A Little Holiday Shopping Fun!

So,....here's what's been going on.
 
I've had people asking me if I'm doing another "Holiday Shop Hop" this year and the answer is no.  Last year it seemed everyone was commenting on how desperately they needed traffic to their shops and so I set up the shop hop to try to help out and fill the need.
 
This year there's so many other similar things going on that I felt it would be a bit too redundant.  And, if you scroll down further in this post you'll see one of those super fun things getting ready to happen in cyber-space this coming Friday!! (Fun stuff let me tell you!)

Plus this year, I know  (and respect) my own limits of what I can and can't accomplish a bit better too. 


Via Pinterest
 
 
When all the things I had on my "Must Accomplish This Year" list started getting pushed to the side I decided it was time to step back a bit.  Yes, it was hard and I've felt a bit disconnected at times but,....ya gotta know when to say "when".
 
 

Via Pinterest
This is my new yoga relaxation pose!
What?  This doesn't look relaxing to you?!

 
It's quite freeing,....knowing your limits and not being too terribly hard on yourself for letting go a bit. 

I passed on some really great blog hops, challenges and swaps these last couple of months - it was hard, let me just say that!


"You Did WHAT?!"
(funnyzone.org via pinterest)


 
But, life still goes on. Maybe not as fast or in the specific way you had at one point hoped it would, but it goes on none the less.

And sometimes, it goes on to be even better than you thought it would and even surprises you.
 
 
Letting go of certain things doesn't mean the end of the world as I know it.  It just means things are different and they serve a different purpose in my life - all which are a good because I have greater gratitude and an open heart and mind!
 
 
A couple of things I was able to observe while stepping back a bit was,....
 
 Every one's human. We all make mistakes. We all start over over or change positions or switch gears. That's okay and necessary for our growth.
 
 
We all grow at our own rate. Or at least we should allow ourselves that right.  No one else's rate of growth should match or even come close to ours. We're all on our own path. Our own PERFECT path.
 

Photo by Michelle Buettner

 
When I stepped back a bit and got quiet,...my muse came back and so did the passion I thought I'd lost for my craft.  ( Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah - I love this part!!)
 
 

Barbie loves it when my muse comes back.
It means she usually gets new jewelry!

 
 
 
We're all a 'work in progress'.  A work of art - in progress.

I don't feel as stressed out as I did last year at this time (must be that new yoga pose I showed you above!) and things appear to be running smoother at the moment - love it when that happens!
 
 
What have you learned about yourself that you're thankful for this year?  What are you more aware of?
 
Me?  I get sidetracked waaaayyyy too easily (Sidetracked-Shelly!!). I learned this a long time ago, but being more aware means being able to change.

 
From my friend's facebook status - I just had to have this!

But I did want to let you know about something I will be participating in this season,....

 
Over on the Artisan Whimsey Site
they're getting ready to host the
 Artisan Whimsy Market 2012 Holiday Collection 
for all the members who want to participate from this Friday (black Friday) through the 30th of November - fun huh?!

 
 
Every one who participates will have sales going on in their shops or on their facebook pages and then on the 1st of December each shop will have it's own wonderful give-a-way! How cool is this?

 The internet can be a bit sketchy at times up at the cabin (where we'll be for Thanksgiving) when there's a bunch of people using it and so hopefully things will be okay and I'll be able to check in regularly while I'm up there,...but I'm thinking it would be a great prelude to the Annual Jewelry Boutique (jewelry party) my sister and I having at her house on the 2nd of December.
 
I'll post more details and all that good stuff tomorrow, okay?
 
The girls who run things over on the Artisan Whimsy site really know how to show us all a good time - you should check it out and join in the fun!



Until Next Time,
Peace, Love, Gratitude, Growth and Holiday Fun!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 

Playin' Around with Old Designs

So, I'm getting ready for the annual Holiday Jewelry Boutique that my sister and I have each year around this time at her house. This year it's going to be on Sunday, December 2nd from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. 
 
