HAPPY NEW 2009!!!!

In the spirit of giving and abundance I am giving away my book, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS!!!
I want to declare to the Universe my belief in joy, faith and abundance for the new year no matter what the news tells us! I invite you to do the same...Declare FUN, JOY, CREATIVITY & LUSH ABUNDANCE!

Add a comment to my blog or email me the name of the customer in my blog. Contest ends Jan. 15. Winners will be randomly selected.

Good luck kids!

Hugs & Sparkles,
Creatively Kristal

BEADNIKS MALL OF AMERICA ADVENTURE

I had the pleasure of visiting the newest bead shop in Mpls. last week. I did a booksigning and trunk show. What a blast! I mean literally, it was blasting cold and snow with 30 degrees below windchill! YIKES! Everybody had a wonderful time. Thanks to Shelley the owner for coordinating the event! If you get a chance to stop in, DO! It’s the most beautiful store with all the beading supplies you’d need as well as gorgeous finished jewelry and wonderful staff to help. I’ll be heading out there again this summer to teach a few classes and sign some books!

Customer Cowboy Bob checking out the goods!

Namaste!

WIN A COPY OF MY BOOK!

Gotta love Detroit!
The Detroit News is giving away a copy of FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS!

For their book review and details to WIN, here's the link:

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081213/LIFESTYLE/812130398

OH WHAT A NIGHT...

Well we sure had a great time at my book launch party Friday night!
Thanks so much to everyone who came to help me celebrate my new baby, Fabulous Fabric Beads. We all sipped wine, ate yummies (including home baked cookies from lovely Lisa L.), shopped and enjoyed the gathering of fabulous fiber folks! Especially in these trying times I feel it’s important in our busy lives to stop, smell the roses, eat some chocolates with good buds and celebrate the FAB things in life. It was a blast…

Here are the lucky door prize winners who win FREE Sassy Silky scroll beads!
Mary Scherer
Anna Turek
Laura Lewellen
Dave Milligan
Donna Impey
Gena Bloemendaal
Liisa Wilson
MaryAnn Goetz

My new motto: A hand crafted gift from the heart is the new black.

GUILTY PLEASURES

My latest guilty pleasure is the funniest show airing, Whatever Martha on Fine Living television. Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt watch and comment on vintage Martha episodes. It's hilarious! Perhaps it reminds me of my own relationship with my mother and Alexis actually says the very nasty thoughts I've had but would never say out loud! I love it!

My other guilty pleasure is The Rachael Zoe Project on Bravo. The show is in sharp contrast to the global crisis of these days which is why it's kind of fun to have some fluff now and then to keep the edge at bay!

Hands Down, my fav is Project Runway. The finale is tonight and I can't wait. I may even watch it and NOT multitask for a change in honor of the grand event tonight (don't we all bead, sew, knit or scrap while watching these shows or is it just ME??!!!).

What are you all watching these days?

#1 on AMAZON

Whooo-Hooo!

I am thrilled to see my new book FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS, ranked #1 in the Beadwork, Needlework, and Textile Arts categories on Amazon today! As you can see Sage & Gaia are helping me celebrate!

Click here for the Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Fabric-Beads-Create-Jewelry/dp/1596680776/ref=pd_ts_b_2?ie=UTF8&s=books

I'm #2 in the Jewelry category just under my dear friend Susan Lenart Kazmer's FAB book, Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists.

What a great event in the middle of this global crisis we're all trying to ride out. That's why I feel creativity is even more important these days. We all need to tap deeply into our hearts and remember what's REALLY important to us. It's never the stuff, it's who we love... What better way to express that love than by making them a gift straight from our heart to theirs?

You know, a card or piece of jewelry, a quilt or poem. It doesn't matter what it is as long as you're in the flow while creating it. Feeling the abundant energy of sheer creativity. Is that not the greatest high or what? Some days better than chocolate if you ask me...

So with the intensity of everything that's going on outside our front doors these days, I invite you to stay in your warm, safe cucoon and make some great art! The holidays are right around the corner and no matter your financial situation, you can always create! Step beyond the fears of the day and do something that makes you feel good. Nothing brightens a day more than this simple act of kindness. Let's not forget that first whiff of crayons as we gently opened the box in first grade...

Hugs & Sparkles,

Creatively Kristal

I'M ON MARTHA'S BLOG

How exciting to be on the Crafting Diva's blog! I thought I'd take a shot at it , why not...

Martha is having a blog contest and you ALL can enter, here's the link: http://www.themarthablog.com/2008/09/how-to-create-your-own-blog-let-us-show-you.html

My entry is on Sept. 18 - 12:05pmThere are loads of interesting blogy-ness on her site. Have a gander!

