Happy Independence Day!
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Each day I am thankful for the ability to live in this country and the freedoms I have because of the sacrifice of all those before me.
Until Next Time,
~Peace~
Cheers,
~Shel~
Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! 2014 Blog Hop Reveal!
Welcome to the 2014
Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!!
Blog Hop Reveal!
Are you ready to see some gorgeous pearls today? I know I am!
The guidelines for the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop were quite simple.
"Show Us Your Pearls!"
Yes, that's about it. It didn't have to be jewelry or bead related. Anything you wanted to design and create with pearls was fine - and welcomed!
Feel free to show off your pearls along with us. Just use the InLinkz Link Up tool at the bottom.
If you'd like to have the InLinkz code so you can have the link up tool on your blog today too, just clink here and you'll go to the page that has the link to the code.
With everything going on this month, it was challenging, but I did managed to create a couple of designs.
First up, I got to play with some solid gold!
Oh YES! It was heaven!
And it isn't just any piece of gold either.
It's an 18k yellow gold original cross that my hubby, Mike, and our friend, Steve, created and cast earlier this month.
It measures a whopping 1.75 (almost) inches long and has some heft to it - but not too much!
I had no idea what or how I wanted to use this cross - especially since I don't wear gold - so this was a challenge.
I knew it deserved the 'good pearls' in my inventory.
And something that would make it 'pop'.
The really nice freshwater cultured drop pearl that dangles on it is approximately 13mm in size - rather large.
The pearls in this necklace are freshwater cultured pearls from Majestic Pearl.
I wanted to make the cross charm something that could be taken on/off easily so the pearls could be worn on their own and so the cross could be worn on other necklaces, too.
I'd seen several versions of this sort of 'bail' over on Pinterest lately, so I thought I'd try creating my own version and it worked out quite well.
Did you know there is a difference between a 'bail' and a 'pearl enhancer'?
You can read a nice article from my online friend Calla Gold about the difference here.
This necklace reminds me of Old World Kings and Queens and a time when, despite the rugged materials the craftsmen had to work with, pieces were elegant, opulent and exquisite.
It was extremely fun playing with 'the good china', as I call it!
From the pearls, the handcrafted clasp, to the cross - this one's a keeper!
Except Mike keeps telling me he's taking the cross and melting it down and making something else with his gold.
Umm,...no. I think it's perfect the way it is.
And then there's this fun little guy.
Better known as 'Donald Trunk'.
First up, I got to play with some solid gold!
Oh YES! It was heaven!
And it isn't just any piece of gold either.
It's an 18k yellow gold original cross that my hubby, Mike, and our friend, Steve, created and cast earlier this month.
It measures a whopping 1.75 (almost) inches long and has some heft to it - but not too much!
I had no idea what or how I wanted to use this cross - especially since I don't wear gold - so this was a challenge.
I knew it deserved the 'good pearls' in my inventory.
And something that would make it 'pop'.
The really nice freshwater cultured drop pearl that dangles on it is approximately 13mm in size - rather large.
The pearls in this necklace are freshwater cultured pearls from Majestic Pearl.
I wanted to make the cross charm something that could be taken on/off easily so the pearls could be worn on their own and so the cross could be worn on other necklaces, too.
I'd seen several versions of this sort of 'bail' over on Pinterest lately, so I thought I'd try creating my own version and it worked out quite well.
Did you know there is a difference between a 'bail' and a 'pearl enhancer'?
You can read a nice article from my online friend Calla Gold about the difference here.
This necklace reminds me of Old World Kings and Queens and a time when, despite the rugged materials the craftsmen had to work with, pieces were elegant, opulent and exquisite.
It was extremely fun playing with 'the good china', as I call it!
From the pearls, the handcrafted clasp, to the cross - this one's a keeper!
Except Mike keeps telling me he's taking the cross and melting it down and making something else with his gold.
Umm,...no. I think it's perfect the way it is.
And then there's this fun little guy.
Better known as 'Donald Trunk'.
My hubby found some old molds at a jewelry supply store in town here and he poured me this pewter elephant using one of them.
Mike calls him "Donald Trunk" because he's got this 'blob' of pewter on the top of his head,...see that??
It's like a wild pewter 'comb-over' or toupee. Yep. LOL!!
The pearls in this necklace are also freshwater cultured pearls.
The dark ones have been dyed to get this awesome deep color and they come from Majestic Pearl as well.
They represent the deep colors of the elephant, both his skin and his eyes.
The really fun 'waffle' pearls (that's what I call them - it's neither a correct nor industry used term!) are keshi pearls that I picked up several years ago from Ayala's Originals at the gem show down in Tucson.
They represent the rough skin of the elephant and his wonderful 'wavy' ears and the color of his tusks.
