The Swarovski Tradition

The CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

Ambassador Program

Introduction. . ........................................................................... 12

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DESIGNS
Czarina.......................................................... 14
Filigree and Crystal Necklace| Diane Whiting

Ribbons ......................................................................... 18
Metal Clay Ring | Tamara Honaman

Check It Out................................................................. 22
Graphic Crystal Pendant | Lisa Pavelka

Audrey’s Torsade........................................................... 26
Bead and Crystal Necklace | Linda Hartung

Stepping Stones............................................................ 30
AMBASSADORS & THEIR

African Circle Stitch Bracelet | Diane Fitzgerald

Cornucopia.................................................................... 34
Wireworked Lariat-Style Necklace | Sandra Lupo

Little Black Dress Approved........................................ 38

Crystal Yarn Necklace With Free-form Wirewrapped Crystal Pendant | Jamie North

Tribal Princess.............................................................. 42
Bead Embroidered and Felted Cuff Bracelet | Pat Riesenburger

Royal Jewelry Suite........................................................ 46

Stitched Jewelry Set with Crystals and Pearls | Leslee Frumin

Spangle Bangle.............................................................. 50
Steel Wire and Crystal Mesh Bracelet | Brenda Schweder

Surprise Party................................................................ 54
Crystal and Fabric Bead Necklace | Kristal Wick

Victorian Garden Party................................................ 58

Crystal and Chain Floral Necklace | Valeen Hirata

Pink Orbits................................................................... 62
Stitched Cuff Bracelet | Leslie Rogalski

Sparkle Sprockets......................................................... 66
Wirewrapped Crystal Convertible Necklace | Stephanie Dixon

Mermaid Song............................................................... 70
Wire Crochet with Crystals Necklace | Laura Timmons
 International Gallery.............................................................. 134

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Blooming Earrings........................................................ 74
Free-form Wirework and Crystals | Lilian Chen

Snow Princess............................................................... 78
Crystal Clay and Chain | Debra Saucier

Mandala of Glamour.................................................... 82
Chain and Crystal Necklace with a Custom Crystal Pendant | Fernando DaSilva

Medieval Elegance........................................................ 86
Metalwork and Crystal Necklace | Kim St. Jean

Two By Two................................................................... 90
Right-angle Weave Bracelet | Marcia DeCoster

Fabulous Fade Necklace............................................... 94

Crystals Braided with Beading Wire | Jamie Hogsett

Crystal Prints Cascade................................................. 98

Multicomponent Crystal Necklace | Katie Hacker

Totally In Love............................................................ 102

Wirewrapped Crystal Necklace | Monica Han

Whitewashed Garden Bib........................................... 106

Mixed Media Necklace | Renata Sánchez Ramos

Rainforest Necklace..................................................... 110

Mixed Media Necklace | Nadia Sánchez Ramos

Netted Twins Necklace................................................114

Stitching with Crystals and Twin Beads| Anna Elizabeth Draeger

Encaustic Pins..............................................................118
Wax-Cast and Crystal Brooches | Debbi Simon

Trashionista................................................................. 122
Crystal and Upcycled Magazine Bracelet | Margot Potter

Fluttering By............................................................... 126

Crystal, Chain, and Resin Necklace | June Beach

Simply Toggles............................................................ 130

Interconnected Peyote Loops and Bars Bracelet | Diane Hertzler
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Introduction
Have you ever noticed how a tiny 3mm Swarovski crystal—expertly placed in a dangling earring—can
send a flash of fiery light across a crowded room? These precision-cut pretties are a designer’s darling:
Whether she’s styling a delicate necklace with subtle accents or he’s creating a fully embellished statement
piece, jewelry designers understand that integrating the best elements with the best techniques gives the
best results for not just the jewelry, but also for the person who will wear it for years to come.

