Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry

Nostalgia - Finding Vintage items right in your home.

2012-01-27T16:39:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone! Ok so today I wanted to talk about found objects. Last week I did a thorough cleaning. I found 2 little canisters in my cupboard. They contained some goodies that I just had to share. Don't ask me why these two little canisters were not packed away in a closet. :) . I had fun looking over them. I found my mom's button collection and her charm bracelet! I have always loved her button collection and now I suspect I had that canister handy for a future project. Now that I think of it I should make a mixed media piece with all the buttons and paints and stuff on a canvas lol.

The charm bracelet is adorable. She has many charms. I told my sister about the charm bracelet and I am now passing it to her for a keepsake. My sister has a wonderful charm bracelet with many charms. Maybe I can get her to send me a picture of it to post to this blog.

The button collections speaks for itself. My mom used to wear a satin jacket (70's style) and she changed her buttons every few days.

Ok so I am hoping I will get some stories of your charm bracelet and maybe describe some of your favorite charms. Share your story of any found objects in your home while cleaning and especially if they are vintage or passed down from your family.

Comment below share your story about a charm bracelet or some other little treasure you have found while cleaning, packing or unpacking.

Mom's bracelet

this is my bracelet. I didn't really colllect many charms :)

Just Chatting up with my peeps

2012-01-07T15:10:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone. Well today I have decided to paint again. I haven't painted in over a year. I find that I have to be really inspired to paint. I really enjoy making jewelry so I have been focusing on new techniques. As an artist I like to jump around with many techniques while making jewelry. I also think I need to change mediums every once in a while to keep the creativity flowing :) . So today i will start a new painting. I have 2 days to work on it so I will make this blog short. I am now thinking of what I would like to paint. I usually have a vision of what I would like to paint but today my mind is a bit blank.

Hmm I think that is all for now.

If you have any topics that you would like to see on my blog please, please message me or comment here. If you are not a part of Blogger it is easy to sign up. I also encourage you to start your own blog and write about your passions in life. mmm that might just give me an idea for my painting today; Passion
Oh and to all my artists out there start a new project today and send me pictures when you finish the product. Maybe base your piece of art on Passion! yesssss I can see it now purples and yellows ooooh la laa llaalalalal lol ok now I am just being silly.
Oh the wheels are a turning now hee hee.

Good day all :)

Looking for a LIFE CHANGE

2012-01-04T20:03:00.001-06:00

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to write a blog today, well actually I have been wanting to write a blog for weeks now and just can't seem to find a good topic. Well I figured I would just write what comes to mind. I would like to share things in my blog that are personal but I figured I would go on into a rant and no one wants to really read that kind of drama do they? I know artists and creative people don't like drama to much. I feel like drama drains you of all your good energy. I know I grow more impatient each year with drama and all that happens in life when people try to drag you down. I call them energy vampires :). They suck the positive energy out of you, since they have none of their own. anyway...

So I am looking for inspiration as always in my life to create jewelry and paint. I often look at other artists in history for inspiration but I lean towards more modern things. It is really hard for me to go back and forth between mediums because I am often stuck to one and seem to be better at making jewelry. I love painting but jewelry, I think gives me more satisfaction, oh maybe that is what I like most instant gratification. I should work on changing my outlook on instant gratification. I must strive towards more valuable things that take more time to create. I do get upset when people who do not create don't realize the time, heart and soul that goes into creating any kind of art.

I have always tried to see the positive side of things but sometimes I get clouded. I am in a time right now where I need to make a huge change and live my life they way I should be and not how I HAVE to.
I have been working in an office as an accounting clerk for the last ten years and I just know that it is not where I should be. I need to have a job that is creative. I know I have the gift of creating beautiful things and making someone's life a little better with my art. I can no longer deal with sitting in a cubicle all day and constantly daydreaming of what my life should be. So I say to all of you who might feel the same, go out there and find your niche!!!!! Well that is all I have to say now.

Love you peeps for reading.
Hope you can comment and give me some advice. I am determined to manifest my desired destiny! lol

Something New and Something to do...

