The Low Down,....

The 'emotions' roller-coaster was in full swing last week. 

From sad things to happy things, here's a little run down and also a gesture of appreciation for you at the end of this post!
 
 
  • A childhood friend was laid to rest.  (this was the sad/sucky part!)
RIP My Friend - See Ya On The Other Side!

  • Had a bead magazine ask for an article from me for publication in 2013! (Woo-Hoo!!)
  • Found out some various designs I submitted were accepted by a couple of bead magazines (double woo-hoo!)
  • Saved a turtle who decided to venture out of 'lake-land' into the "asphalt jungle". (feel good kind of thing!)
 
He's cute, isn't he?!
 
  • Created Jewelry to submit to more magazines and to put in a boutique. (fun part - but I can't show you anything yet!)
  •  
  • Listened to the adventures the Hubby and Son had while camping this weekend: torrential rains, held baby horny toads, almost broke a bridge by crossing it, chased by a swarm of bees and stung (hubby!), hit a tree head on,...with his motorbike and his head (again - Hubby!), heard bears, found gorgeous crystals and fossilized shells, helped a stranded motorist, returned some one's lost phone, saw a gorgeous rainbow, and got pictures of none of the above! (they ARE the reason I have so many wrinkles and why I twirl my hair with both hands at the same time!! Actually - more Hubby than Son - Son's the responsible one!)
 
Partner's in Crime!

 
 
  • Had an awesome massage!(Thanks Debbie!)
  • Cleaned the house, did laundry, got groceries. (nothing new there!)
  • Stopped by Creative U and got my Creative Fix (and some supplies!) and chatted with friends!
 
Hanging with Jen @ Creative U
 
  • Filled orders and shipped stuff (thank you to all my wonderful clients - you rock!)
There's lots of other things too, but this is plenty to list for now!
 
I wanted to spread some love around by having a sale over on my MiShel Designs Etsy site from now until September 7th, 2012.  
 
 
 
 
 
When you use coupon code ENDOFSUMMER45 upon check out with Etsy, you will save 45% off your total order!
 
The reason I'm having a sale this huge is because I'm clearing out my inventory to make room for some new jewelry designs coming in October.
 
The other reason for the sale is that I'll be shutting down both of my shops from the 8th of September thru the 30th of September while I'm away on vacation (more details on that later next week!).
 
Hint: There's a Roman Aqueduct where I'm going!
 
The sale is only good in my MiShel Designs shop, not my Shel's Jewelry Supplies shop.(Sorry about that, but I've got my findings priced as low as I can possibly go right now.)
 
So, what kinds of things have been going on in your life lately?  Any stories to share?

I'm going to be having a little give-a-way, sharing some jewelry pics and putting up another little tutorial here on the blog this week.  (At least that's the plan anyway - wish me luck!)

So, stay tuned and have a great Monday!!
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Hair Twirling!
Cheers,
~Shel~

I Heart Macro - It's Sunday!

 
Flowers and Fossils
 
Black Eyed Susan - Nutrioso, AZ


 
 
Fossilized Shells - found near Payson, Arizona
 
 
Fossilized Shells - found new Payson, Arizona
 
 
 
And, a very pretty mineral that I just couldn't get to focus right, so the detail isn't there.
 
 
Vana Dinaut - From the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show - 2011
 
 
Trust me, it's beautiful!
 
 
 
Vana Dinaut - From the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show - 2011
 
 
 
 
Joining in the fun today over at Studio Waterstone with I Heart Macro.
 
Happy Sunday Folks!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Beauty in Many Forms!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Farewell,....


A childhood friend of mine is being laid to rest this week.







Yes, he was from 'Mayberry'.
(How I lovingly refer to the small town where I grew up)





Mike was one of the 'Good Guys'.


Always there if you needed something, didn't know a stranger, had a fun and ornery sense of humor, and he was the dare-devil growing up (and even till his passing) that we all wanted to be. 





To say he will be greatly missed is a huge understatement.




For those of us who knew him, whether when we were kids or now, it's pretty clear there's a void,...be it in our memories or our day to day lives. 

My heart goes out to his wife and children and I hope that the many friends and family they have surrounding them will be of some comfort.





I'm sure he's up there in the clouds, cracking jokes, riding his bike with that sheepish grin on his face,...showin' them all how to have a great time!






Oh and,...."Yes Burleson, I have a car where my feet actually touch the peddles and no,...I don't still look 'through' the steering wheel to drive!"
(Only time I think I've ever seen him look just the tiniest bit scared!)


Mike - 1978



Rest in Peace My Friend!  See ya on the other side,.....


Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Fond Memories!

Cheers,
~Shel~

Quietly


Marveling In Wonder



Captured By Nature




Enveloped In Stillness




Quietly She Sat



Listening With Her Eyes



Until Next Time,

Peace and Love

Cheers,

~Shel~



Linking up with I Heart Macro
over at Studio Waterstone today.






