MiShel Designs: Pearls

Showing posts with label Pearls. Show all posts

Focus on Life 2014 - Week One: The Minimalist Photograph

I was so happy when Sally, from The Studio Sublime, continued in 2014 with her wonderful photography challenge, Focus on Life.

I have to say I was quite pleased that I managed to photograph and post for every single one of the 52 weekly photo prompts in 2013. This was a challenge that truly made me stop and think about my surroundings and the things going on in my life each week and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire journey last year, along with all the wonderful and caring people I 'met' along the way.

So, when I saw the information for the 2014 Focus on Life Photography Challenge, I signed up immediately!

Sally's changing things up a bit and will be focusing on a specific subject each month, with weekly prompts pertinent to that subject, for us to post each week or just keep to ourselves if we choose to go that route instead. She's also giving us tips, techniques and photo recipes through out the year so we can better our picture taking skills as well.

Pretty cool stuff, eh?

Sally mentioned this week that:

Every year we approach the new year with high expectations of changing your lives. We jump in with both feet and the water quickly splashes over our heads, we begin to feel overwhelmed. Before we know it the water subsides carrying our expectations in its ripples and waves. We reach, we grasp, but everything becomes out of reach. We sink. Our progress stops in its tracks and with head hanging low we feel like we have completely failed.

NOT THIS YEAR!

Let's change the view. This year let's focus on entering 2014 by first tiptoeing into the lapping water, testing the strength of the waves. Let's give ourselves a better chance to succeed, to feel good about ourselves, let's allow ourselves to reach our fullest potential. Let's use the minimalist's approach, strip down to bare bones and chose one or two goals to pour our energy into for 2014! Let's scale back the world around us and focus our viewfinder on one subject and snap the shutter.

Week One: The Minimalist Photograph - capture an image using a single subject

I was out for a walk and discovered this single leaf laying in my path that captured my attention and thought it would be perfect for this week's prompt. But once I got back home, I noticed that the shadow behind it and the concrete it was laying on completely distracted from it's minimalistic simplicity.

So instead, I captured one of my 'loves'.

Click to enlarge photo :-)

Isn't she a beauty?

Feel free to check out all the links below and see what Single Subjects the other players captured in their Minimalist Photograph this week!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and The Single Pearl!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Bead Chat Magazine - December Issue

I wanted to give a big shout out to the entire crew at

Bead Chat Magazine.

Would you just look at these earrings on the cover by Claire Lockwood?!
Super Pretty!

If you're not familiar with Bead Chat Magazine, it's an online magazine started by Melinda Orr and run by her, Linda Younkman, Cynthia Machata, and Natalie McKenna with several other amazing jewelry artists as contributors.

What started as a Facebook group of bead, jewelry and mixed media artists sharing information, supply links and support for each other turned into an amazing online community called ArtisanWhimsy.net and it's definitely the 'hub' of our "beady-world". And the online monthly magazine, Bead Chat, is the icing on the cake (if you ask me).

Cynthia over at Bead Chat Magazine contacted me a couple of months back to say they would like to do an interview with me and feature pearls in their December issue and believed I was their "Go To Pearl Girl".

I was thrilled to hear this! (insert happy dance at desk upon reading that email!!)

Over the past several weeks, Cynthia, who writes amazingly well for the magazine, Natalie, who does a fantastic job on the photos and layout, and I exchanged emails, links, photos and details and they managed to put together an outstanding interview and Pearl Article complete with supplies links, knotting tutorials and educational information.

And for this, I am truly grateful.

These two women are professional and super fun, creative (indeed!!) and just all around good people! I have to say 'easy to work with' is an understatement. They take everything you give them and turn it into beautifully laid out, eye-catching content and interesting words!

There's quite a few people, many of whom I didn't get to converse with, who, on a monthly basis really put their heart and soul into this magazine and make it the successful and much enjoyed magazine that it is. Each month, the entire staff and their contributors work around the clock (from what I can tell!) to bring those of us in the bead and jewelry crafting world one of the most top notch magazines related to our industry - online or in print (IMHO, anyway).

In the pages of Bead Chat you will find links to tutorials, fun interviews, feature articles on really interesting and talented artists, helpful tips, trends within our industry and completely amazing photos of all types of jewelry - super stuff!

Super Cool Earrings by Lisa Lodge!

Yep, inspiration galore!

Beautiful Shimmering Necklace by Lynda Carson!

