MiShel Designs

In a blog slump? Get over that hump!

Hey gang, instead of beads on my bench today I've got
Lori Anderson's new eBook,
Follow The Path, ideas and inspiration for the creative blogger,
on my bead table!

It's packed full of gorgeous photos to inspire you alright, but what's really great is how Lori shares all sorts of ideas and topics to spark your creativity so you can perk up your blog!

One of the things I like most about Lori's eBook are the lists of words she uses to jump start your thoughts.
Powerful words that really make you think.

I can't give away any more details.

You'll just have to hop on over to Lori's blog and get yourself a copy!

I want to give Lori a big hug for using one of my photos in her eBook.

I couldn't believe it when I started reading and came across my corks photo!

Thank you so much Lori - you're the best!

I plan on using several ideas Lori shares in her eBook
here on my blog this year!

Head on over and check out Lori's eBook and get some inspiration flowing through your blog!!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Great Ideas and Inspiration!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Learning From Others: Blog Spotlight

Today I'd like to give a shout out to a blogger I follow regularly and look to for awesome color inspiration, business knowledge and tons of other fun stuff, too.

Brandi Girl Blog written by Brandi Hussey hasn't been on my radar nearly long enough, possibly a year or so, but in the short time that I've followed Brandi and gotten to know her a bit, she's become an invaluable resource that I turn to again and again.

And she's a real sweetie, too!

There are so many things Brandi does well and she's so generous with everything she shares that it's hard to know where to start.

She's one of these rare people who have the ability to make you think about some pretty deep things all the while inspiring you to push yourself to try new things or to see the world a bit differently that you did when you woke up this morning.

She has these amazing color palettes she shares with her readers which help trigger your creative side. At least they do mine.

Here's one of my favorites from Brandi.

Thunderstorm Color Palette #104 by Brandi Hussey

I was amazed at how few colors I actually saw in a picture until I started looking over the color palettes she would post with her photos. Then, when I followed her tutorial and did a couple of my own - wow - I had no idea all those colors were in the pictures I was snapping!

Color Paletter #98 - January Color by Brandi Hussey

She also offers up some great e-Books. She has one on pricing your designs. You should see the jewelry she used to create - luscious doesn't even begin to describe it! Her eBook really helps those of use who sell our jewelry creations over some tough hurdles in regards to this topic.

Brandi's eBook - It's Free - Check It Out!

She also just came out with her fabulous Editing with Elements course to help people who are new to, or a bit techno-challenged (as in my case), with editing photos and working in Photoshop Elements.

I'm diving into this one right now and

will let you all know how I do!

Brandi's Editing With Elements Course

One of the things Brandi is outstanding at, in my opinion any way, is her teaching ability. In her video tutorials, she has a calm way of teaching and she speaks to you in a way that is upbeat and easily understood. And I think she has a great 'voice', too - that's hard to do sometimes on camera and Brandi just does it naturally.

I was really honored several weeks back when Brandi emailed me and asked if she could do a spotlight on me one day this month over on her blog. "Me?" "Seriously?" "Wow!" You can check out her post here. And thanks so much for doing this Brandi - it's really special!

So, if you're in need of some inspiration, whether it be for your business or just some personal inspiration to lift your spirits or get you thinking about new things, Brandi Girl Blog is definitely worth checking out - you will not be disappointed. Honestly. I think you'll come away with a whole new favorite!

Color Palette #89 - Quiet Moments by Brandi Hussey

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Gratitude!

Cheers,

~Shel~

I Heart Macro - It's Sunday!

Playing along with I Heart Macro

over at Studio Waterstone today.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Beautiful Colors!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Client Spotlight - Sharing some LOVE!

It's that wonderful time again when I get to shine some light on another jewelry designer who happens to be one of my clients.

Harriet Love, with Love Notes over on Etsy, (Love the play on her name!!) has some unique and very eye-catching designs in her shop. Harriet uses some of my ear wires from my Shel's Jewelry Supplies shop on Etsy in her jewelry creations.

Textured Copper Dangle Earring by Harriet Love

I think Harriet's background is quite fun - just like her jewelry designs. She opened the first vintage clothing shop in Greenwich Village in New York and then she penned the book, "Harriet Love's Guide to Vintage Chic". After that came her vintage inspired clothing and jewelry store in Soho. Talk about experience in fashion and retail - Harriet's got it!

Enameled Copper and Stone Earrings by Harriet Love

Harriet's eye for color is something else, too. She combines these rich, full-bodied colors and mixes in textures and shapes that make your eyes squeal with delight! Beautiful is an understatement!

Copper Earrings by Harriet Love

Of course, I'm a bit partial to blues and reds and coppers so of course I'm happy that my ear wires get to be part of such awesome designs!

