crystallized by yoshiko

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:25:00.002-04:00

I've made 'Guardian Angel' with beads for my mom and submitted an entry to the Make it for Mom Challenge contest on Artbeads wedsite.

I would be really grateful if you'd check out my entry at 'Make it for Mom Challenge' and click 'Vote now' for me. The public voting ends on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 11:59PM PST. Thanks! Yoshiko

NEW! Balanced Jewelry & Accessories

2011-04-10T17:51:00.016-04:00

I'm excited to announce that some of my jewelry and accessories are selected at the store 'Just The Essentials', Hamilton's largest aromatherapy gift shop.

On the first day, a necklace and two bracelets are sold. It's a great start. I'm so happy about it! Janice, the owner of the store gave me a call about more orders for her store and told me she's also happy for me. Thank you so much, Janice! (Janice is Wellness Practitioner/
Reiki Master/Teacher) 'Just The Essentials' provides amazing quality natural bath & body products. I've been using her soap and skin care products. I really love them.
To visit 'Just The Essentials' at 532 1/2 Concession St. Hamilton, ON.
Store hours: Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10am-5pm.

PRAY for JAPAN, this is something I can do for my country

2011-03-18T23:18:00.002-04:00

I created my first collection on ArtFire. This collection is for TOHOKU, JAPAN including "Circl of Life" necklace from my studio. 50% of proceed will be donated to CANADIAN RED CROSS for JAPAN EARTHQUAKE - ASIA PACIFIC TSUNAMI.

for TOHOKU, JAPAN - JAPAN EARTHQUAKE - A...

Curated By: DazzlingU

ArtFire.com

Dangle Bootlet is featured in "Copper Fire"

2011-03-11T18:52:00.004-05:00

My Dangle Bootlet has been featured in a collection titled: "Copper Fire" on ArtFire, curated by CleanAndBright.

Copper Fire

Curated By: CleanAndBright

ArtFire.com

Sports Spirit Jewelry and Accessories

2011-03-05T17:17:00.015-05:00

These are the necklace and the bracelet I made with volleyball charms. Why volleyball?
My sister-in-law Adrienne, her girls Juliana and Sofia play volleyball and they all really good players!
One day I went to see Sofia's game. I was inspired by a lot of young girls there play seriously. Later I checked sports theme items then found some good looking charms.
The heart charm I ordered has Swarovski Crystal AB so I added Swarovski crystal Art. 5000, 6m/m round beads to dangle on the necklace and the bracelet.
I also made key chains and cellphone charms too. I added a clasp on the cellphone charm, allow it add to necklace, bracelet, purses/bags, zipper pull whether you want.
The cellphone charm is made with 3D volleyball charm and Swarovski crystal Art. 5301 4m/m and 6m/m beads. There are 6 colors, Purple, Dark Blue, Aqua, Red, Clear and Black.
Check more details at my studio Dazzling U,
Dazzling U*ArtFire Kiosk for facebook user.

The Valentine's Day gift for my girl Erika

2011-02-15T15:32:00.041-05:00

I made this ring for my daughter Erika for Valentine's. She is 11 years old. She likes fashion, accessories and of course loves Justin Bieber!
I thought she now might like a oversized ring like this. This is the only one ring designed and made just for her.
I used fire polished beads 3m/m and seed beads for the ring base. The three beaded rows makes 15m/m height.

Her middle name is Faith. So I buy charms or small stones with 'Faith' on them when I come across them. This silver charm is one of those.
I let her choose the colours she likes then added some sparkles with Swarovski crystals Art. 5301.

I showed her. She really liked it and kissed me "Thank you, mommy".
It's my pleasure sweetheart. Love U so much!

Purse Charm Cross - gift idea Ⅲ

2009-06-09T16:03:00.026-04:00

It looks like a choker but it is a new purse charm featured cross.
I used a filagree cross for the main charm. I added some Swarovski crystals Art. 5301 and set CZ on the center of the filagree.
Also added a couple of Swarovski round rondells in a beaded string part as a design accent.

