Amazing SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Handbag Design Winner!

For the third year, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS once again partnered with Handbag Designer 101 to sponsor The Fifth Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA). The category “Best Use of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS” aims at inspiring handbag designers to create innovative new designs incorporating crystals as a creative ingredient.


Among all registered designers, five were chosen based on the most creative and innovative use of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS by the Handbag Designer 101 Preliminary Judging Panel. The selected designers had access to SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS to execute their final handbags for the annual awards on June 15, 2011.

In a glamorous ceremony at The Time & Life Building in New York, Lorna Nixon was announced as winner of the category “Best Use of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS”. “The bag, titled 'Jagged Thistle', is inspired by my Scottish heritage. I aim to create pieces of mobile art with delicate, intricate detail... with a contemporary twist. My designs are anything but ordinary – I like to break the rules and push the creative boundaries,” says Lorna about her winning creation.

A limited edition of the winning handbag by Lorna Nixon will be available soon in the SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED™ boutique in New York at 499 Broadway, NY 10012.




(Winner's Handbag by Lorna Nixon)


HOW ROCKIN IS THIS BAG?!!!

Hot Accessories Trend for Fall: Faceted Crystal Stones!

It’s no wonder Accessories magazine is considered The Voice of the Industry. It is the leading fashion trade publication and an invaluable tool for absolutely everyone who is interested in Accessories!


I found this new Trend from Accessories Magazine’s “Trend Finder” and wanted to share with you what I knew all this time! =)

“Faceted stones sparkle their way through the season in an array of treasure chest worthy creations, from look-of-real styles to over-the-top faux styles in pyramids and teardrops”









What’s great about big faceted stones, is the fact that they really do give that special sparkle to your accessories. If you want to do this look yourself, you can either go for more expensive SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS or cheaper options in acrylic, lucite, cubic zirconia, glass, etc.



Cubic Zirconia



Genuine



Glass



Acrylic



Lucite

Check out the link below for some amazing stones from Merchants Overseas (they also carry SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS):


http://www.merchantsoverseas.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=345

Bid On Michael Jackson’s Swarovski Crystal Riding Helmet!

Why is it that celebrities are worth more after they die? Didn’t he almost go bankrupt at one point? Why didn’t he just have all of these interesting auctions, while he was alive?  Maybe he just couldn’t part with anything?

This Swarovski lochrosen stone crystal studded black velvet riding helmet was worn by Michael Jackson in his 1981 “Triumph” tour. Custom-made for MJ, the helmet bears the Pop King’s name printed on a 2. 1.5 tag sewed on the inside with stage make-up residue still on that label.

The other two indication that this is indeed the real one is the size “7″ and “57″ along with instruction on how to wear it. Though the helmet has a few of the many stones missing, its still stunning to look at. The helmet is expected to net between $18,000 to $22,000.

More Sparkling SWAROVSKI Costumes for Katy Perry on Tour

It seems that my blogs about Katy Perry are some of the most popular viewed…hmm I wonder why? =)

Lately Katy has had a love affair with SWAROVSKI crystals all over her outfits and costumes and I don’t think I could run out of photos to post of her!

Looks like that magic heart across her best feature, is made with thousands and thousands of Siam Crystals! I even love the crystal flat backs on her tights.  Thats a great idea! If you are interested in putting some hotfix Swarovski crystals on a pair of tights MAKE SURE you have a sheet of wax paper in the legs so you don’t hotfix one side to the other and you can still get your legs in!

Uggs and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS have teamed up!

 

After a successful collaboration with Jimmy Choo, Uggs is now teaming up with Swarovski Crystal to produce a one-of-a-kind classic pair of UGG boots representing the sexy cities of Miami and Los Angeles!

The Miami boot was created for fashionistas who want to represent all the color and beauty from the 305. It is available in an off white color and features flamingos, palm trees, and bits of blue beaming from the skies. The weather down south may not always permit for us to wear these at home, but you can definitely represent what you love about the city while your visiting some of the colder climates.

The Los Angeles boot highlights more the night life of Hollywood. You can also see palm trees, bedazzled stars, and even some iconic buildings on these.

They retail at $900 and can be purchased at either the UGG Australia Miami store located at 640 Collins Avenue (For the Miami version) or at The Grove located at 189 The Grove Drive #F72.

Don’t have $900 to spend?  Buy a plain pair of ugg or ugg-like boots and decorate yourself with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Flat backs with HOT FIX! Just apply heat and the crystals are permanently on!

