Showing posts with label Michelle Buettner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michelle Buettner. Show all posts

FOL14 - Week 27

The theme for the month of July for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge is 
"Let's Celebrate"

Week 27: Celebration!  "There are so many little celebrations that occur everyday and you may not realize that they happen.  A quiet toast between friends, a smile for a job well done, a candle on a cake, a sparkler all aglow.   Let's Celebrate the season, family, love hope and life!"



Monday was our son's 17th Birthday. 

He absolutely hates having his photo taken - even on his birthday!


Logan, Day 1 - in the hospital.  Then this summer at the cabin actually smiled and let me take a photo before he went on a motorbike ride!! (yippee!)


I snagged a pic of him blowing out the candle on his cheesecake (he's not a fan of regular cake) and then he turned around to see I was trying to snap another photo.





You can tell by the photo that he's not standing still and the look he's giving me is one that says, "I can't believe you're even trying to take a photo of me, mom!" 




Oh well, I still love it. And him!  

We also celebrated our country's birthday yesterday.

The good ol' USA turned 238 years old. 



So, Cheers to Birthdays and wonderful celebrations!!

Click on the links below to see what everyone else is celebrating this week!

Until Next Time, 

Peace, Love and Celebrating Life's Special Moments!

Cheers,
~Shel~



Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! 2014 Blog Hop Reveal!





Welcome to the 2014 
Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! 
Blog Hop Reveal!



Are you ready to see some gorgeous pearls today?  I know I am!

The guidelines for the Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop were quite simple.

"Show Us Your Pearls!" 

Yes, that's about it. It didn't have to be jewelry or bead related. Anything you wanted to design and create with pearls was fine - and welcomed!

Feel free to show off your pearls along with us. Just use the InLinkz Link Up tool at the bottom.

If you'd like to have the InLinkz code so you can have the link up tool on your blog today too, just clink here and you'll go to the page that has the link to the code.

With everything going on this month, it was challenging, but I did managed to create a couple of designs. 


First up, I got to play with some solid gold!

Oh YES! It was heaven!




And it isn't just any piece of gold either.

It's an 18k yellow gold original cross that my hubby, Mike, and our friend, Steve, created and cast earlier this month.

It measures a whopping 1.75 (almost) inches long and has some heft to it - but not too much!

I had no idea what or how I wanted to use this cross - especially since I don't wear gold - so this was a challenge.

I knew it deserved the 'good pearls' in my inventory.
And something that would make it 'pop'. 

The really nice freshwater cultured drop pearl that dangles on it is approximately 13mm in size - rather large.

The pearls in this necklace are freshwater cultured pearls from Majestic Pearl.

I wanted to make the cross charm something that could be taken on/off easily so the pearls could be worn on their own and so the cross could be worn on other necklaces, too.

I'd seen several versions of this sort of 'bail' over on Pinterest lately, so I thought I'd try creating my own version and it worked out quite well.

Did you know there is a difference between a 'bail' and a 'pearl enhancer'?  

You can read a nice article from my online friend Calla Gold about the difference here.
 





This necklace reminds me of Old World Kings and Queens and a time when, despite the rugged materials the craftsmen had to work with, pieces were elegant, opulent and exquisite.

It was extremely fun playing with 'the good china', as I call it!

From the pearls, the handcrafted clasp, to the cross - this one's a keeper! 

Except Mike keeps telling me he's taking the cross and melting it down and making something else with his gold.

Umm,...no. I think it's perfect the way it is. 

And then there's this fun little guy. 

Better known as 'Donald Trunk'.




My hubby found some old molds at a jewelry supply store in town here and he poured me this pewter elephant using one of them. 

Mike calls him "Donald Trunk" because he's got this 'blob' of pewter on the top of his head,...see that??  

It's like a wild pewter 'comb-over' or toupee.  Yep. LOL!!



 The pearls in this necklace are also freshwater cultured pearls.
The dark ones have been dyed to get this awesome deep color and they come from Majestic Pearl as well.

They represent the deep colors of the elephant, both his skin and his eyes.

The really fun 'waffle' pearls (that's what I call them - it's neither a correct nor industry used term!) are keshi pearls that I picked up several years ago from Ayala's Originals at the gem show down in Tucson. 

They represent the rough skin of the elephant and his wonderful 'wavy' ears and the color of his tusks.