Thank you again to everyone involved with Bead Chat, you're greatly appreciated and deserve all the kudos you are getting online from all of us in the beading/jewelry world!

So, whatcha waitin' for? Head on over and take a peak inside!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Feeling Grateful (and excited)!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Bead Chat Magazine and Artisan Whimsy

I wanted to give a big shout out to Melinda Orr and all the ladies over at Bead Chat Magazine and Artisan Whimsy.

The November issue of Bead Chat Magazine is out and it's Fabulous!

Bead Chat Magazine did a tribute to Bead Trends Magazine, since it ceased publishing this summer, and featured several of the jewelry designers and their designs that were in the 'hopper' about to be published by didn't quite make the last publication. And, they did a feature on me since I was going to be the Beads Trends October Designer Highlight. They did a super job including all the designs that were to be in the spread and made everything look just wonderful.

I can't thank them enough for publishing everything they did in the November issue of Bead Chat - thank you, thank you!!

I wanted to give a special thanks to Cynthia Machata over at Bead Chat. She put up with my endless email problems as I was switching computers and going from Windows 7 to Windows 8 at the same time. Such a patient, creative and friendly soul - I don't know how she does it all, but she does. And, she does it with such grace. Thank you Cynthia - you made everything super easy!! (And you should see her jewelry! Yep - Pretty. Darn. Cool! :-)

This month's issue is jam packed with all sorts of goodies so be sure to click here and check it out.

And, some more exciting news - this month's the start of the all new and improved Artisan Whimsy site - be sure to go check it out as well. The comradery on this site is unmatched. People sharing, helping each other - it's pretty cool! There's lots of things in the works over there, so be sure to check back often.

Okay - time to get back to work! I hope everyone enjoys their week!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Diggin' Bead Chat Mag!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Boring Pearl Info,...Said No One EVER!

Okay, well maybe it has been said, but thankfully I was out of ear-shot because that statement kinda hurts my feelings.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls. Photo: Michelle Buettner

I will admit that while studying Pearls at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the part about the mollusk's reproductive system was probably the least favorite part of my studies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultured_pearl
From Wikipedia.org

First off, a Natural Pearl is created in nature, by nature, without the help of any human hands what-so-ever and is extremely rare (these days anyway) and very valuable.

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace - MiShel Designs

Cultured Pearls are pearls formed when humans 'assist' or 'help' the process along.

Thank goodness for the science behind Cultured Pearls, because without all of this 'boring stuff' (she whispers softly so as not to offend her pretty little gems!) it would be practically impossible for me to enjoy pearls - using them in my designs all the time - the way I do now.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls Knotted on Genuine Leather

Yes, it's this 'boring' part (interesting science to others!) about the Mollusk's tiny, delicate, little gonads (and how he's gently sliced open so he can have things inserted into him and then carefully patched back up ) that gives us our beautiful, CULTURED pearls - whether freshwater ones or saltwater ones - and makes them readily available in today's market.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls. Photo: Michelle Buettner

It's basically what allows us to use these gorgeous gems in our own handcrafted jewelry designs.

(Insert happy dance here!!)

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Jewelry Designs - MiShel Designs

Since the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop I hosted back on September 15th, I've had more than the usual number of questions from people asking me about the different kinds of pearls. I've also noticed an unusually high number of articles and snippets mentioning pearls in today's world of jewelry fashion.

(Check out the WWD article about the "Pearl" exhibit that just opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London!)

Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Pewter Cross Bracelet - MiShel Designs

So today I wanted to clarify a few things and give you some additional resources to turn to so you can find more information on our beautiful little friends.

Faceted Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earrings
Copper Component - Kristi Bowman
Earring Design - Michelle Buettner

Quick Facts About Pearls:
(the non-boring, not-so-technical stuff)

There are two types of pearls - Real pearls and Imitation pearls.

Breaking this down, there are two types of Real Pearls: Natural Pearls and Cultured Pearls.

Natural pearls are: a pearl formed without human assistance. (found in nature, forming on it's own via natural circumstances with out any human intervention)

Cultural pearls are: a pearl formed as the result of human intervention in the formation process. (pearls formed when humans have intervened and 'helped' the natural process along).

Under Cultured Pearls there are two types: Freshwater Cultured Pearls and Saltwater Cultured Pearls.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls are cultured in bodies of freshwater such as lakes, etc.

