I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover -Swarovski Crystal Clover!

Where did February go?! Seems like I just finished up some new beaded Heart Jewelry (which I never even got posted on the blog!) and it's already March! That said, I've been doing my best to try and not analyze why I just bought another strand of heart beads a week ago. :-)

Just this morning I looked up in the sky and saw the seasonal "V" of flying birds coming back our way. That's a good sign! A sign spring is on its' way.

Which means I gotta get myself in gear! Seems I hit a creative bump the last few weeks. But, I've got so many new and exciting things planned for Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry in 2013. So, let's get started!

Crystal Green Lucky Charms Shamrock Anklet (A113)

First up in the ever expanding handmade beaded anklet collection is the new St. Patrick's Day shamrock anklet. You will always have a lucky four leaf clover with you when you wear this lucky peridot green Swarovski Crystal clover beaded anklet. Design features peridot Swarovski Crystals, green glass seed bead accents and sterling silver beads. Finished with a double Swarovski Crystal charm drop and signature jewelry tag. Measures 10".

The way I see it is, you don't have to be Irish to wear green and, well, be Irish this St. Patrick's Day! Green is the color for prosperity and often symbolizes money. But ever wonder why the clover is associated with St. Patrick's Day?

History of Four-Leaf Clovers

We all know four-leaf clovers to be associated with St. Patrick's Day. But, did you know they appeared in centuries-old legends as symbols of good luck. In the early days of Ireland, four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms, presumed to offer magical protection and ward off bad luck. The first literary reference to suggest their good fortune was made in 1620 by Sir John Melton.

Fun Facts About Four-Leaf Clovers
-A shamrock is a three-leaf clover (the most common clover)
-There are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every "lucky" four-leaf clover.
-There are no clover plants that naturally produce four leaves, which is why four-leaf clovers are so rare.
-The leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck.
-The four-leaf clover is one of the most common good luck charms of North America.
-It's often said that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, giving meaning to the phrase "the luck of the Irish."
-Edward Martin Sr. from Cooper Landing, Alaska holds the Guinness world record for the largest collectioon of four leaf clovers, which he has been collecting since 1999. As of May 2007, he holds 111,060 four leaf clovers.

Clovers are even popular in food. My husband loves the green Shamrock Shake that always comes back around St. Patrick's Day.

Last Fun Fact
-Clovers are in the same family as peas (ewww!)

A Youthful Inspiration for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness



source: unknown

Last night as I worked on my computer "watching" American Idol, the introduction of one contestant caught my undivided attention. Kayden Stephenson has cystic fibrosis and is quite the precocious 16 year old. He talked about having cystic fibrosis (CF), how CF affects the body and his dream to be on American Idol.

Kayden sang brilliantly and it was refreshing to see the judges' reactions, comments and their unanimous vote. Kayden is going to Hollywood!! Yea!

I believe Kayden will be such an inspiration to so many different people. He has even inspired me.

As many of my readers know, my older brother, Edward, had cystic fibrosis. It's been fifteen years since his passing but for me, it still hurts like yesterday. Edward's struggles throughout his short 32 years of life, inspired me to form a charity in his memory, the Lungs for Life Foundation (LFL). The mission of the foundation was to grant assistance funds to those individuals who struggled with cystic fibrosis and their families. It was heartbreaking to make the decision recently to "close the doors" of the foundation. However, the Lungs for Life Foundation will remain a resource for cystic fibrosis, transplant, lungs and breathing clean air.

I take comfort in the fact that I can still touch the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis through my Crystal Allure Jewelry designer beaded Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Bracelets. After having seen Kayden's story, I'm inspired to get working on some new Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Bracelet designs!

Congrats Kayden! You can be sure I'll be watching every show you are on!

Just Kiss Me Heart Jewelry Pairing

It has been for.ev.a since I created a Polyvore set for our Style Lookbook. And since I last logged into Polyvore, it seems it has changed -a lot! I think the biggest change has been that I can no longer, easily, clip my handmade beaded jewelry to the Polyvore site. This presents a problem, that I will have to address.

But, I took a round about way to clip a pair of our beautiful Heart Jewelry earrings to create this richly seductive style look. Paired in this Just Kiss Me set is our Adoring Love Red Heart Crystal Beaded Earrings (E284-R).

Adoring Love Just Kiss Me! by Crystal Allure featuring a trench coat

Love it!!! But if you're not quite the RED kinda gal, there is also Adoring Love Pink Heart Crystal Beaded Earrings (E284-P) to choose from!

Adoring Love Red Heart Crystal Beaded Earrings (E284-R)

A seductive deep ruby red faceted glass heart is accented with sterling pave style beads, Bali, red and aurora borealis Swarovski Crystals. Handmade beaded earrings are finished with sterling silver french hook ear wires. Length is 1-1/4" from bottom of ear wire.

Adoring Love Pink Heart Crystal Beaded Earrings (E284-P)

A sweet princess pink faceted glass heart is accented with sterling pave style beads, Bali, pink AB and aurora borealis Swarovski Crystals. Handmade beaded earrings are finished with sterling silver french hook ear wires. Length is  1-1/4" from bottom of ear wire.

So what's your favorite Valentine's Day color? Red, pink, fuchsia, cranberry?

Romantic Rose Swarovski Crystal Beaded Earrings

The premise would be, now that the holidays are over, it's time to focus and get back to business. Right?

Well, that was the game plan for yesterday (Sunday), until....the weather was slated to be in the upper 60s. For January, that's crazy!! But, sure enough, it hit 69 degrees! I almost felt like heading out and getting some flowers to plant!

Instead, I got some walking time in. As well as, play time with my daughter; who, in case I haven't mentioned, is just giddy in love with pink.

I do believe her philosophy is: I am Pink, therefore, I am. Pink, pink, pink...everything must be pink. While I prefer a more vibrant shade of pink, she does look adorable in any shade of the color. No matter the shade of pink, you cannot argue, it is a very feminine, girly color.

When talking about the hue of pink, there are three levels:

• Brighter pinks tend to be more youthful, fun, and exciting
• Vibrant pinks tend to be sensual and passionate
• Softer pinks tend to be associated with romance and the blush of a young woman's cheeks

Ironically, my mother, daughter and myself all celebrate our birthdays in February, which is also, the month of celebrating love and romance on Valentine's Day.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, it's no surprise to me that inquiries for Swarovski Crystal Heart Jewelry are already pouring in. I took some time to sit down in the studio and created this pair of lovely romantic cascading drop earrings (above). Although the handmade beaded earrings shown above are not hearts, the beautiful pink rose Swarovski Crystal teardrops make them the perfect accessory (or gift!) this Valentine's Day.

Pink Rose Triple Teardrop Crystal Beaded Earrings (EC154)

One of a kind

This stunning pair of handmade beaded earrings feature 26 points! of sparkling rose pink Swarovski Crystal teardrops daintily dripping from 14 karat gold fill chain and french hook ear wires. Length is 2-1/4" from the bottom of the ear wire.