Bead & Rhinestone Wholesale Supplier to the World

NEW BRANDING: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

Effective June 1, 2010, Swarovski® has annoucned that they will be going through a “branding optimization”.  As such, “CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements” will now become “SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS”.  This branding optimization will better reflect Swarovski® components as the premium brand for loose crystals in the marketplace with a stronger emphasis on the Swarovski® brand.

Now, we know what you are thinking….what a pain in the butt to have to change all the verbage on your marketing materials or website.  And we agree.  But, we also think this is absolutly the right move for Swarovski® to make.  “SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS” is a much easier and simpler way to convey the high quality products they make.  We always thought ”CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements” was a bit of a mouthfull! 

So, here is what the new brand logo looks like:

FOR BRANDING PARTNERS: MADE WITH SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

Here is what the new branded tag looks like (for branded partners with Swarovski®):

For all you designers out there who are already a branded partner with Swarovski®, Swarovski® will be (or already have) contacting you about the change and what means for you.  For those designers who use exclusivley Swarovski elements in their designs, we encourage you to become a branded partner with Swarovski®.  With SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, you will benefit from the power of the umbrella brand of Swarovski® – a trademark with unmatched international reputation.  This strong link to the Swarovski® brand allows you to better reach your customers more frequently and approach other customers who are familiar with the high quality of the brand. 

Designers of shoes, handbags, clothing, jewelry, belts, home decor etc…. have all applied to become a branding partner with Swarovski®.   

You can find more information on becoming a branding partner on our website: Learn How to Become a SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Branded Partner

If you are interested in becoming a branding partner, please email Alisa Mandel Nogen at alisa@harmanbeads.com.

FOR CREATE-YOUR-STYLE PARTNERS: 

CREATE-YOUR-STYLE WITH SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

Here is what the new brand logo looks like (for CREATE-YOUR-STYLE partners with Swarovski®):

Create Your Style™ with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS is a program designed by Swarovski to identify and support bead stores, resellers and websites that promote the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS product.   As a CREATE YOUR STYLE (CYS) partner, you will have the approval to use the CYS logo.  Prior approval by Swarovski® is required to using the logo.

As a CREATE YOUR STYLE partner, you will received monthly communications from Swarovski® specifically for the CYS customer, including inspirational mailing, events, news etc…

You can find more information on becoming a CREATE-YOUR-STYLE partner on our website: Learn How to Become a CREATE-YOUR-STYLE Reseller

If you are interested in becoming a branding partner, please email Alisa Mandel Nogen at alisa@harmanbeads.com.

SWAROVSKI PRODUCTS SPARKLE IN FEATURE FILM SEX AND THE CITY 2

AS EXCLUSIVE CRYSTAL JEWELERY PARTNER OF THE MOVIE

Swarovski products are all over the new Sex And The City 2 movie!

Continuing a long-standing, sparkling relationship, Sex And The City and Swarovski, the world-renowned crystal manufacturer, have joined forces for the next installment of the iconic film, Sex And The City 2. Brought to the screen by New Line Cinema, Home Box Office and Village Roadshow, Sex And The City 2, from Warner Bros. Pictures, opens in theatres on Thursday, May 27. The sequel reunites Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon in their starring roles as Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.

In celebration of the creative collaboration, more than 800 Swarovski boutiques worldwide will transform their windows and allow customers to accessorize in the style of their favorite character from the film. Dedicated followers of fashion will also find Sex And The City 2 content on Swarovski.com.

Swarovski sparkles throughout Sex And The City 2, adding glamour to Carrie’s closet, setting the scene with Crystalline glasses and shining light from Swarovski Crystal Palace chandeliers on the movie’s chic sets. Fans of the brand will spot the swan logo gracing a red carpet scene.

“It is an honor to be involved in one of the most anticipated movies of 2010. Swarovski is the perfect fit for the fabulous foursome and represents everything the movie evokes: fashion, glamour, femininity and a strong sense of personal style,” says Nadja Swarovski, Vice President, International Communication, Swarovski.

Costume designer Patricia Field was once again a legendary collaborator of Swarovski in this film! “Swarovski is great for me on many levels.  I love anything that reflects the light and makes everything sparkle. I use Swarovski a lot.”, Patricia Field, Sex And The City 2, Costume Designer.

See pictures below of how some of the Swarovski products were used throughout the movie (pictures courtsey of Swarovski).

Swarovski has announced that on Monday, May 24, 2010, the currency surcharge for all products will be reduced to 16%.

Due to the sustained strength of the US Dollar versus the Euro over the past 2 weeks, Swarovski is able to reduce the currency surcharge from 22% to 16% effective Monday May 24, 2010.

It continues to be Swarovski’s goal to offer price stability to its’ customers.  While they are trying to avoid erratic jumps, they will continue to monitor the developments very closely and inform us of any possible further adjustments in the coming months.

Har-Man will send out email notifications with any updates we receive from Swarovski on future currency surcharge adjustments.

We believe that this 6% currency reduction gives us all a great opportunity to take advantage of the current strength of the US Dollar.

 We thank you for your continued business and loyalty to Har-Man Importing!

When I tell people what I do….”wholesale supplier of beads and rhinestones”, one of the first questions they ask is “Who do you sell to?” And the general answer is….”Any company or designer who can use beads or rhinestones…”.  Yes, I realize this is rather an open-ended answer.  But it is true.  There are so many industries who use beads, rhinestones or trimmings, that I cannot even begin to imagine them all….there are always new industries popping up or new ways of using beads or rhinestones in industries that have not used them before.

I have attempted to list some of the larger industries who use beads and rhinestones.  If I left any out, please email us at: sales@harmanbeads.com or add a comment to this post  and we’ll add it to the list!

