Summertime Fun Summer Design Partner Gallery

I'm a little late in announcing this, but I'm still super excited!! My Summertime Designs and photo were the featured album cover for Artbeads' Summertime Design Partners Gallery II on Facebook!! Thanks Artbeads!

At the time I clipped the picture to the right, there were only 69 beautiful designer pieces in the album. Now there are over 110+!! Some of the pieces carried over the spring theme of butterflies and flowers, with tons of techniques used from beaded jewelry, wire wrap to bead weaving. I loved looking over the colors used and the unique vision each designer produced. Even the photo interpretations were stunning. You simply have to check them for yourself!

The Beauty of Spring Design Partner Gallery

Remember my interpretation of spring in my Freshwater Pearl Handmade Necklace design through the Artbead's blogging program? Well, they created a Beauty of Spring design gallery on Facebook to showcase the many fabulous designs from other blogging partners. At last count there was 129 inspiring photos and I was flattered to have my jewelry design showcased as the album cover! Thanks Artbeads!

The various interpretations were quite fascinating and if you click on the individual photos, you'll be shown a link to the artisan's original blog post about their design. As you might suspect, the theme of spring produced elements of butterflies, birds, flowers and more mixed with various techniques that included, beading, wire-work and beadweaving.

Photographing Beaded Jewelry & Pearls

If you are a jewelry designer or artisan, you know how absolutely frustrating it can be to get beautiful pictures of your designs. Quite by chance, I started having a discussion with Pearl over at the Beading Gem's Journal about the subject of photographing beaded jewelry, more specifically pearls. As if photographing jewelry wasn't hard enough as it is, pearls -they're a whole other ball game!

So, Pearl (yes, that is her name! ironic isn't it?!) decided to help me out by featuring my photography setup and photo results for Crystal Allure Designs using a before and after picture. The idea and hope of the post was to get some feedback from other designers (or even a professional photographer or two?) as to their experience in photographing their jewelry.
We would all love to hear your tips, tricks and comments. So head on over to the Beading Gem's Journal and participate in the discussion of "Taking good pictures of pearls is such a challenge!" (Photographic Inspirations, Part 2 of 3).

Thanks for the help Pearl and for featuring Crystal Allure Designs!

Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Featured

Today I learned Pearl over at The Beading Gem's Journal featured my Moss Agate Pearl Elegance Beaded Watch (W09) in one of her posts. Thanks Pearl!

Also, I received notification that our Watermelon Tourmaline Moss Agate Circle Gemstone Necklace (N077) is now featured/listed with >Beadage.

Check 'em out.

Crystal Allure's First Blog Award!!

Today I discovered Kristina from Bouncing Off The Walls Blog awarded Crystal Allure the One Lovely Blog award! We've never won/been awarded anything! Thanks so much for passing this award on to me!

Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person and company/blog name who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are some of my favorite blogs that I am passing this award onto, please check them out!

Modish Blog
The Beading Gem's Journal -check out the latest "Readers Gallery"!
Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!
Capitola Girl
Jewelry Business Blog by Rena Klingenberg
The Crafty Princess Diaries by Tammy Powley
Indie CEO -The Art of Independent Business
Katie Hacker's Beading Blog
Mixed Plate
Cuteable
Heart Handmade
Scoutie Girl -A penchant for the passionately handmade
Creature Comforts
Laurie Gale Designs
Spiffy Boutiques

Crystal Allure Featured on The Beading Gem's Journal

At the start of work today I found my Moss Agate Gemstone Pearl Beaded Watch (W09) was a listed feature in the new Reader's Gallery over at the The Beading Gem's Journal! So excited! Thanks Pearl.

Pearl had contacted me about her wish to include me in her Reader's Gallery and asked me which piece was most inspired or that I would like featured and why. I thought about it for a few days and hands down it was my beaded watches. Here's a summary of why and the particular watch chosen for the gallery:

Aside from being beautiful, our beaded watches are more than just a piece of jewelry:

(1) They are really bracelets -which are my favorite pieces AND they are what Crystal Allure is known for. As well, unlike other pieces of jewelry, when you purchase a bracelet (or watch in this case) you (the purchaser) actually gets the benefit of being able to admire the beautiful jewelry. It is for our enjoyment.