Fun and Easy Do-It-Yourself Projects with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and Apoxie Sculpt!

As you all know, I LOVE crystallizing with Swarovski crystals.  Unfortunately, I don’t really do it as much as I’d like to because gluing or hotfixing can be pretty time consuming. If you’re impatient like me, you like projects that look good and take the least amount of time!

 

When I came across Apoxie Sculpt and all of the possibilities with crystals, I was super excited and totally impressed! I basically took whatever I could find around my house to show you how its done (see below).

Basically, Apoxie Sculpt is a puddy that you can sculpt into shapes while it is soft, and it will eventually harden permanently.   What I did, was lay some Apoxie Sculpt on the item I was working on in the shape that I desired and then pressed my Swarovski Flat Backs right into it.  Not only do I get that Swarovski bling look, I was also able to get some dimension.

I didn’t have to be as precise or concentrate as hard as I do when gluing or hotfixing and it took MUCH LESS time.

I also LOVE the fact that Apoxie Sculpt is available in 12 difference colors, so you can match the “backgound” with the crystals for a totally creative look.  You can also mix colors to make your own shades!  On the items below I used Black Apoxie Sculpt because I felt like the crystal colors really popped on it.

Apoxie_^® Sculpt is available in 12 colors and offers economy as well as performance. This 2-part product has a putty-like, smooth consistency, and is easy to mix & use. It is safe and waterproof with 0% shrinkage/cracking! Working time is 2-3 hrs. Cures hard in 24 hrs., and has a semi-gloss finish. Adheres to plastic, resin kits, wood, metal, ceramic, glass, polymers, foam, fiberglass, & more! Can be seamlessly feathered before set-up, or sanded, tapped, drilled, carved, lathed, or otherwise tooled after set-up, without chipping, cracking or flaking!

What do you think??

Julianne Hough Hits the Red Dress Runway in a Red Custom Swarovski Gown

What takes 150 hours to make, has 10,000 crystals, weighs two lbs. and will be worn by one of Hollywood’s bubbliest blondes? It’s the custom Swarovski red dress and heart-themed necklace that Julianne Hough will be modeling in Wednesday’s Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection Fashion Show.

While Hough told PEOPLE at her recent fitting at the N.Y.C. Swarovski showroom that her necklace “feels light on”, she does admit to just the slightest bit of jitters at walking in the star-studded show (fellow models include Audrina Patridge and Jennifer Love Hewitt). “This is my first time walking a catwalk in a runway show. I’m a little nervous but I think I can do it.” Hough jokes that it’s different than her years on Dancing with the Stars because “you have to walk. As long as I’m jumping around, moving my hips, I’m good, but walking in a straight line might be a little difficult.”

At least she loves what she’s wearing on the catwalk, calling the shimmering Swarovski crystal necklace and matching satin gown designed by Swarovski Creative Director Nathalie Colin “pretty unbelievable.” But it was the cause behind Red Dress Heart Truth (heart health for women) and the partnership with Swarovski that drew the Footloose star in. Besides, Hough laughs, “It makes sense. They’re really glitzy and glam-y, and so am I.” Shop for pieces from Swarovski’s Heart Truth collection, inspired by Julianne’s couture piece, on swarovski.com! 

THE EXCLUSIVE SKETCH By SWAROVSKI:

LOVE IT!!

Decorate Your Wedding Cake with SWAROVSKI Crystals

This Wedding Cake was Decorated With 500 Swarovski Crystals

An Extravagant Wedding can not be imagined without an extravagant Wedding Cake and the recent trend in Wedding Decor has been anything shiny and “blinged.”  This Swarovski Crystallized Wedding Cake is a luxurious record-breaker one that was created with 500 Swarovski Crystals.

Designed by well-known pastry chef Laura Aguglia, the Swarovski wedding cake is the result of 36 intensive hours of work. Aguglia worked laboriously to finish this magnificent masterpiece. This Swarovski Wedding Cake is comprised of four layers of confection, fine blue and green cloth ribbons, 500 Swarovski stones and two gorgeous ornamental crystal birds placed on top.

I really like the idea of using Swarovski Crystals and Swarovski Pearls to embellish a wedding cake.  If it was mine, I’d probably be doing it myself and that would mean applying the crystals onto the ribbons or other materials first instead of directly on the cake.  I just keep thinking how annoying it would be to pick all those crystals off in order to eat it! Oh wait, I guess that’s the wait staff’s job? What do you think?

