Time to Sparkle

This is a new design I've been working on. It took me forever to figure out the color palette. The new Swarovski Innovations: Fall/Winter 2012/13 were just released and I really wanted to use colors based on their trend predictions, which they describe like this:

"For Fall/Winter 2012/13, we detail five current cities that are impacting on and influencing the modern design world, capturing them in a snapshot of time. Letting all colors, all patterns and all worlds merge, we delve into the realm of the imagination to create a modern design language that speaks to a worldwide family."

This design is inspired by the palette they've based on Istanbul. I had to tweak my selections based on the beads in my stash. I used black Artistic Wire with Caribbean blue, fuchsia, Indian pink, crystal golden shadow and crystal bronze pearl. I can't wait to show you the rest of my design sometime soon!

Here's the goodie box of Innovations. You can see better pix at the link but I couldn't resist including a pic of the sample box. Doesn't it look like scrumptious? So many fun things! I love the new colors and cuts. You'll be seeing a lot more of these components in the coming months.  

Super Simple Everyday Necklace

This super simple necklace is the most recent example of one of my go-to patterns for large, lovely stones: stone rounds alternate with antique silver spacers and 8mm Indian sapphire crystals to the desired length. Add a double jump ring chain to the end so the length is adjustable. 

It's a versatile style that dresses up a v-neck or collared shirt and you can use contrasting crystals to punch up the color, if  you want to. This basic pattern works well with your favorite nuggets, rounds or coins. These painted jasper beads are going to look great with jeans, which is good because I'm finally breaking out the denim after this hot, hot summer!

Watch JTV's Jewel School Thursday!

I'm heading back to Knoxville, TN for JTV's Jewel School on Thursday, September 8th! I'll be sharing a new Katiedids™ Creative Components kit along with fun ideas for Beadalon's memory wire, antique-look findings and more. (Click the JTV link for local viewing times.)

Here I am clowning around with my pal Margot Potter, the Education Director at Jewel School. Be sure to enter their Design Contest for the chance to win some amazing prizes. The contest ends on September 25, so go ahead and enter now!

More Bead Fest Pix

Bead frames are so fun! I'm getting quite a collection. These turquoise flowers are the latest addition. And I had to have these decoupage beads from Priscilla Bead & Jewelry. So cute and colorful! There's Melanie's bicycle pendant again. I think I'm going to string it onto black leather cord with a few dangly beads for a sweet, simple necklace.

Yes, here's my go-to color palette again. What can I say? Black and white always looks good. I hadn't seen evil eye beads (wear them for luck and to ward off the evil eye) for a long time and saw a stack of them at the show. Had to have the white with black ones. And, I love this Earthenwood Studio porcelain timepiece pendant by Melanie Brooks. I've been thinking about animal prints lately, so these zebra-striped shell beads made my day.

I'm excited to try this new Ecopoxy Craft Resin from Ornamentea. It's organically based and has a flexible mixture ration so you don't have to be so very careful mixing the amounts. I'm planning to put it inside these pretty bracelets from Amate Studios. It looks like my small circular Katiedids™ channel finding will even fit inside the bezel cup. Yay!

You know I love design motifs and color palettes inspired by nature. Here are a few colorful, ceramic treasures from Diane Hawkey. I especially love the koi fish link and the Moms Rock bead - I had to have that! I also found starfish charms, faux abalone, freshwater pearls (Ta Pearls = great selection) and dyed teal quartz at the show. This smoky shade of turquoise is one of my favorite colors and it was everywhere at the show! Of course, I might have had it on the brain because I read Real Simple on the plane and teal was featured in their Fashion Made Easy feature.

Okay, that's all my pix for now! Head over to your favorite bead shop or craft store and get busy!