2011-11-07T01:44:00.002-06:00

Helloooooooooooo everyone.Hey don't forget about my art challenge. Make something with Fall colors in any medium and email me a picture of you entry. Challenge ends in the last week of November.

I have been really busy in October. I had 4 jewelry shows and sold many pieces. Yay! I love doing little craft shows, they always remind me of how many people love my style of jewelry. I love wrapping with wire and I have been making Tree of Life pendants lately. I have not made time to take many photos but here are some cell phone pictures I managed to get. It is really funny because I sleep mostly during the day right now so I never seem to have time for taking pictures in the natural sunlight. :( Ok anyway enough of my rambling.
OH I have been playing with bottle caps lately. I am always finding new ways to have fun with making jewelry. I like these because you can make personalized pendants. I have made a tutorial for making bottle caps and I will post a link as soon as I finish editing the video. I just have a few more clips to review.

The necklace below is a piece I just finished. It is made with shell, pearls, glass and wire. I love love this necklace.

Ok anyway enough of my rambling.

Yummy fooood!

2011-11-03T05:11:00.000-05:00

http://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Chicken-Diablo-5642.html?utm_campaign=RSE_NOV_03&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=SD&WT.mc_id=RSE_NOV_03_A&WT.mc_ev=click&fmid=6753076

I know I haven't posted in a while. October was a busy month for me and I will admit I have been a bit lazy. Well I did want to share these lovely recipes with you just for fun. I am always searching for new things to cook. I also like to search for easy recipes. So click on the link above and enjoy.

In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

2011-09-24T16:13:00.000-05:00

In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

I am not sure if anyone locally reads my blog but here is a coupon I wanted to share. Go get your Hobby Lobby on!

Cool Cd Curtain - Interweave

2011-09-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

Cool Cd Curtain - Interweave

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: Craft or Any Medium Including Jewlery Challenge

2011-09-24T09:47:00.001-05:00

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: Jewelry Making Challenge: Hello folks, how is everyone this fine day? Many sites have a weekly and monthly challenge so I thought I would start my own challenge to ...

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: Jewelry Making Challenge

2011-09-21T22:20:00.000-05:00

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: Jewelry Making Challenge: Hello folks, how is everyone this fine day? Many sites have a weekly and monthly challenge so I thought I would start my own challenge to ...

September Challenge Winner

2011-09-20T07:31:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to post the winner of the challenge on my blog.was Charan Creations. Thank you for voting.

I am starting as new challenge on my blog for the Fall Season. This challenge will last 2 months so that will give you plenty of time to create something wonderful. This challenge is not limited to jewelry. Any kind of art is accepted.

The theme is related to fall for this challenge. Please include something in amber, fall colors , and anything to do with Fall for your entry.

Have fun and get inspired thank you for reading.

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: New Jewelry -I love it I love it!!

2011-09-15T07:39:00.000-05:00

Shannon Schow~Custom Jewelry: New Jewelry -I love it I love it!!: Well hello. I hope everyone is feeling good and designing beautiful art. I have been really working hard lately on making new jewelry for t...

New Jewelry -I love it I love it!!

2011-09-15T02:19:00.010-05:00

Well hello. I hope everyone is feeling good and designing beautiful art.
I have been really working hard lately on making new jewelry for this fall selling season. I have two shows coming up in October. I can't wait to see what customers go for this season. My display tables are coming along really well. I seem to have a black vintage look with all the displays I have bought in the last two years.
Now I just need to finally buy a tent and lights for outdoor festivals.

I am doing a Woodstock Tribute Show on October 1st.I will be set up somewhere along other vendors. I think this festival will be lot's of fun. I love all music from the Woodstock original show.
Please see links below to see the event page.