Compiling this book and working with the Swarovski team and the CREATE YOUR STYLE with
SWAROVSKI Ambassadors was an honor and a thrill. Talent runs deep among the ambassador team, and
each project is brilliant in design and execution. During the editing process, I’d unwrap a piece of jewelry
and have it by my computer as I carefully counted each bead and verified the directions on the screen. As
I worked, I felt I got to know each and every designer through her or his piece. My appreciation for the
technical accuracy, ingenious construction, and judicious use of color and elements grew as I made my
way through the book. It is impossible for me to pick a favorite: Each project has revealed new insights and
each ambassador has inspired me in numerous ways.

What I most enjoy about this impressive collection is the multitude of techniques and variety of styles
represented—proving that crystals are not just appropriate on the dressiest occasions, but are perfect
for everyday wear as well. You’ll find stringing, bead stitching, wirework, metalwork, fiber arts, mixed
media, resin, metal clay, and more. The projects assume a working knowledge of the technique involved.
(If you are unclear about a certain procedure, technique, or stitch, consult another source to brush up on
basic skills.) Detailed crystal, material, and tool lists accompany each project to help you most accurately
replicate the work. Creativity is encouraged, so explore the wide range of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS to
bring your own personal flair to a project. Should you encounter difficulty finding a specific shape or color,
please substitute a similar element, as there will be subtle shifts in availability from year to year.

Now it’s your turn to explore. I hope you find unexpected joy as you traverse these pages. Seeking
inspiration? Page through the projects and absorb the color and shine. Let your mind wander as you absorb
rich textures and detailed designs. Visit the international gallery for a world tour of jewelry made by
ambassadors from around the globe. Looking for personal growth? Challenge yourself with a new
technique. Curious about the style makers leading design trends? Read the ambassador profiles and
interviews to learn how they’ve built a livelihood from a passion.

This book is bursting with ideas—where will you begin?

Karin Van Voorhees

12
DESIGNS
Ribbons

18
Tamara Honaman
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The design for this metal clay ring (on paper) started in one place and, through
construction, led to another. It was entertaining to be a spectator as this transpired, and I thoroughly enjoyed
working out the intricacies of the design—the length of the ribbons and how best to create them, the size of
the straw to lend support while the metal clay dried, the dimension of space to leave in the center to fit the
Swarovski briolette, and so on. It all boils down to a formula, and once you have the formula
figured out, you can make changes to accommodate the variables. The fun is in experimenting and seeing all
the amazing designs that result from the experimentation.

materials
SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS
• 18mm 5040 briolette,
Denim Blue

Other Supplies a b c
• 60–75 grams metal clay
• 10 grams metal clay slip
• 5 in. 16-gauge fine-silver wire