LAST WEEK TO PRE-ORDER!!!

FREE SASSY SILKIES!

Sept. 30th is the last day to pre-order my new book, Fabulous Fabric Beads.

I’ll send you FREE Sassy Silky beads with each order and sign your book if you’d like! Purchase on my website: http://www.KristalWick.com

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY TIME!

Bring your gal pals to celebrate my new book launch
FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS
Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry

I'll have a trunk show and book signing so come and play!
Friday, Oct. 17th 4pm-8pm
Wine, cheese, chocolate and loads of door prizes!

TACtile Textile Arts CenterTamarac Square at 7777 E Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO 80231720-524-8886
http://www.tactilearts.org

My First Book Review!

One of my favorite websites is http://www.Ormentea.com
and blogs http://shinylittlethings.blogspot.com/

I was thrilled to read Cynthia’s review of my book, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS.
Cynthia has all kinds of fun events going on. Right now they’re doing a Charm Swap. Check it out! Looks so fun, I’ll have to fit it in my schedule next time!

MARTHA STEWART RIBBONS BEADS

I created these beauties for my new book (you can pre-order on my website http://www.KristalWick.com) and they inspired me to go further and became an entire soon-to-be-launched wedding jewelry line!

I love the color palette of the Martha Steward ribbons for everything wedding! So light and luscious! This 3 strand necklace is pretty formal and you can adapt it and use 1 or 2 strands instead of 3.

That's the fun of designing, isn't it?

MARTHA STEWART RIBBON BEADS

Check out a couple of new designs from my new book, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS!
You can still pre-order the book, it ships early October, I’ll sign it for you and send you FREE Sassy Silky Beads!!!!

I teach you how to make these GREAT Martha Stewart Ribbon Beads in my book using Martha Stewart Ribbons and then and Swarovski crystals and incorporate them into finished jewelry, mixed media projects or quilt dangles, etc.

Sooooooooooooooo fun with endless options!
Great for a gal-pal party to get ready for your holiday festivities!

BEAD DREAMS

The new October issue of Bead & Button magazine has all the Bead Dreams finalists displayed from the competition this past June. My necklace, Tribal Odyssey, is on page A-12! I had such fun making that piece and am honored to be one of the finalists!

Over 400 Swarovski crystals and pearls, and over 200 of my new Sassy Silky beads, Skinny Silkies. Enjoy the spread and watch the drool marks!

YIPEEEE! Tomorrow is Christmas!

Don’t panic, it’s not really December…You still have 126 shopping days left (now THAT’S frightening!). I just heard from my publisher advance copies of my new book, FABUOUS FABRIC BEADS, arrived today and they’re going to overnight a copy to me! It will be Christmas in my house tomorrow! I wonder if I have time to make eggnog…

I am thrilled beyond belief about my new baby. Since I didn’t choose to have any human kids, I have puppies and books!

You can pre-order FABUOUS FABRIC BEADS from my website: http://www.KristalWick.com
It’ll be shipping in October, just in time to make some FUN holiday gifts for your family and friends!

Tomorrow will be a major milestone in my life-seeing my book for the first time! Once again I am the poster child for living a successful life full of intention and dreams (Oh, and a whole bunch of hard work). All of my dreams haven’t come true yet and some might argue with me on my definition of “success” but I am deeply grateful for the abundant creative life I live. The hurdles HUGE, the rewards even bigger! So don’t forget to dream my fellow blingsters! They do come true!

I wonder how I’m going to sleep tonight….

CREATIVITY GALORE!

I had the fortunate opportunity to take 2 classes recently from one of my favorite mentors, Sherrill Kahn (she's in the middle). If you EVER get a chance to take a class from Sherrill, it's a real treat! Check out her schedule: http://www.impressme.com/. Sherrill taught an entire week here in Colorado. Many new creative ideas from her latest book, Stitched Collage: Creative Effects on Paper and Fabric. It was a blast!Reading Sherrill’s first book many moons ago, Creating With Paint: New Ways, New Materials, was the watershed moment that gave me the confidence to touch silk with a paint brush! I immediately made loads of fabric dolls right from her book and the rest is history. No paint brush has been safe around me and a piece of fabric since! I felt such a connection and warmth from Sherrill as an artist through her books, I hoped we'd meet someday. Well, it happened and I am happy to say we are best buddies and I am grateful for every moment spent with her. She's a true Creativity Angel and I am honored to have the forward in my book, Fabulous Fabric Beads, written by Sherrill. How cool is that?

