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Michelle's Musing's

Michelle's Musing's
An Eclectic mix of Interesting and Inspired Handcrafted Jewelry using Unusual Beads and Stones. Made from Sterling, Fine Silver or Brass.

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Articles

I Finally Got Motivated.
2008-01-10 22:56:00
I have been intrigued of late by the color combination of blue and bown. So I was digging thru my stash and found these wonderful chunks of Aquamarine. I felt like it needed the contrast of the caramel colored Vintaj brass. I really love the combination and plan a pair of earring also. On the photography side of it I think I will try to photograph it on a darker background.
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Yes it Snowed
2008-01-10 22:54:00
It Snowed and Snowed...I caught this picture of a hawk waiting for prey in my backyard.

Trying the get Motivated
2008-01-04 22:17:00
The hussle and bustle of Christmas is over. We are all reflecting on the new year. I have started my millionth diet. It is really gloomy out and raining like crazy (thank-fully not snow yet). It is cold and one of those days that you just want to snuggle with a blanky and watch a sappy movie. My twin 19 month olds are in bed and I should be working. But instead I want to match movies like:The HolidayJude Law..ppullease...Or Under The Tuscan Sun........Marcello...Marcello!! There is always room for Hugh Grant on such a day.Notting Hill .... Loved the "I'm just a Girl" line. And of course:Bridget Jones's Diarybe still my heart...Collin Furth... But I must get to work....boo hoo...

Photo Re-Shoot
2008-01-02 09:16:00
Here are picture of a necklace I made. First the old photo, second the new version. I am still not thrilled with the new one either. The stone seems to have a glare on it. It is a hand cut and polished Rhodochrosite. Gorgeous color and polish!! I made a net bezel for out of sterling silver. I may have to tinker with the photo some more.This second set is a 7-3/4" in length bracelet. Lightly dapped hand stamped sterling disks formed into cups that hold a delightful selection of pearls, Amethyst stones, Swarovski Crystal, misc bobbles and hand made sterling charms. It has a toggle closure. The first shot is the original picture...Boy it is not even in focus. The second I like much better. I added back a rock. I think it adds a bit of interest.
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New Designs
2008-01-02 09:16:00
Here are picture of a necklace I made. First the old photo, second the new version. I am still not thrilled with the new one either. The stone seems to have a glare on it. It is a hand cut and polished Rhodochrosite. Gorgeous color and polish!! I made a net bezel for out of sterling silver. I may have to tinker with the photo some more.This second set is a 7-3/4" in length bracelet. Lightly dapped hand stamped sterling disks formed into cups that hold a delightful selection of pearls, Amethyst stones, Swarovski Crystal, misc bobbles and hand made sterling charms. It has a toggle closure. The first shot is the original picture...Boy it is not even in focus. The second I like much better. I added back a rock. I think it adds a bit of interest.
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Photo Tips from EZ Cube
2007-12-30 22:45:00
I have set up EZ Cube and am playing with it I hope this is my LAST photographic equipment purchase. (that is of course unless I must have the under-lighting table) It seems to be working. I have tweaked my style a bit. I removed all the cool rocks as I felt they were distracting and not enough contrast. I have gone all white. But it is to white? I may try adding one special rock or other natural item and see how it goes. I did use a branch of the Contorted Filbert bush to hang my earrings from. I grew the plant myself...OK I killed it and saved the branches..not meaning to of course(kill it that is). I fear my green thumb is similar to my photo skills.Here are some tips from EZ Cube of exposure:~Avoiding dark images when shooting against light backgrounds~Cameras tend to underexpose images when capturing subjects with white or very light backgrounds. The easiest way to prevent dark, underexposed images is to use exposure compensation.Most digital cameras have fairly easy-to-access ...
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My Latest Dainty Charms
2007-12-29 22:31:00
Hand wire wrapped Carnelian briolette, "laugh often" stamped word charm and a miniature key charm all on an oxidized sterling cable necklace. Chain length 19", Carnelian pendant 1" including bail. Toggle closure. Hand wire wrapped Carnelian briolette all oxidized sterling silver. French ear wires. Total length 1". Hessonite Garnet Faceted Briolette wire wrapped with sterling silver then oxidized. On delicate sterling silver earwires. Total length a bit over 1-1/4". Hessonite Garnet Faceted Briolette wire wrapped with sterling silver then oxidized. On a delicate sterling silver ball chain. 18" chain length, 1" pendant drop including bail. Hand wire wrapped Blue Chalcedony briolette, "live fully" stamped word charm and a miniature bee charm all on an oxidized sterling cable necklace. Chain length 19", Chalcedony pendant a bit under 1" including bail. Toggle closure.Hand wire wrapped Blue Chalcedony briolette with oxidized sterling silver. French ear wires. Total length a ...

Color of the Year Earrings
2007-12-27 23:45:00
In honor of the choosen color of the year I have created these earrings:Greek Washer and Stamped Silver Earrings - Blues2-1/2" long. Comprised of Oval disks of silver disks that are slightly dapped and textured. Linked with charms and Mykonos Island Greek ceramic beads in wonderful colors(8mm). French wires. $32They are available on my website.
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Color of the Year Earrings.
2007-12-27 23:45:00
In honor of the choosen color of the year I have created these earrings:Greek Washer and Stamped Silver Earrings - Blues2-1/2" long. Comprised of Oval disks of silver disks that are slightly dapped and textured. Linked with charms and Mykonos Island Greek ceramic beads in wonderful colors(8mm). French wires. $32They are available on my website.
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Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2008
2007-12-21 22:42:00
Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2008 :PANTONE® 18-3943 BLUE IRIS A Multifaceted Hue Reflecting the Complexity of the World that Surrounds UsCARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 10, 2007 - Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue-purple, as the color of the year for 2008. Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement."From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a s...

