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MissAmyDesigns

MissAmyDesigns
MissAmy designs hip, unique, handmade gemstone jewelry. The blog follows the process from conception to creation to promotion and styling.

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Articles

Eroded Text
2007-09-09 22:37:00
Another really cool effect. I like this so much. I may have to use it in a web design soon!Tutorial here!
More About: Text

Eye Color Change
2007-09-09 22:30:00
There's lots of ways to changes colors in graphic files in Photoshop.Here's a new one I just learned involving a color fill, gaussion blur and layer overlay. Check out the tutorial here.
More About: Color , Change , Chang , Chan , Eye Color

Displaced Text
2007-09-02 00:52:00
This is an interesting displaced text effect I just learned on WebDesign.org which is my favorite place for Photoshop & other tutorials. I started going through the archives & have learned so much in the past few months that I didn't know. I've also found other ways to do stuff that I already knew how to do.This technique would be good for making those low-tech spam foiler graphics that you use within a form sometimes. Check out the tutorial here.
More About: Text

First official post to the new MissAmyDesigns
2007-08-28 02:32:00
Here it is. I designed this site & think it's pretty darn cool. I hope you enjoy it too.I'm trying to take my designs a little more seriously and ramp them up a bit. This was a nice project to stretch that muscle.
More About: Post , Official , Designs

New Direction
2007-08-20 21:33:00
It sure has been a while. I've kind of gotten off the jewelry design thing. I don't know; I'm just so scattered it seems like I take up a new hobby every 6 months or so.Job wise I used to change jobs every two years or less. I've worked: clothing stores, shoe store, a couple opticals, an accounting office, several faux finishing/painting companies, a tile painting company, the GAP, a movie store, for a photographer, as a Document Control Technician and finally a web designer (where I have been now for almost 3 years!).In high school I was very focused on art and fashion, later I went to cosmotology school, was studying to be an optician after that.I've also attempted my hand at several businesses - faux painting, closet organizing, jewelry making/selling and virtual assisting (which was actually quite successful, but rather hectic). I've also sold avon & I now sell frequently on ebay.Other things I've tried: art classes (again recently), jewelry making (classes again), karate...
More About: Dire , Direction , Rect

New Direction
2007-08-20 21:33:00
It sure has been a while. I've kind of gotten off the jewelry design thing. I don't know; I'm just so scattered it seems like I take up a new hobby every 6 months or so.Job wise I used to change jobs every two years or less. I've worked: clothing stores, shoe store, a couple opticals, an accounting office, several faux finishing/painting companies, a tile painting company, the GAP, a movie store, for a photographer, as a Document Control Technician and finally a web designer (where I have been now for almost 3 years!).In high school I was very focused on art and fashion, later I went to cosmotology school, was studying to be an optician after that.I've also attempted my hand at several businesses - faux painting, closet organizing, jewelry making/selling and virtual assisting (which was actually quite successful, but rather hectic).Other things I've tried: art classes (again recently), jewelry making (classes again), karate, yoga (which I just started back to), bellydancing...
More About: Dire , Direction , Rect

What I did with those aquamarine stones
2007-05-13 21:24:00
Hi all! Well, I finally found something to do with those gorgeous aquamarine stones.One of my uncles is having a health situation. He has a tumor on his small intestine which is causing all sorts of problems and which must come out during a surgery. They have no health insurance so a friend of theirs is sponsoring a benefit/auction for them where they live.I wanted to send something & since all the jewelry I have already made is made from little known stones & may not inspire bidding - who, after all has heard of aragonite or amazonite? - I decided I would put those aquamarines to good use. I've made a necklace & earrings & they will be shipping out from here to Michigan on Monday.I'm just hoping they will bring in some money for my aunt & uncle & their family. I hope they help. Photos are below...
More About: Aquamarine , Mari , Tone , Stones , Amar

Welcome back to me!
2007-05-06 20:35:00
Hi all,I'm back. Here's the lowdown. I got burnt out. Big time! I put myself on a major schedule of making jewelry and blogging and submitting and linking and many, many other marketing things that I was supposed to do, oh, daily.So, I took a breath and took a break. I pretty much quit doing it all. I finally am back, but am definitely more balanced. I'm never putting myself on a schedule again - unless I have a show coming up, maybe then. I actually am still supposed to do that one soon. But I refuse to stress it. I've gotten the props, I've got my pieces. I don't think I'm gonna have a book of designs like I thought. It's just too much darn trouble - unfortunately. You know what though? I think I'll set up a gallery of all the designs I've sold on my website & then people can go there & browse. That would be great!So, here I am. I finally got my blog set up on my own server & have applied my web template to it. I'm very proud!I also made my first n...
More About: Back