Both necklaces were hand knotted on C-Lon cord that I purchased from the BeadShop.com.
I like using C-Lon (and Superlon, too) on many of my designs because it doesn't stretch as much or absorb body oils, lotions and perfumes as quickly as 100% silk does. Which makes caring for it a bit easier than designs created with silk. And to me, it drapes/hangs much like silk, which I like.
When we did the Pearls Blog Hop last fall, many of you said you liked all the links I provided to various educational sites about pearls and many of the video tutorials and things of this nature, so here's the link to
The dark ones have been dyed to get this awesome deep color and they come from Majestic Pearl as well.
They represent the deep colors of the elephant, both his skin and his eyes.
The really fun 'waffle' pearls (that's what I call them - it's neither a correct nor industry used term!) are keshi pearls that I picked up several years ago from Ayala's Originals at the gem show down in Tucson.
They represent the rough skin of the elephant and his wonderful 'wavy' ears and the color of his tusks.
Both necklaces were hand knotted on C-Lon cord that I purchased from the BeadShop.com.
I like using C-Lon (and Superlon, too) on many of my designs because it doesn't stretch as much or absorb body oils, lotions and perfumes as quickly as 100% silk does. Which makes caring for it a bit easier than designs created with silk. And to me, it drapes/hangs much like silk, which I like.
When we did the Pearls Blog Hop last fall, many of you said you liked all the links I provided to various educational sites about pearls and many of the video tutorials and things of this nature, so here's the link to
with all the links for anyone who wants to see them and revisit any of the goodies that were included in last fall's reveal post.
Also, here's the link to my Pearls page here on the blog where you'll find lots of pearl information, video tutorials on pearl knotting (not mine, but a lot of other people's tutorials) and other links such as jewelry, tool and pearl suppliers as well, so be sure to check it out.
I do want to share with you a really good video of how to knot pearls with out the use of tools, such as awls, tweezers or knotting tools or boards.
This is a great method when you're stringing a simple strand of pearls - they come out beautifully!
This video is compliments of the wonderful folks over at Pearl Paradise. Pearl Paradise owner Jeremy Shepherd and his wife, Hisano are a wealth of wonderful information and the designs that Hisano and the crew over at Pearl Paradise put together are just AMAZING!!
Make sure to check out the latest post over on their blog, here. And, of course, have fun drooling over all the beautiful pearls they offer for sale - wow!
And yes, the pearls in the below video are real, Saltwater Cultured South Sea Pearls,...Honkin' Huge!!
Now it's time to check out what all the other participants below have created with their pearls!
Thanks to everyone who is jumping in today and sharing your pearls - I can't wait to see what everyone has created!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and All Things Made With PEARLS!!
Cheers,
~Shel~
FOL14 - Week 26
Wow - half way through the year. The first part has flown by, if you ask me. Hopefully the second half of the year will slow down just a tad bit so we can all catch our breath, right?!
For week 26 of the Focus on Life 2014 weekly photography challenge, Sally has given us this prompt:
June 2014: Putting the Fun In Photography
Week 26: Free Space!
"Like the good old bingo cards state, "FREE SPACE" right smack dab in
the middle of the card! We have reached the half way point of the year,
REALLY!
We are half way through 2014!
For this week you have a "free space" to photography what ever you would like in what ever way you would like."
Oh, so many possibilities.
I took some pics over Memorial Day Weekend while we were up in the mountains at my sis and brother-in-law's cabin.
I rather like the look of this one, so I played around with editing it a bit.
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And, being our country's symbol of Freedom, I thought it would fit nicely for our 'Free Space' prompt.
I haven't watched the video that Sally no nicely put up on 'softening' your photos - so I'll have to do that because this one might look cool that way.
Please check out the below links and see what every one else chose as their 'Free Space' this week, won't you?!
I'd love for you to link up with us and show us what you've created with your pearls!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and "FREE" Space
Cheers,
~Shel~
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| Free Space to Grow! ;-) |
Getting Ready to Show Some Pearls!
Hello Pearl Lovers!
The Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop Reveal Date is Sunday, June 29th - 2014.
To make things super easy for you to join in the fun,
we're doing a Link-Up type of Blog Hop via InLinkz.
You
can simply add your link to the Pearls Hop by coming back here to the
MiShel Designs blog on Sunday, June 29th and following the prompts for
the Inlinkz linkup tool at the bottom of the reveal post.
If you'd like to add the Inlinkz tool to your own
Pearls Blog Hop Post on the reveal date,
Click here to go to the page on the blog where I will have the code.
Go to this Inlinkz page to find out how to add the code to your blog if you are unsure how to do this.
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Pearls, Baby!
