My trip to Tucson, Arizona began as I arrived at my hotel where I have to say is a definate oasis in the dessert my hotel is gently tucked into the hills surrounded by hills of saguaro cactus, each morning I awoke to a beautiful dessert view. I checked into my hotel into my room, dropped off my luggage and went straight to Trader Joes (we don’t have them in Hawaii) to purchase a list of goodies !

I held 3 sold out classes : Secret Garden Bracelet, and Bel Fiore neckalace I was so proud of all my students as they all finished and were able to leave with a new piece of jewelry. I realize each time I teach a class, no matter how prepared you are? there is always something you did not think about, and although I have taught for many years I always leave a class having learned something from my students.

I was so blessed to have Kristin, who is a crafts department staffer for Martha Stewart take a class of mine she blogged the entire project!! you can view it onhttp://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/?s=live+from+tucson thankyou Kristin! this was my closest claim to fame.. it was so nice to meet Kristin after I had seen her on the Martha Stewart show a few times and was always impressed by her as she delivered her crafts project on live TV.

As I am part of the Swarovski Ambassador Program, we were priveleged to sit thru a launch release presentation where we learned about all the new and upcomming products….and as always, myself along with the other Swarovski Ambasadors, are always alittle teary eyed as the Create your Style with CRYSTALLIZED TM Swarovski Elements show comes to an end . however at the end of the show comes the customer appreciation party where we along with other Sparkling customers can gather and let loose dancing, socializing, networking.. hundreds of pictures are taken and memories that will hold us until next time.
when all the teaching was over I finally had the chance to shop.. and shop and shop it’s amazing how fast your money can dissappear and how much time it takes to choose and pick over the thousands of vendors. this year I only made it to 4 shows…. Yes, I feel like i missed out on something but really, Did I have any more money to spend??? NO….. but what I did purchase and information gathered i felt like I covered enough ground and I am a happy camper!

Hello Fellow sparkle divas,

sorry that it has been so long since the last post so much has been keeping me busy and with little time to post  the Christmas and New Year celebrations have come and gone  and it was time to take a short break while the shop was quiet before the wedding season starts  we took our shop girls out to Cinnamon’s for a indulgent breakfast of  gingerbread pancakes, guava chiffon pancakes, hambuger steak
YUMMY!    Thankyou Carssie Green you make yummy pancakes and coffee

last weekend Creations by You exhibited in the Hawaii bridal Expo which is the largest wedding event of the year our friends at Kahala Caterers had the most beautiful display Orange and Yellow we made the favors and Menu cards to beautify the table. our booth was the most EYE candy we kept brides busy with lots to see and imagine invitations and favors full of Crystal  sparkling with the lighting.

so now.. it’s that time of year again to travel to Tucson ,AZ and teach for Swarovski at the annual Create your style with CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements.  which by the way is my highlight event of the year I’m so excited that I have 3 sold out classes and a demo.. Secret Garden Bracelet and Bel Fiore Necklace keeping me busy for 4 days straight teaching along with me are wonderful friends who are leaders in the industry.
as much as I adore my grandbaby, I have to admit, I am looking forward for a little R&R and some down time with good friends. and a day at the SPA!

I’ll keep you posted on the events and what I find in Tucson!
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Twice a Year, CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements releases new colors, shapes, and new finishes, to the left, you will see a sample box that the CYS partners re
cieve to tempt us to buy.  this launch is very exciting!  there are new colors of beads super cool shapes for pendants, beads and stones the newest colors are the Cyclamen Opal and Griege  odd names but it’s catchy.. the pieces will arrive slowly but surely so far we have recieved some in the cyclamen and griege in bicones and a copper fishy bead by mid Friday, we should have flatbacks .

Last night, Debbie and I were part of a wedding favor and invitation showcase at the Wedding Cafe.. at Ward Warehouse meeting rooms
for those of you who are not familiar with the Wedding Cafe it is place that holds information all about weddings in Hawaii a mixture of wedding professionals from invitations to photographers  the owners are an awesome young couple Tanna and Bryson ! they hold fun interactive seminars for brides and grooms to educate them in the wedding necessities..
Creations By You participates in 2 events
the invitation showcase and Wedding DIY night.
as you can see, Debbie is always the one who goes up to the front and does all the talking .. I am the shy one!!

Last night was a fun event with over 200 people filling the room we were treated to the Emcee stylings of Gregg Hammer who announced the wedding professionals as we went up to the front to talk about our businesses.  our table linnens were supplied by le Saison . the event overall was a great evening with eager to learn brides and grooms and yummy treats to eat by the candy buffet company and bucca di peppo and wine samplings by the wine experience.