 
My sister, Marsha and I - November, 2012
(Thanks to our good friend, Jackie, for taking this awesome shot!)
 
 
It's bunches of fun. We usually have live music supplied by acoustic guitarist, Preston Hindman (a.k.a. - my nephew) and for the last several jewelry shows folks have been able to sign up for 30 minute massages with Mina (way awesome massage therapist that's a friend of my sister's).
 
Musician - Preston Hindman
Photo Courtesy of Egan Eyes Photography
 
We have all kinds of great munchies, including my sister's famous Pico De Gallo (my mouth is now watering!) and of course an array of beverages from punch to wine to margaritas.
 
We have several jewelry give-a-ways towards the end of the day at each show and this year I'm also teaching a little 'mini-class' from 2p-3p during the party. Just a cute little pair of crystal drop earrings. Something fun and festive for people to 'make and take' with them.
 
Example of earrings for the little mini-class
 
 
It's usually nice enough here in the Arizona desert at this time of year that we've even had the jewelry party outside a couple of times.
 
The people that come by and hang out with us are dear friends, family and past co-workers and have been clients of mine for,....gee,...well,...something like 7 years!   
I hadn't realized it had been that long. Holy Cow!
 
Anyhoo,...I've been thinking of revising some of my old designs, seeing that they were very popular with all my clients that come to this show.
 

Bali Bead "Egg Hoops" - 2008 MiShel Designs Clean Lines Collection

 
 
I also played around with some photo editing soft ware - maybe a little too much! LOL!
 
Oh well, you get the idea - I was learning and having fun at the same time!
 
MiShel Designs 2009 Urban Chaos Collection
Featuring sterling silver Urban Chaos Wire Beads and
Urban Chaos Wire Wrapped Circle Pendant
 
 
Just curious as to how many of you do home shows or craft fairs around this time of year. 
 
What kinds of fun things do you plan for your jewelry parties? Anything different and unique?  Do you like having jewelry parties or would you rather do craft fairs and shows of that nature instead?
 
I'm just curious because one of my friends posted that they loved doing craft shows and I laughed and said "Not me, man!"  I've just not had the type of success I've expected with them, I guess. 
 
And, I've been a juror for the Tempe Arts Festival before and so I know how extremely tough some of these shows are to get into (and how expensive!).

Talk about stress if you don't do well at those shows! Oh my.
 
Tahitian Pearl Swirl Necklace
from the 2007 MiShel Designs Clean Lines Collection
 
 
My jewelry parties on the other hand are always a success.

Not just in the amount of jewelry I sell, but in the amount of valuable feedback I get from all my long time clients.  They shoot straight with me and tell me what they like, what they're not that fond of, what they'd like to see; colors, trends and styles they like and dislike. 

The group of women at my shows in the town my sister lives in are my 'gauge'  - they're who I trust and they're the ones that guide certain designs elements in my collections each year.
 
Chunky Gemstone Link Bracelet from the 2007 MiShel Designs Jewelry Collection
 
 
What about you? Do you have a select group of clients who are your 'go-to-girls'? What or who's your gauge? How do you choose your styles through out the year or for certain collections, if you have them? 

It's interesting and fun finding out what guides other designers.

We're all so different yet in so many ways we're all so similar!  
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Making the Old New Again!
Cheers,
~Shel~

The Perfect Bead

 
It's amazing what beads you'll find in the bin when you dig a bit deeper and don't just take the ones from the top.
 
 
I mean, the ones on top are the ones that
 catch every one's eye right?
 
 
 
 
 
 Sometimes it's the bead at the bottom, or off to the side, or stuffed inside some other bead, or over in the corner that everyone forgot about – sometimes those are the ones that have the most to contribute.
 
 
It’s different, oddly shaped or possibly scratched up a bit but definitely worth using.
 
