Keeping up on the latest bead working trends is much easier when you know about new products the second they’re released. Here you’ll find the latest news on products to be launched on Artbeads.com.
How cool is it? Well, first of all, this tool allows you to customize your clothing and accessories with Swarovski crystal components like a professional designer! Moreover, the crystal applicator tool is compatible with different types of components from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, including jean buttons and snap fasteners. Do you have a nice jacket that needs just a little extra something? This crystal applicator tool can help! Use the rose pin sets for instant sparkle, or let out your inner glam rocker with snap fasteners to add a taste of glimmer. Dress up your droll business top with eye-catching buttons, made with only the finest from Swarovski! Do you have an old handbag that hasn’t seen the outside of your closet since 1998? Give it a modern facelift with the smallest touches—like one large 17mm chessboard jeans button.
Although this tool can look intimidating, you’ll want to decorate everything once you start. Don’t worry about how to use it—we have some amazing step-by-step instructions on how to use the tool and its compatible die sets. Our Learning Center even offers free ideas if you need some inspiration on where to begin.
Here’s a sneak peek at what our designers have in store for upcycling an old denim jacket! You won’t believe how quickly this process goes when you get into a rhythm. Keep your eyes on our Learning Center to see when we reveal the complete idea.
This tool is an investment—think of the money you’ll save creating one-of-a-kind designs that can be twice as cool as the ones found in magazines! Dip your hands in the bridal market by making veils and headpieces that will sparkle to match a glowing bride. Take an elegant approach to cuff bracelets by adding crystal snap fasteners to the ends of your favorite scrap fabric pieces. There are countless ways to play with the crystal applicator tool, but you’ll never know what until you try it for yourself!
We’re so excited about the new Pick-It-Up Vacuum Tool! This nifty tool has a suction wand that helps pick up flatbacks easier than using tweezers or a toothpick and wax. The Artbeads designers have been having too much fun with it, and they can’t stop putting flatbacks on things! Here are just a few of the things around the craft room that have been given a sparkling new touch from Artbeads co-owner and chief jewelry designer Cynthia.
Any optivisor is that much cooler when it’s decked out in crystals!
Cynthia will definitely never lose her thumb drive with its shimmering new cover.
This flatbacked picture frame would make a wonderful gift, or would even help brighten up a room with its brilliant sparkle. You can watch the video on how to use the Pick-It-Up Vacuum Tool below, and don’t forget to buy one for yourself. This makes a terrific gift for designers, too!
Every special moment deserves to be captured in a way that makes you feel like the day it happened. The joyful pounding of your heart as you walked down the aisle, the warm tears that filled your eyes seeing your child in a cap and gown, the uncontrollable smile when you held your first grandchild—these life-changing events played such an important role in your life that they should be symbolized by only the finest keepsakes. Artbeads is extremely proud to present to you Lassero, your new choice for telling a story with elegance and grace.
This collection of beads, charms, pendants and more is made of the highest eminence. The gold plating is of the utmost quality, and every component with crystals is made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. These crystals are set by dedicated hands, ensuring every setting is perfect. Lassero provides elegant additions while easing jewelry designing. Many of the beads and charms feature large stringing holes so it only takes minutes to put together a bracelet or necklace with sophisticated finish and professional flair. Tell the story of YOU with Lassero.
As you reach new milestones in your life, this collection will continue to grow, so you can anticipate creating new memories with Lassero’s expansion in the future. Experience it all now in our boutique.
Artbeads is always on the cutting edge of news from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, and this time we couldn’t wait to share it! Swarovski has showcased what’s in their pre-launch for Spring/Summer 2014—new additions to the line of BeCharmed large-hole beads.
The most exciting thing about their pre-launch is the introduction of BeCharmed Pavé products. These beads sparkle from Swarovski’s signature XILION cut crystals that cover the surface. These pavé beads will also have the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS branding engraved along the large stringing hole.
All of these new items would make wonderful additions to your large-hole jewelry designs, elevating every bracelet, necklace or even earring idea in sophistication from the dazzling sparkle they possess. Stay tuned to Artbeads to find out when these pre-launch items will be available to you!
Artbeads is always happy to expand its collection of high-quality pieces, especially when we get to work with amazing suppliers. Graham from Regaliz™ leather opened up to us about our exciting line of fashionable leather components, and how this concept of providing quality pieces came into being. What is Regaliz exactly? It’s a very thick, very special type of leather that looks like licorice. In fact, regaliz in Spanish means licorice! This is where Graham got the idea to name the brand.
