Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts

Week 45 - Grateful

November's Topic for the Focus on Life:2014 weekly photography challenge is,...ful

Here's what Sally prompted us with for week 45:

 Week 45: Grateful

"For the month of November there will be WORD PROMPTS to look deep into your being and reflect on being positive!" 

Grateful:filled to the brim with feeling the appreciation of kindness;
                
Right now I am loving the 'kindness' of our wonderful Arizona weather. 


 

I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds me every day.


Please click on the links below to see what everyone else is grateful for today.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Life!
Cheers,
~Shel~


March Merriment! (And some Aquamarine and Pearls!)

March in the Arizona desert is one of my favorite months because the weather is usually so amazing!



The citrus trees are blooming and smell fantastic, the birds are singing extra 'pretty' and the sky seems to burst each day with colorful sunrises and sunsets.




 
 
I have several family members and friends who have birthdays in March and it's my birthday month too,
so March is special to me.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March
and it's one of my favorite stones.


 
 
Each year during the Tucson Gem Shows in February I try to snatch up a few of these precious gems and then create something for my birthday as my gift to myself.
(I know, kinda weird, but that's just me!)
 
This is what I created this year. 


Hand-knotted faceted Aquamarine nugget focal with faceted Aquamarine roundelles,
faceted Labradorite rounds and freshwater cultured Pearls. Handcrafted
sterling silver hook clasp.
 
 
It's an asymmetrical, hand knotted necklace and bracelet with pearls (of course), aquamarine and labradorite. There's also a piece of ancient Roman Glass (love this!!) from Happy Mango Beads thrown into the bracelet mix.


Hand-knotted faceted Aquamarine nugget and roundelles, faceted Labradorite rounds,
freshwater cultured Pearls and ancient Roman glass from Happy Mango Beads.
Handcrafted sterling silver hook clasp.
 
 
The pieces aren't totally 'matchy-matchy' but they're still similar enough to be what I would call a 'set'  
 
It's a bit unusual, but I like that!
 
I love reading about gemstone lore and learning the metaphysical properties of the stones I'm wearing or using to create jewelry. 
 
I feel the energy in the different stones brings the piece to life, so to speak, and gives it an inner meaning that speaks to the wearer, offering up a sense of protection, guidance or clarity to things.
 
 
Here's some of the metaphysical properties and folklore of the stones within this set:
 
Aquamarine: It is said to be the 'stone of sailors', as they believed it would protect them on the water.  
 
The Romans used it for diseases of the stomach and also believed it could alleviate or cure liver and throat problems. 
 
Aquamarine represents Courage, peace, balance, preparedness, purification self-expression and intuition.
 
PearlsThe mystic properties of pearls lend them to be associated mostly with women and they are known as the ultimate gemstone for feminine energy.

Pearls are said to represent purity, faith, loyalty, truth, integrity, fertility, charity, innocence, spirituality and wisdom (to name a few things).

Some cultures use pearls as a way of helping women to connect with their “inner goddesses” and pearls are believed to help you focus, keep you centered and to give the wearer a sense of calmness.
 
Labradorite:  It is believe to be a stone of transformation that protects you through change by reducing stress and providing clarity, insight, patience, peace and sense of good timing, while increasing intuition, mental illumination and helping with subconscious issues.
 
One of my niece's and I used to call Labradorite, 'fish-stone', because we thought that its color and iridescence was like that of some fish scales.

Which makes it perfect (in my opinion) to pair with pearls and aquamarine.
 
You know, other 'water-stones'.  (grin!)

Do you have something special you do for yourself for your birthday or during your birthday month?

I'm curious.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Aquamarine,...with Pearls, of course!
Cheers,
~Shel~





 
 
 
 
 





MiShel Designs Fall Jewelry Boutique and Trunk Show

 
 
Just a reminder that I will be hosting, along with my sister, the MiShel Designs Fall Jewelry Boutique and Trunk Show down in Casa Grande, AZ this Sunday, November 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
Along with several new and fun jewelry designs to see and handle, Marsha's making her famously delicious Pico de Gallo and we're serving up some yummy drinks, too.
 
 
 
There will be live acoustic guitar (and possibly some ukulele) music to relax with and Mina (the best massage therapist around) is going to be setting up in a private room so you can book a half-hour back massage with her and be able to go home feeling super relaxed in your new jewelry designs!
 
 
 
Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Fall Show Time!
 
Cheers,

~Shel~
 

Hanging Out

So, it's finally Summer! 

Hindman Cabin - Nutrioso, Arizona
We've been hanging out at my sis's cabin in the cool mountains of Arizona this week and it's been so wonderful!

The Famous Tree House that Mike built.
This is where we have "Happy Hour" in the Mountains!


It's also the reason I'm not blogging regularly at the moment or commenting on every one's blogs, or spending much time on Facebook, or posting to Twitter and all those other social network things that I normally do - or at least try to do!

The back deck of the Tree House - complete with new steps!

I know I've missed out on so much that's going on with all my friends on Facebook and their blogs, etc., but honestly, it's been very relaxing and refreshing to 'un-plug' just a bit!

My make-shift studio at my sis's cabin.
(See the overflowing toy box in the corner with all the toys for the kiddos?!)

I haven't even really created anything jewelry wise, either. (gasp!!) 

