Focus on Life: Week 34 - Add Somthing

It's Week 34 of the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge

hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime

and this week's prompt was:

 

Add Something

 

Sally suggested that this week we "Get creative with your photos. Dive into those editing programs and check out all the wonderful effects, actions, overlays and textures!"

 

 

So, I took a favorite photo and did just that.

 

Since I'm still very challenged with Photoshop Elements 10, the program I have, I used the free online editing program Pixlr and came up with these results:

 

*(click on any photo to enlarge them)

 

Normal - just clean edits (crop, size, sharpen)

 

 

When editing my jewelry photos, I just do clean edits and just crop, size, sharpen and at times stick a frame around them and that's it (I do the frames in Pixlr, too - or PicMonkey or ipiccy).

 

  

Overlay, Light Effects and Frame

 

 

This week's challenge was fun and allowed me to spend some time experimenting with some various overlays and textures that I hadn't used before.

 

 

Antique look, Overlay and Frame

 

Pretty cool effects if you ask me.

 

Hog Wild!  Overlays, Textures, Frames - you name it.
I love this one for some reason - Looks like a Hallmark Card.

 

This was a fun one, Sally - Thank you!

 

Go on over to The Studio Sublime today and check out Sally's new web design and see what all the other participants are snapped and how they've chosen to "Add Something"!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Adding Some Fun!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

Pearls Reminder,...

I just wanted to send out a reminder that the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop Sign Ups are Going on this week.

 

 

 

 

The deadline to sign up is Sunday, August 25th and the blog hop will be on Sunday, September 15th.

 

Click here to go to the original blog post for more info

and to sign up. 

Thanks to everyone who's already signed up!!

 

It's gonna be a fun hop!

 

Miss Layla in MiShel Designs Pearls!

 

 

Why yes, Little Miss Layla is totally rockin' some gorgeous pearls!

 

Thank you for noticing.

 

 

 



 

But then,

 

she's been rockin' pearls

since she was just a baby!!

 

 

 

 

I've had some people ask questions regarding how to integrate pearls into their jewelry designs and what to do if you'd like to LOS your pearl and metal/wirework piece but don't want to harm your pearls and things of this nature.

 

 

Freya Pendant - Blackened Silver with Pearls and Turquoise

 

 

I'll be doing a blog post early next week that addresses some of these issues so that you'll have it for some guidance and I'm hoping it will help spark your interest in using pearls in many different ways.

 

 

Peace Bracelet - Pearls and crystals hand knotted on waxed linen

 

 

Because remember, even though the pieces I will create will be jewelry related ('cause that's what I do!), you're not limited to just creating jewelry with your pearls - you can crochet mittens decked out in pearls or knit a lovely scarf with pearl dangles (gosh, I wish I could do either of these!!) or you can create some cool wine charms with pearl dangles, be-deck your wine glass or your sunglasses even - you name it! 

 

 

 

Nicholas Kirkwood's Pearl Laced Satin Pumps - via Pinterest - are totally awesome!

 

 

 

Just get your pearls out and have some fun!

 

 

In the meantime, hop on over to my

Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Pinterest Board

for bits and pieces of inspiration to get you in the

"Pearl Designing" Mood, okay?!

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Pearls, Baby!!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus On Life: Week 33 - In Season

For Week 33 of the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge,

Sally over at the Studio Sublime

 prompted us with:

 

In Season

 

"What's in Season where you live?  Fruits, vegetables, a certain kind of flower?  Or is it bathing suits and beach umbrellas? Scarves or mittens? This week, do some investigating and search for what is in season where you live!"

 

Well, it's central Arizona in the summer.

And it's hot.

Really hot.

109 today to be exact.

So I guess you could say

THE SUN is in season.

 

The morning sun on my vines

 

 

The Sun's ALWAYS in season here. 

 

The Phoenix metro area is referred to as
"The Valley of the Sun"

 

Yep, that pretty much covers it alright!

 

Oh, and these guys,

 

Gorgeous 'field' of Saguaro Cacti
(Taken with  my iPhone out the car window while going about 65 down the freeway.
I was a passenger, by the way, not the driver when this was taken!! LOL!!)

 

 

They're always in season, too.

 

Truthfully, I never tire of either!

(the high temps I could do with out, but I love the sun and would just die
living in a place where it was gloomy and rainy more than a few days a year!)

 

So, what's "In Season" where you live? 

 

Hop on over to the Studio Sublime and check out all the wonderful "In Season" Shots people snapped this week!

*Sally might still be having some trouble with her site - so check out the link below for this week's challenge! Enjoy!*

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Sunshine!