When Graham and his wife went to visit one of his suppliers in Greece, it was Graham’s wife who fell in love with leather. ” My wife and I travelled to Greece to visit a factory that I purchase from, [and when] she saw the bracelets at the factory she said they look very nice. So we brought a few samples home with us. I showed them to my family and staff, [and] everyone just fell in love with the whole concept and everything just developed from there.”
A lot of thought and research goes in to the Regaliz process. The team’s dedication to traveling and observing first-hand the current fashion trends is what makes them so successful. “… you have to get out and about and walk the streets. In Europe some woman are wearing 5 Regaliz bracelets and you often see men wearing them.” Although it’s sometimes tough, Graham does admit that his favorite part of the process is getting to travel: “It has to be traveling, then buying the different designs and watching them sell well and finally seeing someone wearing a bracelet that even though you did not make [it], the parts came from our hard work [that you know began] with the travel.”
So does Graham have a favorite component? “My absolute favorite is the faux snake skin wrapped leather. The fact that this just opens up a huge market for jewelry for men is the most amazing part of the Regaliz line though.” We’re in love with Regaliz leather because it is versatile enough for both men’s and women’s fashion and can be used to achieve so many different looks. You can explore more from Regaliz leather and create your own special jewelry.
Looking for other ways to use Regaliz leather? Take a strip and turn it into a headband! Use heavy duty hole punch pliers to thread elastic cord, double string it through the holes and secure with thread. It’s that easy! Stay tuned to the Blog for more fun ideas.
Have you seen our new collection of gemstones from Dakota Stones? These beautiful, high-quality beads are carefully selected through visits to the mines and extensive fashion trend research. We’re excited to be carrying these incredible new stones, and we know you’ll love using them to create unique jewelry. Read our Spotlight on Dakota Stones and then shop our vast collection today!
Here’s an exclusive sneak peek at the newest Innovations from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS for Fall 2013 and Winter 2014! This season is all about what Swarovski calls glocalization—an embracement of one’s national heritage and local traditions (possibly in response to the Olympic Games). For Austrian-based Swarovski, this meant delving in to the folkloric charm of their country with new colors and shapes.
NEW COLORS
Crystal Blue Shade
This universally unique new color displays a smoky blue whisper that is both romantic and strong, creating a fresh and sophisticated feel. With just a shimmer of silver streaking through its slate blue hue, Crystal Blue Shade is like the still, moonlit water.
Light Turquoise
This is a color that has to been seen to truly appreciate its beauty! It’s a new kind of blue, but still has a familiar feel—a perfect blend of Aquamarine and Blue Zircon. Light Turquoise is meant to reflect the blue skies of Alpine treks, along with cool arctic winters and Caribbean summers. Pair it with earth tones for lovely contrast or a black and white pattern.
Neon Green
Part of the Spring/Summer 2015 collection, this pre-launch color comes off of the successful neon pearl colors from earlier this year. Now you can add this deep, vibrant green to your collection of crystal pearls when your designs need a real color pop!
Neon Red
Neon Red is another spring/summer 2015 Innovations launch. This pumpkin-red pearl further demonstrates the power of neon pearls.
Grey
The timeless pearl is getting a boost of elegance with the very sophisticated Grey shade. With Light Grey and Dark Grey already on the market, you can now create a cascading effect of grey pearls in your jewelry.
NEW SHAPES
XIRIUS Chaton
This brilliant cut puts Swarovski chatons closer to the look and feel of real diamonds. With complex faceting and durability, this evolution from the 1028 Chaton is the new definition of excellence.
Key
The powerful symbol of the key is now captured in crystal form. This traditional shape outlined in precise facets makes the ultimate focal point for a design. Its avant-garde charm and luxurious feel comes in neutral shades to give it a more natural look.
Pure Leaf
This organic and playful shape is perfect for complementing any look you’re going for, whether it be a fun floral fall design or a nod to vintage subtlety. Bring the beauty of nature into any jewelry or accessory with this shape, available in a variety of components.
Victory Pendant
The Victory pendant features a familiar donut design but kicks up the contemporary feel with asymmetric faceting. Designed to resemble a medallion, the symbol of aesthetic triumph, the lightweight Victory shape appeals to mod-inspired pieces and modern fashion statements.
BeCharmed Pearl
Much like their BeCharmed beads, the pearl presents an elegant look for large-hole jewelry. Finished with stainless steel grommets for a durable look, you can mix and match them with other large-hole components to tell a story with your jewelry.
