MiShel Designs

Suburban Girl Design Team!

This year I've been trying to step of my "Shell" (pun intended there!!) and try different things, design-wise, with my jewelry.

Spice It Up! By Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs
Gin Blossom Pendant by Jeannie of Jewelry by Jeannie

Working with different colors, for instance,
is a big one for me this year.

Sari Silk Wrapped Bangle by Michelle Buettner
of MiShel Designs

So, putting my 'name in the hat' on people's blogs I follow who are having challenges, or give-a-ways, or asking for design team members and/or signing up for blog-hops (when I see them in time!) and things like this are just a couple of the things I'm doing this year to try to stretch myself artistically.

Earring Designs by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs
for the Flickr group, 52 Pair of Earrings a Year

These actions I've taken have been rather successful so far this year. I've been the recipient of some fabulous give-a-ways (and I truly thought I never won anything!) and I've had some great opportunities come my way.

One such opportunity happened just a couple of days ago.

I'm excited to announce that I was chosen to be on the Suburban Girl Studio's design team!

What good fortune!

Have you seen the handcrafted porcelain, stoneware and raku bead components that Diana of

Suburban Girl Studio makes?

Here's a few of the items she currently has available in her Etsy Shop.

Sunset Orange Porcelain Flower Pendant
by Suburban Girl Beads

Raku Desert Rose Charm by Suburban Girl Beads

Gorgeous, huh?!! I'm really excited to participate!

Copper Patina Charm Pair
By Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's doing a Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter design challenge and the first reveal date for all of us on the team is going to be April 1st!

Hop on over to the Suburban Girl Studio and check out the other Design Team Members.

They're all pretty awesome if you ask me!

I want to thank Diana for putting the design team together and I hope I'm able to create designs that will truly highlight her components and allow them to shine!

Also, this Saturday (tomorrow!) is gonna be a big day, too!

It's a 2-for-1 here on my blog!

There will be the Echo Creative Club monthly reveal and Blog Hop and then also the 7000 Bracelets of Hope
Blog Hop is happening, too!

So, come back over here tomorrow and check out all that's going on. It'll be fun!!

Photo by Michelle Buettner/MiShel Designs

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love, and Gratitude!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Working on Color!

For those of you who know me personally you know that my closet probably has fewer than five articles of clothing with 'prints' (this includes scarves, too!) and that most of my colors are, shall we say,...neutral and rather drab.

Translation: browns, greys, black, navy blues and an occasional pop of dark red - gotta love RED!

Anyhoo, I was reading Tracy Statler's blog post today over on Make Bracelets and she's got these amazing colors going on with all the goodies she just got from a bead show that was just in her area.

Her post was quite timely since I've been trying to incorporate more color into my designs.

You really gotta check out her blog and all her yummy finds - they're super gorgeous!

Tracy also gives you a head's up on some great blogs that have various color palettes and things related to colors.

One of the blogs she mentions is one of my favorite blog 'must' reads - Brandi Girl Blog.

Brandi's blog has really been helping me get out of my neutral-zone as I try to rev up my use of color.

I know,...some of the things I've been creating lately are just white pearls and silver - so typical me - but I'm mixing it up a little bit and adding a few other colors as well.

(Slowly but surely - don't rush me!)

What I'm curious about now though is this:

Do you tend to 'play it safe' with the colors of your

clothes and your accessories?

Or, do you jump in with both feet at once

and dance with different colors regularly?

Let me know what colors you're drawn to right now and why?

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Rainbows of Colors!

Cheers,

~Shel~

*All photos, jewelry and designs by Michelle Buettner

Happy Valentine's Day

Roses and Hearts for you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gold and Silver Heart Hoops by Michelle Buettner
MiShel Designs - 2008 Clean Lines Collection

Until Next Time,

Peace and LOVE!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Sunday = Funday!

I'm getting up close and personal today over at Studio Waterstone with I Heart Macro!

Treasures from the Tucson Gem Show

Won't you join in the fun and play along?

Kind of looks like an ear,...doesn't it?

Happy Sunday Everyone!

"Purity"

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Living in the Moment!

Cheers,

~Shel~

7000 Bracelets for Hope

7000 Bracelets of Hope Campaign is run through the Global Genes Project, which raises awareness and support for the more than 30 million people affected by rare diseases, disorders or conditions.

The 7000 Bracelets for Hope Campaign is a way for various artists, jewelry designers and members of the craft community to show their support to the families who have children suffering from a rare disease, disorder or condition.

How does it work?

Silver Wire Wrapped Blue Lava Bead Bracelet
by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs

You design a 'Blue' bracelet, (one with blue beads, blue ribbons, etc.) preferably one that is adjustable or could fit a wrist anywhere from size 6.5 to 8.5, and send it to the people at the 7000 Bracelets of Hope Campaign along with a note of encouragement to the family. The bracelets are distributed to those taking care of the children as a way to show support and uplift their spirits.

Cool, huh?

There is actually a 7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop

that is being hosted by

Erin of Elysian Studios and

Christine of One Kiss Creations

You can sign up on either one of their blogs to contribute to this wonderful campaign.

Beaded Wrap Bracelet by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs

The deadline for entry into the blog hop is tomorrow,

Saturday, February 11th

with the hop taking place on Saturday, February 25th.

Please join in the fun if you can!

Just click the links above for more information and to sign up.

Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Raising Awareness!

Cheers,

~Shel~

This or That Thursday!

So, last Thursday I made my way down to Tucson

for what I call the annual "Drool Fest".

Driving through the old neighborhood!

You know, The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show!

Yep - this is large alright!

It was complete with tons of way cool beads, pearls, gemstones, fossils, minerals, crystals, dinosaur bones

and more!

Now this,...I would have loved to purchase and take home
and place it inside my foyer,....or out in my yard by the lake.
Seriously - I love this for some strange reason!
But it was already sold.

You never know what you're gonna see!