Kalmbach Bead Soup Party - Teaser!

I wanted to fill you in on the Kalmbach Bead Soup Party to celebrate the wonderfully talented Lori Anderson's (Pretty Things Blog) awesome new book:

Bead Soup
32 Projects Show What Happens
When 26 Beaders Swap Their Stash.

 

Kalmbach Publishing got together with several wonderful suppliers who graciously handed out cups of bead soup and asked people who received beads to create something from what they were sent and then to blog about it.

 

Letter I received from Kalmbach
 

 

I was fortunate enough to receive this awesome 'bead soup' from Bead World!

Gorgeous Greens I received from Bead World!

Oh yes, that Bead World - the amazing bead shop here in Glendale (Scottsdale and Phoenix, too!) that's right around the corner from me that I stop in all the time!!

Here I am with Vicki from the Glendale Store and my copy of Lori's Book.

I've got to have my piece finished by the 31st of October and emailed to both Kalmbach and Bead World no later than the 2nd of November.

Although it doesn't give any rules as to a specific date you have to post your before and after photos on your blog and their Facebook Page, I've already seen some people who have finished their pieces and posted them so I've set a deadline for myself of the 19th of October.  Be sure to come back here on Friday the 19th and see what sort of soup I cooked up, okay?

Here we are showing off the cool cup of bead soup I got from Bead World!

 

Plus, this week, Lori has been hosting a Bead Soup Blog Tour where the participants of the book are sharing their designs, telling their stories and having some fabulous give-a-ways. And, Lori is have a grand prize give-a-way too, so you won’t want to miss out on this one! 
(You know it’s gonna be a good one when Lori puts it together!) 

 

Hop on over to the Pretty Things Blog and check it out right now!

 

Everyone have a great week!
 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Cooking Some Soup!

Bead Soup Mix from Bead World!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

In a blog slump? Get over that hump!

Hey gang, instead of beads on my bench today I've got
Lori Anderson's new eBook,
Follow The Path, ideas and inspiration for the creative blogger,
on my bead table!

It's packed full of gorgeous photos to inspire you alright, but what's really great is how Lori shares all sorts of ideas and topics to spark your creativity so you can perk up your blog!

One of the things I like most about Lori's eBook are the lists of words she uses to jump start your thoughts.
Powerful words that really make you think. 

I can't give away any more details. 

You'll just have to hop on over to Lori's blog and get yourself a copy!

I want to give Lori a big hug for using one of my photos in her eBook. 

I couldn't believe it when I started reading and came across my corks photo!

Thank you so much Lori - you're the best!

I plan on using several ideas Lori shares in her eBook
here on my blog this year!

Head on over and check out Lori's eBook and get some inspiration flowing through your blog!!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Great Ideas and Inspiration!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Fun Things,...

I really wanted to tell you all about a few amazing things happening on some of the blogs I follow.

1st up, over on Brandi Girl Blog

(you know you LOVE her blog as much as I do!!) 

Brandi's offering her new Photoshop Elements class

at a super incredible price.

If you have PS Elements and need any sort of help, Brandi's your girl!  I have Photoshop CS (and don't have a clue how to really use it other than to crop, lighten up, and put a couple of words on a photo!)  and I'm thinking of getting Elements just so I can take Brandi's class and finally start to understand some things and get a little un-techno challenged! So, click on over and read all about it. You shouldn't miss this great opportunity, okay?

Next, Lori Anderson is having an incredible give-a-way over on her blog Pretty Things.



Lori Anderson - Pretty Things



Again, this is one you don't want to miss out on and she's announcing winners on Sunday, April 1st - so get your bum over to her blog and check out the amazing Scott David Plumlee DVD's she's dishing out.

Holy cow are they fabulous!!

And, last but not least today, I wanted to tell you about the "Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Challenge" over on

Tracy Statler's blog, Make Bracelets. 

I love making all sorts of wrapped and stack-able bracelets. I usually have my leather knotted pearl bracelets stacked and layered on my own wrists (check out my right arm here in this video) and so I'm super psyched for this challenge! 