I will also be at the Arts Goggle the following weekend Oct 8th. I have participate in the festival since 2008. It is so much fun. I meet lots of great people. Great live music, food and fun. I love the Spiral diner. @spiraldiner

Great little shops and places to eat on Park Place and Magnolia Street in Fort Worth, Texas October 8th. See link below for link to Arts Goggle Facebook Page.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204456052951325
Link below is City Web Site.
http://fortworthsouth.org/FWS/artsgoggle.html

Well I hope everyone is having fun with whatever craft you are into. I will hopefully set up a new ART challenge in a few days so watch for my new post and enter my challenge. Prize will be custom made earrings just for the ladies and custom necklace or cuff bracelets for men. I will post this challenge on my Challenge Page tab. Thanks for reading.

Below are some new jewelry pieces I have created.

More fun with clay.

2011-08-20T20:06:00.001-05:00

Hey peeps just thought I would post some pieces of clay. I have been playing with clay and crystals and embossing powders. Whew! I like working with many mediums. I just like all the possibilities. Here are just a few pendants i made.

I used images printed from the internet and then used paper embellishments on the rectangle pendant here is this first picture. I have also used aluminum sheet and Pearl Ex Powder. I tried to make a Steampunk piece in the third picture. It was a fun piece to make.

Hey everyone I hope you are having a great day. I just wanted to post some new jewelry.

2011-08-20T19:35:00.001-05:00

This piece below is made with fresh water pearls and crystals. I used clay for the focal pendant. In person you can see the gold powder that I used to make the pendant shimmer. The powder is called Pearl Ex Pigment. You can buy this at Joann’s Fabrics or Hobby Lobby. If you have any questions just leave me a comment.

Here is another necklace I have made with Labradorite and Opalite. The dragon is so cool. I found this piece in an online store. I like this so much that I will keep this for myself mwahahahahah.

Shopping Spree woohoo!

2011-08-16T04:42:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone. I wanted to post about my newest trip to the bead market. Oh how I love visiting the bead market! I find such pretties! I usually stock up on my non tarnish wire at the bead market. It saves me money on shipping and on the cost by quantity. Beadstuff is my favorite vendor for non tarnish silver plated wire. This trip I focused more on pendants so I could wrap some beautiful Labradorite and other rare finds. I bought a few cabochons and found some wonderful glass beads plus many other little extras :). I bought some rather inexpensive glass beads because they were on sale and very pretty. I normally don't buy the cheap items at the bead markets because in my past experience I have found the quality to be bad. I like the quality of these glass beads and really love the deal I was able to receive.
Below are some watch parts I recently ordered. I love making resin pendants with watch parts. I took the picture on my sketch book. You can obviously see a necklace I designed. (more on that later)

Below are some of the wonderful beads I bought at the bead market. The wonderful pink and black coin beads are really beautiful and we a little expensive but they will make a dazzling bracelet.

I love skulls so I couldn't pass up these little guys. I also found a little Buddha head. I recently dropped my favorite skull bracelet down the drain of my sink so I will make a new one with the little round skull beads. I haven't sketched out anything for the flat skull head beads below in the picture. .

These are some charms bought from a booth. This is the third time I have shopped at this particular vendor
Her name is Acharmedcollection. It is better to look for her at the bead shows rather than on the net. I love all the charms she has available. You can decorate a lot of things with her items. She has lovely metal pieces that can be glued to books. They look so cool and make the books look vintage. You can also make many rings with her items but I choose to make more dainty earrings with most of the charms I buy from her. I have also thought about making some cool clay pendants that will include the little masks in the picture below.

Oh I really love music so I thought I would buy these guitars and make a really cool necklaces with them.

Ohhhhh ahhhh Labradorite is soooo beautiful. I bought these two cabochons immediately after I saw them. I also grabbed two small triangle pendants that have lovely shards of Tourmaline inside.

Here are some crosses and such I bought on a trip to the little local bead shop in my city. The Artful Bead Store. I thought the crosses are so cute. You really can't see the wonderful purple color of the jasper crosses in this picture. Hopefully when I make some jewelry I will take better pictures of the crosses. Sometimes I get a bit lazy and just take pictures with my phone camera lol .. Well only for pictures of beads I have purchased

Ok so here is a picture below of the necklace on the sketch pad from earlier in this post. I really love this necklace and I think I will keep it for myself. :) Hee hee

Well that is all I have for now. If you have any questions just let me know. I am working on many tips for shopping at the bead market. Hopefully I will post these by the end of the week.

