My 2010 Tucson Adventure

My trip to Tucson, Arizona began as I arrived at my hotel where I have to say is a definate oasis in the dessert my hotel is gently tucked into the hills surrounded by hills of saguaro cactus, each morning I awoke to a beautiful dessert view.  I checked into my hotel into my room, dropped off my luggage and went straight to Trader Joes (we don't have them in Hawaii) to purchase a list of goodies !

First thing the very next morning, I headed out the the Create Your Style  with CRYSTALLIZED-TM  Swarovski Elements where each day, I had a class to teach and one day I demonstrated how to make CRYSTALLIZED bouquet jewels ,   I held 3 sold out classes : Secret Garden Bracelet, and Bel Fiore neckalace I was so proud of all my students as they all finished and were able to leave with a new piece of jewelry.  I realize each time I teach a class, no matter how prepared you are? there is always something you did not think about, and although I have taught for many years I always leave a class having learned something from my students. 

  I was so blessed to have Kristin, who is a crafts department staffer for Martha Stewart take a class of mine she blogged the entire project!!  you can view it on http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/?s=live+from+tucson  thankyou Kristin! :) this was my closest  claim to fame.. it was so nice to meet Kristin after I had seen her on the Martha Stewart show a  few times and was always impressed by her as she delivered her crafts project on live TV.  

As I am part of the Swarovski Ambassador Program, we were priveleged to sit thru a launch release presentation where we learned about all the new and upcomming products....

and as always, myself along with the other Swarovski Ambasadors, are always alittle teary eyed as the Create your Style with CRYSTALLIZED-TM Swarovski Elements  show comes to an end . however at the end of the show comes the customer appreciation party where we along with other Sparkling customers can gather and let loose dancing, socializing, networking..  hundreds of pictures are taken and memories that will hold us until next time.

                                                     

when all the teaching was over I finally had the chance to shop.. and shop and shop it's amazing how fast your money can dissappear :( and how much time it takes to choose and pick over the thousands of vendors. this year I only made it to 4 shows.... Yes, I feel like i missed out on something but really, Did I have any more money to spend??? NO..... but what I did purchase and information gathered i felt like I covered enough ground and I am a happy camper!

off to Tucson!

Hello Fellow sparkle divas,

sorry that it has been so long since the last post so much has been keeping me busy and with little time to post  the Christmas and New Year celebrations have come and gone  and it was time to take a short break while the shop was quiet before the wedding season starts  we took our shop girls out to Cinnamon's for a indulgent breakfast of  gingerbread pancakes, guava chiffon pancakes, hambuger steak
YUMMY!    :) Thankyou Carssie Green you make yummy pancakes and coffee :) :) ;)

last weekend Creations by You exhibited in the Hawaii bridal Expo which is the largest wedding event of the year our friends at Kahala Caterers had the most beautiful display Orange and Yellow we made the favors and Menu cards to beautify the table. our booth was the most EYE candy we kept brides busy with lots to see and imagine invitations and favors full of Crystal  sparkling with the lighting.

so now.. it's that time of year again to travel to Tucson ,AZ and teach for Swarovski at the annual Create your style with CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements.  which by the way is my highlight event of the year I'm so excited that I have 3 sold out classes and a demo.. Secret Garden Bracelet and Bel Fiore Necklace keeping me busy for 4 days straight teaching along with me are wonderful friends who are leaders in the industry. 
as much as I adore my grandbaby, I have to admit, I am looking forward for a little R&R and some down time with good friends. and a day at the SPA!

I'll keep you posted on the events and what I find in Tucson!
val

Rivoli or ravioli?

often, we recieve phone calls asking if we carry ravioli stones.... so we ask ravioli?? isn't that pasta? do you mean rivoli ? and the answer to that is YES!

rivoli is a fancy stone cut made by swarovski it is one of the most multi purpose of all stones and is available in many sizes and colors ..

another unknown fact is: it is one of the least expensive of the fancy stone line for how much effect it gives off...

I have to also say.. when you purchase a rivoli stone, make sure that it is Swarovski crystallized Elements... not czech or china made... how can you tell? simply hold the piece in between your pointer and thumb fingers and gently spin the rivoli. you will see the facets dance.. other manufactures of this shape cannot reproduce the amazing facets that swarovski crystallized elements does.

FYI... thes little beauties are available in standard colors along with aftermarket coatings like chili pepper , verde, vitrail medium etc.. we stock a lovely assortment of colors and sizes.. come in and see the collection.