Here is a picture of Sherrill, Dianne Denholm (formerly of D'Leas) and myself. We took Sherrill on a field trip to see the 1st annual member showcase sale going on at the TacTile Arts Center in Denver until Aug. 16. (http://www.tactilearts.org/). If you’re in the area be sure to check out the Center. It’s inspirational and filled with all kinds of professionally hand crafted art!I will forever love taking classes from really cool artisans who inspire me. Isn't that one of the greatest joys in life? No matter how busy we think we are, it's important to stretch the walls of our "box" and learn something new, feel inspired and meet other kindred souls from time to time. Thanks to Sherrill and those lovely kindred souls in her class!

It's all about the BLING baby...

OK kids, I’m coming up for air….

I am honored to be invited by Swarovski as one of the designers featured in their “Inspiration” book coming out next year. The book and the bling-tacular collection goes on a world wide tour from Paris to Thailand for the next 2 years! I submitted 6 designs to them and the board was split on their favs, one group wanted my lamp, the other group wanted one of my necklaces, so they compromised and I’m creating a lamp with my necklace design as the trim! Takes wearing the lampshade at a party to new heights, don’t you think?!!! It’s a wonderfully challenging endeavor I'm diving deep into these days with little time to come up for a breath. Here’s a picture of the thousands of crystal and pearl bling that will be on the lampshade trim (please don your sunglasses before viewing the photo)! I always feel like a kid in an eye candy store when a box of Swarovski crystals shows up at my door!

I wanted to share the joy with you all….

Bead & Button Show

Back from Milwaukee and the biggest bead show in the world, Bead & Button. I was honored to be a finalist in the Bead Dreams competition with my “Tribal Odyssey” necklace featuring over 200 Sassy Silkies and 1800 Swarovski crystals and pearls!

I taught 2 classes and demoed for Swarovski. It was a FAB time and I thank all my students, especially the brave souls who showed up for my 9am Sun. morning “Church of the Creative Soul” Modern Vintage class! My favorite event was Meet the Teacher’s – such fun to chat with those of you I see so infrequently. Save your pennies kids and plan on coming next summer!

MEXICO MERRIMENT

We just got home from a week in lovely Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. We swam with dolphins, snorkeled almost every day, visited ancient Mayan ruins, and sipped a few tropical foo-foo drinks!

The white sand beaches were beautiful. And all the different shades of the blues of the ocean and sky totally inspired me to mix and explore some yummy color pallets.

Hubby, James, chillin'.

I loved the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza.

The stone carvings were my favorite, so artistically inspiring; to think the designs were all carved by hand sooooooooooo many moon ago. You couldn’t help but feel the energy of these sacred sites.

Check out these awsome carvings! I wonder if they used stencils ????

The ruins at TULUM.

The iguanas were EVERYWHERE! Some of them were 5 ft. long!

They were like wild cats scurrying all over the trails. I almost accidentally stepped on them many times…”here kitty, kitty, kitty”

We had a great time!

Stay tuned for part 2, swimming with dolphins!

CRYSTAL CHIX CRUISE 2008

I am so excited to announce our first cruise!

Join instructors Lisa Pavelka, Laura Timmons, Anne Igou and myself for 5 fun filled days of crystal jewelry classes and Mexico! We leave from San Diego Nov. 10 with stops in Ensenada & Cabo San Lucas.

Lisa does polymer clay cruises and they are the BOM! So she's organized a Crystal Chix Cruise and I am thrilled to be a part of the bling-citement!!!

Creating crystal jewelry, sailing and sunshine, a dream come true!!!
For more details visit: http://www.artacrosstheoceans.com/

Sign up now before we sell out!

THE MASK PROJECT

The Denver Hospice’s premiere event, The Mask Project, celebrates its 10th Anniversary in May 2008 as a month-long community event that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for end-of-life care throughout the Denver metro area.
Hundreds of masks by renowned artists, celebrities, sports figures, political and community leaders go on display in the prestigious Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

The Mask Project is free and open to the public, with hundreds of masks on display in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center from May 1 to May 31, 2008.

More than 2 million people are expected to view and bid on masks during an online auction leading up to the Gala on May 31, 2008.

I am proud to be a part of this important charity event for the third time now. Check out the auction and my mask (I’m under the Artist category)

http://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=59842473

I soooooooooooo have my heart set on bidding for Robert Redford’s mask (those who know me, understand my obsession…) but it’s already at $200! By the end of the month it may be a million! And that does NOT include a sleep-over…

BEAD & BUTTON SHOW ALERT!!!!

There’s an awful lot going on these spring-filled days here in Colorado! 80 degree weather one day then a snow storm the next to welcome in May!

