It's that time again!

 It's finally Fall, my favorite time of year. The weather has finally cooled down and there is that crispness in the air. That means it's time for Glitterfest again! I've kept busy with so many trunk shows in September, this time Glitterfest seemed to sneak up on me! I have been locked in my studio for the last few weeks creating all sort of new goodies for this Saturday. I have kept busy with several new art pieces. This little creepy guy is coming...

and I have loads of new jewelry designs to share...

If you have been to Glitterfest before, then you know what an amazing day it is, but for those that don't be prepared to be amazed! 50 different artists from doll makers to paper artists to jewelry designers to assemblage artists and everything in between. The ladies of Whimzy in Tustin put on one fabulous  event. They carefully select each artist to ensure a wide variety which means a feast for the eyes! The event is held in a ballroom at the Elks lodge of Santa Ana, CA which we fill with more creativity than one room should be able to hold. I know I can't wait to see what everyone else has made! Hope to see you this weekend! For more all the details check out...

 www.glitterfest.com

Best Wishes!

Crystal

Shows, shows and more shows!

September is jam packed with trunk shows! It's also Bead Shop Hop month! I was at Brea Bead Works last weekend. Tara and I had a ball as usual with Scott and Wendy.  Lots of new faces doing the Shop Hop this year!

This weekend I will be closer to home at Garden of Beaden in Upland, CA on Friday and Saturday from 10-7 and Sunday 10-5PM. I just scored some amazing vintage brass. Come on down and check it out! The Bead Association has come up with a movie theme for the Shop Hop this year. Each store has picked a movie and are decorating accordingly. I am really looking forward to the Garden of Beaden show because she has picked "Across the Universe." Anyone that knows me knows my other love is music and I LOVE the Beatles. Shop owner & my friend, Irene Sanchez, has amazingly talented children. They have a band called Groovesession. So many good things are happening for them! They have been on tour all summer but they are back in town and I hear a rumor that Sarven may stop in with his keyboard to play some Beatles tunes for us. I may have to sing a few with him. I honestly cannot think of a better combination ... Music and Beads :) My idea of heaven! Be sure to stop by if you are in the area and check out Groovesession's facebook page to see where they will be next!

www.facebook.com/GrooveSession

Next weekend I will be heading South to Bead Gallery in San Diego! Fri & Sat 10-7PM and Sunday Sept 23rd from 10-5. Their theme is Twilight. I have something in mind with a mixed media vampire twist ;) Come on down and play! 

Well, back to working on new creations for Glitterfest for now! October 13th is just around the corner! Really? Only 30 days until Glitterfest! Where does the time go? Hope to see you soon!

Sparkle on!
Crystal

P.S. Can't make it to a show? Check out my Etsy Shop... 
www.etsy.com/shop/vintagefairyfinds

New Adventures...New Inspirations

This crazy year is flying by! I have so much to share, but pictures are more fun :) I recently participated in the Pasadena Bead and Design Show at the end of July. I had so much fun! My neighbor Mavis Leahy was a blast and so sweet to me. She kept giving me little bits of treasure as gifts. Check out what have been busy making with these amazing antique steel cut itty bitty seed beads she bestowed upon me...

Here are the amazing French brass charlottes courtesy of Mavis :)

Look how tiny they are! The black beads at the bottom
are size 15's. They are more than 1/2 the size of them!!!

These tiny little treasures have put me over the top in love with this project!  I am loving the mix vintage Turn of the Century finds among the landscape of glass seed beads! It's almost done. I will post a photo of the completed bracelet soon :)

   I was SO grateful to be next to Mavis. Not only was she my first official customer purchasing a lovely pair of earrings, but she had tons of advice and encouragement. She also has a similar affinity for the slightly creepy and unusual...so naturally we got along swimmingly! I am saving some of the other creepier treasure she gave me for a project for Glitterfest.  At one point during the show, Mavis commented that it was destiny that placed us next to each other and I couldn't have agreed more :) She is yet another inspiration in my life and I am thankful for the renewed spark she lit within me. 

Be sure to check out Mavis' amazing creations on her website...

www.turkeyred.com

I LOVE her bone assemblages and her beautiful handmade tapestries. She uses her incredible collection of antique textiles and weaves forgotten pieces and parts into stunning works of art. 

For those of you that missed it this time, here are some photos of my table at Pasadena...

$1 Tray Steals!!!

Cameos & Settings

Soldered Rings 

Vintage Chain, Baroque Pearls, and Kits for sale!