Harriet has some gorgeous necklaces in her shop, too - like these here - oh my!

Tibetan Pendant Necklace by Harriet Love

I love how the purple pops right out to greet you in this one, don't you? And I'm not usually that much of a purple person.

Colorful Gemstone Necklace by Harriet Love

Just goes to show you what a good combination of colors, textures and materials can do for a design!

Hop on over to Harriet's shop and show her some LOVE,...won't you?!

Get it,...Love? I knew you would!!

Until Next Time,

Chunky Turquoise Bracelet by Harriet Love

Peace, LOVE and Eye Popping Colors!

Cheers,

~Shel~

This or That Thursday

Playing along with Deb Duty and the gang for

This or That Thursday.

Waiting for the perfect wave,....

Wanna join in?

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Fun!

Cheers,

~Shel~

My Ah-Ha Moment

****Caution**** The below post contains a few choice words. If you're easily offended by stuff like this, then please don't read any further.

*******

So, I'm reading InStyle Magazine the other day - the April issue with the funny and ever-so-gorgeous Sofia Vergara on the cover. I land on page 177 and start reading

'Designer One-on-One' featuring

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton.

Les Arts Decoratifs

There's this picture of Marc in the upper right hand corner of the article with a quote from him that stopped me dead in my tracks.

Marc Jacobs - via Pinterest - Lane Brooks/Packaging Men

It goes like this: "Be open! If you dress to suit you mood - as you should - you don't need a signature look."

~ Marc Jacobs, InStyle Magazine, April 2012 ~

Marc Jacobs

Finally I saw in writing something I had felt in my heart for-EVER!

Only, here's what I heard in my head and my heart when I read his quote:

"If you design jewelry to fit your mood - as you SHOULD - you don't need a signature style!"

Wow,...that's some powerful stuff right there, baby!!

Thank you Marc Jacobs!!

Most of the experts will tell you that you have to pick a "Style" and focus on that. You know, design with a certain set of materials and create a "cohesive look and feel" to your designs so that when people see your 'stuff' they know - with out a doubt - that it's yours.

Make sure people can recognize YOU in your designs.

Shit, I don't recognize me in my designs - how can everyone else?

It's excellent advice I know, and maybe I put too much thought into it, but when people ask me to describe my style I sit there with a blank stare on my face.

That's like the hardest question on the planet for me.

And you know why?

Because most jewelry designers I know DO have a specific style. They've got their vintage, steampunk, rocker, eclectic, romantic, boho-chic, organic, spunky style down to a perfect "T".

And me,...well I kinda feel like my ass is just
flappin' in the wind.

Seriously.

Until I read that quote by Marc Jacobs and my muse, God, the Universe, my soul - whatever it was - spoke to me, I felt like I was just 'hanging-out' with out a clue in the world and that I had to fit into some nice, neat, itty-bitty, little category that was already defined for me.

I kept thinking,..."Well, I must be doing this all wrong if I don't have a specific style or certain design category that I fit into. I better decide on one and start going in that direction."

And then I'd sit there. Unable to design. Unable to create. Unable to be motivated or inspired. Unable to be me.

If I choose something for the sake of choosing, or for marketing purposes or because other folks think it's something I'd be good at,
it will be forced and fake.

I cannot pigeon-hole myself into a design category or style.

I don't want to.

I want to create whatever it is I'm drawn too.

I want to create for whatever mood I feel today.

I love vintage things,...don't really make 'em that often,...but I love looking at them and drooling over them. I love steampunk stuff, and rocker things. I love eclectic, organic, rustic and boho-chic things to the MAX. I have a bit of a romantic side,...every now and then,...and I can be sort of spunky when I feel like it, too.

I have bits and pieces of all those things inside of me. I have lots of different sides, lots of different moods and lots of different styles that I love to create and let come out.

I love a ton of different music and I like to dance to all of it!

My inner child likes to play 'dress-up".

I dress pretty casual and have a rather simple wardrobe and so jewelry is how I express my moods and the various styles that I like - all of them!

No, my designs do not all look alike.

They don't all have the same colors (well, sometimes they do!), they don't all use the same materials and they certainly don't all have the same style - not in the least!

They are quality - that's one common thread.

At least that's what my clients tell me.

Pot-Pouri? Is that a style? How about Eclectic,..sort of organic-rustic-boho-chic-bit of glam-elegant-rocker-classic-casual-ness-ish? Yeah,...I like that!

It does cover lots of moods and after all,...I am a woman.

I'm entitled to ALL my moods! (And styles!)

How about you? How do you celebrate all your moods? Do you have a certain design style that you are drawn to and like to create or do you like to mix things up all the time?