Cheers,

~Shel~

 

 

 

Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop

*Sign ups for the blog hop are now closed*


Are you ready to ROCK SOME PEARLS?!

 

 

 

I am! (Always!)

 

So, let's have some fun and do a PEARLS blog hop. 

(Like, y'all didn't know that was coming sooner or later, right?!)

 

www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
 

 

Okay, here's the Scoop:

 

1) Gotta have a Blog to post the reveal on.

 

2) Make something (doesn't have to be jewelry *Gasp!*) with pearls in it. A lot of pearls, a few pearls - your choice. 

 

3) They can be real pearls (freshwater, saltwater, Tahitian, South Sea) or imitation (Swarovski, Czech glass, plastic, shell pearls, etc.)

 

4) What you create can be any style or pay homage to any era/age/region, etc. (i.e. Modern, Ancient, Rustic, Vintage, Boho, Cottage-Chic, Cowgirl, Southwestern, New-England Classic-Stuffy, Trendy, Art-Deco, Tribal, Beachy, Glam, Grunge, Goth, etc.) You name - you can make it!

 

5) Post the reveal of your creation(s) on Sunday, September 15th, 2013 on your blog and come here to see the list of participants and hop around and see what everyone has created. (I'll do the Inlinkz thingy so it's easy for people to link up and hop around, okay?)

 

6) Mention WHERE you got your pearls in your post and why you like to shop there - and provide a link if you have one - so that way, we can all shop for pearls after the hop!

*If you've had your pearls for years and/or can't remember where you scored them, or if they were gifted to you or something like this, that's fine - just mention that in your post.

 

That's it!

 

 

 

Sign up: Now through Sunday, August 25th.

Leave a comment below on this post with your

name, email and blog url and you're in!

*feel free to email me at Shel@asicj.com

w/your email if you don't want anyone to see it.

 

 

"Freya" - Wire Pearl Goddess Sculpture by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs

 

 

For inspiration (jewelry and accessories wise) you can hop over to my Pearls, Pearls, Pearls, Pinterest Board and check out all the cool pearls there or just search Pearls in general on Pinterest or Google and you'll find a whole slew of neato things!

 

"Cotton Candy Pearls" by Michelle Buettner

 

 

So, get to creating with your pearls, because as you know,....

 

Pearls are for any person, for any reason, any time, any place, any season!

 

"Falling For You" Pearl Bracelet

 

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and PEARLS, Baby!!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

 

Oh, and feel free to copy/paste the little pearl pic below to throw up on your blog if you'd like.

 

Just link it to www.MiShelDesigns.Blogspot.com

 

 

www.MiShelDesigns.Blogspot.com
 

 

See you and your gorgeous Pearls on

September 15th, 2013!

 

Focus on Life - Week 23: From Where I Stand

 

 

For week 32 of the
Focus on Life: 52 Photos Challenge,
Sally over at The Studio Sublime
prompted us with,

"From Where I Stand"
 

 

 

 

 

I regularly like to walk barefoot in our grass. 

 

Feeling the earth beneath my feet is both energizing and grounding at the same time for me.

 

I talk to God/The Universe and meditate a bit.

Taking in the earth, the smells, the feelings, the sounds.

Focusing on gratitude and life at that moment.
 

I'm so grateful to have what I do and be where I am (despite the 100+ temps in the summer).
 

 Earlier this week after a bit of rain, I stepped out and took some deep breaths and looked down.

 

 

This is where I stand!
 

 

Sally's  having a bit of a problem with her blog this week so her post might not be up for a bit, but here's where everyone else stands - go check 'em out!
 

 

Until Next Time,
 

Peace, Love and Standing Grounded!
 

Cheers,

~Shel~

Etsy Shop "FINDINGS UPDATE" is Complete!

The "Findings Sections" of the MiShel Designs Etsy shop  was updated today with new Ear Wires
and a few other things as well.

 

 

Be sure to get things while you can this month.  

Once they're sold out, I may not be able to add any more until next month when I do the September "Findings Update". 

 

 

And again, for those of you who order in large quantities (from 30 - 100 or more pairs of ear wires at a time) from me, please convo me with your requests when you need them and I'll arrange a personal, custom reserved listing for you.

 

Happy shopping!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Updates!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focusing on Life: Week 31 - Hues of Blue

For week 31 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge, Sally, over at The Studio Sublime, prompted us with

 

"Hues of Blues"

 

"There are so many meanings behind the color blue, but the one that seems to be the most prevalent is that blue is a cool and calming color. This week, take time for focus on the beautiful hues of blue."

 

 

 

Since blue is one of my all time favorite colors, I thought this would be a snap. But I was totally wrong. I found nothing blue. At least not when I had my camera (or my phone) in hand.