Tools
• roundnose pliers
• flatnose pliers
d e f
• wire cutters
• olive oil 1 Using roundnose pliers, make a plain loop on shrinkage that occurs when firing metal clay.
• roller the end of the 16-gauge wire. Using flatnose Cut a strip of flexible nonstick sheet. Place the
• slats or playing cards pliers, spiral the wire for three turns. With sheet on the ring mandrel at the increased size.
• flexible nonstick sheet flatnose pliers, make a 90-degree bend in the Trim the sheet so there is little overlap. Wrap
• 20–25mm circle cutter wire tail (a). the sheet around the mandrel and place a small
• spray bottle filled with water piece of tape onto the seam of the nonstick
• scissors 2 Apply a light coating of olive oil to your tools, sheet. Burnish the tape to create a bond and so
• tissue blade work surface, roller, circle cutter and the edge of the seam is nearly invisible. Any bump in the
• ring sizer the tissue blade. Roll out 10 grams of metal clay nonstick sheet will transfer to the ring band.
• ring mandrel and holder to 3 cards (.75mm) thick. Use a circle cutter to
• clear adhesive tape cut out a 20–25mm circle. Wrap the excess clay 6 Roll 20g of clay to 6 cards (1.5mm) thick and
• drinking straw to keep it moist. in a long, thin rectangle. Trim the long edges
• extruder of the rectangle to create the width of the band.
• rubber-tipped tool 3 Place the spiral in the metal clay slip and coat Keep the edges as straight as possible.
• paintbrush the wire with a thick layer. Place the spiral on
• mug warmer the center of the clay circle (b). 7 Wrap the clay around the mandrel at the
• sanding sponges and designated size so the ends overlap. Hold the
polishing papers 4 Roll 5–8 grams of clay to 2 cards (.5mm) blade on an angle and cut through both layers of
• hammer thick. Cut out a 20–25mm circle, and then cut clay (d). Remove the excess clay from each end.
• steel bench block the circle in half. Wrap the excess clay to keep
• kiln with kiln shelf it moist; if needed, apply a mist of water. Using 8 Using a paintbrush, apply slip to both angled
• vermiculite a paintbrush, apply water to the circle, working ends. Join the ends and apply a bit of pressure to
• brass brush around the spiral and the metal clay slip. Place secure. Using a damp paintbrush, clean up any
• tumbler with mixed stainless each half circle on top of the spiral so they meet excess slip. Dry the band to semi-dry.
steel shot in the middle. Apply pressure to join the halves
• burnishing compound (or as well as seam the two circles together, 9 Carefully remove the nonstick sheet and
water and dish detergent) capturing the wire spiral (c). ring from the mandrel. Place the nonstick
sheet, with the ring still in place, on a mug
5 Use the ring sizer to determine the size of warmer and dry completely. Carefully
your ring. Increase by 21⁄2 sizes to allow for the press inward on the seam of the nonstick

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medium Batik Beauty, 4mm bicone, six fabric link, bottom present. Make two. 9 On each end, string a 4mm bicone,
bicone dangles, large spacer, 3mm bicone. e. Small fabric link, middle present, strand h, a 4mm bicone, and a rondelle.
Make a plain loop above the beads. Make medium fabric link, middle present, Repeat seven times, substituting strands
16 medium fabric bead links (b, middle). medium fabric link, bottom present. g–a for h.
Make two.
6 On a 4-in. eyepin, string: 3mm bicone, f. Medium fabric link, middle present, 10 On each end, string a 4mm bicone, a
large spacer, six bicone dangles, 4mm bi- medium fabric link, middle present, bottom present, and a 4mm bicone.
cone, large Batik Beauty, 4mm bicone, six medium fabric link, bottom present.
bicone dangles, large spacer, 3mm bicone. Make two. 11 On each end, string a rondelle and a
Make a plain loop above the beads. Make g. Medium fabric link, middle present, small spacer. Repeat 19 times (20
nine large fabric links (b, right). medium fabric link, middle present, large rondelles total), ending with a spacer.
fabric link, bottom present. Make two.
7 Make 17 long strands by linking the h. Medium fabric link, middle present, 12 On each end, string a 4mm bicone and
loops of: large fabric link, middle present, large a crimp tube. Go back through each crimp
a. Small fabric link, bottom present. fabric link, bottom present. Make two. tube, leaving a small loop of wire. Crimp
Make two. i. Large fabric link, middle present, large and trim the excess wire.
b. Small fabric link, middle present, small fabric link, middle present, large fabric
fabric link, bottom present. Make two. link, bottom present. Make one. 13 Attach a clasp half to each end of the
c. Small fabric link, middle present, small necklace with a jump ring.
fabric link, middle present, small fabric Putting It All Together
link, bottom present. Make two. 8 On beading wire, center a rondelle, a
d. Medium fabric link, middle present, 4mm bicone, strand i, a 4mm bicone, and
small fabric link, middle present, small a rondelle.

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Q&A

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WITH

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KRISTAL
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Kristal Wick is a frequent guest on PBS,

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HGTV, and the inventor of Sassy Silkies—

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handpainted silk beads. Her designs have

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been featured in over 50 publications.