 
 
You reach your hand in the bin,…eyes closed, feeling around asking the ‘Bead Gods” to bring you the bead that needs to be found to put in that perfect project. 
 
 
And there’s that special bead no one else has wanted, waiting for the right person to love it, the right project,...the perfect place to call home. 
 
 
 
 
And then you connect.
 
 
 
 
 
Isn’t that the most wonderful feeling?
 
It happens with people too!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Perfect Misfits!
 
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

 

Honor

The Key to the life I'm so blessed to live
is held by,....
 
 
 
 
Those who serve.
 
 
 
 
 
I am grateful for their sacrifice
and that of their families.
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you.
 
 
 
 
 
Honoring all U.S. Veterans this weekend.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love,...and dreaming of the day where we won't need anything else.
~S~
 
 
 


Make Great Holiday Earrings!

Okay - so you want to make some really amazing Holiday Earrings and gift them to your family and friends, your little one's teacher, the girls in your book club and every other woman on your list who LOVES earrings, but you need some fresh and beautiful ideas first, right?
 
Well, hop on over to the Interweave Book Store and grab the newest must have eBook from the editors of
 
 
 

 
These earrings are beautiful and will brighten up your gift-giving season, making you the envy of all those you create for!
 
Oh, and a little side note,...they used some of my ear wires in their designs!
 
 
 
Check out page 4!  Yep, those are my "Signature" style and my "Sexy Norm" style sterling silver ear wires on the earrings that Debbie Blair created.
(and they feature some beautiful crystal pearls, too!)
 
I mean seriously,...what more could you ask for?! 
 
To see how I create my 'Signature' Style ear wires,
check out the video here:
 
 

 
 
So,now you have everything you need to create gorgeous earrings this holiday season!
 
Whatcha waitin' for?   Get to work!!
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Beautiful Holiday Earrings!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

I Heart Macro!

Happy Sunday!
 
 
 
 
Linking up with I Heart Macro over at
Studio Waterstone this Sunday.
 
 
Enjoy!
 
Until Next Time,
 
 
 
Peace, Love and Sunday, Beautiful Sunday!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Suburban Girl Studio Design Team - Fall Reveal!



November 1st! I know, huh?!  Where has the year gone?
 
 
Lucky for you, it's time for the 
Suburban Girl Studio Design Team's
Fall Reveal!


 
 
Diana from Suburban Girl Studio sent me one
of her Heart Shaped Pendants - Sweet!!





This time, I sort of knew what I wanted to do, so once I got started designing (which wasn't until the last minute!)
it went pretty smoothly.
 
 
 
 
I was lucky enough this go-around
to supply each member of the group with one of
my copper swirl clasps.




I wanted to make a couple of my own components this time too, so I wire wrapped this cool little rock that I found on one of our last outings in the desert and I created a Sari Silk, wire and bead wrapped 'bead', too.


Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and my sister and I usually take a sister's trip and head some place here in the state that cools off enough to have the leaves change
and actually look and feel (temperature wise) like fall.

This is a pic of Sedona from one of our trips a few years back.

Autumn in Sedona, Arizona
Photo my Michelle Buettner
 
The blue sky, the red rocks, the colors of the trees.

"Sedona"
 
 It was my inspiration for this piece.


The Hubby and I were married in Sedona 18 years ago this past September.




Sedona is a beautiful place - during any season!




Thanks to Diana of Suburban Girl Studio
for having me along for the ride this year.

It's been a blast creating designs with her
gorgeous pendants and components!

Hop on over to the other team member's
sites and see all their great designs!



**Special Note**  Team members Sandra Miller & Jan Onipenco are currently out of power  due to Hurricane Sandy and will post when they're back up and running.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are affected from this storm.**
 
Suburban Girl Studio Design Team
 


Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Fall Fun!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

I Heart Macro - It's Sunday!

Happy Sunday Peeps!
 
 
 
Linking up with I Heart Marco today over at Studio Waterstone.
 
 
 
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Pink Roses!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~