Industries who use beads, rhinestones or trimmings:

• Dance Costumers
• Figure Skating Costumers
• Ball Gown / Evening Designers
• Costume Jewelry  Designers
• Bridal Industry
• Couture Designers
• Ready to Wear Designers
• Rosary and Religious Industries
• Eggery
• Home Decor
• Internet Resellers of Beads and Rhinestones
• Retail Bead Stores
• Beauty Product Packaging
• Artisits
• Accessory Designers (Handbags, Belts, Hair etc…)
• Shoe Designers
• Equestrian Industry
• ….And many, many more…..

Swarovski has issued a press release regarding the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards sponsored by CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements.  Below is an excerpt from the press release….

THE FOURTH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES A SPARKLING NEW DESIGN CATEGORY.

 New York, New York, January 12, 2010 – Handbag Designer 101, the world’s handbag designer resource, announces that CRYSTALLIZED™, the brand for all loose cut crystals manufactured by Swarovski, will sponsor a sparkling category, inviting designers to create innovative new handbags and compete for the Award, “Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements for the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA)”. This unique collaboration inspires handbag designers to incorporate crystals as a creative ingredient, resulting in one of a kind, luxury designs”.

For the second time all registered designers may participate by submitting a detailed sketch of their handbag design, incorporating CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements. Designers are encouraged to create bags of any material or silhouette while utilizing crystal as embellishment, trimming or even as part of the core concept. The five best ideas will be chosen by the Handbag Designer 101 Preliminary Judging Panel, giving the selected designers access to CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements, to execute their final handbags for the annual awards ceremony on June 16, 2010 where the final winner will be announced.

 ”The Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements Award is a great addition to our prestigious competition,” said Emily Blumenthal, founder of Handbag Designer 101 and IHDA. “We are extremely excited to partner with CRYSTALLIZED™ as I know the participating designers will be just as inspired as we are about this collaboration. Swarovski’s origin was working with emerging designers to make beautiful things and we are flattered that they would go back to their roots and realize that true creativity still comes from that community. We are confident that we will find the next IT handbag designer and can only hope it is through this amazing new category.”

The team from CRYSTALLIZED™ will provide regular features and tips on Handbag Designer 101, including new crystal innovations and product launches, upcoming new colors, trend forecasts and application know how. The new content will be featured on Handbag Designer 101 and the Handbag Designer 101 Weekly Round-Up which reach the handbag designer community at large and handbag aficionados throughout the world.

At the fourth annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2009, held at the New York Historical Society, the clutch was the star of the night. Iconic british designer Lulu Guinness was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Handbag Design, having just released her Lips Collection, a line of jewellery and accessories all made with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements and now available for purchase in Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ stores. Additionally, London College of Fashion student Lorna Nixon wowed the judges with her evening clutch design, winning in the Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements category. “I wanted to produce a structural bag, inspired by organic elements,” said Nixon.  A selection of the prize-winning pieces has been showcased in an exclusive exhibition at the New York Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ concept store.

“CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements makes it a priority to support and encourage the creativity and talent of the design community”, states Stephan Toljan, VP of Market Management. “It is our pleasure to have CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements sponsor  again the Independent Handbag Designer Awards and to have a handbag category that will both inspire and support designers to incorporate the creative material crystal in their one of a kind pieces.”

 The winner of the 2010 “Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements” award will receive a crystal sponsorship with free access to crystals and Swarovski know how, to produce a limited edition of the winner bag. In addition, the winning handbag will be featured in several CRYSTALLIZED™ channels and communication tools in the US and internationally with industry and end consumer exposure. Applications for the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards will be available online at handbagdesigner101.com for the “Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements” by January 1st. The pinnacle of the international competition will culminate with the annual awards ceremony on June 16, 2010 at Parson’s School of Design.

 About Handbag Designer 101

Handbag Designer 101, the handbag designer resource was inspired by the needs for the handbag designer, aficionado and fan in all of us, as one knows we can never have too many bags. Handbag Designer 101 and Independent Handbag Designer Awards trademarks are owned by handbagdesigner101.com, a privately held company based in New York City.

 To Apply to the 3rd Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/independent_handbag_designer_awards

Handbag Designer 101: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com  or http://www.hbd101.com

If you or someone you know is a fashion industry influencer under who give back, Har-Man Importing wants to nominate YOU!

Har-Man Importing, a leading bead, rhinestone and trimming wholesaler is proud to be working with Fashion Delivers, the pre-eminant charity in the fashion industry.

This spring, Fashion Delivers will be honoring two or three fashion industry influencers who use their fashion business  for a greater good.  Honorees will be recognized at a celebratory party this spring in their first ever “PAY IT FASHION FORWARD” event.

If you or someone you know someone in the fashion, home or design industry meets the following criteria:

1. Works in the Fashion, Art or Home Industry

2. Has initiated or significantly contributed to a charitable cause

………..let us know ASAP.

Please email Alisa at alisa@harmanbeads.com with the name, company of the person you think deserves recognition along with a  few sentences describing what they have done to give back.

A formal nomination form will follow at a later date.

OMG!  We have just been notified by Swarovski (CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements) that they will NOT be raising their prices in 2010!  As most of you know, Swarovski always raises their prices 2-3% each year.  So, this is great news right before the holidays! 

Additionally, they also stated in their annoucement that the currency surcharge will remain at 22% until January 31, 2010.  At this time they will reevaluate they surcharge based on the value of the USD realtive to the Euro. 

Swarovski has just announced that effective November 3, 2009, they will be raising the currency surcharge from 19% to 22%.  This increase is due to the continued decline of the USD$ relative to the Euro.  Swarovski has been, and continues to be subsidizing 12% of the currency differential.  So, technically the currency surcharge rate should be much higher. 

All orders placed prior to November 3, 2009 will be charged at the 19% currency rate. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.