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She’s authored three best-selling books,

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including Fabulous Fabric Beads

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and won many international awards

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including two first place designs in the

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British Bead Awards competition, first and

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third place designs in the K. Gottfried Inc.

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Worldwide Design Contest, finalist in the

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CHA Indie Craft Contest, finalist at the Bead

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• & Button Bead Dreams competition, and

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• third place in the International Design

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competition sponsored by the Washington

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create-your-style.com/Content.Node/

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“My inspiration changes

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work and perspective fresh.”

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How long have you been Favorite tool? Favorite of the SWAROVSKI
making jewelry? Mini roundnose pliers. I can wire wrap ELEMENTS?
Since my first macaroni necklace, I’ve on the plane! The butterfly (5754). Butterflies
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enjoyed wearing my own creations. represent transformation and growth.

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Having spent many years as a Best thing about being an Add that beautiful Swarovski sparkle
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technical writer in corporate America Ambassador? and you’ve got the perfect bead! I try
having trunk shows in my cubicle, EVERYTHING! It’s such an honor to to include them in my designs every
I finally took the leap of faith, be part of the Ambassador family with chance I get.
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followed my dream and haven’t so many outstanding designers

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looked back! It’s been a very bumpy and overwhelming creativity. Inspiration?
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roller coaster ride but worth every Tapping into the color trends and Chocolate, my puppy Sparkle, the
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white-knuckle moment! shapes of Swarovski Elements has majestic Colorado mountains outside
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greatly affected my design aesthetic my studio and delish java, not

Best advice you’ve received?
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and it’s a pleasure to see their new necessarily in that order! My

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Always use good quality materials releases before launch time to inform inspiration changes daily which keeps
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and tools for your designs. You never my designs for the coming seasons. my work and perspective fresh.
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know where they’ll end up! From a

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magazine cover to the dance floor, Advice for new beaders?

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great quality jewelry withstands the Dive in! Fearless Creativity is my

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test of time and you won’t end up with motto. There’s no such thing as failure
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an inferior end product, breakage, or in art, you can always slap on another
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undesirable surprises. layer to hide the“flaws”and call it

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mixed media!
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Snow
Princess

Debra Saucier
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Q&A
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WITH

KATIE
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• Katie Hacker is the host of the public
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• television program, Beads, Baubles &
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• Jewels. She has written many books about
• beading and jewelry making and is a
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• columnist for Bead Style magazine. She is a
• Beadalon design team member and has
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her own line of jewelry findings, Katiedids

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Creative Components, available from

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Beadalon distributors.
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KatieHacker.com.
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create-your-style.com/Content.Node/
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ambassadors/Katie-Hacker.en.php
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“There’s nothing like SWAROVSKI

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ELEMENTS for drama and sparkle.”

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How long have you been Favorite tool? Inspiration?
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making jewelry?
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My Italian flush cutters are never far I’m inspired by beautiful materials
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I started making jewelry as a teenager from my hands. The handles are and there’s nothing like SWAROVSKI
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because I couldn’t find cool clip comfortable and the cuts are clean. ELEMENTS for drama and sparkle.
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earrings for my unpierced ears. I wrote

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my first book, It’s Knot Hard: Hemp Best thing about being an Advice for new beaders?
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Jewelry, right after college and have Ambassador? Everyone gets frustrated when their
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loops aren’t perfect. Keep practicing!

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been building my career ever since.

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My favorite part of being an

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I feel really lucky to get to do what I You will keep getting better and better.
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Ambassador is the sense of

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love for a living.

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camaraderie—we have a great

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time together!
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Best advice you’ve received?

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Be as patient with yourself as you are

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Favorite of the SWAROVSKI

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with others. ELEMENTS?

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I’m partial to the crystal prints because

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they’re so unusual. You just don’t see

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them everywhere, so they’re very

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eye-catching.
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 Totally in
Love

Monica Han

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Whitewashed
Garden Bib

106
Renata Sánchez Ramos