Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Giveaway: Win a package of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS

by

Thanks to Merchants Overseas, we are giving away 1 package (360 pieces) of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS 2028 Xilion cut Flat backs No Hotfix in size SS 16 to 3 lucky CraftGossip readers (US and Canada only).

Flat Backs No Hotfix are loose crystal elements with a flat reverse side. Flat Backs NoHF are easy to apply to a variety of carrier materials using standard one-or two component glues. With 12 distinct facets this is the most brilliant hot fix rhinestone on the market.

The winner will have the option to choose from these popular colors:

  • Crystal AB
  • Topaz
  • Lt. Sapphire
  • Fuchsia

To view a stone sizing chart you can go to: http://www.merchantsoverseas.com/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=25

To view a Flat back color chart you can go to: http://www.merchantsoverseas.com/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=39

To win, please leave a comment on this post. Each comment will count as one entry. Winners selected at random. US and Canada Only. Entries close 1st of Sept 2010. To get an extra chance, fan the Facebook page of Merchants Overseas and tell us you have done so in a comment.

Winners are.  Jennifer G , Suzie Jarboe and Mellisa.

Read These Next

Comments

  2. Love this giveaway. Oh the things I could do with these for my little girl. lol. Thank You for offering them up to all of us!

  4. Hm. These would be interesting to try and incorporate into my work. Thanks for the giveaway.

  7. It’s my birthday and I’m at the age where I don’t want to count them anymore! :-} These are beautiful!

  15. Bling is the thing for third graders! I have just the project to give my granddaughter that bling!
    Thanks for the chance!

  43. SWAROVSKI makes the humble sparkle and shine and rival the splendors of the universe. I’m thinking of a starscape on velvet, a twinkle in a stuffie’s eyes, opulance for a clutch. Thanks for the inspiration.

  49. I think you are SUCH A JEWEL to give these to someone! I make sets of note cards to give as gifts & that’s exactly what I’d love to do with these pretty stones. Blessings, Julie 🙂

  50. Oh this is such a great Giveaway, I am totally crazy when it comes to Swarovski. Been like that since I became a founder member of the Canadian Swarovski colletor back in 1987, but I had some already. Now the jewels and elements are THE cherry on top of the sundae, the possibilities are endless. =D

  54. My daughters and I would have so much fun with these! (My 5 yr old would especially love the fuschia ones — that’s one of her fave colors).

  55. I love crystals, and when you want a project to stand out Swarovski is the only crystals I would use. Please pick me!!

  56. ooo…my mom’s a Swarovski obsessor. I’d love to surprise her for her birthday with a jewel encrusted clutch. 🙂

    thanks for even offering…one of the BEST giveaways ever!!

  62. I love embellishing my handmade clothing for my daughters with Swarovski hotfix crystals. Would love to add some more to my stash 🙂

  64. Thanks for offering this opportunity. I would love to win. I used to make blue jean jackets with crystals on them. It was so much fun.

  68. These would be a great addition to my craft projects for Christmas this year!! Yeah! =]

  72. Oh my they are beautiful. Love, LOVE sparklies. Nothing in my opinion can beat those. Good luck to all you who enter but truthfully, I hope I win!!

  74. Swarovski are like Diamonds to me. I am addicted to them.Would be such a surpise to win. Thank you.

Have you read?

Learn about Costa Rica for Kids

I have a friend whose family is from Costa Rica so I’m excited to share more about this Central American country with you. Officially the Republic of Costa Rica, it borders both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and has a maritime border with Ecuador, as well as physical borders with Nicaragua and Panama. 

Costa Rica Basics

The country has a population of about five million and a land area of about 19,760 square miles (or 51,180 square kilometers). The capital, San Jose, is also the largest city, with a metropolitan area population of around two million. 

Costa Rica had an indigenous population before Spain colonized it in the 16th century. It became part of the First Mexican Empire, then the Federal Republic of Central America, from which it declared independence in 1847. 

Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949 following a civil war, making it one of the few sovereign nations without a standing army.

The official language is Spanish but other indigenous languages and patois are also recognized. The name means “the rich coast” in Spanish. 

It is a presidential republic with a president and two vice presidents, as well as a legislative assembly. 

Costa Rica has a tropical climate and has a great amount of biodiversity. The country has stopped deforestation and worked to restore habitats that had been destroyed. 

As of 2023, about 95 percent of the nation’s electricity was generated from renewable resources (mostly hydropower).

Costa Rican National Symbols

The Costa Rica flag features blue stripes at the top and bottom, with white stripes next to those and a wider red stripe in the center. The same flag has been used, with minor modifications and changes to the coat of arms, which is shown on some versions of the flag, since 1848. Because the country gained its independence during the French revolution the colors stand for the ideals of that struggle: freedom, equality and brotherhood. 

The colors can also represent the blue sky and perseverance, clear thinking and the sun casting its light of freedom on the people of Costa Rica, among other things. 

The national anthem is “Himno Nacional de Costa Rica,” or “National Anthem of Costa Rica,” also sometimes known by the lyric “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera” (“noble fatherland your beautiful flag”). It was fist adopted in 1852, but the lyrics have changed through the years and became official in 1949. 

La guaria morada, a purple orchid, is the national flower of Costa Rica. Guanacaste, or elephant ear tree, is the national tree.

The national bird is the Yigüirro or clay-colored thrush, and the white-tailed deer and manatee are considered symbols of the fauna of the country. The two native species of sloths are also considered national symbols. 

The marimba is the national instrument, and the oxcart (la carreta) is considered a national symbol for its historic role in the economic and social development of the country. 

Indigenous stone spheres, recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO, are also a national symbol (more on them below).  

And of course, coffee is recognized as being of national importance to the country’s economic development. 

Costa Rica Activities for Kids

Pull out all your rainforest activities to talk about the animals and plants of Costa Rica. A few to get you started: jungle math from Turner Tots, rainforest animal coloring pages from The Craft Train, rainforest bingo from Precision Roller, and a climbing tree frog craft from Barley & Birch.

Learn about the phrase “pura vida,” which means pure life but is also kind of a way of life in Costa Rica.

Check out how Unremarkable Files studied Costa Rica at home, and learn some cool Costa Rica facts with these printable fact sheets from Kids Activities Blog.

Find Spanish resources for teaching about Costa Rica from Srta Spanish. There are lots of resources in English and Spanish for learning about Costa Rica at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Read some books about Costa Rica like ABCs of Costa Rica or Animals of Costa Rica. 

Listen to some Costa Rican marimba music (that link is to a long playlist of videos to choose from). 

Learn more about the mysterious stone spheres and talk about how and why you think they were made. 

One of the most popular dishes in Costa Rica is gallo pinto, which despite sounding like meat (it literally means spotted rooster) is actually beans and rice. Of course everyone’s abeula has their own recipe but you can try this one from Striped Spatula, which uses black beans, or this one from Pura Vida Moms, which I love because it specifically calls for day old beans and rice.