Oooooooo LaLa!

My latest creation totally inspired by this handcrafted Russian pendant based on Alfons Mucha's painting Emerald: http://www.artbeads.com/ab-pt03.html

Check out the entire selection:
http://www.artbeads.com/russian-artist-reproduction-pendants.html

Of course it's loaded with my fav Swarovski crystals: http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski-crystal-beads.html

I made some special Sassy Silky beads from my book, Fabulous Fabric Beads: http://www.kristalwick.com/

I used a interchangable hinged bail so I can swap pendants: http://alacarteclasps.com/Bails.aspx

Also some of the lovely Tierra Cast http://www.tierracast.com/ and Vintaj findings http://www.vintaj.com/

You like? This Blingy Babe needs a name, any suggestions?

Swarovski Demo at Bead & Button

Besides giving 5 classes at B&B next week, I'll also be demoing WIRE WHIMSEY in the Swarovski booth Sat. June 6th 2:30-3:30. Stop by!


http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/events-and-stores/events/BEADBUTTON-2009.en.php

SWAROVSKI SPONSORED BEAD & BUTTON CLASSES

CRYSTALLIZED™ Presents: Relique

Explore metal surface design treatments with stamping techniques to create this elegant necklace. Play with a wide variety of stamps and inks to create this unusual combination of metal, chain, pearls, and crystals.

When: Thu. June 4, 8:00am-11:00am
Level: All Levels
Cost: $110,00 Code: B09741

CRYSTALLIZED™ Presents: Resin Bezel Bling

Create your own customized crystal bezels! Play with wonderful resin techniques to make a wide variety of bezels for your jewelry, cell phone charms, mixed media projects, and anything else your imagination dreams up.

When: Sun. June 7, 9:00am-noon and Tue. June 2, 7:00pm-10:00pm
Level: All Levels Cost: $125,00 Code: B09742 and B09743

http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/events-and-stores/events/BEADBUTTON-2009.en.php

KUDOS TO ARTBEADS!

ArtBeads rocks!

I've had a long and rockin' relationship with ArtBeads for awhile now and am please they have recently posted me as their featured author on their website. Check it out:

http://www.artbeads.com/featured-author-kristal-wick.html

Can't say enough about their product lines, quality and fab customer service. They're a fav for sure!

Thanks ArtBeads!

BRING ON MORE BLING!

As one of my exciting opportunities as an official Swarovski Ambassador, I was asked to do some product testing on the new 5328 bicone awhile ago. I LOVED the new product and know you will too! Here's the 411:
Swarovski Elements introduces the new 5328 Xilion® bicone bead, which will be replacing the discontinued 5301 bicone bead. The 5301 and 5328 bicone beads are designed to be used interchangeably, as their dimensions and geometry are complimentary. Swarovski® will transition one color at a time as their supply runs low. During this transition period, if the 5301 bicone is not available, the new 5328 Xilion® bicone will ship in its place. CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements XILION® Bicone Bead -- Article No. 5328 Resembling the flash of a diamond, the revolutionary 5328 Xilion® bicone bead offers:
Unique Xilion brilliance
Increased number of facets
Alternating large and small facets
Higher brilliance and intense light reflection
Slightly rounder girdle for added comfort in wearabilityIn addition, this cut is differentiated from all other products on the market and is copyright protected.

WELCOME SPRINGTIME!

With this season comes a great deal of change in my world as I’m sure most of you are experiencing in your lives as well. Change...bummer…or is it a time for creativity?

I’ve been pondering this question as I'm experiencing a very bumpy chapter in my life right now and change isn’t always a friend to me! With change usually comes pain and discomfort in readjusting to a new world; a world I perhaps have not embraced quite yet and don’t really feel very comfortable with…

This time of major upheaval in my life includes a divorce and moving my studio/living space which has truly tested my inner strength among many other things! So when I hit “the wall” dozens of times, I turned to my passion, the juice of creativity and wallowed in it, bathed in the uplifting energy that only true creativity provides.

Isn’t crafting & creativity the caulk, the filler, for this painful heartache void? Haven’t I turned to creative expression whether it be writing, art or music in every difficult time of my life; when my father died I made a mini memory book necklace honoring his life. When I lost my favorite pet many moons ago I created a garden mosaic embedding some of her favorite toys in the cement.

Divorce is sad, that’s a fact but change is simply opportunities never put in front of us before. The magic is in what we choose to do with these opportunities. Freeze up in fear and negativity or flip the switch and pour the pain into a creative endeavor filled with wonder and gratitude for the many blessing we have in our lives such as the sweet morning song of a robin, really terrific friends or the juicy kiss from a favorite pet. I invite you to join me in this springtime celebration of following your bliss and leaving all undesirable emotions, feelings, negativity and energy outside your studio doorstep. Take a deep breath and step into the creative vortex that we all crave and honor. It’s within each one of us…Dive deep!


Creatively Kristal


Upcoming Events:

International Quilt Festival Chicago
Workshops, Book Signing & Trunk ShowRosemont, IL http://www.quilts.com

Resin Buttons & Baubles Workshop-Thursday, April 16, 9am - 12pm
Fabulous Fabric Beads Workshop-Thursday, April 16, 2pm - 5pm
Embellish it!-Friday, April 17, 9am - 12pm
Wild Fiber Beads - Sampler-Saturday, April 18
Batik Beauties - Sampler-Sunday, April 19
Location: Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

Check out Kristal's Bling Blog on http://www.KristalWick.com
"Chocolate is my birthstone" Kristal Wick

CHA NEWS!

WOW! What a great time. Way more inspiration and creativity than can fit in this noggin I tell ya! It was a blast and my feet aren't even close to the ground yet (or recovered!) JHB launched my new fabric bead lines and they were a great hit!

My corner of the JHB booth.

New Sassy Silkies and Batik Beauties!

Showing cutie patooties Candy Cooper and Cathie Filian my new book, Fabulous Fabric Beads. 

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza of Creative Juice. They were loads of laughs!

My dear friend Sherrill Kahn. Love her to pieces!

TV taping for Craft TV with PattyWack.

Lisa Pavelka my booth buddy and clay goddess!

Such a creative gaggle of gals! Linda Augsberg, me, Katie Hacker and Candy Cooper. A whole lotta talent in that bunch! We could get into all kinds of beadie trouble...

The wonderfully creative Claudine Hellmuth!  We both LOVE Puppy Bowl!

Waiting in line for my book signing. Thanks for your patience!

I like to use my favorite magical purple pen...

Fun Tim Holtz!

Me with Dee Gruenig, Sherrill Kahn and Barbara Beck.

The extraordinary Fernando De Silva and Wyatt. Love these guys!

The line for Paris Hilton. She was launching her own scrapbooking line.