Focusing On Life: Week 35 - Growth and Change

It's week 35 for the Focusing On Life Photography Challenge hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime and this week's prompt was
 
"Growth and  Change"
 
 
"This week,  focus on what is
growing and changing about you
or the environment around you!"
 
 
I think Sally's psychically linked to all of us because so many times her prompts are completely 'spot on' for what's going on in all of our lives. 
 
There was indeed "Growth and Change" this week in the Buettner (pronounced Bittner, by the way, for those of you who have asked me recently) household. 
 
However, since my camera either wasn't handy at the time of these changes or said subject refused to let his photo be snapped, I waited until this morning (yep, around 6:30a.m. Saturday) to snap some pics as I walked around with my sister up at her cabin
(It's girl's weekend - Woo Hoo!)
 
Here's the low-down this week for "Growth and Change"
 
  • The addition of a licensed driver to our household = Growth (yep, the "Masked Rider" is now legal to drive alone!)
 
  • The Passing of an era hit us as we sold "Coach" (our trusty old R.V.) to make room for a third vehicle = Change (the boy's getting the hubs Z3 soon and Mike's gonna need some wheels when that happens!)
 
  • Decisions regarding the growth and direction of the various businesses we own were set into place  = Change and Growth
 
  • And upon arrival at the cabin last night I was anxious to awake this morning so I could see the "change and growth" that has taken place over at Grandma Emma's just since being up here last month.
 
After the fire - June 2011
 
 
After the 2011 Wallow Fire destroyed the family cabin that had stood so beautifully for over 50 years, everything is now grown up and change is coming soon as "S and H" are preparing their section of land for their new cabin (yeah!!)
 
You can barely see where the site of the original cabin once was, but the fireplace chimney still stands tall and proud.
 
 
New Growth - August 31, 2013
 
 
There's so many new wild flowers that my sister's head is ready to explode! There's new tree growth, more birdies this year than the last, more pine cones on the ground and Mother Nature is changing and growing,....replenishing her land and rewarding those who call this place home.
 
 
New Life Springs Up!
 
 
Now, hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what "Growth and Change" has taken place this week with everyone else!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Growing and Changing with the Times!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 34 - Add Somthing

It's Week 34 of the
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
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
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.
 
 
 
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~