Sparkling Studio

A busy day in my studio today! There are sparkles and beads everywhere as I am working on custom Swarovski cuff bracelets!



I also stopped by my supplier last week and got some beautiful new semi precious stones. Today's post just offers a little eye candy to help brighten your Monday!

Spring Sparkles

Since this beautiful spring weather has hit Paris, I have been full of inspiration. The bright days, and vibrant flowers in bloom make me want to create! So, I just thought I would share a sneak peak of what sparkles are currently on my desk. I just finished three more hand embroidered Swarovski cuff bracelets. These will look beautiful when worn outside in the bright sunshine to catch their sparkle!
Each cuff is hand stitched with Swarovski crystals, vintage sequins, and glass beads on vintage Parisian silk. They are backed with Ultrasuede and finished with ribbon to tie around your wrist. These are currently made to order, so if you are interested, please send me an email with your color choices to glimpsecreations@yahoo.com Each bracelet is priced at $250 Canadian each.





Also on my work table are these beautiful sparkling sterling silver and crystal bracelets. These bracelets are going to my Canadian customers, but there will be more available soon on www.glimpsebeads.com Otherwise, you can contact me to special order one!

Manish Arora F/W 2011 - 2012

Today I fell in love with Manish Arora. Held at Garage Turenne, this show was exciting from the moment I stepped inside the venue. Vibrant colors adorned just about every person that came to see this famous designers collection. Looking around the crowd, the excitement of the show was obvious. The staple black outfit that is usually the uniform at fashion shows was traded in for bright, energetic colored attire. When looking through the crowd, I noticed Kayne West sitting opposite me, also in a brightly colored leather jacket. Sitting beside him was the famous fashion icon, Diane Pernet of "A Shaded View on Fashion" website! I was so excited to be at the same show as them!


The show began with Magician Benjamin Dukhan wheeling an empty metal cage into the middle of the catwalk, covering it with a cape and, with a tap of a flaming torch, a model appeared inside. As the models made their way down the runway, I was in awe of the amount of Swarovski crystals that adorned the pieces. Each outfit had an impressive amount of Swarovski crystals, rich embroidery and mirrorwork. Embellishment combinations of lamé fabrics and crazy patchwork prints paired with crystal body armor created an almost magical presence in the clothes themselves.








This stunning floor-length ballgown looked as if it was made out of stiff colored paper and cut like a paper snowflake. The same pattern was then seen coming down the runway, printed on a full body catsuit.



I was also just dying over the shoes and boots that were covered in Swarovski crystals that were just about the most sparkle I have ever seen!



The collection from Arora was overall magical with undertones of stylized interpretations to Indian and Asian cultures. Manish Arora was recently appointed artistic director at Paco Rabanne. Fashion industry leaders are anxious to see what the over-the-top designer has in store for this iconic brand.

Rainy Days in Paris

For the last couple of days, the weather here in Paris has not been great. Rain, clouds, and grey skies have kept me huddled up inside trying to stay warm and dry.

The bright side of that means that I am able to play around and come up with new designs. My latest idea is wire work and Swarovski crystals! I will be creating a whole new line of jewelry incorporating sterling silver wire, crystals and semi-precious stones. This picture is just a sample of the type of style that I will be creating.
I am very excited to launch my new line on www.glimpsebeads.com soon! So watch out for these new exciting designs!!!

Royal Sapphire

My latest creation titled, "Royal Sapphire" is finally finished. I had previously shown a picture of some of the components when I was starting the piece.


It is made from Swarovski crystals, glass delica beads, and 24kt gold delica beads. The center piece is composed of 6 large Swarovski rivoli pieces, 3 Swarovski square components and many 4mm Swarovski crystals paired with the glass and gold delica beads. There is a spiral beaded rope which leads up and finished with a toggle clasp.








It is my interpretation of the jewelry that is shown here in Paris at Place de Vendome. The jewelers with boutiques here often show pieces that are dripping with faceted precious stones. I hope you enjoy my new creation, please feel free to comment! It will soon be for sale on www.glimpsebeads.com !!!!

Bead Dreams 2010

Well, I was notified today that I didn't make it into the Bead Dreams competition this year. My entry was called Fleur Noir, and was entered into the seedbead category. It is made with Delica beads, and Swarovski crystals.

I guess this just means that it is another piece for my portfolio! At least I am now able to show you the necklace that I made for the competition! Feel free to comment!

Portfolio Work

In between my orders from www.glimpsebeads.com I will be working on some new pieces for my portfolio. I am trying to build it up, so that I have something really great to take around to designers and beg for freelance work! (If you are a designer, and would like to hire me for embellishment or embroidery work please contact me!)

The start of my new projects will include lots of beads and sparkles! Here is a preview of some rivoli pieces that I am getting ready to include in my new necklace. These are Swarovski crystals surrounded by glass and 24k gold beads.


As I sit and bead, I can look out my window and appreciate the nice quite area of Paris that I live in. I do love the Parisian style window, and all the greenery outside!

Galaxy Bead Pendant

I am officially addicted to making these galaxy beads! I made another one today and paired it with one of my lampwork beads, and Swarovski crystals. This beautiful pendant sparkles so much in the Paris sunshine! As I sit here in my little Paris apartment with my window open listening to the birds outside, I think I might just have to make another one! The only problem now is deciding what color to do next!

A Beady Afternoon

Yesterday I went to a fellow bead friend's apartment for an afternoon of beading. Myself and another friend of mine, happily spent the day creating and gaining inspiration for jewelry ideas. We did a little flamework, and a little stitching throughout the afternoon. It has been about two years since I have sat in front of a torch and created beads, so I was a little rusty to say the least. However, it was great to be able to melt some glass and create some beads again! These are the beads that I made yesterday. Hopefully I will be able to make some more again soon!

My friend was also nice enough to give me a pattern for a beaded bead to create. So, when I came home last night I got right into making it. The picture below is of the bead that I created out of delica beads and Swarovski crystals. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet, but I sure I will be wearing it soon in one of my jewelry creations!

Button Rings!

After a nice relaxing trip to London this past weekend, I am back to making more jewelry. The button rings are finally for sale on my website! www.glimpsebeads.com These funky rings are made from a collection of buttons and Swarovski crystals. Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate, than with these bright funky chunky rings. Pair them with your favorite sun dress, and you will be stylish and ready for the warm weather!
Each ring is handcrafted in Paris, France. Buy one for yourself, or as a gift for someone today!