(2) They are functional for everyday life. Not only do you get the beauty of a bracelet but it serves a function of giving you the time in a world where our lives are so busy.

Moss Agate Pearl Elegance Beaded Watch (W09)

SOLD

If I were to highlight a specific watch that is currently available, it would be the Moss Agate Pearl Elegance Beaded Watch (W09). The reasons would be because of those listed above -I love green -and because prior to making it I had read that moss agate resembles moss or trees from a distance and it is said to assist in finding hidden treasures and it is believed to bring the wearer health, friends and riches. Which is something I would wish for the person who purchased it!

Check out the coordinating Moss Agate Gemstone Crystal Bali Beaded Necklace (N036)!

Crystal Allure Featured in the Indie Collective Spring 2009 Shopping Guide

The 2009 Indie Collective Spring Shopping Guide is here and it's packed with unique handcrafted items from innovative indie designers -including Crystal Allure!

We're so happy to be participating in this years Spring gift guide and it was a tough decision as to what beaded jewelry to choose to list. But, head on over to the gift guide and get a special discount offer for Indie Collective gift guide shoppers -from Crystal Allure to you!

Crystal Allure Featured on IndieSpotting!!

Today, my Watermelon Tourmaline Moss Agate Gemstone Necklace (N077) was featured on the front page of Indie Spotting Handmade Finds! -so excited!!
I don't know how long it will be featured on the main page, but if you've fallen in love with this beaded necklace as much as I have, don't wait to grab it up as it is a one of a kind!

Watermelon Tourmaline Moss Agate Gemstone Necklace (N077)

This handmade gemstone necklace features both moss agate gemstone and beautiful watermelon tourmaline gemstone nuggets. A sophisticated beaded necklace perfect for a hot summers' day!

You might remember these beautiful watermelon tourmaline nuggets in the Watermelon Tourmaline Gemstone Nugget Drop Earrings (E067) and a similar style necklace.

Blue Lapis Gemstone Snowflake Necklace Earrings

Today I received some great news. I checked my email and found a response to my jewelry submission to Beadage and my piece was accepted! The Blue Lapis Gemstone Crystal Filigree Snowflake Pendant Necklace (N069), below, was approved and added to the Beadage Gallery of designers! Yea!

Thanks Emma for including Crystal Allure Creations Jewelry in your gallery! Check it out

Blue Lapis Gemstone Crystal Filigree Snowflake Pendant Necklace (N069)

SOLD

This one of a kind handmade beaded necklace was inspired by glistening falling snowflakes against the midnight blue winter sky. Design features a beautifully cut silver metal filigree snowflake pendant accented with blue lapis gemstone, sparkling Swarovski Crystals, Bali spacers and sterling silver. Length is 18".

Pick up the matching earrings for a complete set:

Blue Lapis Beaded Gemstone Earrings (E214)

SOLD

A petite pair of handmade beaded earrings feature deep blue lapis gemstones with black inclusions paired with black jet Swarovski Crystals, Bali spacers and sterling silver.

View All Handmade Winter Beaded Jewelry and/or Snowflake Jewelry.

Crystal Allure Adorns Celebrities!

Pictured below is Lili Haydn with our exclusively designed Mother of Pearl Circle Earrings. These earrings were designed just for the What A Pair Celebrity Duet Event that took place in June.

I was very happy to see our earrings displayed front and center on the celebrity gift bag table all day (and in every photo!). And for those lucky few Crystal Allure VIP newsletter subscribers who purchased them during our limited time offer -you now own the very design gracing some of our favorite celebrities!

Photo of Lili Haydn courtesy of: It's In The Bag

Remember, if you're not already a newsletter subscriber you can sign up today for future exclusive VIP offers like this one. Just use the sign up box in the right hand column.

Read more about Crystal Allure Featured at What A Pair 2008

Crystal Allure Featured at What A Pair! 2008

The 2008 What A Pair! Celebration of Duets to Benefit Breast Cancer Research was held yesterday (June 8, 2008) in Los Angeles. I was very excited to participate in this years' celebrity gift bag with our exclusive designed Mother of Pearl Circle Earrings. A special thank you to Ronna with, It's in the Bag, for contacting me with interest in our jewelry designs.

Mother of Pearl Circle Earrings designed exclusively
for the 2008 What A Pair event

Celebrities who wear the Crystal Allure Mother of Pearl Circle Earrings!

