Archive for May, 2011

Design challenge: who won?

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Thanks to a couple hundred :) of you guys for jumping in on our latest Design Challenge: brushed copper beads!  *And welcome to you visitors from the Rings & Things News Flash email!*

From the dozen or so brushed copper bead recipients, Rings & Things received dozens of awesome photos showing what they designed.

Back view (showing the round disk bead)

The grand prize winner is Kym Hunter! Kym built this simple but wonderful ring.

Front view (showing the flower bead)

We loved the simplicity, cleverness and cuteness of Kym’s ring!  Besides two brushed copper beads (puffed flower and striped disk), Kym used just a couple of pieces of felt and some copper wire–to great effect.


BOOKMARK THIS PAGE!
GET INTO OUR NEXT CONTEST
…to be announced very very soon…


See Kym’s other brushed-copper bead creations at the original Design Challenge blog post.  They’re in a photo gallery there with everyone else’s entries.

Don’t miss out!  You’ll find jewelry there like Melissa Meman’s drape earrings, inventively using the small brushed disk beads  (which she oxidized) as vertical design elements .

I promise you’ll have a great time browsing the photos :)  Thanks for sending a friend the link, to share & enjoy!

Staff pick! Lucerna beads by Swarovski

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

Lucerna, a definite staff pick!

 

These new Lucerna crystals by Swarovski, stock #05-030-08-, are stunning!

I am sure no picture can capture their lantern-like brilliance.  (I’m trying, though.) :)  Here’s a line sketch, to illuminate how neat their shape is:

When first thumbing through all the great beads & things in our new supplement, I totally overlooked these beauties.

The other day a customer brought the Lucernas to my attention, and ever since, I can’t get them off my mind.

When you get these “Swarovski 5030″ crystals* in your hand and see all the rectangular facets sparkling back at you, they are hard to resist.

My mind is already racing with numerous ideas of how these treasures can be incorporated into fabulous pieces of jewelry.

Thank you Swarovski, this Lucerna crystal shape is a keeper!

–Amy in the Rings & Things showroom


* As we insiders call them ;)

Paper beads: what is this photo doing here?

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

What is this photo doing here?