Cheers,
~Shel~
Wearing Your Pearls!
Although the 2014 Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop that's happening this Sunday, June 29th here on the MiShel Designs blog had simple instructions that you could create ANYTHING with your pearls - it's a pretty obvious that my contribution will more than likely be PEARL JEWELRY.
NO!?! (You would have never guessed that, right?!)
So, let's get a little pearl fashion going on here, shall we?
It's fun and exciting (to me, anyway!) to see how pearls have been pushed front and center these last couple of years (FINALLY)!!
I'm thoroughly enjoying their nice little run in the fashion spotlight.
I'm thoroughly enjoying their nice little run in the fashion spotlight.
Here's a few things I found on the Internet
to get your pearl fashion cravings satisfied.
to get your pearl fashion cravings satisfied.
First up, this article by Brittany Siminitz a couple of weeks ago over on JCK online, (which is super!) highlights some great luxury pearl jewelry, like this awesome cuff by
Vincent Peach.
Vincent Peach.
 |
| Vincent Peach Cuff - LOVE this!!! |
Fashion forward and fun!
Then there's the pearl body chains that every one's wearing - sexy, aren't they?
What a great way to wear your pearls!
Then of course, one of my favorites,
Layering your pearls!
Layering your pearls!
The hottest earring designs around this year
are those with pearls, too.
are those with pearls, too.
Like these by Dior,...
Worn by actress, Emma Watson.
FABULOUS!!
And then of course, there's always my favorite designer,
Todd Reed.
His new line of jewelry has bunches of gorgeous pearls included! (Yeah, baby!!!)
Just look at this gorgeous ring of his!
So, now that your creative juices are flowing,
get out your pearls and start creating!
Then come back here on
Sunday, June 29th, and join in the
2014 Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!! Blog Hop
and show us your PEARLS!!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and All Things Pearls!!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 |
| Dior Earrings, worn by actress Emma Watson - Via Pinterest, Charmandchain.com |
Worn by actress, Emma Watson.
FABULOUS!!
And then of course, there's always my favorite designer,
Todd Reed.
His new line of jewelry has bunches of gorgeous pearls included! (Yeah, baby!!!)
Just look at this gorgeous ring of his!
 |
| Todd Reed Ring - with PEARLS!!! |
So, now that your creative juices are flowing,
get out your pearls and start creating!
Then come back here on
Sunday, June 29th, and join in the
2014 Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!! Blog Hop
and show us your PEARLS!!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and All Things Pearls!!
Cheers,
~Shel~
Girls and Their Pearls
This Sunday, June 29th, is the
here on the MiShel Designs blog.
The challenge was simply this:
Create something using pearls. It doesn't have to be jewelry or bead related at all. It can be anything your little heart desires; from pearl encrusted stilettos, to a pearl laden writing journal or lamp shade, the choice is yours.
June has been a much busier than normal month
here in our household.
There's been more travel this month than usual, some very sad moments of losing friends and other loved ones, an unusual amount of extra paper work for our business and school (yes, even though it's summer!), appointments for senior photos, dental and doctor appointments, designing and ordering our 20th Wedding Anniversary rings (Mine's being created by the wonderful team over at Todd Reed in Colorado, and Mike's having our friend Steve help him craft his own - I can't wait to see them both!!) and all sorts of other 'home' stuff to manage.
So, needless to say, I started to majorly stress out about the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop I decided to host this month.
However, a friend nicely reminded me that although I'm hosting this hop, it shouldn't be stressful at all because it's just a "link up" type of hop.
What's that mean you ask?
It means that if you'd like to participate that all you have to do is come here on June 29th and 'Link Up' with us via the InLinkz link up tool that will be at the bottom of my blog post that morning.
Simple as pie!
So, I hope you'll link up with us here on
Sunday, June 29th
and join in the Pearl Fun!
In the meantime this week, I am going to give you a couple of posts to wet your whistle on pearls - I mean, how could I knot. I mean not. LOL!
First up, here's a couple of quick and easy reminders on how to care for and store your pearl jewelry.
Always keep your pearl jewelry, whether it be real pearls or imitation pearls, out of the 'chemical baths' of perfume spraying, lotion lathering and hair spray fogging. Seriously. Be sure to use your lotion, your perfume and your hair spray BEFORE donning your pearls - and yes, that goes for pearl earrings as well gals!
Never clean your pearls with liquid chemical jewelry cleaners. I did this once. It was on some really nice Swarovski Crystal Pearl jewelry I created many years ago with sterling silver. I dunked the entire necklace into the little basket, put it in the jewelry cleaning liquid, sealed the lid and left it there for almost 15 minutes. When I came back and took out my beautiful Swarovski Crystal Pearl and Sterling Silver Necklace,...the silver was all shiny and gorgeous again, but the crystal pearls were, shall we say, a bit 'sticky'.
