Sometimes Change is Good

Way long ago, I was fortunate enough to have my friends over at ArtBeads.com provide me with complimentary Swarovski elements, from which I made:

Well, truth be told, I never wore the set.

It hung there unworn, looking pretty.    What's the point of being pretty if its unworn, right? 

So I took out my snippers and cut the necklace apart. 
Gasp!  Now what??!  NO turning back now.....

How about a cuff bracelet?

Before mounting

Love that shine - nothing beats faceted Swarovski for light play

Just over 2 inches wide - this is one bold cuff

Yes, definitely more my style!

~Bead Happy and Often! ~

Kiss Me

~sigh~ It's done. My art-inspired cuff bracelet. After agonizing over the design and then construction, I never thought I would be happy with the results. But I am. Thanks to Artbeads.com, I had just what I needed to pull it all together.

I knew I wanted the left side of the cuff to represent the man's cloak using rectangular shapes and the woman's side to be circular shapes, like her dress. I also wanted to incorporate the bed of flowers that lie at their feet.

Artbeads.com stocks these awesome Swarovski flatback baquettes and rhinestones. Not only were those perfect for my cuff, I also found these adorable Swarovski margarita beads that are the perfect little faceted flower! I couldn't believe it -- I found the rectangles, circles, and flowers all in one place.

Then to edge the entire cuff I used Swarovski pearls in black. Although these beads are very lovely, I was surprised to see that on every bead, the one hole was rough, I'm assuming from whatever coating is put on them. But I just made sure the 'rough' side was against the edge, and it wasn't a problem.

The two Swarovski hearts (also from Artbeads) that dangle off the closure were actually left over from the supplies I used for my parent's 50th anniversary picture frames. I think they are perfect on this piece. The vintage glass button is one from my stash. It's really cute - though hard to see in this picture.
The sparkle of the Swarovski elements are so beautiful. I wish you could see it in person! I would highly recommend using Swarovski elements whenever you need a little glitz. (I hear that Artbeads.com has a Labor Day promotion if you sign up for their newsletter, you get a coupon worth 20% off a $60+ order. Sweet. But act fast if you are interested - the promotion will be over on Tuesday at 9 a.m. They carry over 5,000 Swarovski items!!)

Now that I have Poppy and my Kiss Cuff completed, it's back to my Life Box! It's been neglected for way too long.