Plus, the reveal date is Saturday, April 21st which is the same day my sis and I are hosting our next jewelry party over at her house, so this is prompting me to make some extra bracelets for that!  You only have until April 2nd, which is Monday, to get signed up.  Whatcha waiting for?

Go on over and sign up, baby!!



Beaded Wrap Bracelets by MiShel Designs

I know there's a lot more going on out there in blogger land than I can post here right now, so please take the time to read down my "Links" list and my "Blogs I Follow" list too.

That way you won't miss anything like I did this last week or so!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Super Cool and Fun Stuff Going On!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Today's Your Last Chance!

Today's your last day to register for the

5th Bead Soup Blog Party over on

Lori Anderson's blog Pretty Things.

She's doing a lottery style drawing this time around 

to keep in manageable since last time

there were well over 300 particpants.

So, if you've never participated before, or even if you have, go check it out and register for a chance to get in on the fun!!

Untile Next Time,

Peace, Love and Fun Things!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Spreading the LOVE in 2012,....

This is kind of like my Friday's Fab Favorites again.  I wanted to share a few sites that I love to go check out and read - they're fabulous, have great content and some of them are even having give-a-ways and challenges to boot! 

Regina's Writings - LOVE her blog!  She has gorgeous jewelry and shares wonderful content and right now she's having a great Give-A-Way on her blog if you leave a comment and tell her about your New Year's Plans - so head on over there right now.

The necklace she's giving away is beautiful!!

Regina's Writings - Blog Give-A-Way

Michelle Mach's blog Beads and Books is always a fun place to check out and right now she's having a Valentine's challenge and it's not a bead challenge either!

Michelle Mach's Valentine's Challenge

And, it's FREE!  (Can you believe I'm posting something that's not related to jewelry in some fashion?)   Check out the cool challenge she's got going on and join in the fun!

Then, you know what's coming up right? 

Yep, it's the

5th Bead Soup Blog Party over on

Lori Anderson's Blog, Pretty Things

and registration starts this weekend! 

It's gotten absolutely HUGE the last couple of times she's hosted this awesome event and so this time it's going to be run by a lottery to keep it down to a do-able size for everyone. 

So, head on over to Lori's Blog between 

Saturday the 7th - Monday the 9th  to register

and then hold your lucky rabbit's foot or whatever else you do for luck and pray you're one of the fortunate 200 who are randomly picked!!  I participated this past fall and had a wonderful partner and a great time!

Lori does an excellent job of keeping everything fair, fun and fantastic!! (what a job though - I cannot even begin to imagine all she goes through to accomplish such a wonderful event!) And, even if I don't get to participate this go-around, I'm really looking forward to the reveal date on March 3rd (Just a few weeks prior to my birthday!) when everyone's creations will be revealed and I can drool over all the fabulous designs everyone creates - that part is SOOO much fun, let me tell you!!

I love sharing what other's are doing out there on the web in 'Jewelry and Craft Land' because there's so many talented people with awesome give-a-way, challenges, ideas and fun parties going on - what's not to love about all of them!

Drop me a line and let me know what you've got going on over on your blog and I'll do a little mention here or on my MiShel Designs Facebook Page and I'll send a couple of Tweets out into Cyberland for you as well! 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Spreading the LOVE in 2012!!

Cheers!

~Shel~

With Much Gratitude

It was brought to my attention that I hadn't properly thanked all the wonderful people who helped me with the Holiday Shop Hop that's taking place here on my blog tomorrow and Sunday, so I wanted to take this opportunity to do so!

First and foremost, to everyone who’s blindly jumped in to participate and make this little shop hop a fun event this weekend. Thank you so VERY much!

You’ve tweeted, you’ve facebooked, you’ve blogged, and talked, and emailed and shared the information for the Holiday Shop Hop with so many people and it will be thanks to all of your brilliant efforts when it’s a success! 

Pinterest

Next I’ve got a little “private list” of peeps that have listened to my long, drawn out and rambling emails (You know who you are!!) and who’ve also offered countless suggestions and were there when this was just an inkling and I had no idea what the heck I even wanted to do to help get traffic to people's shops and to help get people to shop handmade, small business and “local” (in their jammies, in their own house!) this gift giving season! Thank you!!

