Happy Cyber Monday!

Now that Thanksgiving has passed and we had some time off, I think everyone is going into Christmas mode. Especially me! For a while now I have been searching for the best Christmas decorations, gifts and ideas, but for some reason I went into overdrive yesterday. In only one day, my Christmas tree was up, decorated with wrapped presents underneath it!

I must admit that without my boyfriend’s help, I would not have been able to get this all done. And the fact that this is our first Christmas together, makes it a little more fun.

Well, as I was wrapping gift after gift, not surprisingly I got bored with just putting the traditional name tag and bow. I went into my draw of goodies (yes I have a whole draw full of crystal beads, clasps, tools and wire). And I found some extra CRYSTALLIZED™- Swarovski flat backs with Hot Fix I had left over from an old project (there’s been so many).

If you don’t know, Flat Backs with Hotfix (HF) are loose crystals with a flat reverse side that has been pre-coated with a heat sensitive glue. You can easily apply Flat Backs by heat to most materials and they will give you a durable and long lasting crystal effect! I love these and I use them on EVERYTHING because I am lazy haha!

I am actually in the process of ordering more to start my Crystal Pumps! They come in a bunch of colors, shapes and cuts, which I love because it gives me more options and the ability to be more creative!

So, I started putting the flatbacks everywhere, mostly in the middle of my bows or on the cards, and they looked great! I liked how they added that little sparkle and looked like more effort was put into the gift.

I don’t know about you, but I am DEFINITELY one of those people who believe the wrapping of the Christmas gift is just as important as what is inside! Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of my gifts yet, but this is what the flatbacks basically look like:

If you are interested in the Swarovski flat backs (they come with our without the hotfix) you can get great prices for them where I got them at:

www.merchantsoverseas.com

Vintage Pair of Moschino Pumps with Multi-Colored Crystals

Good Morning All!!

Today is a good day and it is only 9am! Yesterday my mom called me and asked that I help her CLEAN OUT HER CLOSET. Now, this lady is 57 years old, that means cleaning at least 20 years of fashion don’ts! I was really annoyed but I said yes and I went over there with the hopes we could just quickly fill up about 10 garbage bags and be done.

Well! To my great surprise, I came across an amazing find! She actually had a pair of “vintage” (really old haha) Moschino pumps with multi-colored crystals! This how I absolutely knew she really was my mother hahaha! That means that around my same age, this lady had some style.

Actually I’m being mean, my mother and I both won “best dressed” in our high school year books. Well now I can actually believe it! Check these babies OUT!

After seeing these shoes, I became INSPIRED of course haha and I have decided I am going to start my own line of Crystallized Pumps! Even though I love these, they aren’t exactly my style at the moment. I am so excited though! I can picture them in my head right now!

I might even start by buying some pretty white satin shoes and putting some clear crystals for my friend’s wedding. I am a genious! Make sure you check back for those soon =)

DIY Crystal Bridal Party Bracelet

This piece is made with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements. A bracelet like this at retail price could run somebody anywhere up to $100! Why not make it yourself for under $35? Or make your own signature piece that no one else will have!

What you need to make this bracelet:

Qty, Size, Color, Product #

· 5 – 14mm Platinum Pearls Product # 01581014PLP

· 2 – 6mm Platinum Pearls Product # 01581006PLP

· 5 – Large Crystal Disc Pendants Product # 01603925CR

· 4 – Crystal Briolette Beads Product # 01504004CR

· 4 – Crystal Ring Beads Product # 015139125CR

· 5 – Crystal Graphic Cube Beads Product #01560304CR

· 7 – 5X5mm Vintage Rose Bi-Cone Beads Product # 01530103VRO

· 2 – Silver-plated Crystal Crimp Beads (pick up at your local beading store)

· Beadalon silver plated, stainless steel wire (pick up at your local beading store)

· 1 – Silver plated Toggle Clasp Product # 41TC19017S

You can find these product #'s and the best prices for these supplies at: www.merchantsoverseas.com

For more information on beading go to: www.merchantsoverseas.wordpress.com

Jewelry Making Tips for Beginners

Each week I will post up some tips for easy jewelry making. I will start out with the basics, and hopefully we both will become more advanced as time goes on! Beading Tips for Beginners: · Decide the length of your piece. You can easily do this by taking your string or metal and wrapping it around your neck or wrist.

· When measuring your length, remember that adding a clasp will take up an additional half inch!

· When choosing your beads, decide if would like one large center piece, then you will need enough smaller beads to run the length of the necklace or bracelet on either side.

· To make an original piece mix bead colors and sizes to make a pattern.

Crystal Wedding Ideas!

Not only am I busy looking for the best and most unique holiday gift ideas, I am also a soon-to-be maid of honor looking at wedding ideas to please my bridezilla friend Nancy! She is having her wedding this time next year and her color theme is fall colors like browns and oranges, which I really really like. I bought some beads from merchantsoverseas.com in bulk knowing I would be getting creative for the Special Event.

I was planning on making some little napkin holders/rings which we could also use as decoration around our flower bouquets. I am also planning on making some pretty crystal bracelets for all of the bridesmaids.

So last night I was sitting at home with my boyfriend with Monday night football blaring on the TV. I had some extra time on my hands and decided to start making the rings. Let me know what you think! I think I have outdone myself yet again! hahaha

Welcome to my brand spankin’ new blog! No my name is not Crystal, it’s Sarah.
This is the first blog I have ever written IN MY LIFE. How ironic, since I have a Master’s Degree in Communication! haha! Well I decided to write this blog because I could not contain my enormous love for fashion, accessories and basically ANYTHING that is made from Swarovski Crystal.

Why spend all of your money on diamonds when you can get the same look for waaay less? After many failed relationships, getting diamond gifts has become overrated. Well, not completely, but if you are single and reading this, you probably can’t afford to buy yourself diamonds haha. I myself am not single, but I don’t think I see any diamonds in my future from my current boyfriend. Ehh we’ll see! Well basically, if you are into fashion and accessories you should enjoy my blog and maybe we can even be friends.

I love to make my own jewelry and I decided to use this blog to showcase my work. I have a couple of websites I have found over the years that are great places to find amazing Swarovski crystal beads, pendants, clasps etc at reasonable prices. I would not and do not order anything at retail price.

It has become a great creative outlet for me to make my own pieces and it has saved my budget. Like most females, shopping is my ADDICTION and a very bad habit. I like something one minute, then hate it the next. I have wasted so much money in my life on clothes, shoes, and jewelry it makes me sick just thinking about it. Especially when I see my paycheck and all of the money I have made and then I look at my bank account =(

Oh well.... but making my own stuff has given me the chance to make unique things that no one else has and that I will enjoy wearing for the long haul. I will put up all of my great jewelry making tips that I have learned over the years, and I might even share some secrets with you as well! We’ll have to wait and see haha.