Focusing On Life: Week 49 - Add A Little Sparkle!

Well, it's week 49 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge and Sally from The Studio Sublime gave us this prompt:
 
 
 
Add A Little Sparkle!
 
 
Well, I did manage to get the tree up this week so there is a "Little Sparkle" going on in our house!
 
 
 
 
Click on the images below to see how every one else "Added A Little Sparkle" to their week!


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

Friends Helping Friends and a Little Holiday Cheer!

~Hey all ~
 
I wanted to let you know about a little Holiday Give-A-Way Contest that's happening over on my friend Roxanne's
page on Facebook.
 
 
 
 
The Temptation Travel Rox Group is giving away this MiShel Designs
Holiday Cheer Bracelet.
 
 
 
 
To Enter, Go to the
Temptation Travel Rox Facebook Page, Like them, leave your name along with the name of who referred you to their site (no, even though I referred you I cannot win my own bracelet!) and then share the post on your own page and when people say you're the one who referred them to the Temptation Travel Rox Facebook Page, you get 'referral credit'. The person with the most 'Referrals' by the end of Saturday, December 7th will be the winner of the bracelet.
 
The winner will be announced on the Temptation Travel Rox Facebook Page on Monday, December 9th, so be sure to check back there to see if you're the winner!
 
So, get to spreading some Holiday Cheer, okay?
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and
Spreading Some Holiday Cheer!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Bead Chat Magazine - December Issue

I wanted to give a big shout out to the entire crew at
 
 
Would you just look at these earrings on the cover by Claire Lockwood?! 
Super Pretty!
 
 
 
If you're not familiar with Bead Chat Magazine, it's an online magazine started by Melinda Orr and run by her, Linda Younkman, Cynthia Machata, and Natalie McKenna with several other amazing jewelry artists as contributors.  
 
What started as a Facebook group of bead, jewelry and mixed media artists sharing information, supply links and support for each other turned into an amazing online community called ArtisanWhimsy.net  and it's definitely the 'hub' of our "beady-world".   And the online monthly magazine, Bead Chat, is the icing on the cake (if you ask me).

Cynthia over at Bead Chat Magazine contacted me a couple of months back to say they would like to do an interview with me and feature pearls in their December issue and believed I was their "Go To Pearl Girl".

I was thrilled to hear this!  (insert happy dance at desk upon reading that email!!)

Over the past several weeks, Cynthia, who writes amazingly well for the magazine, Natalie, who does a fantastic job on the photos and layout, and I exchanged emails, links, photos and details and they managed to put together an outstanding interview and Pearl Article complete with supplies links, knotting tutorials and educational information.  

And for this, I am truly grateful.
 
These two women are professional and super fun, creative (indeed!!) and just all around good people! I have to say 'easy to work with' is an understatement. They take everything you give them and turn it into beautifully laid out, eye-catching content and interesting words!
 
 
There's quite a few people, many of whom I didn't get to converse with, who, on a monthly basis really put their heart and soul into this magazine and make it the successful and much enjoyed magazine that it is.  Each month, the entire staff and their contributors work around the clock (from what I can tell!) to bring those of us in the bead and jewelry crafting world one of the most top notch magazines related to our industry - online or in print (IMHO, anyway).
 
In the pages of Bead Chat you will find links to tutorials, fun interviews, feature articles on really interesting and talented artists, helpful tips, trends within our industry and completely amazing photos of all types of jewelry - super stuff!
 

Super Cool Earrings by Lisa Lodge!
 
Yep, inspiration galore! 

Beautiful Shimmering Necklace by Lynda Carson!
 
 
Thank you again to everyone involved with Bead Chat, you're greatly appreciated and deserve all the kudos you are getting online from all of us in the beading/jewelry world!
 
So, whatcha waitin' for?  Head on over and take a peak inside
 
 
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Feeling Grateful (and excited)!
Cheers,
~Shel~


Shop Handmade Artists - Cyber Monday Sale!

Please take a moment this holiday season while you're shopping to check out all the various handmade items that are being offered by so many talented artists. 
 
One of the places you can find an abundance of amazing skill and talent along with some super cool gifts is here:


Shop Handmade HERE!
 
  
 
I'm participating in this line up along with some extremely talented artists and we'd be honored for you to purchase our wares to give to those you are shopping for this holiday season.