Mini Shapes
These small yet precise geometric components are the perfect addition to any jewelry idea. Their flat, faceted design is what makes them exact—but their small size is what makes them perfect. The new mini shapes are available in square, round and oval cuts.
Square Mini
Round Mini
Oval Mini
Be sure to check out our New Swarovski Innovations page frequently to find out when you can place an order for these new lovelies!
Artbeads has always believed in providing only the best quality products for jewelry and craft designs. Even if our selection is not as vast as others, it’s only because we want to keep our collection special. We understand the intimacy of an artist, how an artist likes to ensure that their designs are unique. This is why Artbeads prides itself of valuing quality instead of quantity. C-Koop Beads shares this idea with us, that designers are the best source for other designers. Sara Lukkonen, owner and artist for C-Koop Beads, started her business in 1999 with just two differently sized beads but has turned it into a successful business. Her enameled copper pieces demonstrate the raw, real beauty that pours out from an artist’s hands.
The first time Sara tried to make a bead was over 35 years ago. Sara recalls, “It was exciting! I still remember the excitement of instant gratification. This excitement still happens today with many of the pieces.” She started enameling with a hobby kiln, discovering that she could fuse glass to copper and produce gorgeous results. In fact, no two pieces look exactly alike—making them even more special for a designer! C-Koop Beads gets its name from the studio Sara set up for herself in the ‘chicken koop’ at her home.
Although she doesn’t have a favorite piece, Sara does keep many of her favorite pieces in front of the torch so they can inspire her. Sara admits, ““I do like when I have to re-fire a piece, because it can change completely. Most of the time the ‘redo’ is so much better than the first time.”
Her love for designing is what she wants people to know first and foremost. “I really like what I do. I like to try to make things for people that they don’t know they want until they see it.” Her passion for staying ahead of fashion trends (and other designers) is what keeps Sara’s designs special.
We love C-Koop Beads just for this reason, too! You can view our collection of C-Koop Beads to add to your collection today.
Artbeads has always believed in providing only the best quality products for jewelry and craft designs. Even if our selection is not as vast as others, it’s only because we want to keep our collection special. We search the world for quality artists and designers because we are designers. Old World Bronze is part of a family-owned and operated establishment that believes in this same purpose. Mike Charveaux learned from his goldsmith father what it takes to turn passion into a lifestyle.
“My father, Andrew, is a goldsmith and had one of the first open workshop studios on 5th avenue in Scottsdale in the 60’s. My brother, Steve, and I learned from our dad the love and excitement of design and metalsmithing. When we create pieces we often times cast our working models in alternative metals to work out all the design elements and details,” Mike told us. ” We really wanted our bronze line to be something special and be the standard in the bronze world so we take meticulous care in creating the bronze alloy which is a long held family secret recipe.”
The first step to creating their masterful works is to find inspiration. Living in the Arizona desert provides plenty of new ideas, including the changing colors from seasons and the organic shapes in the landscape. Each design begins on paper and then is carved into wax and checked for construction issues. The design gets its own rubber mold, which will be used for future castings. Mike describes the rest of the process:
“Each bead or component is individually pulled and inspected for uniformity. Then all the waxes are sprued, meaning placed on a casting cylinder in a pinecone like formation. This is then covered with investment which is a plaster like substance and then the wax is burned out in an electric kiln for a minimum of 6 hours. This is known as the lost wax process. This is to ensure that once the molten bronze is added the centrifugal force of the casting machine will pull the bronze into the cylinder leaving a perfect bronze bead. Once this casting is complete it is off to the finishing stage where each bead is clipped off, finished, hand polished and then it’s ready to be used in whatever way you can imagine.”
Mike says his favorite part of the process is working with texture. ” I love working and experimenting with texture because there are so many possibilities and endless opportunity to create fascinating visual and tactile components.” With a variety of new generations coming up with new designs, the beads and components they make all have signature styles but are well blended together for harmonious collections.
Although Old World Bronze is many things, the one thing they would like everyone to know is how much of a role family plays in their business. For over 20 years this company has operated within the family, and each day still brings new challenges and rewards. With everyone taking pride in their hard work, this business is sure to inspire the next generation of jewelry designers. Being fortunate enough to love going to work is what helps Old World Bronze produce such incredible works of art. If you want to view some of their creations, check out our Old World Bronze beads and components to add to your collection!
Looking for a fun, last-minute gift you can give to Mom? Our jewelry making kits are an excellent way to let your mom discover her creative side and maybe learn a new technique. You could even make the idea yourself and then present the finished product to her for Mother’s Day! Browse our collection, including some recently added seed bead kit ideas, to find the perfect one to match her personality.
