unique and dazzling shoes during his April 5th “Saturday Night Live” performance and then again on Monday April 7th during his “Good Morning America” performance.
These babies shine with over 1600 Swarovski Crystal Flatbacks in a variety of 15 shapes and sizes, which took over 10 hours to apply each crystal by hand.
“Pharrell was inspired when he saw a pair of our crystallized platform shoes and he wanted to recreate the effect by customizing his Stan Smith [Adidas]sneakers,” a Swarovski spokesperson tells Billboard. “He handpicked the size, shape and color of the crystals he was looking for and worked with our creative team to bring his idea to life.”
There’s a chance Williams may have started a trend. The one-of-one sneakers are getting “an amazing response,” notes the rep. “Everybody wants a pair.”
You too can create your one-of-a-kind sparkling sneakers! Choose your favorite Swarovski Flatbacks and glue them on using E6000 glue. It’s that simple!
Harmony's Rainbow 