 Pinterest

I want to give a big shout out to these wonderful women as well:

Lori Anderson – Lori’s listened to many of my rambling emails, gave suggestions and offered help despite her own very cool and successful Virtual Craft Fair she’s got going on this entire week over on her blog, Pretty Things! Thank you so much Lori, your suggestions, offers of help and ear for listening are greatly appreciated and deeply valued!

Lisa Crone:  Lisa got blind-sided as I asked a ton of her one night via email. She had such a full schedule and still said to me “As soon as I’m free, I’ll help out”.  So, when she finished, I said “Oh, thanks, but I’ve got it under control”.  How rude of me – not on purpose, but still - rude of me none-the-less! And, being the gracious one she is, she still helped out! What a class act!  Thank you so much for your support and help!

Regina Santerre: Regina was one of the first one’s to step in and say “Count me in!” and she’s also the one who came up with the actual name “Holiday Shop Hop” – it was her suggestions vs. whatever the long, drawn out and wordy thing I was trying to use was! J Thanks a bunch Regina – I think the name rocks!!

Mary Anne Flesch:  Mary Anne jumped in for the Shop Hop and then she took my little “Snowman Button” and “fixed” him!  Yep, she took the yellow out and made him look all pretty and white like a snowman should! Yeah!! And then, of course, I messed it up again,….what’s new?!! L But, Thank You Mary Anne! You took your time and effort to help me and I appreciate it so much!! And, if I do this next year,…I’ll make sure I use the Snowman you fixed!!   

Mary Anne's nice white Snowman! :)

And not the one that looks like it was made with snow that Santa’s Reindeer peed on! J

Shelly's 'yellow-ish' Snowman

 

 

THANK YOU everyone! I really am grateful.

 Peace, Love and Here’s to a Successful Holiday Shop Hop This Weekend for Everyone!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Cyber Monday!

It's Cyber Monday and that means shopping in your jammies till you drop! And awesome savings of course!!

Hop on over to the MiShel Designs Etsy store today and save 10% off you entire order by using Coupon Code  "Cyber10" upon check out. 

And, here's some more good tips to help you save while shopping online today -

Hop on over to Studio Waterstone where Lori Plyler is having free shipping on all orders today. I have a couple of Lori's clutches and "OH MY!"  They're fabulous so you don't want to miss this!!

At Studio Waterstone, Lori's "Sharing the Love" and letting people post the specials they're having in their shops right on her blog - complete with easy links and everything!!  So, go check out all those goodies today,

you'll be happy you did!

Als0 over on Lori Anderson's Blog, Pretty Things, the 1st Annual Virtual Craft Fair is continuing today - check out the artists listed today and see what goodies they are giving away and what specials they have for you as well this week!

And, don't forget to come back here this weekend, December 3rd and 4th when a bunch of yummy shops will be posted here on my blog for the Holiday Shop Hop! 

Several shops are doing free give-a-ways and offering discounts or other goodies - so you don't want to miss this!

I'm hitting the internet now and going to check out all the great deals for Cyber Monday!

If you're having a special today for Cyber Monday on your shop, please be sure and leave me a link in your comments so I (and my readers) can go check out what you've got going on!!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Happy Cyber Monday Shopping!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Blog Give-A-Way!

Happy Monday Everyone!

I'm only 7 peeps away from having

100 followers on my blog - Woo Hoo! 

Okay, I know,...I know,...there's folks who have thousands of followers, but I'm excited and very grateful for the

93 of you that I have!!

Once I hit 100 followers I'm going to be putting everyone's name in the pot and doing a Blog Give-A-Way as an appreciation gift to everyone who follows along in my quirkly little corner of the world.

There will be three winners in my Blog Give-A-Way.

The 1st item to be given away will be this 

Romantic Rose necklace and complimentary earring set

that I created for the Bead Soup Blog Party this fall that everyone gave me such nice compliments on.

(Thank you for the kind words, by the way!)