Lea Michelle Sparkled at the SAG Awards!

Lea Michelle walked the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) lastnight wearing a deep v-neck Oscar de la Renta silver and white gown paired with a Swarovski Crystal clutch and Tiffany jewelry. The Swarovski clutch featured a gold-tone hardware frame structure with snap closure and clear crystals encrusted on white satin.

View The Casadei Swarovski Crystal Lovers Limited Edition Shoe Collection

Apparently the designer Casadei is not exactly known for being restrained.  These multi-colored shoes are part of the Casadei Crystal Lovers Limited Edition collection, and they cost $9,452.50!

These heels are covered with multicolored Swarovski crystals, which are a trend going strong in Milan. In general, the shoes in Milan are full of bling, showy and super high-heeled.

You can also see more Swarovski crystal clothing and accessories fantasies at LuisaViaRoma.
You can find more Casadei shoes at Endless and at Forzieri.

Again, if you don’t have $10,000 to spend on shoes, you can always get a cheap pair of shoes and Swarovski Crystallize them just by gluing the Flat Backs No Hotfix yourself!

Golden Globes New Stage Will Shine with 30,000 Swarovski Crystals

What’s an award show these days with  a SWAROVSKI crystallized stage?  It really is amazing how beautiful these crystals look not just on electronics, bath toys, toilets, etc.  They really can offer a unique decor experience for stages, restaurants, stores, and even your home. 

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Golden Globes ceremony will be even more glittery this year.
Apart from all the stars lighting up the room, the new set at the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom will shine with 30,000 Swarovski crystals.

Dick Clark Productions, which is producing the Globes, says some 3,000 pounds of crystals were flown in from Austria for Sunday’s ceremony.

Production designer Brian Stonestreet says the crystal-encrusted set design was inspired by the ballroom’s signature chandeliers, and the sparklers won’t be confined to the stage. His crystal creations will also hang overhead, making for “a 360-degree experience,” he says, adding, “the room is actually the set, which is perfect for this show.”

The 68th annual Golden Globe Awards will be presented Sunday and broadcast live on NBC.  Can’t Wait!

Swarovski Rubber Ducky Tub Time

If the traditional rubber duckie isn’t making your bath time that luxurious, then feast your soapy eyes on the Swarovski rubber duck. The duck is encrusted with 5,000 crystals, Pave’d with flat backs to make your bath that much more glamorous.

Not sure if the Swarovski rubber duck floats, but for that hefty price, the crystallized bath toy is sure to float your credit card to its maximum. So treat yourself next time you take a bath and enjoy some blinged-out company.

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t recommend you do-it-yourself!  You can apply Swarovski Flat Backs (No Hot Fix) with glue to any kind of plastic or rubber.  You can also easily apply Swarovski Flat backs with Hot Fix to any kind of Textile with heat. 

Merchants Overseas has some great color guides containing all of the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS colors that are available.  It looks like Mr. Ducky might need to be crystallized with “Citrine” for the body and “Light Siam” for those huge red lips!!

A Look at Next Year’s 2011 Time Square Crystal Ball Drop

Each year, millions of eyes from all over the world are focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball. At 11:59 p.m., the Ball begins its descent as millions of voices unite to count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams.

ABOUT The New Year’s Eve Ball:

The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter and weighing 11, 875 pounds, built to withstand the stresses of high winds, precipitation and temperature fluctuation to brightly shine over 400 feet above Times Square throughout the year.

For 2011, Waterford Crystal has designed 288 new “Let There Be Love” crystal triangles featuring a romantic pattern that blends a modern cascade of hearts with diamond cutting.  288 triangles are emblazoned with last year’s “Let There Be Courage” design of a ribbon medal defining the triumph of courage over adversity; and 1,152 triangles sparkle with the “Let There Be Joy” design of an angel with arms uplifted welcoming the New Year.  The remaining 960 triangles are the original “Let There Be Light” design of a stylized radiating sunburst.  The 2,688 crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball.  The Ball is illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs (light emitting diodes).  Each LED module contains 48 Philips LEDs – 12 red, 12 blue, 12 green, and 12 white for a total of 8,064 of each color.  By mixing these four colors, the Ball is capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.

How Exciting! I say the more colors the better! I can’t believe they aren’t scared to “drop” a huge ball made of CRYSTAL though!