Both necklaces were hand knotted on C-Lon cord that I purchased from the BeadShop.com

I like using C-Lon (and Superlon, too) on many of my designs because it doesn't stretch as much or absorb body oils, lotions and perfumes as quickly as 100% silk does. Which makes caring for it a bit easier than designs created with silk. And to me, it drapes/hangs much like silk, which I like.

 When we did the Pearls Blog Hop last fall, many of you said you liked all the links I provided to various educational sites about pearls and many of the video tutorials and things of this nature, so here's the link to
with all the links for anyone who wants to see them and revisit any of the goodies that were included in last fall's reveal post.

Also, here's the link to my Pearls page here on the blog where you'll find lots of pearl information, video tutorials on pearl knotting (not mine, but a lot of other people's tutorials) and other links such as jewelry, tool and pearl suppliers as well, so be sure to check it out.

I do want to share with you a really good video of how to knot pearls with out the use of tools, such as awls, tweezers or knotting tools or boards.  

This is a great method when you're stringing a simple strand of pearls - they come out beautifully!

This video is compliments of the wonderful folks over at Pearl Paradise.  Pearl Paradise owner Jeremy Shepherd and his wife, Hisano are a wealth of wonderful information and the designs that Hisano and the crew over at Pearl Paradise put together are just AMAZING!!  

Make sure to check out the latest post over on their blog, here.  And, of course, have fun drooling over all the beautiful pearls they offer for sale - wow!

And yes, the pearls in the below video are real, Saltwater Cultured South Sea Pearls,...Honkin' Huge!!




Now it's time to check out what all the other participants below have created with their pearls! 

Thanks to everyone who is jumping in today and sharing your pearls - I can't wait to see what everyone has created! 



Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and All Things Made With PEARLS!!
Cheers,
~Shel~


FOL14 - Week 18 - In Your (Their) Hands

It's May!  Wow, the year is just rushing by, isn't it?! 

May's topic for the Focus on Life:2014 weekly photography challenge is:



In, At and About

Sally, over at The Studio Sublime, gave us this prompt for week 18:

In Your (Their) Hands

Here's what was in my hubby's hands this week. 



 
He found some cool old, mold-making pieces over at a local jewelry shop in town and decided to play around with pouring some pewter in them just to see how they'd come out. 

He says he curses me for infecting him with the 'jewelry making bug' and tells me that he can't wait to get into the garage after work each day to see what's coming out of the molds. He says it's like Christmas every time he opens one of them to see how they turned out. 


Sadly, the elephant didn't quite come out as expected,..but there's always tomorrow! :-)


Yep, gotta love that!

Click on the links below to see what everyone else captured In Their Hands this week.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Pleasant Surprises!

Cheers,
~Shel~


Earrings in the Hopper

I was able to create for a couple of hours this past weekend, despite all the functions and things we had going on, and boy was it nice!

I actually played with wire and wrapped a few gemstones for earrings. 

I even made a few earring wires.

Haven't done that in a while!



Hopefully this coming weekend I'll get these finished, photographed and listed over in my Etsy shop

 It's rather bare at the moment so new items are needed! 

I've been inspired by so many different things lately. 

Here's some of my inspiration for these earrings:


Sea Caves, Taiwan



Glory Hole, Ozark National Forest



 
Nature is so beautiful, isn't she?

Stalactites Via Pinterest


What is it that inspires you?

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Natural Beauty!

Cheers,
~Shel~


FOL14 - Week 13 - Eye Level

It's week 13 for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and Sally over at The Studio Sublime has given us the theme of

"Checking Out" for the month of March.
 
 
"For the last Saturday of March, we're going to check out what's going on at eye level.
From where you stand, sit, kneel or lay, take a look around at your surroundings and capture what's at eye level."
 
I was going to snap a photo of my computer screen for the prompt this week because, lately, it's what's at 'eye-level' every single day as I work on analytical data review.
 
But, I thought that would be rather boring
for you all to see, so,....
 
I had lunch out on the patio one day
and this is what was at eye level.
 
Well, it was at eye-level as I leaned back in my chair to enjoy the scene. :-)
 
 
And then one night this week, Mike and I walked over to the neighbor's and had cocktails by his negative-edge pool and watched the sunset.
 