The view from my 'studio' at my sis's cabin.
See all the photos my sis has along the walls?
They tell the story of all our lives from the time
the cabin started being built until now,...and it continues!


I have filled several earring wire orders and I continue to answer our RespirCare phones and run our environmental business from up here.
It's nice to have mobile businesses, that's for sure! 



Other than that, I've just been spending time taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the mountains! 



I'm heading back down to the Valley in a few more days as I'm scheduled to teach a jewelry class over in Carefree at Creative U on Saturday the 29th of June. 


You should come join in the fun if you're in the area - it's gonna be a blast! 

I'll post some more pics and give details of this class here in a few days, okay?



 
So tell me, what are you doing this summer to un-plug? 
Are you taking in any fun adventures with your family or friends? Are you relaxing, working, playing?

How about your creative side?  Are you feeding the 'child' within and nurturing your soul? I hope so.


Ya know, Barbie's at home waiting patiently for me to return and share with her some of the awesome inspirations I've encountered once again in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona!!

The White Mountains of Arizona - Near Nutrioso.
(Prior to the 2011 Wallow Fire)

Whatever it is you're up to, I hope you'll take the time to share some of your wonderful adventures and plans with me here.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Listening to the Wind in the Pines!

Summer Home Away From Home! :-)
Cheers,
~Shel~

Happy MiStakes

So, as I was working on some things this week, I sort of had a little mishap with these shapes here,...



They just didn't come out the way I wanted them to. 

But they're silver.  Silver's not cheap. 

Less expensive than it was about 8 to 10 months ago maybe, but it's still a pretty penny.

And, I didn't feel like setting them aside until a later time either.

Nope, for some reason, my hands just kept going and the ideas flowed and here's what they became.



Rugged, mishappen pieces of silver,....like that of an old spur perhaps, or a bridle.

So, these became "Horseshoe Pass".

Living here in the 'Wild West' can really spur your imagination.

No pun intended!  



What happy mistakes have you made recently? 

Or, what's your best-ever happy mistake?

Please share it with us!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Letting It Flow!

Cheers,
~Shel~

P.S. - Did any of you happen to catch my little 'MiStake' in the blog title today? 
Or is it a mistake,...it's kinda like the name of my company.  ;-)


BTW,...

There's a few things on my bead table this Wednesday.

Easy Beading - Volume 8


Kalmbach's Easy Beading Volume 8 arrived on my beading table this week. I've got a pair of Keshi Pearl Dangle Earrings on pages 236-237.  I was very excited to learn this!!

Keshi Pearl Dangle Earrings
by Michelle Buettner


You should see all the very cool projects in this book - oh my!  It's eye-candy central and the various designs are just delish!

Fanciful Devices - Etsy - Tutorial

Then, this past weekend, I got the opportunity to play with the tutorial I ordered from Fanciful Devices over on Etsy. Her Tribal Gypsy Bangle Tutorial.  Wow - how fun are these?!!

My attempt at 'Tribal'


Trust me when I tell you they're addicting to create - seriously!!

My White Pearls Bangles with a little Hootie!


On another note, tomorrow's the last day of school for our son.  Summer will officially be here and I'm so grateful for that.  I'd prefer it not be 114 degrees for the next 4 months, but the rest of the year really rocks when it comes to weather, so I'm not going to complain.  I will tell you that I'm extremely grateful for air-conditioning that works though!!


Arizona Desert


What are your plans for the summer - got anything special going on? Are you traveling, seeing family and friends, hanging out, having BBQ's and enjoying the season? 

Family BBQ at the Cabin


How about your creative side?  Are you crafting, beading, smacking some metal around and playing with fun stuff this summer? 

Painting at Creative U!!

I'm hoping to be teaching a couple of classes over the summer when I'm here in the Valley. 

Words on the Wall at Creative U.
So True,....So True!!

I also want to play with some new materials and create a few fun, new designs.

Front Porch of the Cabin


I'm also going to be visiting with my sister in the mountains at her cabin.

Moon over the Cabin


 I love it up there!  It's so beautiful.
There's inspiration everywhere you look!

Wild Flowers in the Meadow

I hope you're planning on having a wonderful summer, full of creativity, family, friends and all the things you love!

Linking up today with Bead Table Wednesday
over on Flickr - won't you join in the fun?!


Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Let the Summer Fun Begin!
Cheers,
~Shel~

This or That Thursday!

Traveled just outside of Payson this past weekend to get out of the heat and let the "Masked Rider" enjoy his motor bike.

"Mom! I said NO MORE pictures!"


We went to one of the trails listed in this book.

See the Crystal - it was just laying on the ground - how awesome is that?!!


Yep,...that's a huge-ass crystal
that was just laying on the ground.

It's basically the size of my loupe! 

The spot is called Diamond Point for a reason!!

The Hubby with the "Masked Rider"


The hubby and son had some fun!

Ants, ants, and more ants,...do you see them?!


Saw lots of ants all over the place - even on these little flowers.

Cute, isn't he?!


Had fun snapping some pictures and sitting in the hammock drinking one of these.

Ah,...sipping a Dos Equis!


It was a lovely day!



Arizona is truly a beautiful place!


Linking up with This or That Thursday over on



Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Fun Times with the Family!

Cheers,
~Shel~