Vintage Rose / Jet / Topaz / Light Amethyst / Silk

Beaded Dangling Bookmark - gift idea Ⅱ

2009-06-08T11:38:00.035-04:00

More bookmarks.
It has the dangling circle motif on the top and the fringe on the other end, made mostly with Swarovski crystals Art. 5301 and bronze colour fire polished beads.
Some of them were sold as Thank You gift for teacher or Birthday gift. My friend Angela told me she is considering to get one for her daughter.
Her grade 1 daughter really liked this bookmark. Angela thought it'll be a prize for her effort of reading. That's very nice. The perfect prize for the great reading!

Handcrafted Jewelled Bookmark - gift idea Ⅰ

2009-06-04T09:19:00.053-04:00

These are bookmarks I made with a beautiful Swarovski crystal component Art. 4461, the fancy stone classical square. Looks like a genuine gemstone, don't you think? Its perfectly facetted surface add class to this design.
I got three different colours of them a couple years ago. I was going to make a necklace once but I stopped with some reasons. The size, 16m/m square is pretty big and thickness of this stone is unstable on the bust. I couldn't decide what do I make with them for a long time then finally decided to make a bookmark.

Indian Sapphire (sold) / Tanzanite (in stock) / Smoke Topaz (in stock)

The bookmark in the market...
there are a lot of different designs, materials and price ranges. I wanted to make something like a tresure. The result is simply beautiful and very special. I loved it. I want one for myself.
I think this would be a one-of a-kind gift for someone special for you. And it also would be an ideal gift for a great reader as well.
It made exclusively with Swarovski elements, Art. 4461 16m/m was framed with Art. 5000 6m/m and Art. 5301 4m/m and two of beads ball were made with Art. 5301.

NEW! necklace design - Three Medals Long Necklace

2009-05-17T20:41:00.067-04:00

I've finished a long necklace custom ordered by my friend Miwa. One day she brought a clipping from fashion magazine. She decided to order one because she really liked the necklace has three circles but she never found one like that. The clipping picture shows each circle has a hanging drop bead in the ring. But I suggestioned her to have a motif like a medal. Then we discussed about the colour. According to her wardrobe colours I thought she'll love Swarovski's satin colours. I recommended her Rose Satin, Light Rose Satin and Light Amethyst Satin. Bingo! Her face turned a happy face when I was showing her the colours.
I love Swarovski's satin colours about the sophisticated grayish sparkles.
It costs a bit more than regular colour beads so I usually use satin colour beads for the accent not for the main.
I still don't know why exactly, the shape of the circle motif is changed by the anoumt of the bead. The middle one was okay but top and bottom motif didn't show same. It was a pain, it actually took for a couple days to figure out until I get my desire finishing.
I finally found out the way, made them a bit diffrently for making look same.
I also made a matching earrings for her as a gift. She likes Amethyst colour the most. I put Swarovski Light Amethyst Satin colour crystals more than other two colours on earrings and the chain.
Miwa lived in Canada with husband about two years for husband's work. They are going back to Japan next month. I hope they had the great experience and made the great memories here. Best wishes!

Handcrafted Beads Jewellery Birthday Gift

2009-03-30T11:26:00.038-04:00

I chose these Swarovski components for the special custom order from my friend. This is a birthday gift for her daughter. She purchased a white gold necklace chain before. She ordered me something nice for it. I suggested her to use Swarovski chandelier components STRASS #8721.
Don't you think simple is best?
Swarovski #8721 is pretty large drop and Blue Aurora Borealis is very sparkly. I think design should be simple for using the component like this. She liked my idea. I also chose Swarovski #5000. Here is the custom ordered necklace top, special birthday gift from the mother to the daughter.
Look at the beaded clasp on Swarovski #8721. I like this way more than putting a jump ring directly through the component's hole.
It shows the handcrafted detail and avoid to scratch on the surface as well.

Angel Chandelier

2009-03-16T18:48:00.039-04:00

This is my angel and my little chandelier as well. It's been giving sparkle to my living room since last December. I had a hanging plant on the same spot before. Unfortunately plant didn't grow well because doesn't get enough light at that corner. I decided hang a decoration instead of a plant.
I got this angel ornament when I was shopping for Christmas. An idea flashed on me when I was looking at that sit on the shelf.
It might looks good if it hang from the ceiling like an angel watching over from the heaven. I picked colour Blue AB of Swarovski chandelier component "Baroque".
I hung larger "Baroque" (50×35mm) from the top inside of the angel then added six smaller "Baroque" (38×27mm) around it. I also put "Briolette" drop beads on both wing and "Briolette" faceted roundelle beads on the top.