This is what was at eye level
as I sat in one of the comfy chairs.
 
 
 
 
Of course I had to include a photo
of a sunset (or sunrise), right?
 
(today's my birthday, so I'm allowed!)
 

This is really 'eye-level'. You can't tell where the pool ends and the lake begins. I love that!
 
 
 
Please pop over and see what every one else captured at eye level this week.
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Eye Level Beauty!
Cheers,
~Shel~

March Merriment! (And some Aquamarine and Pearls!)

March in the Arizona desert is one of my favorite months because the weather is usually so amazing!



The citrus trees are blooming and smell fantastic, the birds are singing extra 'pretty' and the sky seems to burst each day with colorful sunrises and sunsets.




 
 
I have several family members and friends who have birthdays in March and it's my birthday month too,
so March is special to me.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March
and it's one of my favorite stones.


 
 
Each year during the Tucson Gem Shows in February I try to snatch up a few of these precious gems and then create something for my birthday as my gift to myself.
(I know, kinda weird, but that's just me!)
 
This is what I created this year. 


Hand-knotted faceted Aquamarine nugget focal with faceted Aquamarine roundelles,
faceted Labradorite rounds and freshwater cultured Pearls. Handcrafted
sterling silver hook clasp.
 
 
It's an asymmetrical, hand knotted necklace and bracelet with pearls (of course), aquamarine and labradorite. There's also a piece of ancient Roman Glass (love this!!) from Happy Mango Beads thrown into the bracelet mix.


Hand-knotted faceted Aquamarine nugget and roundelles, faceted Labradorite rounds,
freshwater cultured Pearls and ancient Roman glass from Happy Mango Beads.
Handcrafted sterling silver hook clasp.
 
 
The pieces aren't totally 'matchy-matchy' but they're still similar enough to be what I would call a 'set'  
 
It's a bit unusual, but I like that!
 
I love reading about gemstone lore and learning the metaphysical properties of the stones I'm wearing or using to create jewelry. 
 
I feel the energy in the different stones brings the piece to life, so to speak, and gives it an inner meaning that speaks to the wearer, offering up a sense of protection, guidance or clarity to things.
 
 
Here's some of the metaphysical properties and folklore of the stones within this set:
 
Aquamarine: It is said to be the 'stone of sailors', as they believed it would protect them on the water.  
 
The Romans used it for diseases of the stomach and also believed it could alleviate or cure liver and throat problems. 
 
Aquamarine represents Courage, peace, balance, preparedness, purification self-expression and intuition.
 
PearlsThe mystic properties of pearls lend them to be associated mostly with women and they are known as the ultimate gemstone for feminine energy.

Pearls are said to represent purity, faith, loyalty, truth, integrity, fertility, charity, innocence, spirituality and wisdom (to name a few things).

Some cultures use pearls as a way of helping women to connect with their “inner goddesses” and pearls are believed to help you focus, keep you centered and to give the wearer a sense of calmness.
 
Labradorite:  It is believe to be a stone of transformation that protects you through change by reducing stress and providing clarity, insight, patience, peace and sense of good timing, while increasing intuition, mental illumination and helping with subconscious issues.
 
One of my niece's and I used to call Labradorite, 'fish-stone', because we thought that its color and iridescence was like that of some fish scales.

Which makes it perfect (in my opinion) to pair with pearls and aquamarine.
 
You know, other 'water-stones'.  (grin!)

Do you have something special you do for yourself for your birthday or during your birthday month?

I'm curious.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Aquamarine,...with Pearls, of course!
Cheers,
~Shel~





 
 
 
 
 





Earrings Everyday Challenge and Other Inspiration

Hey there, I just wanted to give a shout out and let everyone know of the monthly challenge that's happening over on the Earrings Everyday Blog.
 
 
 
I love earrings and 'haunt' this site regularly, commenting (when time allows) on all the super cool, drool-worthy earrings and information they post daily.
 
And, they're doing a give-a-way, too!
Click here to go to the post and get all the juicy details!
 
I was trying to make time to create a pair of earrings for the monthly challenge and the link-up happening tomorrow - Friday, February 21st -  but with work and a few other things going on, it might not happening as I would like.  
 
  Please head over and join in the fun if you can find the time.
 
  At the very least, stop by to check out the blog and every one's link-up entries tomorrow.
 