Newest blog
2007-04-23 19:06:00
Hi All!Sorry it's been so long. I've been fussing with getting my blog published on my site. I ran into some trouble & then just got sidetracked & haven't looked at it until today.I will try to post again soon. I got some awesome chain I'll put photos up of. And the custom necklace has been delivered & my friend loves it. So, so happy.Anyway, there will be more to come.Thanks for reading!
More About: Blog

Custom Made
2007-03-18 17:54:00
Today I want to talk about making custom jewelry. My friend offered to have a jewelry party for me (my first!) & I wanted to pay her back, in some small way. Since I can't offer all the discounts & incentives that the larger jewelry party companies can, I decided that I could at least make her one piece that was completely custom made in return for her generosity (and great patience - I'm so excited I've been sending her email after email outlining my very, very specific plans).So, I went from a piece she had shown me & worked from the specs she had given me - length, no beads like the original had, etc...Here are the 4 steps of the necklace & a close-up of the pendant/dangle. I created the dangles from 2 sizes of soldered jump rings & an open jump ring to attach them to the chain. They are all Sterling Silver, of course, as is the chain, lobster claw clasp & all other metal on the piece.After I assembled the chain and clasp, I attached the second length of chain with...
More About: Made , Custom

New Gemstones!
2007-03-11 16:59:00
Hi All! Sorry about the delay with my posting. I've had company for a week. That's the excuse, but the truth is I haven't been inspired to write lately until now.Below are photos of new gemstones I just got in. They are aquamarine rondelles & I can't wait to work with them! Of course, it could be a while - I have a backlog of gems waiting to find a home:) With these ones I'll need to decide if I want to keep the color mix or if I will attempt to separate them by color. I guess that will depend what pieces I decide to make with them. I also took photos against a black background. I like to see how gemstones look against different colored backgrounds. It really can change their entire personality. Thanks for having a look-see. I hope to post more often now, so check back occasionally! Also, be sure to check out my store to see some of the pieces I've done with other gemstones.
More About: Stone , Tones , Gems , Gemstone , Tone

New Gemstone Collection - Aragonite!
2007-02-20 00:13:00
Hi All!I have just completed the lastest MissAmyDesigns collection. I will begin meting the pieces out to you via Etsy.com.First a little about Aragonite:Aragonite is named for the location if its discovery -- Molina de Aragon, Spain.Aragonite assists the nervous system by clearing the mind, providing security while increasing patience under stressful circumstances.Physically, Aragonite increases energy, and is strongly believed to increase the energy of prayers. Aragonite is thought to help decrease hair loss and skin disordersFor more click here...I create an entire small collection from 1 string of beads at a time. I let the beads inspire me when planning the collection. This way they are truly one-of-a-kind pieces. And now for the photos:The necklace below went up for sale tonight - check it out! It's really long at 30" and is very bold and can be dressed up or down.These are the earrings I made to go with the necklace, just in case you're a matchy-matchy girl.This cute littel...
More About: Stone , Gems , Gemstone , Coll , Tone

PMC wing necklace and another listing
2007-02-14 23:25:00
This is the wing I made for my first project in the PMC class I talked about forever before I got to take it. PMC is a clay that has metal particles in it. When fired in a kiln or with a torch the binding agent - the clay - burns away and leaves only the metal behind. And you have a gorgeous piece that you made yourself. Depending on the product you use it will shrink anywhere from 10% to 33%. Very, very interesting stuff. Since I took pottery in high school - (I was in fact named Potter of the Year when I graduated.) - I felt very comfortable with this stuff.This is the final piece I made with the wing. It's for my own use & I love it!This is the listing I just put up for sale on Etsy.26 Inch Long Amazonite and Sterling Silver Necklace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is the recently popular longer length. It is 26” long and made up of faceted Amazonite nuggets, sterling silver chain and round sterling silver links. There is no clasp as it can be slipped over ...
More About: Other , List , Listing , Another