Cool shot of my table courtesy of
Dolores Marquez of Bead Gallery

and another...

And another....

Last one!

   Pasadena was an amazing adventure and learning experience. I met so many new people and shared so many ideas. Big thank yous to all of my helpers and to all of the friends & customers that came out to support me! You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

   I am very excited to announce I will be back in January for the Pasadena Show! Mark your calendars... I will also be selling my wares in Tuscon, AZ in February and in Northern California this Spring! Check out my schedule on the side of my blog for all the details. I have lots of shows booked in California through the end of this year, as well as trunk shows that are being mailed all over the country. The Southern CA Bead Shop Hop is coming up too! I will be at Brea Bead Works, followed by Garden of Beaden, and Bead Gallery for the final weekend. Hopefully I will see you at one of these fantastic stores this September! I have so much more to report, but I have talked your ear off long enough for now! I will do another blog post soon :) Back to the studio...

Sparkle on!

Crystal

Go Big or Go Home!

I am so excited about all of the new developments in my life both personal and professional! As usual, I have neglected my blog because there has been so much happening! I know I keep saying that, but it's true! Some of you know, but for those that don't I am preparing for the Pasadena Bead and Design Show! By a bizarre and magical twist of fate I will be there with all of my vintage and mixed media pieces and parts, as well as, some of my Art and Jewelry Designs! I was completely honored when I found out that I would be able to participate in this event. The show is in 10 days...July 26-July 29, 2012 from 10-6 daily.

Pasadena Bead and Design Show
July 26-29 2012 10AM-6PM Daily

So this is it! I am so grateful to be given this huge opportunity to reach such a large audience. I have never participated in an event this large and I am not going to lie- I have some butterflies! It's a combination of excitement and nerves :) I think every artist goes through it when a show approaches. I am usually on the other side of the coin at this show shopping for all kinds of unusual things to incorporate into my work. If you have never been to this show, it is a must see! This is not your typical run of the mill repetitive bead show...you will find artists from the well known to the up and coming, small specialized companies that make one of a kind components (which I love to use), hand dyed ribbons and fibers, imported pieces and so much more! My table is located in the center of the largest ballroom near Karen Nan and Iris from Beadology of Huntington Beach. I'm so glad I get to share this moment with some familiar faces! I am pulling out all of the stops making components and tons of new made pieces to get everyone's creative juices flowing. 

Steampunk Cuff by Crystal Basica

I have been hunting for new unusual vintage pieces to add to my collection. Those of you that made it out to Garden of Beaden's Trunk Show got to see a little sneak peak of some of my new finds...don't worry there is more! I have stocked up all of my trays sticking with the one rule that has got me this far..only buy what you love. I plan to bring a few items that I have secretly been hoarding for myself too. 
The gals that put on this event have been fantastic! I can't wait to meet them in person.  I feel super lucky and honored to be vending in my dear friend Melanie Doerman's old spot. I know she will be there in spirit and I hope I can make her proud! I just got some more pieces of hers that I will be made available through my Etsy shop in the next day or so...

www.etsy.com/shop/vintagefairyfinds

I am also teaching a technique that I learned from her at the Garden of Beaden this Saturday. My friend Rico who is studying to be a Landscape Architect helped me dub this class "Beadscaping." I love this technique because it forces you to use your own creativity. Each piece comes out looking exactly like the person that made it.

A Beadscape by Crystal Basica

I have been working on a new piece with a steampunk twist, I decided I am leaving it half done so I can demo on it during class, but here is a peek at what I have so far...

Steampunk Beadscape

I think Rico would call this one a "Steamscape." lol :) I will put up a better picture when it is complete. I am truly  looking forward to teaching for the first time in a long time. 

So needless to say I have a few things on my plate, or my platter as my friend Sue calls it :)  I have had so many crazy ideas over the last month. I can't seem to find enough hours in the day. I keep writing thoughts down and sketching in a journal so I can make some of these ideas a reality for Glitterfest this fall. I usually pick a theme when I am doing an art show, it helps me focus. This time I decided on Magic. I'm going with a Steampunk Houdini kind of vibe. It's kind of an apropos theme consistent with all of the good things that have been happening lately. If I can choose one word to describe my life lately is it definitely magical. Stay tuned for more new developments and I hope to see you at Pasadena!
Crystal


More info...
www.pasadenabeadanddesignshow.com

www.gardenofbeadenupland.com