 

So, I got creative and decided to show you what

Blue means to me,.....

 

 

 

 

 

Hues of Blues = Fun!  The hues of blues in these beads and fibers are calming, yet fun to me. My favorite go to color. And of course, blue pearls are a signature favorite of mine !

 

 

 

 

 

Hues of Blues = My Soul's Love.  A feeling of "I am home" comes over me, producing an awe, a calming and a peacefulness that is only satisfied when I am in the midst of the sea,...or ocean.

 

 

The Pacific Ocean from the Coast of California and the Ligurian Sea, Italy.
 

 

Hues of Blues = Universal Guidance. When we were a bit lost and I silently asked God/The Universe to show us the way to our hill top rental home in Tuscany,  this little blue-eyed beauty showed us 'the road home' to the house (and to the housekeeper - his owner). It was a magical 'sign'.  Especially since Siamese are my favorite and my first kitty looked just like this one!

 

 

Our Blue-Eyed Angel Guide!

 

 

And then there's the

"Hues of Blues" that Rock Your Soul!! 

 

Okay - well, they're more widely referred to as the

Sounds of Blues

but this Kenny Wayne Shepherd instrumental,

"While We Cry"

is one of my all time favorite songs (ever!)

and I wanted to share it with you! 

 

 

Kenny Wayne Shepherd - While We Cry

(You're gonna want to turn this one up!)

 

Enjoy! 

 

Please hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what  "Hues of Blues" every one else has snapped this weekend.

 

You'll be sad and 'blue' if you don't! :-)

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Hues of Blues, Baby!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Changes And An Etsy Shop Update Status

I wanted to post a reminder about the CHANGES taking place starting in August and let you know the next SHOP UPDATE in the FINDINGS Section of my

MiShel Designs Etsy Shop.

 

(scroll to the bottom to see the date of the next shop update!)

All the finished jewelry in the MiShel Designs Etsy Store will be for sale as normal, but my ear wires and components (Findings) will be changing to a 'Monthly Shop Update' as far as listings and availability are concerned.

 Because I do so many custom orders for ear wires and things of this nature, it's been challenging to keep certain findings in stock or to regularly stock new jewelry designs to my store, which in turn has caused me to fall behind on things that need attention in both my business and personal life.  

 

 

So to remedy this, I'll be putting up listings for specific styles and amounts of ear wires and findings each month and I'll make the announcement of the date of the scheduled update and again when it's updated.

 

When they sell out, they'll be gone until the next month's Shop Update when I re-stock.

 

 

 

This should keep me on a more organized schedule, make shipping a couple of days faster and allow more clients to try various styles of ear wires and other findings.

 

A win-win for every one.

  

I'm going to do my best to adhere to my Shop Updates 'dates' that I announce, but if you ever have any questions you can message me on Etsy, over on Facebook or email me at Shel@asicj.com!

 

 

 

And, for those of you who like to purchase larger quantities and custom orders of the ear wire styles that I make, please convo me on Etsy or email me at anytime to check on having me set up a reserved listing for you and I'll do my best to work with you and accommodate your requests.

 

 

The first "Findings Shop Update" will be Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

 

 

Thanks for continuing to follow along and for your patronage over in my Etsy shop - I truly do appreciate it and I think these changes will be better for everyone!

 

Have a great week!!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Growing with the Changes!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus On Life - Week 30: Catch The Sun!

This week, Sally's prompt for the

Focusing On Life: 52 Photos challenge

was to

 

"Catch The Sun!"

 

 

This week, we were to capture the beauty of the sun as it glistened off the skin, sparkled and danced on the water or as it was shining on the beauty of the day.

 

I'm in the White Mountains of Arizona this week,...during the rainy season. 

 

Not much sun here,....

 

Not much sun here,...

 

But, when we had a little birthday gathering at the local park during our family reunion and it was sunny for a few hours, I captured my oldest nephew as he was playing basketball.

 

 

 

Half in the sun, half in the shade,....the only shot I could get that really captured the sun as it touched some one.

 

Now, we're just waiting for the sun to come back out. 

 

During the Annual Nutrioso BBQ (which is this weekend) it always rains with out fail, so the chance of sun is about 1%,.....not a very 'bright' forecast if you ask me!

 

Hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see how every one else has captured the sun this week!

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Waiting for the Sun!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

**I'm still up in the mountains (as you can tell!) on vacation for my family reunion and so again this week, I do apologize for not hopping around to many blogs or commenting as much as I normally do, but I want to spend quality time with my family and will get back to my normal routine next weekend! I will try to look at everyone's posts though - I just love seeing what everyone has captured each weekend!!***