Have you heard the news? Soon we will be beading without Swarovski beads!
According to many messages and stories in Social Media beading communities, Swarovski company stops distributing their products to bead shops worldwide.
What?
I immediately searched the company’s site for confirmations, but I haven’t found anything official to the public.
One source provided some insight on where the rumors are coming from, but still no official statements coming from any branch of any country.
Swarovski In 2020
Earlier this year, I learned that Swarovski was to cut a third of jobs at the company in Austria.
Then in May, they announced a new creative director – Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert.
In August, the company opened its first and one-of-a-kind studio in London. The studio features an innovative shopping experience involving digital graphics. In my view, the future of shopping might look precisely like this studio in the UK.
All these business developments suggested Swarovski takes a new direction. Unfortunately, it might not be the best for our interest.
No Need to Panic
Do I like Swarovski enough to panic over this? Do you?
Is it possible to feel like the world will end for crafters and artists if no Swarovski crystal ever sold again?
I genuinely believe in your endless creativity and incredible artistic skills, even if you are yet to discover them! Dedicated crafters never get fixed on one source of materials, even if that source is the best among the best!
However, some artists felt very disappointed, though. Why?
Besides stopping the distribution and possibly the production of crystals for crafters, artists won’t be able to use the Swarovski trademark to describe or advertise their artwork. If you are one of them, please, refer to official guidelines regarding Swarovski brand usage.
Crystal Solutions
I never invested too much into one brand of beads or crystals. Over the years, I concluded that the best crystal for my design is the one that interprets my idea the best way possible. And I let it be cheap and matte if I need it to, like in the Kona Dreams necklace. Or I can design around crystals just because I love how they shine!
Out of all Swarovski crystals, I particularly liked the 12 mm Rivoli. The size of this Rivoli lets me create smaller, more elegant jewelry like Red and Gold pendant, Amazing Forest earrings, or Herringbone stitch and free-form pendant.
I often used it in my projects and tutorials and even made a free tutorial on wrapping it with peyote stitch.
When it comes to my tutorials, I prefer Preciosa beads and crystals because they are affordable and available in many colors. If I want to design a new beaded jewelry piece, I most likely order several colors of one type of beads at a time. It gives me the freedom to experiment without counting pennies. It is also an excellent way to avoid many purchases for one project.
I also heard many bead enthusiasts use crystals from China. I have mixed experience with these kinds of crystals. While they look good and cost me less money, they sometimes crack and damage the beading thread in particular projects. But that doesn’t mean I will stop using them. I will research which companies make better crystals and try them.
Meanwhile, here is a little challenge for you: can you look at the photo above and tell me which are the Swarovski crystals and which ones made in the Czech Republic?
What crystals do you use for your beading projects?
UPDATE
Swarovski has revealed new brand identity and store redesign!
The Wonderlab, the new logo and the new shopping concept! Besides, there will be two new store locations: Paris and New York. If you have been to any of the redesigned locations, share your experience! Let us know what it is like – Swarovski rebranded!
