CbySparkle

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admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:06:47 +0000

Tucson 2012

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:18:34 +0000

I start off my year with the Tucson gem and mineral show on my mind, there is a lot of planning and organizing before I take this trip. this year was no different except for my class supplies were running behind schedule which means I had to rush and pack and drag everything with me on the plane instead of shipping.

I was invited to teach for my 6th year for The SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Create Your Style Event as well as participate in the Swarovski Ambassador showroom where many of the Ambassadors were selling their jewelry, kits etc. for three days, we worked 15hr days teaching, selling, and networking . this event is always very inspirational and a learning experience for our students as well as ourselves. there was a showroom filled with sparkling class features as well as new products.

Classes I taught

Hopeless Romantic Victoria Rose

after a day filled with Teaching and selling, our group gathered together for a nightly cocktail reception which gave us a chance to socialize with each other as well as our students.

aside from all the sparkle and fun it was time to get down to business and shop for the store! 3 eight hour days of solid shopping can get you super tired this is truly when you say shopping is hard work and lugging 200+lbs a day in a rolly suitcase ! thank God for my trusty assistant and best friend Walter we managed to get thru the day.and make a few runs to the post office!

we didn’t find the “IT” thing, but we did find some fun treasures !!

East Coast Adventures

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:12:35 +0000

If I am lucky, Or I come up with a great reason, I get to travel to the east coast, I find the entire east coast to be such a contrast to Hawaii that it excites my creative energy. I had not gone to visit this area for at least 15 years and 5 years ago, I started to travel in that direction often somtimes 2-3 times a year. perhaps it was to runaway from the island life as we know it where really, there are no fashion rules and we wear slippers, shorts and t shirts to the mall. believe me.. the New Englanders dress nicely to stay home!

I traveledfor sourcing merchandise, ideas, personal shopping, etc. but now it is really to visit with old friends that I have met over the years, for creative candy where everything in NYC is beautiful this is where I realized that I am drawn to Architecture, history and middle Eastern and Medditeranean Foods.

bead Stores?? there are several the only problem is that most are owned by one family many of the stores are planned the same, and the merchandise is the same. and all the samples look like they came straight from a foreign area with no individual creativity. I do however visit the trimming shops and dream to have one like MJ trimming and Tinsel Trading.

My latest visit was extremely short I basically only had 60 hrs unfortuately, as I was on my way home after spending the week with Swarovski and working a bead show, a friend Kellie Defries of Crystal Ninja ( who by the way is the most talented Rhinestone artist there is) and her husband were comming to NYC and was going to be there on my only available day so we booked a Pizza tour thru Brooklyn, we had a great adventure seeing the sights of Brooklyn including the many sights from movie scenes, multi million $$ homes and Yes Pizza.!!

after the tour we walked in the rain to SOHO where the Swarovski Creative Concept store was and I have to tell you it was beautiful! what I would do to have a crystal wall like that! but it comes with a pricey price.

I got to see the movie Wall Street with 2 of my city friends and ate dessert at one of those cute little cafes that you see in the movies, took a coffee break at Bryant Park which I absolutely adore. and got my hair cut by the cutest Puerto Rican Hair Stylist KIKE who I visit at every trip. and went to a Back yard BBQ in Queens, NY style and that is where everyone was surprised that I was not Hispanic! my only regret of having such a crazy schedule this time is not going to Grand central Station, and Central Park. so until next time..

Newest Swarovski Crystallized Elements Picks

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:20:28 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Twice a year Swarovski Crystallized Elements releases thier newest and sparkliest innovations

finally, we have recieved our favorite picks of the newest Launch spring 2009 collection! in this newest collection,

two new colors: Red Magma, and Air Blue Opal

Red Magma a special finish color simulating a color of lava -very rich, bold and fiery..

Air Blue Opal a soft milky powder blue (the 2x version is absolutely beautiful ) like a Hydrengia flower.

Pendant shapes include: Disk Pendant , Lily pendant, dragonfly wing. these shapes are fun, and unusual. expand your design skills and try them someday!

so far we have made our newest bead charm named Freddy with the air blue opal and Cherry Blossom pendants with the Red Magma it is really a fun task to figure out what colors to choose as the color really makes a difference in your design.

My 2010 Tucson Adventure

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:19:55 +0000

My trip to Tucson, Arizona began as I arrived at my hotel where I have to say is a definate oasis in the dessert my hotel is gently tucked into the hills surrounded by hills of saguaro cactus, each morning I awoke to a beautiful dessert view. I checked into my hotel into my room, dropped off my luggage and went straight to Trader Joes (we don’t have them in Hawaii) to purchase a list of goodies !

I held 3 sold out classes : Secret Garden Bracelet, and Bel Fiore neckalace I was so proud of all my students as they all finished and were able to leave with a new piece of jewelry. I realize each time I teach a class, no matter how prepared you are? there is always something you did not think about, and although I have taught for many years I always leave a class having learned something from my students.

I was so blessed to have Kristin, who is a crafts department staffer for Martha Stewart take a class of mine she blogged the entire project!! you can view it onhttp://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/?s=live+from+tucsonthankyou Kristin! this was my closest claim to fame.. it was so nice to meet Kristin after I had seen her on the Martha Stewart show a few times and was always impressed by her as she delivered her crafts project on live TV.

