Blogs

If you've been beading for a while, you probably remember the day in 2021 when Swarovski® announced that their crystal components would no longer be available to independent crafters, hobbyists, and small designers. Only certified brands who signed a Brand Control Agreement could purchase them going forward. For many in the beading and jewelry-making community, it was a genuinely disappointing moment—Swarovski had been a staple of high-quality handmade jewelry for decades, and suddenly …