Digital Bead Magazine - Edition 4

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort"  ... Franklin D. Roosevelt

This quote couldn't be more apt for where I am in my creative process and the goals and challenges I had set out for myself this year.  I am blessed to have been given some fabulous opportunities and to have wonderful creative and passionate people who share my life and give me the support and encouragement to enjoy the simple things such as embarking with an online seller (Etsy) salivating over new bead releases and of course creatnig new designs for publication.

This leads to the subject of this post - I am thrilled that I am now a part of the Digital Bead Magazine's community and will also be a regular contributor to this awesome magazine.  It is a relatively new magazine and already has featured some of the world's best designers. 

For this edition I designed the "Solace" loomed cuff project.  The design evolved whilst someone close to me was hospitalized due to illness and then passed away.  The designing process gave me so much comfort and my  colour choices reflected the beautiful person he was.  Click on the link to get a sampling of what Digital Bead Magazine  has to offer - you will quickly be as hooked as I am!

New Designs in Etsy this week

Since the announcement of the opening of my Etsy shop - Caron Michelle Designs - I have been busy uploading cuffs for sale.  Below is a few that have been added this week.

If you are interested in any of the cuffs or would like a commission created especially for you, just let me know and I'm more then happy to design a cuff especially for you.

To see the listings - click on the cuffs name and this will take you directly to the design in the shop.

Thank you for looking  :)

 Art Deco Textured Cuff

Peacock Pearl and silver/blue wide loomed cuff

Textured Tila Loomed Cuff

Cultured Peacock Pearl Wide Loomed Cuff

Etsy Shop Open - CaronMichelleDesigns

I have finally joined the world of online shopping and selling through the online Etsy venue - my shop is called Caron Michelle Designs - click on this link to take you there or you can find me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CaronMichelleDesigns.  I'll keep this post short but will share some of the cuffs that have been listed for sale.

I plan to add patterns in the near future - just taking baby steps at this stage.

I welcome commissions as well and enjoy working with you to create a design that you will be thrilled to wear.

Enjoy xo

All loomed mini cuffs are $40. All cuffs come in a special silk gift bag.  Opening special ... a free pair of earrings with every purchase!

Wedding Collection - the Finale!

Back in March - I posted some pictures of a wedding commission for a bride and her bridesmaid loomed beaded cuffs (see post here). 

Jess, our beautiful bride was married last month and I'm thrilled that she shared some photos with me of her special day. 

*warning* this thread is picture heavy ... but the pictures are divine and Jess is absolutely stunning.  Thank you lovely for your support of a humble artist xo

Toast to a special friend ... an Irish Wedding

A dear friend of mine will wed her sweetheart today in Ireland at 1:00pm.  Unfortunately I couldn't be there but will be there in spirit.  In honor of the special day, I made her a cuff to wear so in a way I'll be there physically.  Maj and Loman - best wishes to you today.  xo


The Irish Wedding Song
Here they stand hand in hand
they've exchanged wedding bands
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
and all we who love them just wanted to say.
May God bless this couple who married today
In good times and bad times in sickness and health
may they know that riches are not needed for wealth
and help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh god bless this couple who married today
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time
May their children be happy each day
Oh God bless this family who started today
As they go may they know every love that was shown
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow
Wherever they travel wherever they stay
May God bless this Maj and Loman who married today  xo

Year of the Jewelry - Week 9: Simplicity

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" ... Leonardo da Vinci

Week 9 and the year is already starting to slip by.  This weeks YOJ challenge was simplicity.  How can you go past a classic pearl bracelet!

Design:  Caron Michelle
Technique:  Erin Simonetti Warp Management

YOJ - Week 8: Multiples

"For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward" ... Jim Rohn

The theme for this weeks challenge was timely has I had been commissioned to create three bridesmaids cuffs!  The dress material sample I was provided was a blessing and in consultation with the bride I was able to match the oyster colour using one of the fabulous hues from the Miyuki Delica collection.

Each bridesmaid will wear a OOAK (one of a kind) Caron Michelle original.  I designed the cuffs changing one element in each one so that each cuff is an original and no two designs are the exactly the same.

Year of Jewelry - Week 5: Déjà Vu

"The essential of the déjà vu is rather the negation of the present than the affirmation of the past ..."  Pierre Janet (1948)

How often have you had that feeling of seeing something and experiencing that thought of having at one time seen it before - well this weeks entry for YOJ  is exactly that!  You have seen this cuff before - it is my most popular design - the mini cuff! 

Enjoy!

OTTBS Earring Challenge - Week 3: Ellad Fan Earrings

Although slightly behind in this challenge, I am enjoying perusing the many tutorials on offer by some wonderful designers.  This weeks designer is Ellad2.  She has an incredible arrangement of tutorials on offer and each one comes with detailed instructions and loads of photos so that if you are a visual learner like me you can easily follow the directions.

Following on from my experimentation with Preciosa Super Duos and the Twin Beads earrings from Weeks 1 and 2 - I decided to try Ellad2 fan earrings tutorial.  These were fun to make and I could see that I would have fun with this design in the future.  Here are my Bronze Fan Earrings.  

The Things We Do

Earlier this week - my team at work collaborated to create a trophy for a senior officer in our workplace who was leaving the office.  This trophy needed to be different to most you would receive, it needed to be a true representation of the recipient!

Armed with ideas, supplies were obtained and I volunteered to create this masterpiece!

First we started with the board ...

... which needed a nice background to show of the main attraction ....

... dimensions were taken into consideration ....

.... the centre piece selected ....

.... the name place YOLO RASI (You Only Live Once and our team name)

.... and voila - our trophy.  Our recipient is one of the office's fashionistas with a shoe collection and wardrobe to rival the best of them!