Only a few weeks until the FAB B&B show in Milwaukee. My Modern Vintage class is full but there are a few spots left in my Sea Breeze class: http://beadandbuttonshow.stores.yahoo.net/b08257.html

I will be selling my kits and Sassy Silkies at the Meet the Teachers reception June 4th. I have been busy with my Ooompaloompas creating new kits based on my Modern Vintage bracelet in other colors such as reds, purples/teals, blues. These kits sell for $79. The Modern Vintage Class kit sells for $89. The Sea Breeze kit sells for $185. If you can’t make it to the show you can still create these beautiful projects by purchasing the kits. Each one comes with instructions and all the components. Order from my website and tell me which kit you want: http://www.kristalwick.com/

Happy Summer or is it still Winter?

We all (Sage, Gaia and hubby James) just went to spectacular El Dorado Springs Canyon for a summer hike. For some reason I find it’s easy to forget I live in a postcard! With constant deadlines looming and the simple stress of daily life, I forget to stop and smell the roses (or rocks in this case). These pics are 15 minutes from my home and I haven’t even doctored them up with Photoshop (I swear). Of course we’re headed for a storm tomorrow but isn’t that the way life works?

I find living in the foothills of Colorful Colorado such an inspiration in my designs. Nature is certainly the all-time-best-number-1 color pallet! Just look at the color variations of the rocks in these pics! I can’t wait to create my own version in a necklace or bracelet. I find Mother Nature puts colors together I wouldn’t dare…and they work every time!

So, my inspirational "dare ya” dare of the day, gentle blinksters is this:
What completely new color pallet can you use in your next creation - totally inspired by nature? What elements in nature flip your switch, trip your trigger?

Go outside your box kiddos! S - T- R- E - T- C - H ... You might like it….

Visit my new etsy shop!

I recently opened my new shop at etsy. Instead of a brick and mortar shop, I decided to reach a world wide cyber audience. For those of you who aren't familiar with etsy.com it's quite the rage! It's a great website with ONLY handcrafted goodies for sale. From cookies to dog collars, it's a wonderful way to buy quality hand crafted items.

I have some great Mom’s Day jewelry, be sure to browse!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317057

SURF & SAND

OK, OK, so are we all traveling at some strange accelerated time warp speed or is it just me? These days just fly by!

My hubby, James, and I had a lovely vacation in Puerto Rico (thanks Ellen!) and spent some fab time snorkeling, swimming, gambling and just chilling out! I had a huge AHA moment when I realized this is what a “real” vacation feels like! We hadn’t gone on a real vacation for years, usually tacking on a few days here and there to one of my shows or a convention. That’s fun but not the same as a “real” vacation where the most difficult decision of the day is where to dine that evening-halibut or steak! Of course this vacation was extra special in that Ellen paid for it! I highly recommend a few vacations a year and double that amount if they’re paid for!

I’m buried in bead designs and MAJOR bling these days preparing for classes and a few competitions! Since time is at a premium I try to stretch it as much as humanly possible so I give my brain permission every bedtime to work on new designs while I’m asleep AND that I’ll remember these designs upon waking up completely refreshed (this part is really important!). What fun! I jump out of bed almost every morning and sketch away with my coffee. That’s one of my favorite things about being a designer, creativity can come at any time and I allow the flood gates to remain open. Now, sometimes that means the creativity flooding occurs at the most obscure times and a notebook is close at hand everywhere I go (I use extra caution when driving!). I invite you all to try the dreamtime creativity “invitation” while you’re drifting off to sleep. Talk about multi-tasking…

Well fellow blingsters, enjoy the springtime and go make fun stuff!

NEW PBS PROJECT

One of my new Beads Baubles and Jewels segments is this great watch project. Check out the link for free instructions!

http://www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com/projects/702/702-1.htm

SURFS UP

OK gang! I’m packin’ it up!
We’re off to Puerto Rico for 6 days thanks to Ellen Degeneres! We won the trip on her TV show in December. I am so thrilled and really can’t complain about a thing except trying on swim suits! It’s just not right to be this fluffy and this shade of white! You can sure tell it's winter in Colorado! I’m still gonna love myself and remember the fish simply don’t care…


BEAD AND BUTTON SHOW
Here are images of the 2 classes I’ll be teaching for Swarovski in Milwaukee this June. Modern Vintage has only 4 openings left, Sea Breeze has a few more. One of the coolest things about my class Sea Breeze is that I will be showing students the secrets of making my Sassy Silky scrolls we’ll use in the project. It’s a preview for my book coming out this fall, FABULOUS FABRIC BEADS – Create Custom Beads & Art Jewelry. Sign up now: http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/beadandbuttonshow/search.asp?mode=search&ins=T499

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN JIGGIDY JIG!

