Meet The Professor of Crystal!

Make sure not to miss the premiere of the newly released CYS online series starring the unrivaled Nick Regine as “THE PROFESSOR OF CRYSTAL”!

The Professor of Crystal video series is suitable for everyone passionate about SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and Do It Yourself.

In each video The Professor gives expert instruction that makes it possible for every Do It Yourself crystal adicionado to achieve their own vision with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. The videos feature a range of topics including gluing, epoxy clay, hot fixing, soldering, mechanical application, basic jewelry making, felting and much more.


Nick Regine, aka, The Professor of Crystal, has been with Swarovski for 29 years. Currently, as the Swarovski Elements Product Application Manager, Nick works with designers & manufacters ensuring they are familiar with the diverse application possibilities of Swarovski Elements to make just about anything sparkle!

It was a one of the designers who gave him the alias, The Professor of Crystal, because of his vast knowledge of Swarovski Elements and how to incorporate them into everything from jewelry to clothing to electronics, even on motorcycles and automobiles! Nick began his career at Swarovski in jewelry manufacturing, where he learned everything there is to know about crystal stones, gluing, soldering, mold making, and plating.

He later became involved in new product development before joining the Swarovski Elements team as Product Application Manager. Nick travels the globe teaching seminars, workshops and demonstrations to designers and manufacturers in a variety of industries, from infamous designers to the do-it-yourself artist.

Heart Jewellery Videos from Swarovski

In keeping with my last blog about all the Swarovski crystal hearts that are available in the store, I thought I would bring you some videos made by Swarovski Create-Your-Style.

Each of these videos show projects that incorporate hearts in the design. Packed with detailed step-by-step instructions, valuable trend information and useful tips on the best methods of application, an expert CREATE YOUR STYLE trainer demonstrates how to make beautiful designs using romantic Heart Pendants from the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS assortment.

Key to My Heart Necklace

Swinging Hearts Earrings

Heat patina on copper

Love the colours!

Last week I promised a little video on how I add heat patina's to copper. I think the video demonstrates it quite well. The main trick is to practice a few times, and keep in mind that the patina will continue to grow even after you remove the heat source. I also find that I get much better colour if I do not quench the metal after heating. Just let the metal cool down naturally.

You'll notice that you'll see the colours appear in the following order:
Gold
Orange/Red
Pink
Purple
Dark Blue
Light Blue - pale blue silvery tone
Black

The torch I use is the Blazer Spitfire Torch that we sell here at beadFX

Your metal also needs to be very clean. You can use commercial copper cleaners (like pennybrite). However, I find that a bowl filled with water and the juice of a lemon works just as well. I just keep my metal in my lemon/water mix until I'm ready to torch my copper. Be sure to clean off any extra bits of lemon pulp - they catch fire :-)

Lemon Water

The video seems to be larger than our blog width. You may need to go to youtube to watch it.

Using Cones

As you start making more and more complex pieces of jewelry - you will find yourself with multiple strands, wondering how to finish them off to be nice and tidy at the ends. You might even have seen a necklace finished with long cones at the end, picked it up and handled it and thought "That looks nice - how the heck does that work? How do I get the ends to go in there and stay there?" The answer is annoyingly simple. In a nutshell - you make a loop, attach all the ends to it, stuff the loop with the ends on it into the big end of the cone - and make a loop on the other side of the cone to attach the clasp too. Watch the video and all will be revealed!