And the Winner is,....


Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:
3 --->  Winner:  Galley 13 - Lela Bouse-McCracken - CONGRATULATIONS!
5
8
6
2
1
7
4
Timestamp: 2012-08-14 20:23:52 UTC


Congrats Lela! Be sure to email me at Shel@asicj.com with your address and I'll pop the Basic Black Necklace in the mail to you tomorrow!

I had people who emailed me with comments and personally convo'd me on Etsy and/or Facebook as well, but I only included those who left comments here on the blog in the drawing.  Sorry, but I thought that was the only fair way to do it.

Oh, and per your comment on the post Lela, here's the video below where I learned to wrap those leather loops.








Janice Parson's from www.BeadShop.com does a nice job showing this technique. 

I've also got another way I wrap them that basically looks the same and has the same outcome, but I think her way is much easier to explain and watch than my own!! LOL!




I hope every one's having a great week.

I've got an article for a magazine on my bead table today that I can't really show anyone yet and a bunch of ear wires and clasps in the tumbler (nothing exciting to photograph there) so you might want to jump on over to Bead Table Wednesday on Flickr and check out what's on everyone's table today!

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

40% Off!




I'm gearing up for new designs coming in October and you're getting the benefit!


your order in my


 August 13th through August 17th.




Use Coupon Code



upon checkout in my Etsy Store.





Stock up now before things are gone!






Questions? Convo me on Etsy or email me.











Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Letting Things Go!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Something For You,...

I'm finally editing some pics I took the last weekend I was up at the cabin this summer.







Played around with some colors








Went back to basics,.....


Comment below for a chance to win this necklace!


And then of course, leather and pearls are some of my all time favorite!








Do you have a favorite color, type of bead or material that you like to design with?




Please share your favorites and why below here in the comments and you will be entered in the drawing to win my  "Basic Black" leather charm necklace pictured above.

The drawing will be Wednesday, August 15th so come back to see who wins! 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Creative Fun!

Cheers,

~Shel~


It's Here!!



Remember the post here, where I told you I was the super lucky person who'd won the Beading Daily Polyvore Challenge drawing they had where they were giving away Lorelei Eurto's Pompidou necklace that is on the front cover of her and Erin Siegel's book,





50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords?

Well, look what arrived in the mail this weekend!! 





Oh, isn't it beautiful?!





Thanks Lorelei for getting it in the mail so quickly - that was awesome!

 
And again, thank you and Erin for teaming up with Beading Daily and hosting such a fun challenge with the Polyvore boards - it was a blast!




I think this might have to make it into my suitcase when I go to Italy next month,...what do you think?




Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Bohemian Goodies!
Cheers,
~Shelly~

Lady Bug,...Lady Bug!

Happy Sunday Folks!

Click Photo to Enlarge


I'm checking in with I Heart Macro today.


Click Photo to Enlarge

You should see the amazing photos!!


Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Lady Bugs!
Cheers,
~Shel~ 

Bohemian Inspired Sweetness!!

I got a really cool email last weekend from Beading Daily.



They told me I had won Lorelei Eurto's Pompidou Necklace that is on the cover of her and Erin Siegel's new book Bohemian Inspired Jewelry, 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords from their Polyvore Challenge they had!






Can you believe it!?!!  I'm so excited! 




Thank you so much Beading Daily, Lorelei and Erin for having the Polyvore Challenge, it was a lot of fun!


My Polyvore design with Lorelei's Necklace






You guys really need to get the girls' book, if you don't already have it.  It's very well done.  The layout is great and the photos are amazing. Plus, the way they have all the materials and tools listed as well as how to care for your ribbons, cords, etc. is a huge bonus!





Here's the link to the Interweave Press Book Store:  Bohemian Inspired Jewelry





And, you've got to hop on over to Beading Daily and see what's going on over there this week - they're always full of fun ideas, tips, great articles and videos you can watch - super site!
(I've got the app on my iPhone!)





Here's the link to Lorelei's blog: 




Here's the link to Erin's:

Oh,...and Polyvore
I'm seriously obsessed,...that's all I'm gonna say. 

I wanted to try and do a little video 'vlog' thing, so here goes.






The video is rather awful (sorry!!) and I'm also sorry for all the movement and for not speaking into the camera and showing my face and all.
If you read Wednesday's post you know I got scratched in the face by my sis's cat (Cosmo kitty) and I've got a bit of an infection on my upper lip - it's pretty ugly and I didn't want to scare you!!  

Anyhoo,....as soon as the necklace arrives in the mail (it's on it's way!) I'll post some pics so you can see it up close! 

Oh,....the suspense and waiting is sooooo hard!!

Thanks again to all involved with this - you're super!

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