The beneficiary of this years' event was the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) and the event was hosted by Jaclyn Smith, Lesli Linka Glatter and The John Wayne Family.
This years' event was attended by some of our favorite celebrities that included:
Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars)
Jessica Biel (7th Heaven, Elizabethtown, Blade: Trinity)
Mary Birdsong (Reno 911: Miami)
Deana Carter (Country music star and actress)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Christmas with the Kranks, Freaky Friday)
Loretta Devine (Dreamgirls, Grey’s Anatomy)
Joely Fisher (Til Death, Wild Card)
Deborah Gibson (Singer, Celeste In The City, Teen Queens)
Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls)
Jasmine Guy (A Different World, That’s so Raven)
Diana Harris
Marg Helgenberger (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)
Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion)
Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue)
Vicki Lewis (News Radio)
Jane Lynch (40 Year old Virgin, For Your Consideration)
Sarah Niemietz (Akeelah and the Bee )
Valarie Pettiford (Stomp the Yard)
Amy Pietz (Carolyn in the City)
Nina Storey (blues singer, Girlfriends)
Marcia Strassman (Providence)
Tierney Sutton (musician)
Lisa Ann Walter (War of the Worlds, Bruce Almighty)
Jennifer Leigh Warren (What’s Love Got To Do With It)
Maggie Wheeler (Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond)
Kathleen Wilhoite (Gilmore Girls, Firecracker)
Rita Wilson (Runaway Bride, Sleepless in Seattle)
Charlayne Woodard (ER, Law and Order)

Read the Prime News Wire Clip Report for the event.

Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs As Seen In

Crystal Allure as seen in HER Magazine

Celebrating the women of Rochester, New York, April/May 2008 HER Magazine for women.

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!

Crystal Allure on Grechens Closet

I am excited to announce Crystal Allure Creations is now listed with Grechens Closet. Here you will find a comprehensive list of shopping sites featuring independent designers and boutiques that you may not have heard of.

Crystal Allure Becomes a Member of the SRAJD

What is SRAJD? It is the International Organization for the Self-Representing Artist Jewelry Designer. It might sound like a mouth full but when you purchase from an SRAJD member, you are buying directly from and supporting the artist.

An SRAJD member sells the jewelry that they designed and created -nothing is mass produced.

When purchasing your jewelry this is an important designation because it speaks volumes about the artists' quality of work, craftmanship and dedication to their craft. As a consumer, I am much more inclined to purchase from someone who has created their work of art, sells it and stands behind it.

You will see this logo proudly displayed on our redesigned website, very soon!

Crystal Allure on Ebay

Are you more comfortable with using eBay? If so, you will now find Crystal Allure Creations has an active blog on eBay for your viewing pleasure. Although I do not have a store on eBay, I now have a blog.

Additionally, while in my eBay blog you can request an RSS feed and always know when new posts are made to the blog. You can visit and bookmark the Crystal Allure Creations eBay blog here:

Crystal Allure Creations on eBay

Crystal Allure On Craving Ideas!

I was just notified today that a few of my Crystal Allure Creations have been posted on Stephanie Q.'s Craving Ideas blog.


"I love the Trista watch ;-)"
Stephanie Q.

Crystal Allure on Fashion Fling

Crystal Allure is now listed with Fashion Fling

Check out their site for the latest deals and coupons, info about hot and upcoming designers (like Crystal Allure Creations!) and products, sample sales and events, contests, fashion and beauty advice, and much more!

Crystal Allure on Indie Collective

Crystal Allure Creations is proud to be listed at the Indie Collective.

The Indie Collective is a showcase of some of the most talented and creative designers. The Indie Collective includes one of the largest listings of artists & artisans creating handcrafted goods, as well as craft suppliers, designer-centric blogs & many other facets of the creative arts community.

Many of our designers also create limited edition or one-of-a-kind items, meaning you are not only shopping for gifts that are as unique as the designers themselves. You can also enjoy the extra attention and TLC that goes into the handcrafted wares our designers create.

We believe in inspiration. We believe in taking chances. We believe in originality. And we believe in spreading the word about others who work 24-7, 365 days a year to bring their unique wares to an audience held captive by mass-produced, warehouse-assembled merchandise.