I really liked the result. I couldn't stop looking at my angel for a while... even now I'm still following its sparkle sometime.

NEW! item - Purse Charm/Glasses Holder

2009-03-15T14:57:00.041-04:00

This new item purse charm/glasses holder is made for my friend Mayumi.

She got an idea when she was looking at some of my purse charms and glasses holders. She chose one and asked me "Is this purse charm able to change to a glasses holder?" Yes! Almost everything is possible handmade by me!! I added a ring parts which holds glasses to that purse charm then added some more chains and beads to spiced up. Actually it is a great idea. The glasses holder doesn't have to be a way used to be. (wearing around your neck) It's okay to hold glasses anywhere you want.
Thank you Mayumi for giving me the new design idea.

Purse Charm + Glasses Holder

= NEW! item and detachable charm

And one more neat idea, I put a lobster clasp on the top end of the charm so it's removable now. You can attach it wherever you like.

A Little Charm for Hoops - Hoop Loops

2009-03-10T00:06:00.073-04:00

Hoop Loops is a little charm for hoop earrings. There is a french based store "AGATHA". I loved this store's collection especially charms for hoops at my 20's. I used to enjoy different styles and colours of these charms for my hoops everyday. One day I reallized I have nothing on my hoops. Ummm I need something... I can make something... then I made this little charm for my hoops, just for myself. But almost everyone who see this ask me "Did you make this?" then "That's a good idea... Do you have any ... colour?" Now I'm getting orders constantly. So I made colour samples. If you too are interested in, please take a look at the slideshow (pause button; top of the slideshow) on the center column. You can choose one by seed beads colour; silver, black, gold, dark gold or a variety of Swarovski crystals colour; monotone, light, medium, dark colours and special coating. Remember? You can order if there's no colour you like in samples here.

* ask YOSHIKO about details * price/a pair: CAD$15, CAD$18 (special coating) *

Christmas Spirit

2008-12-18T00:02:00.042-05:00

Are you ready for Christmas? I can't believe it's only a week left.
This time I want to show my "Christmas Wreath" brooch.

I made this brooch with Swarovski crystals mostly. Olivine colour of Swarovski crystal and Bronze colour of fire polished beads for the base then I put Siam and Emerald colour beads like a traditional Christmas decoration.

I also have some different colour ranges.

left; This one has a multicolours like a Christmas lights on the Olivine coloured base.

right; This Topaz colour range is made from client's order. I picked the colour Light Colorado Topaz for the base and chose some faded coloured beads which is Swarovski Satin crystals for making the antique look. I really liked it.

Graduation Jewellery

2008-06-16T09:39:00.028-04:00

I got a custom order from my 13 year old niece Juliana, earrings for her graduation.
Sometimes it's hard to find the one exactly what you want at store.
She was looking for the earrings to match with her reddish orange dress. She didn't see the one then she remembered her auntie = me makes jewellery.
It's my pleasure to make the one for her special moment.
I picked the colour Padparadscha of Swarovski crystal which is a bit lighter than her dress and added some silver colour beads for the accent as same look as the dress. Padparadscha is an interesting colour; it's not orange, red or pink either.
I use this colour with red a lot.
I also made the bracelet to surprise her.
I brought and put it on her on that day.
It was a tears moment for Antie Yoshiko...

I tried to make the set not too fancy this time because she is a young girl and she wanted to have something simple and sophisticated.

This is a picture of her in dress with these set.
She was absolutely beautiful!

"Congratulations! Juliana"

Posh Mama, Online Magazine and Social Network

2008-05-15T12:55:00.004-04:00

I want to talk about Posh Mama, Online Magazine and Social Network.
I joined Posh Mama last month. I've been learning and discovering so many things and meeting so many creative mamas. I'm so glad to find them. Posh Mama has a latest news you need to know, variety of tips from expert and a lot of different groups as well. I'm sure you'll find at least one group fit you. I joined "Jewelry Making Mamas" group right away. I hope you too have a great time with Posh Mama. Click the button on the right to check out.