 
 
Some people are offering specials, so check each shop to see what's going on. There's a list of the participating shops at the bottom of this post for your convenience.
Just click on each photo to go to their shop.
 
 
In my MiShel Designs Etsy shop, I'm offering 20% OFF your total order from now through Monday, December 2nd, 2013 when you use Coupon Code "TURKEY20" upon check out with Etsy.


 
 
It can be challenging for small businesses, especially the ones whose items are handcrafted, to compete with the deep discounts of the big box stores.  So while you may not see a ton of 50% off coupons or 'buy one, get one free' type of deals while shopping handmade this  holiday season, you will find unique, quality items that are priced fairly and support those who create for a living, keeping the arts alive. 


 
 
Please, shop local, shop small business, support the creative arts and purchase handmade items anytime you possibly can this gift giving season.  


 
 
Thank you so much for shopping handmade!

It's the small things that count!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Enjoying Handmade!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~




 

Focusing on Life - Week 48: Giving Thanks!

This is week 48 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge and our prompt from Sally over at
 
 
 
Giving Thanks!
 
What are you thankful for?
 
 
I do know that I am thankful for this journey through life that Sally has 'prompted' us to take this year and I'm so very thankful for all of you.
 
Every one's been saying how they're sad this photo challenge is coming to a close and they are hoping Sally (or someone) will keep things going on some level or in some capacity.  I'm hopeful of that too, and would take on that challenge if my life didn't seem to be headed in what I believe to be a totally different direction next year.

 
Right now I'm thankful for hot tea, soft blankets, the warm fire and the festive way the cabin is decorated by my sister for Thanksgiving!

 
I'm thankful for the various stringed instruments that have been played by my nephew, my brother-in-law and my son and the joy I get from hearing their music!
 
I'm thankful my hubby's restocking the wood pile and keeping the fires lit! 
 
I'm thankful I have a good, loving and fun family!

 
 
click photo collage to enlarge

 
 
I guess most of all, I'm thankful for the life I have been blessed with and for those in it.  
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Giving Thanks!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Giving Dad Bunny-Ears!



 Be sure to stop by and see what everyone else is 'Giving Thanks' for this weekend!

Shop Handmade - Sale This Weekend!

Please take a moment this holiday season while you're shopping to check out all the various handmade items that are being offered by so many talented artists. 
 
One of the places you can find an abundance of amazing skill and talent along with some super cool gifts is here:


Shop Handmade HERE!
 
  
 
I'm participating in this line up along with some extremely talented artists and we'd be honored for you to purchase our wares to give to those you are shopping for this holiday season.


 
 
Some people are offering specials, so check each shop to see what's going on. There's a list of the participating shops at the bottom of this post for your convenience.
Just click on each photo to go to their shop.
 
 
In my MiShel Designs Etsy shop, I'm offering 20% OFF your total order from now through Monday, December 2nd, 2013 when you use Coupon Code "TURKEY20" upon check out with Etsy.


 
 
It can be challenging for small businesses, especially the ones whose items are handcrafted, to compete with the deep discounts of the big box stores.  So while you may not see a ton of 50% off coupons or 'buy one, get one free' type of deals while shopping handmade this  holiday season, you will find unique, quality items that are priced fairly and support those who create for a living, keeping the arts alive. 


 
 
Please, shop local, shop small business, support the creative arts and purchase handmade items anytime you possibly can this gift giving season.  


 
 
Thank you so much for shopping handmade!

It's the small things that count!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Enjoying Handmade!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~




 

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all those in the United States
celebrating today, Happy Thanksgiving!
 
 
 
May you have the luxury of spending time with your family, friends and loved ones this holiday weekend!
 
Safe travels to you all!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Gratitude!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Shop Handmade this Holiday Season!

Please take a moment this holiday season while you're shopping to check out all the various handmade items that are being offered by so many talented artists. 
 
One of the places you can find an abundance of amazing skill and talent along with some super cool gifts is here:


Shop Handmade HERE!
 
  
 
I'm participating in this line up along with some extremely talented artists and we'd be honored for you to purchase our wares to give to those you are shopping for this holiday season.


 
 
Some people are offering specials, so check each shop to see what's going on. There's a list of the participating shops at the bottom of this post for your convenience.
Just click on each photo to go to their shop.
 
