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!

NEWSY NEWS

KEEPIN' YA IN STITCHES AT THE QUILT FESTIVAL

I just returned from the biggest quilt festival in the world! Houston, TX was the destination of over 50,000 quilter busily shopping, taking classes and just getting overwhelmingly inspired. I taught 4 classes and 2 demos to over 500 quilters! Embellishments rule at this show and it's apparent with over 2200 booths selling bling baubles and other fun goodies. The competition fashion show was the most spectacular I've seen in fashion wearables with Swarovski bling and beads on 99% of the creations! This is good news for us Bling-Babes! An abundance of pearls, crystals and beads embellished many of the award winning quilts as well. Not your gramma's quilts anymore, the art quilts took my breath away; a mixed media maven’s paradise! I'll be teaching my Sassy Silky secrets at next years' show so save up your pennies and plan for Houston 2008!



CREATE your STYLE™ with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements Class Registration

I am honored once again to be teaching 3 classes for Swarovski in Tucson February 2008. Visit the Swarovski website to register, class space is VERY limited!

http://www.create-your-style.com


NEW LARK BOOKS

Check out Lark’s new books Beading with Crystals and Beading with Charms. I have a project in each of them and I know you’ll feel inspired leafing through each page, I sure did! Order online or from your favorite shop.
http://www.larkbooks.com/



PBS BEADS BAUBLES AND JEWELS

The new season of BB&J is just beginning to air on PBS. We taped some really fun projects for you all; guaranteed to inspire and show you some fun new ways to make your own beady creations. I appear in shows #702, #704, #710, and #713 so check out your local PBS station for air dates and times.



LET THE FUN BEGIN

HA! I've been having fun writing my first book with Interweave Press for the past 6 months now, time for a new level of fun! My 4 day photo shoot for the book is next week and I'm running around with that deer-in-the-headlights-gotta-deadline-looming look (anyone know what I mean or is it just me?!). Seriously, this project has been a blast and I can't wait for you all to see these new bead creations and teach them next year. I hear a leather bead whispering "I'm ready for my close up now Mr. DeMille".



SWEET FALL

Wishing you all that last luscious crunchy shuffle through the falling leaves. Enjoy the fall color palettes and smells!

P.S. Just had my first eggnog latte from the big S….the holidays are here gang, go make fun stuff…Mmmmmmm….

Lovely October

What an exciting week! The trees are turning my most favorite colors AND there’s more chocolate on the market at this time of the year than any other thanks to Halloween! What could be better?

SWAROVSKI TUCSON 2008 CLASS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
I am teaching 3 classes for Swarovski next year. Here’s the PDF workshop catalog:
http://www.create-your-style.com/img/pool/2635_tucson_workshops.pdf
Here’s their website:
http://www.create-your-style.com/website.php?id=/index.htm
If you haven’t been to Tucson, it’s a top 10 MUST-See before ya die event!
Loads of gems and jewels as well as 5 beads shows hit this town in Feb! Strolling through the Swarovski gallery is well worth the trip alone but I gotta say their workshops rock!

NEW BELLE ARMOIRE FEATURE
I am honored to be featured in the new issue of BA http://www.bellearmoire.com
I discuss The Art & Business of Beads & Baubles. I have been inspired by this magazine since I created my first fruit loop necklace and it’s a thrill to be a part of their beautiful publication.

OFF TO QUILT…
Some very fun prep work going on in my studio for the big Quilt Festival in Houston next month! http://www.quilts.com
I have been snipping silks, bagging bling and fondling fiber getting the kits ready for my classes and WOW are my students in for a BLAST! I can’t wait for the event and love every minute spent with the Quilting Crowd. Still a few spots left in my classes; check out my website for pretty pictures: http://www.KristalWick.com

GO HUG SOME TREES
Guess I live too close to Boulder, the fall makes me want to hug a tree! Remember the smell and feel of the air in the fall when we were kids? I grew up in the Midwest so those Minnesota falls had some of the most beautiful color combinations I’ve ever seen. Here in Colorado we get that golden aspen glow with a touch of red here and there, but none of it compares to those New England falls! WOW, I miss living in Boston and taking road trips to Vermont- they were the BEST! Every year at this time I crave a “leaf peeping” trip in that corner of the world. Maybe next year!
What are your fondest childhood fall memories?

Enjoy…

Creatively Kristal
http://www.KristalWick.com

Go Rockies!

Happy Fall!

OK, so my intentions were good...(you all know what I mean on this one, huh?). I MEANT to blog days ago but life kept getting in the way! Days are filled to the brim with preparing for the photo shoot of all the lovlies for my new book. The shoot will take 4 days. WHEW! Every time I think I'm done with a bead, that little voice inside (not sure if it's an angel or the other guy with horns) says, "but what if you did it like this...or that or in a different color...bla...bla...bla?". Then I have to make just one more sample....Ahhhhhhh, the never ending story of divine inspiration and fabric beads!



