Spring brings forth a New Brand for Crystal Allure

What started out as a "freshening up" of the Crystal Allure brand, has turned into a full-on website, logo and brand restyling project! Before the end of March I'll be introducing a new brand for Crystal Allure. Since this past friday, I have been working with a fabulous designer and I'm super excited to introduce her when the project is finalized.

As many of you know, the concept of Crystal Allure came about because of my love for Swarovski crystal. My goal with Crystal Allure was to offer luxury handmade jewelry at affordable prices, with a variety of styles to choose from that ranged between beaded to wire-wrapped. I can't even count the number of times I've changed the website look, but over the years, as we all do, we learn something new everyday. While I sat looking at the website this past week, I had a "gee...." moment and decided Crystal Allure is ready to take the next step to further the success of the brand and company. I hope you will be as excited as I am and rest assured, the brand may look different but you will continue to receive beautiful, quality handmade jewelry and personalized customer service.

Reflecting my love for Swarovski, I happened to stop in the local Swarovski retail store this past weekend and picked up the pen pictured above. I was told it has over 500 crystals in the top of the pen! Now that makes for a stylish writing instrument! Hmmmm....I wonder if it could write in sparkling ink?!

Crystal Allure Jewelry now accepts Google Checkout!

I'm very happy to announce we now accept Google Checkout. As with everything it seems, it has been a long time coming but it's finally here! When you are ready to checkout you now have the option to "Go To Payments" and pay by credit card or PayPal or choose "Google Checkout" to checkout with well...Google!

I should probably warn you too that I have been tinkering (once again) with the website. In fact, I've changed it slightly twice in the last three days and now I'm looking at possibly re-branding. As I sat looking at the site today, a light bulb went off and I realized I didn't think the site look was conveying what I wanted. So, I've begun exploring new options and quite possibly you'll see something new coming down the road.

In light of these changes, I'd LOVE to hear from you. I'm looking to hear your thoughts on what you think, feel, "see" when you think of "Crystal Allure Jewelry"? Feel free to contact me directly or leave a comment below. Any thoughts on the current look is greatly appreciated too.

Enter the $1,000 Shopping Spree! -Ends March 4, 2010

Artbeads 10th Anniversary Sweepstakes for the $1,000 Shopping Spree will be ending at Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 11:59pm (PST). The contest is open to United States and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) over the age of 18.

The Beauty of Spring -Freshwater Pearl Handmade Necklace

At the beginning of February I was invited to join the Artbeads Design Partner Blog Program. All I would have to do is blog about the bead products I receive. It was difficult to choose which products I wanted to try out and after a few days of pondering design ideas, I decided to go with some lovely Freshwater Pearls. Of course, I couldn't help but to also get some Swarovski Crystal accents to use in the design.

February was themed as The Beauty of Spring and I was given free reign to interpret this theme in my own creative way. No restrictions (love it!). So my interpretation included a sterling silver dragonfly charm I already had in stock. I chose three distinct freshwater pearl colors: olive, light blue and peacock with a light sapphire crystal for accent. I was especially interested in seeing the luster of the pearls as my idea to include a dragonfly charm in my design, represented to me that irridescent shimmer of the dragonfly.

Using these beautiful pearls and crystals, I wire wrapped them along with some sterling silver rings. The focal dragonfly charm is made even more beautiful as it slips through a hand wrought and hammered sterling silver teardrop loop for a lovely lariat style Handmade Freshwater Pearl Necklace.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with the products I received. I rarely work with freshwater pearls and the size, shape and luster were right on target for my delicate design.

Disclosure: As a Design Partner of Artbeads.com, I periodically receive products, beads and/or components free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I have in no way been compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

And the Winner is......

Congratulations to LADYPIE for winning the Tracy Iolite Earrings from Jewelry by Jackie!! The winner was chosen by random.org and I didn't find anyway to contact this person, so hopefully, she is following the blog. LADYPIE please contact me no later than February 28th to claim your prize (use the "contact us" link at the top of the page). Should I not hear from LADYPIE by the 28th, another random winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated and left comments on Jackie's Jewelry and a big thank you to Jackie for offering her lovely earrings as a giveaway.

NEW Jewelry: Beaded Chain Gemstone Necklace

As it was, I had intended on blogging about this new beaded necklace on Friday. But, Studio Friday consisted of spending just about the entire day trying to figure out computer problems and why I couldn't connect to the internet. Very frustrating to say the least.

It's still pretty cold here in Rochester, New York but with the sun coming out more I was recently inspired to design some jewelry with a lighter feel to it. I've had these Golden Strawberry Quartz gemstones for a while now and I am absolutely thrilled with the end result.

This necklace is the first in a series of beaded chain necklaces that will be designed for the upcoming Spring and Summer months. I had been looking over past designs and have always liked the style of the Peas in a Pod Nephrite Jade Beaded Chain Necklace because it incorporates a little of everything I like: beading, chain and wire wrapping.

What is so unique about the Golden Strawberry Quartz Gemstone Beaded Chain Necklace are the gemstones! In beautiful shades of brown, pink and cream, you can see a mix of bright yellow and orange in the brown gemstone beads. Adding to its' unqiueness is the fact, that no two gemstones are exactly alike.

The Golden Strawberry Quartz handcrafted beaded necklace is accented with an elegant sterling silver chain and circle links (another favorite of mine!) for a touch of modern allure.