I'm excited to see all the cool creations using the art inspiration they have provided!
 
I am packing up to head out to Jerome 
with my sister and some friends this weekend.
 
This little, old mining town is a wealth of cool inspiration - to say the absolute least!
 
Jerome, Arizona
 
 
With all its old doors, haunted hot spots, wicked landscape and amazing panoramic views, I'm hopeful that many of the artists shops that closed during the 'great recession' have re-opened because the talent and uber-cool vibe that fills this town is infectious and I'm completely ready to soak it up!
 
Via Margaret McDowell on Pinterest
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Finding Inspiration Everywhere!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life - Quiet Calm

It's week 6 for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and Sally over at the Studio Sublime has given us the theme of "Cabin Fever" for the month of February and our prompt this week is:

Quiet Calm
 
 
 
"The world begins to emerge from its wintry blanket quietly, calmly.  Subtle cues emerge with very little notice. For this week's photo assignment we will focus on the quiet calm of the world re-energize around us."
 
Well, for those of you experiencing the winter blanket coming back to hit you yet again this week - I feel for you.
 
Here in the desert of central Arizona, we're getting hit with possible record breaking temps and it's going to be topping out this week in the mid to upper 80's.
 
Just like those of you who are tired of winter, we're ready for winter to actually begin.

Or 'semi-continue' as I heard someone say.
 
With our warmer temps, things have really started to bloom.

The trees that line the streets of my subdivision, which just finally lost all their leaves around mid-January, are starting to bud and bloom again and little signs of bright green are bursting from their naked little branches.
 
I traveled to Tucson last week/weekend for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows and our friend's that we stay with have lots of cacti in their yard and surrounding area. I went for a little 'walk about' and found some great colors in the 'Quiet Calm' of the desert.
 
 

 
 
I hope you are all having a great week and staying warm where it's cold and 'chillin' where it's hot!
 
Please take a look around and see all the great shots everyone else captured this last weekend, won't you?
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and The Quiet Calm of the Desert!
Cheers,
~Shel~

FOL2014 - Week 5 - Get Outside

Our host, Sally, from the Studio Sublime, gives us a new focus each month for our "Focus on Life 2014" weekly photography challenge.
 
For February our focus is: 
Cabin Fever
 
And, for week 5 of 2014, our prompt is:
 
Get Outside!
 
Sally shared a few words with us for this week's prompt.
 
"We find ourselves in the dull-drum of winter.  This month we will break free of those feelings and focus on the fabulous-ness of February!  Sometimes the perfect fix for temporary relief of cabin fever is simply to get outside, even if you just step out on the porch.  Get out of the house and focus on the change cooler temps bring to your surroundings."
 
So, for week 5, you're instructed to:  Get Outside!
 
I really feel for all the folks around the country who are getting tons snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, and things of this nature - it's just super crazy!


You will definitely want to 'click to enlarge' these sunrise pics! :-)
Nope - no enhancements - just cropped and framed them in Pixlr.
And, Yes - it was really this vibrant and breath-taking!
 
 
But here in the Arizona Desert, well,...we're having some really nice, really warm weather  - record braking on some days. It's been in the high 70's and even hit 80 I think.


 
 
 Hopefully this is not a precursor to what's coming our way from Mid-April through late October. I'd hate to think that our average temperature for this time of year is going to be in the 120's vs. our normal average of about 105 to 110 or so.

 
 
But, once it's over 110 it pretty much all feels the same.
Probably like when it dips below -5, with wind chill factors of -40, cold is cold. Ice is ice. It hurts to breathe!

 
 
So, I feel for those of you suffering.
 
I'm really glad and extremely thankful to live where I do.
At least this month anyway.
:-)

 
 
Our Sunrises and Sunsets here in Arizona are among
the most beautiful in the world (IMHO) and on Thursday morning I looked out the window as I was fixing my coffee to see the absolute best sunrise starting to come alive.  I rushed to get my phone and went outside and started snapping away.



Sorry, but I couldn't decide on just one of the photos
I snapped and had to show you all of them!
 
I hope those of you in the wake of all this crazy-silly cold weather can stay inside, stay warm and stay safe.

Feel free to use any of these as your screen saver.
That's what my niece and sister did!
LOL! ;-)
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Sharing The Warmth!!
Cheers,
~Shel~