New This Week

Rose Peachy and Luminously Green

Well - the new Swarovski colours are starting to get processed here, and so there are some new choices - you know - in case you were bored with the others! 

The new colour for the season is Rose Peach! Rose Peach is an orangey pink - but not as orangey as Padparadscha. I think you will find it a very pretty and happy colour - without it being too "girly" - for those of you that are not into that. 

As usual, with new colours - they are spread out all over the place on the site, as they arrive in all the shapes and sizes, so here is a list:

• 3 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 4 mm Faceted Cube (5601)
• 4 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 5 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 6 mm Faceted Cube (5601)
• 6 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 6 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 8 mm Faceted Cube (5601)
• 8 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 8 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)

Likewise - we have a new "effect" - a new coating - this is Crystal Luminous Green. This is a very soft, light green - a very subtle effect.

• 6 mm Faceted Cube (5601)
• 6 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 8 mm Faceted Cube (5601)
• 8 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 8 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)

I guess these new "blends" qualify as new colours too! Last year, we had the new Swarovski blends - the Amethyst Blend - which is shades from light to dark Amethyst and the Topaz Blend - shades from light to dark Topaz. These created a more "gemmy" and natural look - more like real gemstones.


This year, Swarovski has thrown caution to the winds and is bringing out more dramatic blends with contrasting colours - so we have Burgundy / Blue Zircon ...

• 8 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 6 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 8 mm Faceted Donut (5040)

and Fern Green / Topaz

• 6 mm Faceted Round (5000)
• 8 mm Faceted Donut (5040)
• 8 mm Faceted Round (5000) 

I'm quite excited about the Fern Green / Topaz - I think it is a very cheerful and spring-like colour combo - redolent of the heady aroma of spring blooms and fresh new life. Whoops - this strange spring weather we've been having is affecting my mind!

But wait - that's not all! Because we also have some Rose Champagne - which is Rose with a Champagne Coating - Champagne being another specialty finish.

• 4 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 6 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)
• 8 mm Faceted Xilion Bicone (5328)

I know - it's all hard to keep track of, isn't it. Here's a hint - if you like it - go for it!

OK - getting away from the glitter of the Swarovskis - (mind you - if you think you'd rather take it with you than get away from it all - then check out this week's inspiration - which has glitter written all over it.) - we have new shapes in metal blanks! A whole bunch of fun, new shapes to use with your new, Big Kick Machine, maybe? And they all come in three colours - Brass, Copper, and German Silver.

German Silver, by the way, is silver in colour - but is not "silver" - the metal. It is an alloy that contains nickel - if you are allergic - and it is actually quite a bit harder than Sterling Silver. Traditionally,  jewelers used it while learning to make jewelry before spending the extra money on Sterling Silver. I know I used it when I was taking jewelry classes - and the sense of relief when you get to work in Sterling is huge - because it is so much easier to work! Almost makes up for the price difference!



You can choose from Blazing Suns, Flowers, Square Washers, even Dog Bones, Elegant Leaves, other leaves, or T-Shirts. Stamp your pithy or inspirational message on these!



Other new items to choose from around the site, (Check out these Tensha beads - Japanese beads that look like porcelain but weigh nothing!) so go ahead, click on a link or a picture above, or start with the Main Page, if you are feeling intrepid, (there is a LOT of stuff there), or chunk it down into bite-size portions by checking out the categories: Click on a link and go crazy! Firepolish, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Seedbeads, Stone and Pearls, Preciosa Crystal, Metal Beads, Other Cool Beads, Findings, Metal Clay & Supplies or Books, Kits, Tools. Look for the "new" tags!

Or maybe check out all our free, yes, free projects. A new one every week.

Lampworking Studio is Now Open - Please call ahead to check availability and reserve a spot.

WE MOVED!

Don't forget - we are at our new location - so don't automatically drive to the old place by mistake - details on our About Us page.