Follow me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/#!/DymndDesigns

OH and don't mind the name. I am in process of changing my name soon. Hopefully twitter has a function to change into my new name. InspireMeJewelry is the new name I have thought about using. Let me know what you think. Just comment on this blog below.

Follow me on my facebook page also http://www.facebook.com/pages/InspireMe-Jewlery-by-Shannon-Schow/136397669766434

No Doubt

2011-06-13T05:38:00.000-05:00

http://www.nodoubt.com/player/default.aspx?meid=1291
Ok so I usually don't post about music (hmm although I should lol) I wanted to share this video with my followers. I am not sure any of you would even like this song but it is a old time favorite. I am so excited No Doubt is coming out with a new album. I hope it has some ska in it. :)

Ok so I also wanted to mention that I have been procrastinating on writing blogs. :) Well hopefully I will get the motivation soon lol.
I will post some of my new pieces some time this week.

The Jewelry Observer

2011-05-29T00:17:00.000-05:00

Get featured on The Jewelry Observer blog.

The Jewelry Observer is an up to the minute handmade jewelry blog publishing the latest news about jewelry styles, jewelry designers, events and everything else that has to do with jewelry. With so much jewelry news to cover around the globe we will always have fresh jewelry articles to enlighten your day.

Featured Etsy shops
Top 10 Art shows
Online Market places

http://www.jewelryobserver.com/featured-etsy-jewelry-stores/

http://twitter.com/#!/JewelryObserver

Wonderful Handmade Soaps

2011-04-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

I was looking around on artfire.com the other day just browsing. I came across these wonderful soaps!
They just looked so yummy I had to buy some. Such yummy, pleasing and inviting fragrances.
http://www.artfire.com/users/DeShawnMarie
I can't wait to get my Grapefruit Orange and Lemon Slice Bars of Soaps. Woot! I'm so goofy :)
Well anyway I just wanted to give her a shout out on my blog.
Pictured below "Lemon Slice"

Ok so I wanted to go ahead and tell you about the project I am working on. I just finished a wonderful long Jade necklace with a HASMA symbol as the focal piece.I added black crystals, small heart piece and small key charm. I found that charm on ebay. If you are a jeweler please consider shopping on Ebay because I have found some great deals. http://www.ebay.com

I am also working on a necklace design. They are made out of chain. The design is a lot like this picture below but I will add some extra bling to it.

My friend Luann has a necklace like this but rhinestone heart is nested in the middle. Her necklace is also much shorter. She suggested that I should make a few similar to hers and people would love them and buy them up! Well let's hope so. I have a show coming up in May :)

Here is the link to the picture below necklace. I thought I would be nice to include this link since I am using the picture for an example. http://luxevie.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=171

Ok so that is all I have for now. I still need to take more pictures of my clay creations. I am sure I will get to it soon lol ...Check back soon :) Hugs and Peace to all

Fun with Clay

2011-03-26T15:29:00.013-05:00

Hello everyone! So I hope all is well with my readers. I am so happy that spring is coming.Spring is my favorite time of year. I have been having fun with clay lately making roses and such.

I want to take some pictures of my new pendants made from clay but they are still curing.I wanted to talk about working with clay.

There is a lot to learn with this medium.The possibilities are endless!!! You can make anything and cover anything in clay. Well just about anything lol. I need a lot of practice to become really good at sculpting.

I am sure I need to get back to my wire work (for practice) but it is easy for me to get side tracked on a new kind of medium to make jewelry. Clay is so fun and interesting to play with. I picked up a polymer clay magazine that has several projects in the magazine. I have made 2 of the projects so far. Above is the first project I made which is still not baked. I need to make the top part for hanging and then I am done. I also added earrings to match the necklace. I have some pictures of the second project but they are from my phone and the picture is not so great.
I will have to take some and post soon.