Nothing like sleeping in your own bed which is where I’ve been since returning from Tucson. It started out as a tickle (you all know the story) and ended up as bronchitis! I still managed to yammer on in my classes but my voice ended up as a squeek! I’m now on the mend and looking forward to feeling “normal” again.

Tucson was phenomenal as usual. Beads, baubles and bling abound! Unfortunately or fortunately (depends on how you look at it) I had to cut most of my shopping out due to this illness. Oh, there’s always next year!

It was great to hook up with buddies again, Katie Hacker, Lisa Pavelka, Margot Potter, and Laura Timmons to name a few fellow instructors. Also so exciting to have folks in my classes from Thailand and Brazil (whom I may add are the fastest beaders I have ever seen!). Seeing the Swarovski competition pieces is worth the trip alone for inspiration.

It went by so quickly and I felt like Cinderella at the ball as I always do when I’m around a Swarovski event!

Thanks to all my lovely students, bling on with your sweet selves!

CHILLIN' TIME

One of my goals for 2008 is to achieve a more balanced life...LOL!!! Can anyone relate or is it just me? Living this exciting fast track lifestyle is simply lovely but I can get pretty stressed now and again. I had to chill this evening and enjoy the most WONDERFUL movie, Miss Potter. It is the delightful tale of Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger); very inspiring for anyone who has written a book or wished they could write a book. The movie captured the true essence and sheer joy in writing which I find I sometimes forget with all the travelling, shows, TV productions and deadlines, etc. Her life was boldly inspiring and quite independent. She kept plugging away despite the many challenges her path encountered; lack of support and heart breaking tragedy. I just love her and wish we could chat over tea in my studio (or hers, it looked sooooooooooooooooooooo MUCH cleaner than mine). I highly recommend this feel-good inspirational flick for a good old creativity shot in the arm!

NEW KITS! NEW KITS! NEW KITS! NEW KITS! NEW KITS! NEW KITS!



My lucky students get first shot at my new kits! Due to popular request (fellow blingsters ALWAYS wanting to buy my kits and I had NONE), I am offering kits to all the students in my Swarovski classes in Tucson. After Tucson my kits will be available on the website. They include crystals, pearls, Sassy Silkies (of course) and some new metal patina charms ya won’t find anywhere (because I create them!). I love combining Swarovski sparkle with dull, antique looking textures and colors.

COUNTDOWN TO TUCSON 29 DAYS!

SWAROVSKI HEAVEN
Here's a picture of my silk purse class for Swarovski.
The studio is bustling with excitement over the big Swarovski Tucson show in 29 days! http://www.create-your-style.com/website.php?id=/events_fairs/events/tucson2008.htm
The first of my 3 classes is 29 days away! I have my helpers, Sage & Gaia, putting my class kits together. They’re not so good at counting the crystals but help in sooooooooooo many other ways! (No extra charge for the stray dog hairs). The Swarovski event is the most exciting in Tucson! A trip through their showroom will inspire you for the next millennium! Not to mention their classes. These teachers ROCK (if I may say so myself). They are the creativity leaders, many of them authors and TV personalities. I consider it an honor to be able to hang with them and learn their techniques and tips. Check out the website, I'd love to have you in one of my classes!

Happy 2008!

Greetings fellow blingsters!
WOW! The past couple of months have been amazing. 2007 sure ended with a BANG!

THANKS ELLEN DEGENERES
Our Santa turned out to be Ellen Degeneres! James, my husband and I won 4 tix to her 12 Days of Giveaways! We both won 2 tix for 2 different shows so we packed up 2 of our dear friends and headed off to Hollywood to play. It was an amazing experience just being in her audience but then the prizes came…I won a bag of cookies form Wolfgang Puck (he was one of the guests), a beautiful coffee table book of animals by Andrew Zuckerman (another guest), a years subscription to Netflix, $700 Ralph Lauren sheet set and a Sleep Number bed ($2500)! Now the funny thing is we already have a Sleep Number bed and are HUGE fans! Just love it! So I will be selling my new Ellen bed (anyone interested in a queen, contact me).
James was on Ellen’s last show and won a digital camera, set of luggage and a trip to Puerto Rico! Ya-ya baby! So we’re off for a lovely jaunt to that sunny spot next month. Thanks Ellen!

BEADS BAUBLES AND JEWELS
The shows I taped for Beads Baubles and Jewels are currently airing on PBS. http://www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com/
Check your local station for show times. If you don’t get this FAB show, send PBS an email requesting it. They do a great job in listening to their viewers. I am hooked on this show! So many great projects, guests and inspiration! Check it out.

Happy Creating!