Preparing for Holiday Fairs

Next weekend is the first of two art + craft fairs so I've been doing mock-up displays to try and see just how I'll lay things out.
click on pix for closeup view
This is my purse charm and pocket watch tree. All the pink ribbon item sales result in a donation to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Fund.

THen I have a large sleigh filled with Artist Gift Packs - these have small samples and biz cards from crafters all over the US.

There's also a small sleigh that has keychains and small patriotic bookmarks with yellow ribbon charms.

There will be plenty of low-priced items for those without deep pockets. My Peace choker necklaces are only $3. And yes, I did make these -- with components from three different vendors.

I also have really cheap stretchy bracelets for the kids - $1 and $2 -- you can't beat that!

I haven't really made up my mind what I'll put on the "high end" table yet -- aside from two or three Swarovski items. I'll try to remember to show you what makes the cut...but I may be so busy that I forget!

Fire and Sparkle - part three

As promised, here's the third installment of my designs using the beautiful Crystallized Swarovski elements from Artbeads.
This time I used jet bicones and black diamond bicones as well as an interesting jet aquiline pendant and finished the design off with a lovely silver-plated graduated drop..
Notice the two little black diamond bicones near the pendant and where the delicate silver plated curb chain joins the bicones.
I have really enjoyed working with these beautiful Swarovski components from Artbeads. I think you should go check them out!

click on picture for closeup

FTC compliance disclosure, notice of material connections: the item in the previous post from Artbeads was provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program for review or design purposes

Fire and Sparkle - part two

Still having a great time working with the beautiful crystallized Swarovski elements from Artbeads.

This time, it's the incredibly lovely and wildly versatile cuplink chain.

Since I only ordered one foot of this sparkly chain in each color, I decided to go with bracelets. I made two: one in black and one in crystal.

I added a few Swarovski jet bicone dangles, just for fun.

click on pix for closer view

For the crystal one, I pretty much just folded the chain in half and added a few fancy jumprings and a toggle. Voila! A bracelet.

The design possibilities with this cuplink chain are endless. Get some and try it out yourself.

You really should check out all the beautiful Swarovski elements....and everything else...at Artbeads. They offer free shipping and no minimum order!

Stay tuned - because I have one more piece to add to this Swarovski ensemble.

FTC compliance disclosure, notice of material connections: the item in the previous post from Artbeads was provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program for review or design purposes

Fire and Sparkle

I'm all a-sparkle to day, creating beautiful jewelry using crystallized Swarovski elements from Artbeads.

The lovely and talented Lori Groenier shipped me a selection of these exquisite beauties and asked that I blog what I designed using them.

First of all, thank you SO MUCH, Lori, for your incredible generosity!

So far, I've completed one piece. Capturing the dazzle and brilliance of these Swarovski beads with a digital camera is much more difficult than using them in a design! I tried several different backgrounds and ended up using this lovely bit of lavender fabric. I hope it shows off the rainbows of color created by these fabulous Swarovski crystal beads with their aurora borealis finish. Aren't they something?!

Click on photos for closer view

I'm working on more pieces and will definitely share them with you as soon as they're completed!

Be sure to visit Artbeads and check out their amazing selection of beautiful beads, findings and supplies.

FTC compliance disclosure, notice of material connections: the item in the previous post from Artbeads was provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program for review or design purposes