I'm also getting ready for the big Quilt show in Houston. It's one of my favorites and I'll be teaching 4 classes and 2 samplers this year with NO booth (my hubby is so very happy about this). I'm introducing brand new foiled and textures Sassy Silks (12x12 and 6x6) so you can make purses, pillows, embellish your scrapbooks or collage with them. They are too much fun to make and quite addictive! If there's any left after Houston, I'll put them up on my website. For any of you who will be travelling to the Quilt show, I apologize for no booth this year but if you'd like to purchase any of my silks or Sassy Silkies, I will have a limited supply in my classrooms for sale at the end of my classes so you can poke your head in and see if there's anything you can't live without!



I was sewing with my girlfriend Karen the other day (truth is SHE was sewing, I was playing with her 4 month old golden retriever and new baby kitty). Out of nowhere Hojo, her 20 year old cat, jumped up onto our sewing table and firmly planted herself on the pile of Sassy Silks we were working with. Karen informed me she is totally obsessed with my Sassy Silks and comes running into the room any time Karen brings them out! She insists on sitting right in the middle of them and purrs contently. Karen has to keep them put away in a closet! It was hysterical and probably the best review to date on my Sassy Silks; they're now paws up officially "Kitty Approved"!



Well Blingsters, off for a beautiful fall filled walk with my pooches. Enjoy the fall colors, smells and keep on creating!

http://www.KristalWick.com

WELCOME

Greetings fellow Blingsters!
My first blog is a momentous occasion, let’s cling our glasses and cheer (it counts even if your glass is filled with orange juice!). I have been encouraged for many moons now to create a blog so I can fill y’all in. Katie Hacker (http://www.KatieHacker.com), great beading queen, author, TV celeb and friend wins the MEA (Most Encouragement Award). I’ll be sending her plastic…er, ah, I mean lovely priceless bronze award statue in the mail this week! LOL!


Welcome all and thanks for reading. I plan on blogging every week although if there’s any major excitement or I win the lottery, it may be longer between blogs!

WRITERS PARADISE
I just returned from my first ever author sabbatical! I am under contract with Interweave Press (http://www.InterweavePress.com) for my first ever glossy paged book (the first book I wrote, Sassy Silky Savvy, did NOT have glossy pages). I am more than excited about this new book which will be launched fall 2008. I will be divulging ALL my Sassy Silky secrets along with 29 new fabric beads created just for YOU my dear Blingsters. Some are shiney, some are leathery, some are vintage and everything in between. My book will include all the steps and real purdy pictures too! Swarovski (http://www.create-your-style.com/website.php) is co-sponsoring my book so you can be sure there will be plenty of bling. Anyhoo, I got to spend a week on my beloved Lake Minnetonka, MN where I grew up. My second family was gracious enough to let me stay in their fabulous home if I took care of Dave the cat. Such a deal I said! Thanks so much Jan & John for sharing your peaceful abode with me, it was so healing for my soul and I feel like a newly refreshed artesian once again; bursting at the seams with abounding creativity! Plus the book is almost done thanks to Dave the cat! Meow…

CHATTING IT UP
I will be speaking at the Sept. meeting for the Denver chapter of the American Sewing Guild (http://www.asgdenverchapter.com/index.html) this Saturday. I’m looking forward to meeting some new sewing sisters and hope they have cookies! I do quite a bit of speaking and teaching for clubs and guilds all over the country. Let me know if you’d like a visit!

QUILTS QUILTS QUILTS
I’ve been busy preparing for the most-stupendous-fabulous-overwhelming quilt show in the country, the International Quilt Festival (http://www.quilts.com) in Houston October. I’m teaching 4 classes and doing 2 Samplers (already sold out). See my website for class pictures and information (http://www.kristalwick.com/events.htm). Still a few spots left but these classes will sell out before the show starts so if ya want em’ grab em!

LOVEBOAT HERE WE COME!
I was recently invited to teach on the Princess Cruise Lines (http://www.princess.com/) next year. Should I confess to packing already? Shhhhh, don’t tell…
I will be teaching jewelry classes on board while we’re at sea. Hmmmmm where shall we go? I am mainly concerned with the whole bathing suit situation (ladies can I hear an AMEN on this?). I am requesting from you dear Blingsters your most creative diet. Send them to me through my website: http://www.KristalWick.com and the top 5 winners get FREE goodies (could be finished jewelry, Sassy Silkes, my book, etc.). Help me help YOU!

FAVORITE LATEST READ
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (http://www.elizabethgilbert.com). I am almost done with this luscious book so don’t tell me the end if ya know it! I just gotta share with you all how WONDERFUL this book is. I can almost taste the pasteries she devours in Italy! Thanks Elizabeth for a phenomenal experiential journey that was a large part of refreshing this artist’s heart & soul!