Under Saltwater Cultured Pearls there are three main (most common) types, including Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea, and these are cultured in bodies of saltwater.

Yes, Cultured pearls, whether Freshwater Cultured or Saltwater Cultured, are real pearls. Not Natural Pearls, but still real pearls. And they both (freshwater cultured pearls and saltwater cultured pearls) come from Bivalve Mollusks (oysters, mussels, etc.)

Natural Pearls can be distinguished from Cultured Pearls by an x-ray to reveal their inner components/structure and although I will not go into detail between tissue nucleation vs. bead nucleation or things of this nature today, I have provided links on my pearls page for those of you who are interested in learning more.

Natural pearls are extremely rare in this day and age and therefore quite expensive, especially compared to their cultured pearl counterparts. I'd love to be able to hold an entire strand of Natural Pearls in my hands,....oh wow. Yep, that's on my bucket list!

As far as Imitation pearls go, there are bunches of them. Anything such as Swarovski Crystal Pearls (awesome colors and cool shapes!), to Resin or Plastic pearls, Majorica/Majorca Pearls, or any pearl that is neither a Natural or a Cultured Pearl is an Imitation. Many people refer to these pearls as 'faux' pearls. In the industry, we refer to them as Imitation.

For future reference, the above information is available on my "Pearls" page here on my blog.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls. Photo: Michelle Buettner

Also on my Pearls Page are some excellent and trusted resources to turn to for such things as the history of pearls, pearl farming, definitions of various pearls (more thorough and in depth than the ones I have provided) and resources to turn to should you need to have your pearls appraised (I can only grade pearls, not appraise them, because I don't hold an appraiser's license) or to obtain identification or classification reports.

Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Necklace
MiShel Designs

Oh, and then there's the fun stuff like, Famous Pearls!

(I know, I'm such a geek!)

In May 2013, a single strand of natural pearls (pictured above) sold at auction in Geneva
for nearly $8.5 million setting a world auction record. (source: Forbes Magazine)

I truly hope this small intro into pearls has heightened your awareness of these gorgeous beauties and that they will find their way into your heart like they have mine!

Freshwater Cultured Pearls and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

And, if I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to point you in the direction of someone who does! :-)

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Charm Necklace and Earring Set - MiShel Designs

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and PEARLS, Baby!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Good Girls Wear Pearls!

And so do some 'Knotty Girls', some 'Cool Metal Chicks' and 'Wild Wire Women', too!

Welcome to the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop Reveal!

(Click on any of the highlighted words (Links) through out this post
to be taken to articles and/or videos about Pearls!)

There are so many pearl quotes, but one of my all time favorites is this one:

The Pearl is the Queen of Gems and the Gem of Queens! ~Author Unknown~

I do believe the Pearl is the Queen of Gems and I don't think I'm alone in this belief.

Both the Romans and Egyptians cherished pearls for their mesmerizing beauty and it's recorded that pearls were used as adornment in the 5th Century BC, with even earlier mention of them being documented by the Chinese.

The Pearl has been regarded as the ultimate symbol of wealth and social status in certain areas (and eras) and has been (and still is) closely associated with love, marriage and the feminine/female aspect through out history.

In today's modern world, pearls have waxed and waned in the fashion spotlight, often being regarded as stuffy, prim and proper; strictly for the more 'mature' crowd (Gasp!!).

Fact is, pearls are never out of style. Nor are they 'stuffy'!

Click on any photo to enlarge it :-)

Their pure versatility and timeless beauty allows them to go with anything (from jeans to wedding gowns), with any person, for any reason, during every season.
(In my opinion, anyway!)

In recent years pearls have emerged once again, making a strong comeback not only in jewelry and accessories, but finding their way in/on just about everything we touch.

So, what better way to celebrate the beloved and appealing Pearl, than with a design challenge blog hop?

The rules were simple. Design something, anything, using pearls in the design. Real pearls or imitation ones, as many or as little as you'd like - the choice was yours.

Then I asked that you share where you purchased or received your pearls (preferable with a shop name and/or link) so we could all go shopping for more pearls after the hop!

Faceted Pearl and Copper Earrings

Lovely Green Faceted Pearls: Majestic Pearl
Super Cool Copper Components: Kristi Bowman Designs
Copper Ear Wires - MiShel Designs :-)

I've been in love with pearls since I was a little girl and in 2006 I earned my Pearls Diploma from the

Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

From the beautiful pearly whites of the Akoya, to the soft, creamy South Sea Pearls, to the various natural and dyed colors of today's freshwater pearls, I love them all, but the ones that take my breath away and will forever have my heart are Tahitian Pearls!