PMC wing necklace and another listing
2007-02-14 23:25:00
This is the wing I made for my first project in the PMC class I talked about forever before I got to take it. PMC is a clay that has metal particles in it. When fired in a kiln or with a torch the binding agent - the clay - burns away and leaves only the metal behind. And you have a gorgeous piece that you made yourself. Depending on the product you use it will shrink anywhere from 10% to 33%. Very, very interesting stuff. Since I took pottery in high school - (I was in fact named Potter of the Year when I graduated.) - I felt very comfortable with this stuff.This is the final piece I made with the wing. It's for my own use & I love it!This is the listing I just put up for sale on Etsy.26 Inch Long Amazonite and Sterling Silver Neck lace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is the recently popular longer length. It is 26? long and made up of faceted Amazonite nuggets, sterling silver chain and round sterling silver links. There is no clasp as it can be slipped over yo...
More About: Listing , Wing , Lace

PMC wing necklace and another listing
2007-02-14 23:25:00
This is the wing I made for my first project in the PMC class I talked about forever before I got to take it. PMC is a clay that has metal particles in it. When fired in a kiln or with a torch the binding agent - the clay - burns away and leaves only the metal behind. And you have a gorgeous piece that you made yourself. Depending on the product you use it will shrink anywhere from 10% to 33%. Very, very interesting stuff. Since I took pottery in high school - (I was in fact named Potter of the Year when I graduated.) - I felt very comfortable with this stuff.This is the final piece I made with the wing. It's for my own use & I love it!This is the listing I just put up for sale on Etsy.26 Inch Long Amazonite and Sterling Silver Neck lace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is the recently popular longer length. It is 26? long and made up of faceted Amazonite nuggets, sterling silver chain and round sterling silver links. There is no clasp as it can be slipped over yo...
More About: Listing , Wing

Sterling Silver and Aqua Colored Amazonite Nugget Assymetrical Y Necklace
2007-02-13 01:08:00
Sterling Silver and Aqua Colored Amazonite Nugget Assymetrical Y Neck lace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is a beautiful assymetrical take on the popular y necklace. It is made with sterling silver chain and faceted aqua colored Amazonite nuggets. The length of the actual necklace is 17? long; the drop is an additional 2.5? in length. This piece coordinates with the other Amazonite pieces in my store. So don?t be shy ? check them out! It is a handcrafted one-of-a-kind, MissAmyDesigns original.Chain ? Sterling Silver Clasp ? Sterling Silver Lobster ClawGemstones ? AmazoniteLength ? 17? + 2.5?

Sterling Silver and Aqua Colored Amazonite Nugget Assymetrical Y Necklace
2007-02-13 01:08:00
Sterling Silver and Aqua Color ed Amazon ite Nugget Assymetrical Y Necklace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is a beautiful assymetrical take on the popular y necklace. It is made with sterling silver chain and faceted aqua colored Amazonite nuggets. The length of the actual necklace is 17” long; the drop is an additional 2.5” in length. This piece coordinates with the other Amazonite pieces in my store. So don’t be shy – check them out! It is a handcrafted one-of-a-kind, MissAmyDesigns original.Chain – Sterling Silver Clasp – Sterling Silver Lobster ClawGemstones – AmazoniteLength – 17” + 2.5”

Sterling Silver and Aqua Colored Amazonite Nugget Assymetrical Y Necklace
2007-02-13 01:08:00
Sterling Silver and Aqua Colored Amazonite Nugget Assymetrical Y Necklace Click here for this listing and more...This necklace is a beautiful assymetrical take on the popular y necklace. It is made with sterling silver chain and faceted aqua colored Amazonite nuggets. The length of the actual necklace is 17? long; the drop is an additional 2.5? in length. This piece coordinates with the other Amazonite pieces in my store. So don?t be shy ? check them out! It is a handcrafted one-of-a-kind, MissAmyDesigns original.Chain ? Sterling Silver Clasp ? Sterling Silver Lobster ClawGemstones ? AmazoniteLength ? 17? + 2.5?
More About: Metric , Lace

Paintings From My Past
2007-02-10 17:12:00
One of you suggested I put up some paintings I did in the ancient past. So here you go. They are mostly in order.This is my first oil painting ever. I took an adult ed class at Ogemaw Heights. It must have been about 1994 or so.This one was for art class as most of these were. It was done May 1995.January 1996.January 1996, also.Also January 1996. This is one of my favorites.This was finally completed in February 1998. It was begun years before. An unfinished version is actually in one of my senior pictures (grad 1996) that I didn't hand out. I finally finished it after I moved to Naples, Florida, when I remembered I was an "artist". Ha, ha.This was the first complete painting from that time. We were living in our second apartment - a one bedroom and I finally set up my painting stuff.This was done in March 2000. I had met an "art agent" that wanted to see my take on the often-done Naples Pier. It's classic fodder for artists here. He came to see it & had "forgotten h...
More About: Paintings , Past

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