I like the, shall I say the “simplicity” or “effortlessness” the wire wrapping look gives to jewelry. I don’t mean to say the process is simple or effortless because there can be many complexities in wire wrapping. But because there is no soldering or heating of the wire, the end design gives a whimsical and natural look that I love.
Swarovski Crystal Beaded and Wire Wrapped Earrings
Examples of wire wrapping and beading techniques date back thousands of years ago from the Sumerian Dynasty and Ancient Rome. In this day-in-age where the DIY market has exploded in popularity, wire wrapped jewelry is a wonderful technique that can be learned and all kinds of people can create beautiful and unique designs for themselves and as gifts.
People love to harness their desire and create something new and unique themselves. There’s a deep satisfaction that comes from learning, doing and creating something beautiful and that’s why I wanted to celebrate wire wrapping as a fabulous way to add your own special touch to a unique piece of jewelry.
Watch this Basic Wire Wrapping video Tutorial with Swarovski Crystal and Beadalon
I hope you enjoy this video tutorial and have been inspired by these beautiful handmade pieces of jewelry, wrapped in wire – of course!
Let’s face it. There are times when we all get overheated, and we would do anything to cool off. Well, guess what? There’s an accessory for that. Hot Girls Pearls are the first and only fashion accessory that provide natural relief for hot flashes caused by menopause, anxiety, heat waves, and anything that has you hot and bothered. Who knew hot flash relief could look so good!
If you’re hot flashing, flushed, flustered, feverish, fuming, flaming, fried, or flabbergasted, Hot Girls Pearls is your fabulous, freezable, fashion‑forward, frosty fix.
“SPARKLING Sunset” Pearl Bracelet 8.25 inches with Crystal Embedded Magnet Clasp and Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone Rondelles including an Insulated Travel Purse with Ice Pack Included.
Disguised as a lovely strand of trendy, yet classic pearls, this natural cure for hot flashes instantly and effectively reduces body temperature, and makes you feel cool, calm and collected. It also keeps you looking fabulous! With over-sized pearls filled with nontoxic cooling gel, these elegant necklaces get arctic cold in the freezer. Then, they stay nice and icy cool on you!
“SPARKLING Moonlight” Evening Collection 16 inch Necklace with Crystal Embedded Magnet Clasp and Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone Rondelles including an Insulated Travel Purse with Ice Pack Included. Freeze and ware to cool down.
An excellent companion to the necklace is the Insulated Travel Purse with Ice Pack (Included). For maximum cooling time HOT GIRLS PEARLS are stored inside Travel Purse in your freezer and carried in purse between wears. They aren’t designed to stay cold all day, but to deliver a lasting icy blast, capable of extinguishing even the hottest of flashes.
How long will my Hot Girls Pearls stay cool? From the moment you snap your pearls around your neck or wrist and gasp as you feel that heavenly relief, you can expect the chill to last up to an hour depending on the environment. Using the insulated travel purse will keep your pearls cool for up to 5 hours!
Having worked as an art director for fashion magazines and department stores, Constance Sherman knows a thing or two about style. And she wasn’t about to let a little thing like hot flashes cramp hers. She came up with the brilliant idea of combining a cooling agent with a fashion-forward look through jewelry!
Just like a pearl in an oyster shell, HOT GIRLS PEARLS was one of those hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
I am always looking for designers to feature in upcoming posts. If you would like to be a featured designer that uses SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, please follow my blog and contact me at Rainbowsoflight.com. Thank you!
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.
This new alliance between Africa and Eastern Asia is having a huge influence on the design world, seen in the rediscovering of their beauty, craftsmanship, and individual aesthetic.
The theme reflects both a joyful celebration of the past, and the way forward.
PROGRESSIVE
_________________
THE MOOD
A unique, eclectic, and multilayered style that reflects the blend of traditional African and Asian craft and handwork techniques.
A mix of materials – Swarovski Crystals, Pearls,Beads, textiles, and metals – combine to create rich 3D surfaces with sculptural aspects.
A focus on layering, where Asian and African patterns combine with crystal to create unique patchwork, creates a cross-cultural design ethic.
Flat fabrics come alive with a focus on volume, texture, and tactility.
The importance of head-wear, both in Asia and Africa, gives rise to a new accessories direction – the reinterpretation of the turban.
Fabric becomes important in accessories for cost reduction and global production.
“Prints give products a cultural reference and identity.” (20/20 Consumer Insights)
Welcome to the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Spring/Summer 2015 Color and Jewelry Trend Inspirations ‘Traces of Time’
The trend and color inspirations below focus on the Romantic – Sunset Rituals theme.
ROMANTIC
_____________________
SUNSET RITUALS
This theme is based on the ancient tribal whisperings and sage teachings of our earliest ancestors, guiding us toward the things that really matter – food, shelter, and water.
A spirit of sustainable self-reliance makes creative use of everything found along life’s path to shape a personal vision.
For designers, fashionistas there remains a continuing strong demand for and emphasis on stories for their products. We currently desire a digital detox, encapsulated in the rise of the notion of becoming “unplugged” and the trend toward “mindfulness.”
A focus on nature’s immense power is echoed increasingly in design forms, structures, and materials.
THE MOOD
________________
Romantic jewelry is inspired by the lifestyle and beliefs of the desert tribes, concentrating more on the emotional value (e.g. talismans) than the technical execution.
Raw materials found in nature are used with shapes and surfaces, often left untouched, in irregular and rough forms with a strong focus on Crystal Pearls.
There is a reduction in fashion with the use of multifunctional pieces: a single piece of cloth doubles as a shawl, sarong, or a turban – offering shade, protection, or warmth – for a life on the move.
The rise of the tribe gains more prominence as people continue wishing to belong. As high-tech individuals we feel disconnected from Mother Nature; natural and primal designs help us reconnect with the earth.
SWAROVSKI PRODUCT INSPIRATION
__________________________________
Shapes are inspired by purely organic creations to embrace the “imperfect perfection” trend.
Basic, organic shapes come together in random – often asymmetric – order to create jewelry that looks like it is designed on impulse.
Inspiration is taken from untouched natural shapes and raw surfaces.
Imperfections and irregularity create a unique look.
There is an ongoing tendency to repair and care for valued items rather than replace them.
We will witness: “A casual bohemian styling direction inspired by global fringe culture and off-grid living.” (WGSN)
Products entail a certain talisman-like quality – true, simple, and honest, they speak to our innermost emotions.
SWAROVSKI TRANSFER FLAG
Surface color and finish feel neutralized and eroded by the sands of time while unexpected combinations, such as crystal and rough weave, create a sense of story and detail.
SWAROVSKI COMPONENTS FLAG
Evoking ancient tribal whisperings, this flag combines raw materials with a refined balance of Crystal Pearls and crystal.
Harmony's Rainbow 