To me, their beauty is like no other on the planet and although I generally cannot afford to use them in my designs, I get my fix by adding dyed, freshwater cultured pearls in 'Tahitian' colors as much as I possibly can.

I use pearls in many of my jewelry designs and "There isn't a pearl I've met that I haven't fallen in love with!"

Triple Strand Pearl and Bali Silver Bracelet

Pearls: Bead World, Ayla's Originals and King's Ransom/Betty Sue King/Pearl Goddess
Clasp: Star's Clasps, Bali Spacer Beads: Ands Silver

This being so, and since I can't crochet, knit or sew, and I don't do much in the way of mixed media, I chose to create jewelry using pearls for this blog hop.
(Surprise, Surprise!)

Gorgeous Honkin' Ringed Pearls - Evergreen Trading Co. - 626-279-2723
Pretty Baroque Pearls - Beads Galore (there website was down - this is their facebook page)
Turquoise - Rincon Trading Co.
Beautiful Silver Button and Little Silver Star/Heart Charm on bracelet - Untamed Spirit Studios / Kim Hatzold
Leather Cord: Leather Cord USA
Waxed Jewelry Cord - Knotty Do-It-All / Sandra Younger

I've designed so many different pieces of jewelry using pearls in some way or another over the years and because I've been showing a lot of them here lately on my blog, I was hard pressed to come up with something new and refreshing to create and post for this challenge.

(Not to mention I had to go in for a root canal on Wednesday, too!!)

Knotted Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Bracelet

Pretty Baroque Large Hole Pearls - Beads Galore (there website was down - this is their facebook page)
Turquoise - Rincon Trading Co.
Beautiful Silver Button and Little Silver Star/Heart Charm - Untamed Spirit Studios / Kim Hatzold
Leather: Leather Cord USA
Waxed Jewelry Cord - Knotty Do-It-All / Sandra Younger

But, I did get a few things finished just in time.
(Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?)

Leather Knotted Pearl Choker / Double Wrap Bracelet

Super Honkin' Large Ringed White Pearls - Evergreen Trading Co. - 626-279-2723
Leather: Leather Cord USA
Button - JoAnn Fabrics

I've included links through out this post to various websites, tutorials, videos and/or articles on such pearl topics as the history of pearls, pearl farming, how to hand knot pearls, the care and storing of your pearls, Pearl Facts / Folklore, and more.

ENJOY!!

(Just click on any of the highlighted words to be taken to something wonderful in the Pearl World!)

Leather Cord Charm Necklace and Complimentary Earrings

Pearls: Majestic Pearl and American Pearl Co.

Cool Little Heart Charm - Untamed Spirit Studios / Kim Hatzold

Leather - Leather Cord, USA

Ear Wires and .999 Fine Silver Hammered Circle Links - MiShel Designs

You can click on the PEARLS page (up top) here on my blog anytime to browse the links I have to suppliers, articles, videos and more.

Men's "Christopher Columbus" Cross Arm-Wear

"Christopher Columbus" Hand Poured, Recycled Pewter Cross - Mike Buettner - (aka - The Hubs!)

Awesome, Big-Ass Tahitian Colored Freshwater Cultured Pearls - Majestic Pearl

Leather: Leather Cord USA, Button - JoAnn's

Waxed Jewelry Cord - Knotty Do-It-All / Sandra Younger

Plus, you can click here to go to the post I did earlier this week where I answered questions some of the participants asked and also provided links to more websites and videos as well.

"The Queen Mary"

Pearls: Majestic Pearl, Ayla's Originals, Evergreen Trading Co., Jennifer Gems, Kings Ransom/Betty Sue King,
Pearl Paradise, Pearl Concepts, and Lucky Gems
Faceted Smokey Quartz, Black Onyx - Designer's Own - (Sorry - I have forgotten where I got these stones!)
Swarovski Crystals, Czech Glass - Artbeads, Fusion Beads

I want to thank all the participants, some of whom mentioned their 'fear of pearls', but jumped in on this blog challenge anyway, for taking the time to create various types of handcrafted art using one of history's most beautiful and alluring gems!

So, grab a cup of black pearl tea, settle in and hop around to the participants below and check out all the wonderful ways they've used their glorious pearls!