I had thought, "I'm only dipping them for a brief moment, what could possibly harm them that quickly?" Well, DUH! It's a chemical that cleans,...deep cleans. And obviously eats away at certain substances,...like pearl coatings, plastics, pearl nacre, resins, the stabilizing materials in stabilized turquoise and other gemstones. So, my advice, "No chemical cleaners for your pearls, okay?"
Also pearls, if strung on silk, nylon or other cording, should not be hung up in your jewelry box or from those cool DIY jewelry displays made out of a old picture frames and vintage drawer hardware or hooks. Nope. It looks really cool indeed, but it stretches the cord more quickly than normal wear and tear, thus leading to having your pearls restrung sooner than is actually needed.
Never clean your pearls with liquid chemical jewelry cleaners. I did this once. It was on some really nice Swarovski Crystal Pearl jewelry I created many years ago with sterling silver. I dunked the entire necklace into the little basket, put it in the jewelry cleaning liquid, sealed the lid and left it there for almost 15 minutes. When I came back and took out my beautiful Swarovski Crystal Pearl and Sterling Silver Necklace,...the silver was all shiny and gorgeous again, but the crystal pearls were, shall we say, a bit 'sticky'.
I had thought, "I'm only dipping them for a brief moment, what could possibly harm them that quickly?" Well, DUH! It's a chemical that cleans,...deep cleans. And obviously eats away at certain substances,...like pearl coatings, plastics, pearl nacre, resins, the stabilizing materials in stabilized turquoise and other gemstones. So, my advice, "No chemical cleaners for your pearls, okay?"
Also pearls, if strung on silk, nylon or other cording, should not be hung up in your jewelry box or from those cool DIY jewelry displays made out of a old picture frames and vintage drawer hardware or hooks. Nope. It looks really cool indeed, but it stretches the cord more quickly than normal wear and tear, thus leading to having your pearls restrung sooner than is actually needed.
 |
| Not Knot on Etsy |
Ideally, it's best to store your pearls in a flat box - not a zippy bag or sealed plastic container as they need to breathe - with a nice soft jewelry cloth around them. I've used antique hankies to store mine in and to wipe them clean (you'd be amazed at the damage oils from your own skin can do over time) before I put them away. And, I feel good that my antique handkerchiefs are getting used and not just stored in a drawer somewhere.
Okay - that's about it for today.
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Pearls, Baby!!
Cheers,
~Shel~
FOL14 - Playing Catch Up
It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks around here.
Busy, fun, crazy, happy, excited, stressful, frustrating, confusing, shocked, sad, lost,....we've run the gamut.
So, I'm playing a bit of catch-up today with the Focus on Life: 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge.
Sally over at The Studio Sublime, gave us these two prompts for weeks 24 and 25.
Week 24: Have FUN and get snappin'. To shoot with abandon, basically.
These folks are kinda making fun of me taking photos. We're all 'snapping' each other 'snapping' each other - fun. And FUNNY! (it was to us, anyway!) I laughed so hard last weekend my sides still hurt.
Week 25: Be Colorful
a) full of interest; lively and exciting.
b) having much or varied color; bright.
Each day this summer I've tried to 'drink my colors'. I mixed various fruits in my glass each morning, add ice and water and drink several glasses and then at the end of the day, eat the fruit. It's really refreshing, especially here in the desert with the 100+ degree temps.
I hope you're all having a great summer! Be sure to hop around and see what 'colors' every one else has captured this week!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Colorful Fun!
Cheers,
~Shel~
Life and Major Do-Da
Sorry for the silence on the blog - there's been so much going on this month that I'm having a hard time catching my breath.
So far in June we've had a weekend with friends, traveled out of state to meet up with family for a brief time, have had senior photos taken, dentist appointments, international travel for work is about to take place and all the classes have been written and put together, jury duty is coming up, we are having meetings with the college for the Fire Science course our son will be taking next year, have had a friend's father pass away and just the other day one of our good friends and neighbors here in our cul-de-sac passed away as well.
We're all trying to cope at the moment with this fast track of a train called life.
Needless to say, I'm still going to try to pull together the Pearls! Pearls! Pearls!! blog hop that's scheduled for June 29th. I may just facilitate it with the InLinkz code at the bottom and some interesting pearl information and fun links because I seriously doubt I'll have time to create anything new myself. But we'll see.
I will keep you all posted.
I do apologize for not posting all the interesting Pearl blog Posts that I had wanted to post this month so that you could find some fun inspiration to help you along with your creative endeavors.
I'll be in touch as soon as I can.
Until Next Time,
Peace and Love,
~Shel~
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