CRYSTALLIZE Your Home

As a child I saw the film Pollyanna and one scene made a permanent impression.  Pollyanna and her friend are caught by the neighborhood "boogey man" spying about his house.  While they are inside, they see a "rainbow" on the wall which was created by crystal prisms hanging from the old man's lamp.  To the two young children, it is magic.  This was the beginning of my love for the magic created by crystals. Crystals stayed a magical mystery to me for most of my life, something only wealthy people had in their homes, hanging from lamps or chandeliers.  It would be many years before I discovered Swarovski and then the magic of CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements came into my life, and into my home.  Because of the extensive products and color offerings, this magic can be in all our homes.

Adding sparkles to your home environment has no limits.  You only need to search the Create-Your-Style Design Ideas Tab (select Interior in the first drop-down menu) to reveal 50+ applications to inspire you.  CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements can be used in every room and on just about every surface.  There are so many possibilities; the toughest part of CRYSTALLIZING your home may be deciding what not to do!

Here are my 3 favorite areas to Crystallize:

Windows:       

The source of natural light, they are one of the best places for crystals.  Here the magic can be projected onto all the surfaces of your rooms.  Sun catchers are an obvious choice to add sparkle and color.  Try stringing any of your favorite CRYSTALLIZED^TM Beads and/or CRYSTALLIZED^TM Pendants onto monofilament beading cord, tie a loop at one end, make an "S" hook from wire, attach it to the loop, hang from any window molding or curtain rod and wait for the show.

Curtain tiebacks can be crystallized by adding your own handmade fringe or by wrapping cords with a string of crystals. For a subtle effect, try knotting beads on silk necklace cord, about an inch apart, and then wrap the "necklace" around the tieback cord.  For a luxe look, embellish pre-made tassels by attaching pendants onto the ends of the bullion.  Better yet, make your own tassels and maximize the sparkle by using all the beads you desire.  Someday I will create my dream CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements home piece: an interpretation of a Tiffany window as a curtain using 3mm Art.5301 and RAW (right angle weave).

Tables:           

Crystal napkin rings can be made or embellished with beads, pendants, crystal yarn, flatbacks or any of the pre-made crystal transfers, metal trimmings or crystal mesh.  Why not try them all, and create a full collection of jewelry for your napkins? Twist beads onto colored wire and make "sparkle sticks" for your floral centerpieces. Of course, any of your other table accessories can also be crystallized; try gluing flatbacks or crystal transfers onto placemats, candlesticks, tablecloths, or flower vases; even dishes and silverware can be crystallized!  What guest wouldn't be honored with their name spelled out in tiny crystal on a place card? 

Don't limit your table ideas to the dining room, look to the accessories on your occasional tables in the living room and bedrooms, or treat other surfaces like mantles and bookshelves the same. Pendants can be attached to a purchased brass ring (look in sewing or macramé supplies in your craft store) and hung on glass flower vases or candle holders. Trim coasters in the same style as you trim placemats.  Cover picture frames with glue-on or sew-on stones, or a cover made in crystal RAW. Crystal can be a unifying element between all your rooms.

Lighting:       

My very first experience with CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements was making votive candle holders as Holiday gifts for family and friends.  I used Art.5301 bicones in 4mm and 5mm and wove sleeves for glass candle cups using RAW.  Here again was the magic of crystals and light.  Swarovski has been innovating in the world of lighting for over a century, their creative vision knows no boundaries and neither should yours.  Nest 2 glass vases, one slightly smaller than the other, pop a battery-operated tap light into the inner vase and fill the space between the two with crystal beads and/or fancy stones; voila, a dramatic lighting piece you can move from room to room.

Look to Swarovski and our talented CREATE YOUR STYLE Ambassadors for inspiration and innovation in crystallizing every area of your home.  Swarovski's inspiration book Africa & Scandinavia: Creativity at the Crossroads contains Krystal Wick's amazing Zuni Lampshade, Valeen Hurata's delicate Floral Dream Vase Decoration,  Katie Hacker's rustic Wildflower Frame, Laura Timmons's whimsical shadow box  Play With Dolls,  and Diane Fitzgerald's intriguing Fertility Dolls.  Why not try creating your own sparkling home accessory?  Here are a couple of other links to help inspire your creativity:  Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED^TM , Swarovski Architecture, Swarovski Crystal Palace.  Sparkles and smiles, everyone...I'm now going to go sketch some ideas how I can crystallize my bathroom!