Jewelry and Clothing designer Alzerina Gomes is best known for her creative designs utilizing Swarovski Crystals. Born and raised in the remote village of Portalzinho Garca on the island of San Antao, Cape Verde, Alzerina received her first sewing lessons from her mom at the age of four, waking up her life-long passion for creating beauty. Alzerina left Cape Verde for Paris in the early 1990 where she learned the craft of jewelry making while living in Paris. Alzerina fell in love with the Swarovski brand, and it was at this time that the idea of becoming a jewelry designer blossomed. Alzerina was recently awarded the Congressional Certificate of Recognition by the U.S. Congress for her contribution to preserving Cape Verdean culture in the United States and for representing her adopted country's efforts at a trade show in her homeland where she taught workshops for local impoverished teens. She has also been asked to represent a U.S. initiative to help further entrepreneurial skills and marketplace capability for women in emerging African countries. Alzerina's elegant designs, enhanced by the use of Swarovski elements and her youthful Alzi line of contemporary bracelets, earrings and necklaces have been featured in numerous publications. She has gained a large following in the last few years and is working with Warner Brother Product placement, Disney Picture TV Show Liv and Maddie, and has worked with Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen 2011/12. Her jewelry has been adorned by Sharon Stone, Olivia Wilde, Tracy Bergman on the set of "the Young and the Restless," Carol Siva of Channel 12 News, actress Kathryn Winnick of "Vikings" and Rosanna Scotto of NY's Channel 5 News. She has sold in quantity through her own and other web sites. Last year she lit up Times Square when she was featured on the NBC electronic billboard overlooking NY's most famous tourist area. Alzerina, remains dedicated to incorporating Swarovski elements in many of her creations.