2nd Up will be my "Follow Your Dreams" Necklace with pewter charm, leather cord and one of my handcrafted sterling silver swirl clasps. 

I love this necklace because even with it's

simplistic style, it speaks volumes!

And 3rd on the Give-A-Way block with be my

"Butterscotch" beaded brass wire-wrapped bracelet which, with it's assortment of wire wrapped beads, is fun and funky!

Once I hit "100" I'll be doing the drawing and posting the results of the "100 Followers Give-A-Way" so check back often and see how things are going!

Also, this Monday, I wanted to tell you about a pretty big event that's happening online the 26th of November through the 3rd of December with Lori Anderson. 

She's such an innovative one, this lovely beady blogger, and she's come up with the First Annual Virtual Craft Show which she's hosting over on her blog, Pretty Things. 

You'll definitely want to check it out! 

Click on over to her blog now for the all the juicy details!

Also, don't forget, the Holiday Shop Hop 2011 will take place right here on my blog (and several other's blogs as well!) for two days the weekend of December 3rd and 4th as well. 

You'll be able to hop around to several shops and blogs and check out some wonderful handmade items and support the art community when you do your holiday shopping this year.

So, that's it for this Monday.  Here's to a creative week everyone!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Lovely Give-A-Ways, Fun Craft Shows and cool Holiday Shop Hops!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Friday's Fab Fav's!

T.G.I.F.!!   Time for my list of Friday's Fab Fav's!

Here's the scoop - these are blogs or sites I regularly follow and think have something special to offer. 

This week, unlike last week, they're all jewelry related in some fashion. (i.e. - they have some sort of jewelry related posts or pages on their blogs), but each have something other than just "pretty jewels" to offer. 

 

So, grab your drink of choice tonight and sit back, relax and allow yourself to be thoroughly engulfed!

1st up  is Kerry Bogert's Blog, Kab's Creative Concepts. 

You've all heard me whine about my jewelry photographs and how I'd like to improve them, so when I found out that
Kerry was making her "Snaptastic" photography class available as an eCourse,...I signed up! 
(You should seriously check this out!!)

Kerry's blog has great inspirational photos, links to her fabulous book, (Totally Twisted: innovative wirework and art glass  jewelry) and amazingly colorful glass beads she creates and sells, as well as informative posts and links for those in the jewelry and bead world.  

 

Next up this Friday is the creative

Lori Anderson with her blog, Pretty Things.

Lori's the mastermind and host behind the Bead Soup Blog Party I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in this past September (Cool experience!). 

Lori's one of those rare and amazing people who instantly put you at ease and make you feel you can accomplish anything. Down to earth and very real (and oh, so funny!!) Lori share's tutorials, wonderful sites to check out, where to catch all the latest 'goings on', great books (and some bizarre ones, too!) and a plethora of stunning jewelry designs,..just to name a few things! Seriously - you will not get bored with this site - check it out!

And last, but certainly not least this Friday is Rena Klingenberg and her website and newsletter:
Home Jewelry Business Success Tips. 

I'm not sure I can even put into words what all Rena's site encompasses or what it's meant to me.  

I was so excited to find Rena's website and to receive her newsletters many years ago,...2004 or 2005 I think it may have been. I'd already been designing jewelry (mostly earrings) since the late 1980's (yep, I'm old - 46 to be exact!) but stopped when my son was a toddler and had just started to revise my passion when I found her site. 

She's been a source of great business information over the years with everything from setting up booths at trade shows to expanding your business with various services to using social media to expand your business,....everything that you could want to know - she's touched on the topic - trust me on this one! Plus, there's a ton of people who regularly post to Rena's site with gorgeous inspirational jewelry photos, great business advise and all sorts of fun jewelry topics.  This is one you need to book mark and read regularly!

Althought I've only given you three again this week,
 trust me - you'll be filled to the brim! 

"But it's all good, Baby!!" 
(as the hubby always says!) 

I hope you have an excellent weekend! 

Go out and do something creative!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Fabulous Friday Favorites over at Shel's!

Cheers,

~Shel~