As I am part of the Swarovski Ambassador Program, we were priveleged to sit thru a launch release presentation where we learned about all the new and upcomming products….and as always, myself along with the other Swarovski Ambasadors, are always alittle teary eyed as the Create your Style with CRYSTALLIZED TM Swarovski Elements show comes to an end . however at the end of the show comes the customer appreciation party where we along with other Sparkling customers can gather and let loose dancing, socializing, networking.. hundreds of pictures are taken and memories that will hold us until next time.
when all the teaching was over I finally had the chance to shop.. and shop and shop it’s amazing how fast your money can dissappear and how much time it takes to choose and pick over the thousands of vendors. this year I only made it to 4 shows…. Yes, I feel like i missed out on something but really, Did I have any more money to spend??? NO….. but what I did purchase and information gathered i felt like I covered enough ground and I am a happy camper!

Color combinations

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:19:06 +0000

As we get dressed each day, we choosethru our drawers and closets full of clothes deciding on what to mix and match as far as colors and prints. what about me?? well, I am almost embarrassed to say, that 99.9% of my closet holds black clothes.. in fact, when I happen to wear something with a color.. my friends say, oh! so you do own different color clothes!!!

OK.. so in my defense, there are 2 reasons I wear black… one because when I shop, I either like the design and not the color, or I like the color but not the design. I think that if they had a vending machine that you can choose the size, color, print and then boom it comes out exactly the way you like it than, maybe I would have more colors in my wardrobe.

the 2nd reason is.. that with black I can accessorise and my sparklie Crystal jewels will show up better..

I have found that for alot of our customers, they have a hard time choosing and matching up colors and textures.. and they come to us for help in choosing color palets that compliment one another there are so so many colors, shapes, textures out there that how do we choose?

we have all heard of the color wheels that have been used for years to say what color season you should wear to match you? but the same does not go for beading..

Crystallized with Swarovski Elements has innovated this new color wheel using the colors in their bead and pearl lines it’s really a cool tool because, it has helped many mix and match in unique color combinations that they would never imagine.

this color wheels is so affordable selling for only, $4.00 fun and useful.

off to Tucson!

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:18:26 +0000

Hello Fellow sparkle divas,

sorry that it has been so long since the last post so much has been keeping me busy and with little time to post the Christmas and New Year celebrations have come and gone and it was time to take a short break while the shop was quiet before the wedding season starts we took our shop girls out to Cinnamon’s for a indulgent breakfast of gingerbread pancakes, guava chiffon pancakes, hambuger steak
YUMMY! Thankyou Carssie Green you make yummy pancakes and coffee

last weekend Creations by You exhibited in the Hawaii bridal Expowhich is the largest wedding event of the year our friends at Kahala Caterers had the most beautiful display Orange and Yellow we made the favors and Menu cards to beautify the table. our booth was the most EYE candy we kept brides busy with lots to see and imagine invitations and favors full of Crystal sparkling with the lighting.

so now.. it’s that time of year again to travel to Tucson ,AZ and teach for Swarovski at the annual Create your style with CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements. which by the way is my highlight event of the year I’m so excited that I have 3 sold out classes and a demo.. Secret Garden Bracelet and Bel Fiore Necklace keeping me busy for 4 days straight teaching along with me are wonderful friends who are leaders in the industry.
as much as I adore my grandbaby, I have to admit, I am looking forward for a little R&R and some down time with good friends. and a day at the SPA!

I’ll keep you posted on the events and what I find in Tucson!

Introducing Modern Vintage..

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:17:50 +0000

IntroducingModern Vintage..

a brand new line of consistingCharms,flowers,leaves, dragonflies, chains, headpins, clasps, jumprings and leverbacks… we have a huge collection available in 4 finishes..

antiqued gold, Antiqued Silver, Antiqued Copper and copper Patina.

why is the branding Modern vintage? because these are modern day products made the old way with old tools from the late 1800’s. yes.. very old tools..

I especially love that now we can offer you all the findings to match the finishes..

samples? yes we have lots to look at.

weddings

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:17:19 +0000

Last night, Debbie and I were part of a wedding favor and invitation showcase at the Wedding Cafe.. at Ward Warehouse meeting rooms
for those of you who are not familiar with theWedding Cafe it is place that holds information all about weddings in Hawaii a mixture of wedding professionals from invitations to photographers the owners are an awesome young couple Tanna and Bryson ! they hold fun interactive seminars for brides and grooms to educate them in the wedding necessities..
Creations By Youparticipates in 2 events
the invitation showcaseand Wedding DIY night.
as you can see, Debbie is always the one who goes up to the front and does all the talking .. I am the shy one!!

Last night was a fun event with over 200 people filling the room we were treated to theEmcee stylings of Gregg Hammer who announced the wedding professionals as we went up to the front to talk about our businesses. our table linnens were supplied by le Saison . the event overall was a great evening with eager to learn brides and grooms and yummy treats to eat by the candy buffet company and bucca di peppo and wine samplings by the wine experience.

on a recent trip

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:16:41 +0000

Currently, I am one of 30

Crystallized Swarovski Elements Ambassadorsaccross the USA.

our Job is tocreate designs thatinspire the creativity in you! with this I teach classes and attend design and product seminars thruout the year to learn about the newest innovations so that we can understand the products and educate and design it’s all about the beauty and sparkle afterall.

while on a recent vacation, I went to New York City to visit my best friend, I took a walk thru every bead and trimming shop as usuall, I visit TOHO Shoji which sells a huge collection of products all packaged in Japan they sell cool books and findings.. I was walking past the storefront and … this comb caught my eye!(grey Picture) it was my design!! then I went inside the store and was tickled to find 3 more versions of designs that I had created for a contract project called,

Love is in the air for Create Your Style with Swawovski Crystallized Elements used by Create your Style Partners world wide whichCreations By You has been a partner for 3 years. words cannot express the excitement and fullfilment that I felt knowing that other professionals really liked my designs and used them for inspiration in thier stores. My original is on the pink photo…