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, it …