From the Mining Journal, Marquette, MI
2007-12-21 22:01:00
My Father was in the Local Newspaper....From the Mining Journal Need is great for charities By KIM HOYUM, Journal Staff WriterPOSTED: December 19, 2007"Need is great for charities"Volunteers Pierre Geoffrion, far left, and Jerry Gerou put together a weekly food package at St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry. (Journal photo by Kim Hoyum)MARQUETTE — Local charities are seeing an upswing in requests for help this season, as high utility bills and food costs send more residents looking for assistance.Uncertainties in state and federal funding for charitable organizations are compounding the problem, and Michigan’s economic plight means more people are falling short on necessities, workers at several local charities said.“Helping people with utilities and rent has just been tremendous,” said Ron Provost, who works in the Marquette St. Vincent de Paul’s financial aid office.“We’re seeing a lot of utility situations that I’m afraid are going to be repetitive,” said Capt. D...

Photographing Jewelry...more
2007-12-21 08:18:00
I got my photo set up and have been playing. I decided to get the EZ-Cube (http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/). I think I may have FINALLY found something that is going to work out for me. I also invested in a tripod. I just could not get clear shots without it. Also instead of the granite rocks I use as the backdrop I switched to an all white background. I think that it is less distracting. I may have to get another light though...not sure. I am asking experts for advise on the shots that I did took tonight. I don't know if I can just lighten the pics in Paint Shop Pro or add another light to my set up. I did lighten the picture that you will see below but really feel it needs to be lighten more. the beautiful stones just do not glow like they should. Lighting aside I can already tell the shots are clearer. I also had to adjust the exposure compensation on my camera and open up the aperture all the way using manual setting. I also use manual focus. I am not sure I mentioned th...
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Photographing your Jewelry or other items for the Web
2007-12-12 00:27:00
I have always been an amateur photographer. Buying new equipment hoping it would help. Only to discover once again....IT IS NOT the equipment...but sadly the photographer. But I think I finally got the set-up correct. Here are some of my first test shots to show you how lighting can affect your digital pictures. This is the same pair of earrings on the same background. All I did was change the lighting. I did not change the settings on my camera. One may have been a flash, one fluorescent lights, one I may have added an Ott light. At that time I must use my new favorite word: Annoying!!You see having 3 children and another website that keeps my busy I have spare minutes to work on my love, the Jewelry . So it is a time thing. I just don't have time to figure all this out. But instead of making another pair of earring that I am DIEING to do I have to read about photography. I guess it is all a matter of white balance on your camera and good lighting but not to harsh. I finally after...
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Trunk Show Today
2007-12-06 21:48:00
Today is our Holiday Trunk show in historic down town Carson City, NV. The official Tree Lighting is also tonight at the capitol.AtLa-Tea-Da Tea Shoppeon Telegraph SquareThursday Dec 6th4pm until 9pmThis is a not to be missed Exclusive showing of local Artisans:“Its About The Box”Victorian inspired whimsy's - Hand crafted treasure/gift boxes that will melt your heart..“Teka and Zoe”Exquisite One of a Kind Artisan made Jewelry of sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones.We will gift wrap your purchases at no cost.Refreshments will be served to temp your taste buds while you shop.La-Tea-Da promises to have in their special Christmas Tea selections. Rosemary is having a Harpist play to get you in the Holiday Spirit.La-Tea-Da Tea Shoppe phone 883-8461
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Buy Handmade!
2007-11-27 05:22:00
Can you too?

Style Feeder
2007-11-24 00:38:00
Have you heard of Style Feeder ? I have played around with it. Is it usefull to you?Taken from Style Feeder site:About StyleFeederOnce there was a boy who liked to make software. When he was nineteen he fell in love with a girl who was supposed to be teaching him French. She was French, in fact, and she liked to cook exotic food and wear beautiful things and he spent several years chasing her around the world.But he got her, and he married her two days before her tourist visa ran out and now they live in a house in Watertown, Massachusetts, and she has declared that buying decent lighting in the US is really, really hard.Call them Bea and Phil. Call them us, who made this site for ourselves and now for you.In the winter of 2005, Phil noticed that Bea was spending a lot of time emailing to her friends things she had found online. Bea didn’t know what Phil knew, that although email is good for many things, it’s a private and inefficient way to share links.And Bea finds a lot. And P...

Fall Color Forcast
2007-11-23 19:50:00
Complex and exotic describe the intriguingly unusual and inviting color palette for fall ’07. The traditional neutral shades expected for autumn have been replaced this season with rich, nuanced hues, offering more opportunity for creativity with interesting and unexpected color combinations.Here are a pair of Earrings that fit that color Palette.My first using Gold Filled. They are1-1/4" total length. Clustered stones in green/gold colors: Vesuvianite, Grossular Garnet, Swarovski crystal and Peridot. All hanging from gold filled french ear wires. You can find them on my website.
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My Latest Etsy Treasury
2007-11-21 23:39:00
I lucked out again. I logged on to Etsy with only 3 minutes until the Treasury opened. So here it is:

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