 
In my MiShel Designs Etsy shop, I'm offering 20% OFF your total order from now through Monday, December 2nd, 2013 when you use Coupon Code "TURKEY20" upon check out with Etsy.


 
 
It can be challenging for small businesses, especially the ones whose items are handcrafted, to compete with the deep discounts of the big box stores.  So while you may not see a ton of 50% off coupons or 'buy one, get one free' type of deals while shopping handmade this  holiday season, you will find unique, quality items that are priced fairly and support those who create for a living, keeping the arts alive. 


 
 
Please, shop local, shop small business, support the creative arts and purchase handmade items anytime you possibly can this gift giving season.  


 
 
Thank you so much for shopping handmade!

It's the small things that count!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Enjoying Handmade!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~




 

Hidden in the Hills - Studio Tour

I just wanted to give a shout out to all those here in Arizona and let you know that the 17th Annual Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour and Sale is happening again this weekend, November 29th, 30th and December 1st.
 
Presented by the  Sonoran Arts League, this Favorite Fall Event spotlights artists of all mediums in and around the Carefree, Cave Creek and North Scottsdale areas. 
 
The self-guided tour of 46 studios and 168 working artists is a staple each fall in this area the weekends before and after Thanksgiving.
 
This exciting event provides a unique art experience allowing you the opportunity to interact with the artists and see first hand their creative process. 
 
This is the perfect outing for the family, art enthusiasts and serious collectors and gives you the chance to view and purchase many of these phenomenal items.
 
And, best of all, it's free! 
 
I have three very talented friends who are studio #18 this year on the tour and I wanted to show you a glimpse into their studio show and creative world!
 


 
 
 
I can't even begin to tell you how talented these three women are. Their work as jewelry artists is incredible, but they do so much more than jewelry, and man is their art superb!!
 
From glass to metal, casting to sculptures,...these innovative women have more talent in their little pinky fingers than I could ever hope to possess. Yes,...I am in awe of them. Rightly so. Take a look:
 
Jennifer Hanscom
 
 
 
 
Judy Carr





 
Patricia Shepherd
 
 
 
Their studio this year is located at Pat's Desert Jewel Studio in Cave Creek. 
 
I'm just happy to get to see their creations first hand.
And touch things,....yes I fondled their wares!
And drooled!
 
So, after you've stuffed your belly with some good turkey and fought the rush of crowds in the big box stores, do yourself and your family a favor,....go check out all the artist participating in Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour this year.
 
Shop Local. Shop Small Business.
Shop Handmade (True Handmade!) 
Keep The Creative Arts Alive!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Enjoying the Arts!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focusing on Life: Week 47 - Centerpiece

It's week 47 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photo challenge hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime and our prompt this week was:
 
 
 
 
Centerpiece
 
"This week focus on what is the centerpiece, the central, most important feature in your day, week, life!  It makes you comfortable, brings you joy, brings you peace of mind, or is simply a place of comfort."
 
For me, this one was easy! Well, I thought it was going to be anyway.
 
These two. Yep - they're my "Centerpiece". My hub. My Rock. My World. My Everything!
 
My Goofy Boys!!
 
 
Only they're not much into having their photo snapped. I told them I didn't want to 'cheat' this week and use a photo of them that I already had and so they had better stand there and let me take their picture!
 
So they agreed. But only for a second.
And only for 1 photo they said.
 
Well, I think it was about 5 seconds, then they bolted so I couldn't get a second shot! Stinkers!
 
I played around with some editing and overlays, etc. I used one called 'Logan' on Pixlr. How appropriate, eh?!
 
And here's the rest of my "Centerpiece".  This was taken at our family reunion this summer up near my sis's cabin. With the exception of just a few who weren't able to make it, it's my sister and our two brothers and their families. These wonderful people are also my 'Centerpiece' and part of my 'Everything'!
 
 
 
 
I'm going to be spending Thanksgiving with some of these folks. Wishing I could spend it with all of them, but grateful for those of us that will be together! 
 
I'm wishing all of you here in the U.S. a wonderful Thanksgiving Day this Thursday and a fun, yet relaxing, holiday weekend.
 
May you have the luxury of spending time with your family, friends and those you are close to and may you be healthy, happy and 'full' of love and light!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Finding Center!
Cheers,
~Shel~