A little about Swarovski crystals

Another week has come around and I find myself, once again, asking what I did with the last week!? I know I have been reading alot. Even hubby has started to comment. I've really only read about 11 rather thick books since Christmas... I have trouble finding time to read the rest of the year so I've got to cram in as much now as I can before I go back to work properly :D

I'm still working on gemstones and getting their information typed up - I imagine it is not a job that is going to happen as quickly as I first imagined. So I'll just keep plugging away at it.

I was asked to be part of a Valentine's Day promotion this week. I don't work that often with Swarovski crystals since gemmies are my 'thing' and I generally prefer to work with natural stones, rather than manmade. But in celebration of the event I have made a small selection of Valentine inspired pieces with Swarovski and silver. You can see them all on my website under Valentine Selection. As you can see from the picture above, they are very pretty and very sparkly!

Swarovski is named after Daniel Swarovski, who invented the first crystal cutting machine in 1892 and founded his crystal business in Wattens, Austria in 1895. The popularity and quality of crystal continued to increase and Daniel's business also branched out into Swareflex (road safety products) and Swarovski Optics (precision optical instruments).

In league with Christian Dior, Swarovski created the famous aurora borealis finish for crystals in 1956. In 1976 Swarovski started making crystal decorative objects and shortly after chandelier components. They have continued, in the years since, to be a world leader of created crystals. Perfect for anyone who likes a bit of 'bling' to enjoy!

A rainy day and a Valentine heart

*sigh* Its raining. Its been raining for a couple of days. Its not stormy, or even that gloomy, but its constant and its wet. Isn't it amazing how the weather can affect your mood? I feel as if I could curl up on the couch and watch a movie (but the children would jump on me!).

In my need to find something fun to brighten up my day, I found these at Beauty Banquet - these soaps look like food - I swear I could munch right into that coffee cake (but I'm sure I'd regret it!!).

Before the weather turned all dank on me though, the sun was shining and it was positively hot - more like our usual summer weather. The bright clear days and the thought of sunshine glinting off the sea, inspired me to make some simple valentine jewellery. I rarely use anything but naturally occurring gemstones (although some may be treated), but I thought these were so pretty and after all, what better way to get the message of love across than a heart and a sparkling, Swarovski one at that!

Swarovski crystal is the diamond of the manmade crystal world - and many of us would have a Swarovski trinket somewhere in the house. Now because they are so brilliant, they really don't require much extra adornment and are really shown off best all by themselves, so I simply made this gorgeous heart into a pendant with sterling silver and hung it on a sterling silver omega chain.

Wouldn't you like to receive one from your loved one?