*Posh Mama is made up of women from all around the world from all walks of life. Members range in age from 20 years old to 80 years old! Posh Mamas are CEO's, Students, SAHM's, Artists, Designers, WAHM's, Models, Authors, Mompreneurs, etc.

*Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network is a positive and upbeat community. You will feel immediately welcomed as it is the sweetest spot on the 'net.

"Dazzling U" is open!

2008-05-05T00:11:00.015-04:00

My shop on iCraft is open now! Check out "Dazzling U"
(Grand Opening Sale! All figurines are 20% off)

I mostly have purse charms and figurines so far.
I'll be adding more jewellery in the near future.

Please visit my shop often as I'll be adding new items, designs
and colours constantly. See you there...

The Alternative Lariat

2008-04-20T22:48:00.037-04:00

This Lariat was a custom order.
The client already had a Dangle Lariat, so I designed this to be a bit different from it. It gives the illusion that she is wearing a 'tear drop bead' necklace as well as the Lariat. I particularily like the little dangles at the shoulders.
I also made matching earrings for it.

How to wear the Lariat?

2008-04-17T23:28:00.044-04:00

Customers have often asked me how these two ends go together.
Here are three great ways to wrap your neck. Everyone loves it once they know the variety of styles. Which style do you like the best?

*Like a choker* - wrap it around your neck from the front. Then cross the ends over in front for a choker effect.

*Like a scarf* - fold in half, then wrap around your neck from the back, and slip the two ends through the loop like a scarf.

*Basic style* - drape it around your neck from the back and twist once at the chest for a draped effect that looks great with turtle necks.

Lariat

2008-04-06T11:21:00.055-04:00

The Lariat is one of the most popular pieces in my collection because it can be worn a variety of ways.
A Lariat is something you likely don't have in your jewellery box yet.
It is made with a unique colour mix that can be customized to complement several outfits and colours in your wardrobe.
There are three designs so far.

Dangle Lariat (left), Cascade Lariat (center), Fringe Lariat (right)

You can use it to dress up your favourite cocktail dress, add ♪ bling ♪ to your night out in jeans, or it can add just the right amount of ☆ sparkle ☆ to a power suit.

Spring has come! "Sweet Blooms"

2008-04-06T01:10:00.019-04:00

This "Sweet Blooms" necklace was the first custom order I made, very memorable piece for me.
I chose these pink and green colours at the client's request. She also ordered a matching bracelet.
I can't forget how thrilled I was at this very first order. Thanks again, Lynn.

Later I made other colour ranges. This design has become one of the most popular pieces in my collection.

Dangle Earrings for Alison's wedding

2008-03-30T02:05:00.137-04:00

Alison ordered simple and dangling Crystal earrings for her wedding.
I used SWAROVSKI crystal beads #5040, #5301 and #6010 drop beads. #6010 drop beads' facets look like a genuine gem.

I chose Crystal AB and Crystal colour combination. I like to use the beads which have a different colour effect on same colour base.
The synergy creates an effect neither would achieve on its own.

F.Y.I. Crystal AB (Aurora Borealis) was made for Christian Dior's special order.

Jewelley set for Cassie's wedding

2008-03-30T00:41:00.101-04:00

My next-door neighbor and gardening guru Cassie ordered a set for her wedding.
I designed a flower motif for the necklace inspired by the embroidery of her dress,
chose blue colours which match her beautiful blue eyes. I added some dangle details on the bracelet and earrings. The bridesmaids and the flower girls wore these.

"Splendid Line" bracelet for Sandra's wedding

2008-03-29T21:48:00.037-04:00

This bracelet was a custom order for Sandra's wedding. She liked my "Splendid Line" and ordered a double line to make it more special. I liked the double line idea so I made some with another colour. I like to get new design ideas from customers.

I used silver coloured fire polish beads for the bottom base and set SWAROVSKI crystal beads #5301 Crystal and some Crystal Silver Shade for the design point. Crystal Silver Shade is one of my favorite colours.
It achieves a platinum effect on the crystals so I like to use this colour, especially for bridal jewellery.