Bridging the Gap,...

If you've followed my blog for any length of time,
 you've probably noticed that I'm a pearl lover.

(Understatement of the century for those of you who know me well, wouldn't you say??!)

 

 Along with pearls, I love to drool over jewelry photos.

Or the real thing when life permits.

 

 I love ALL kinds of jewelry.

Be it handcrafted, artisan jewelry created by all my very talented 'beady' friends or trendy costume jewelry or super, high-end luxury jewelry. 

I'm pretty much a stalker of all things jewelry related.

 

And styles, too.
I'm not what you would call 'picky' when it comes to what jewelry styles I like to ogle. What I actually wear, possibly, but not when it comes to getting my 'eye-candy' on.

Nope, I'm pretty easy.  
Sure, I have my favorites, but I'll take what I can get,
when and wherever I can get it.

 

In my extensive 'research' throughout the years
(yes, I call it research because this way I can justify all the 'jewelry-porn' that's on my computer!) I’ve seen tons of beautiful pieces of jewelry and I now have an extensive list of jewelry artists who I admire and look to for inspiration.

 

Although I love many different styles of jewelry, as I mentioned above, I do seem to be drawn to designers who can create a piece of jewelry and make it look ancient, worn, rugged or ‘rough’ (for lack of a better word), yet refined and elegant all at the same time.

 

I love seeing fresh, new pieces of jewelry that look as though they were crafted a century ago with just a couple of very simple tools, someone’s bare hands and a powerful imagination!  

 

Emanuela Duca Pearl Ring

 

Some of my favorite examples of these styles
are from designers such as  
Todd Reed,  Sarah Graham and Emanuela Duca.
 

Sarah Graham Metalsmithing

 

 

I first witnessed Todd Reed’s dreamy rough diamond pieces in the pages of Modern Jeweler – possibly around 2007 or so, I can’t exactly recall (he has some cool rings on pages 73/74 of the May 2008 issue that I still drool over!).

 

 

Todd Reed Jewelry

Sadly this magazine, after 108 years of publishing, closed their doors in August of 2009.  (I think I may have had a glass of wine and a binge of chocolate eating in order to cope when I learned of this tragic news!)

 

Thankfully, JCK (Jewelers' Circular Keystone) is still on the scene and so the ‘eye-candy’ that I love to drool over and the designers I love to read about is still within reach.

 

In a pic I posted on Instagram the other day I mentioned my excitement at receiving the latest issue of JCK in the mail and was a bit surprised when a fellow jewelry friend of mine said she wasn’t quite sure she had ever heard of JCK magazine.
 

My Mail "Loot" The Other Day! ;-)

 

When I saw her comment, I wanted to do this post and share with all of you one of my favorite magazines and a true staple in my jewelry life.

 

This is JCK Magazine.

 

 

And, even though you think it might be geared just towards the luxury jewelry industry and high-end jewelry stores and their owners, I’m here to tell you that no, it’s not.

Well, actually that is their target market, but just stay with me here and you’ll see where I’m going with this one.

 

Although I love all my jewelry crafting magazines, both online ones and ones in print, I’m excited and grateful that there's a high-end gem and jewelry trade publication like JCK; it fuels a different side of the 'jewelry geek' in me.

 

JCK has tons of marketing articles, trending news, legislature happenings, hot jewelry topics and trends, fabulous new designer info, insider tips of the trade, awesome photos to drool over and so much more.

It's all the information I search the Internet for,
all in one place!

Notice all the Gorgeous PEARLS on the Cover!!

 

 

Now, if you are only interesting in learning how to make jewelry and/or read jewelry crafting tutorials, 
then this won't likely be your cup of tea.

But, if you’re open to various styles of jewelry, things trending in the jewelry industry world-wide and of course, reading about up and coming designers (inspiration galore!), then you have to check it out.

So, follow their blog, sign up for their newsletters and devour ever issue.   They really are the Industry Authority – just like it says on their cover!

 

Okay folks, What are your ‘staples’?


Please leave a comment below and let me know what magazines, websites or other jewelry authorities you think are some of the best in the business and why. 

 

 

Time to ‘bridge the gap’ between handcrafted and luxury.

 

I mean after all, we do love the same thing!

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Jewelry!

Cheers,

~Shel~

The Low Down,....

The 'emotions' roller-coaster was in full swing last week. 

From sad things to happy things, here's a little run down and also a gesture of appreciation for you at the end of this post!

 

 

• A childhood friend was laid to rest.  (this was the sad/sucky part!)

RIP My Friend - See Ya On The Other Side!

• Had a bead magazine ask for an article from me for publication in 2013! (Woo-Hoo!!)
• Found out some various designs I submitted were accepted by a couple of bead magazines (double woo-hoo!)
• Saved a turtle who decided to venture out of 'lake-land' into the "asphalt jungle". (feel good kind of thing!)

 

He's cute, isn't he?!

 

• Created Jewelry to submit to more magazines and to put in a boutique. (fun part - but I can't show you anything yet!)
 
• Listened to the adventures the Hubby and Son had while camping this weekend: torrential rains, held baby horny toads, almost broke a bridge by crossing it, chased by a swarm of bees and stung (hubby!), hit a tree head on,...with his motorbike and his head (again - Hubby!), heard bears, found gorgeous crystals and fossilized shells, helped a stranded motorist, returned some one's lost phone, saw a gorgeous rainbow, and got pictures of none of the above! (they ARE the reason I have so many wrinkles and why I twirl my hair with both hands at the same time!! Actually - more Hubby than Son - Son's the responsible one!)

 

Partner's in Crime!

 

 

• Had an awesome massage!(Thanks Debbie!)
• Cleaned the house, did laundry, got groceries. (nothing new there!)
• Stopped by Creative U and got my Creative Fix (and some supplies!) and chatted with friends!

 

Hanging with Jen @ Creative U

 

• Filled orders and shipped stuff (thank you to all my wonderful clients - you rock!)

There's lots of other things too, but this is plenty to list for now!

 

I wanted to spread some love around by having a sale over on my MiShel Designs Etsy site from now until September 7th, 2012.  

 

 

 

 

 

When you use coupon code ENDOFSUMMER45 upon check out with Etsy, you will save 45% off your total order!

 

The reason I'm having a sale this huge is because I'm clearing out my inventory to make room for some new jewelry designs coming in October.

 

The other reason for the sale is that I'll be shutting down both of my shops from the 8th of September thru the 30th of September while I'm away on vacation (more details on that later next week!).

 

Hint: There's a Roman Aqueduct where I'm going!

 

The sale is only good in my MiShel Designs shop, not my Shel's Jewelry Supplies shop.(Sorry about that, but I've got my findings priced as low as I can possibly go right now.)

 

So, what kinds of things have been going on in your life lately?  Any stories to share?

I'm going to be having a little give-a-way, sharing some jewelry pics and putting up another little tutorial here on the blog this week.  (At least that's the plan anyway - wish me luck!)

So, stay tuned and have a great Monday!!
 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Hair Twirling!

Cheers,

~Shel~