Oh, first here is a pendant I made. The picture is horrible but I will post some better ones when I have time LOL. The colors are black and pearl red. I used the printer and printed out the tower and the word Paris.

I wanted to list a few supplies I use, just in case my readers might want to start creating with clay. I found it helpful to google clay techniques and tutorials on the web. I found many articles and videos using polymer clay for jewelry and embellishments.

Have Fun!
list of supplies. There are many more things to use while creating with clay but I thought I would list what you might need in the beginning.

Cutting Tools
Exacto Knife ( I bought the heavier style for heavy and light duty)
Plastic carving knife or anything you can use to cut the clay.
Cookie cutters ( i use square, hearts, circles, I want to buy more)
Mod Podge for various reasons
Mod Podge Demensional Magic Gloss (You can find this at Joann's Fabric Craft store)
Regular gloss- Floor Wax - Clear Acrylic floor shine (local store)
Liquid Skulpey ( I suggest Fimo brand for glossy finish, Skulpey brand for matte)
Pearl EX is another product that is wonderful for giving that metallic or pearl effect.
Foam Brush
Acrylic paints for aging ( i use black and brown at the moment) You just add water to dilute.
Acrylic Roller
Other carving tools that includes and sharp needle end for poking holes and such
Wax Paper of tiles for working and baking surfaces

You may also want to buy t-shirt transfer paper. I have had fun making pendants with images. Please make sure your are not using copy-written images Using an ink-jet printer, print out images on the transfer paper. Cut out your image and place it on a piece of conditioned clay. Make sure you have set your clay out on your baking sheet or piece of wax paper. You don't want to move it after you have pressed the image down on the clay. Preferably use white Clay. Why clay usually makes a very nice background. Burnish or press your image so it sticks to the clay, making sure to get around the edges. Bake for 5 mins, and then peel transfer backing off. After you have secured the printed image bake per instructions for clay. (about 20 or more mins) After baking embellish, decorate and gloss. I make several pieces and then bake them at the same time.
I am very new at this so I just wanted to share what I have learned with clay and image transfer.
:)

Well this is all I have for now. Till next time, Have fun creating.

Peace and Love, Shannon
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Jewelry Making Classes Online at Beaducation: The Blog: National Craft Month Contest Week 4

2011-03-26T12:36:00.000-05:00

Jewelry Making Classes Online at Beaducation: The Blog: National Craft Month Contest Week 4: "Our shipping department got their heads together and chose the giveaway for this week. When Danelle came into my office and presented me wit..."

Some New Stuff :)

2011-02-25T21:17:00.012-06:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to post some new pieces. I finally have had some time to sit down and make some fun jewelry. I have been busy on ebay looking for some new beads too! Woot.
I found some really nice Tibetan beads that are fun. I will post a new blog with jewelry made from the beads. They are "Day of the Dead" beads. So cute lol

Bead market is coming up soon and I love to stock up on my wire. I really suggest to all my fellow jewelers to take advantage of the bead markets. You can really find some good buys.
If you don't have bead markets in your town the internet is the way to save money buying supplies. : )

OH and if anyone is reading my blog :) I would like to see if I can get everyone to describe my jewelry in a few words. You can put these in the comment box. Thank you :)))

P.S. if anyone would like to be featured on my blog site ( any handmade craft) send me a message and let me know. You will be featured for 2 months on my blog.

How to Clean Copper and Brass

2011-01-14T22:57:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone. I have been looking online about cleaning certain metals. I wanted to post what I found so that everyone can see what I found.
I love the internet just for this reason. The internet has so much information for you.

Anyway click on the links below to read more... enjoy

http://www.ehow.com/how_4473390_clean-copper-jewelry.html

Things You'll Need:

Water
Lemon or lime juice
Salt
Ketchup
Soft bristled toothbrush
Jewelry polishing cloth
Make a solution out of warm water, a few drops of lemon or lime juice, and a teaspoon of salt. Mix it thoroughly

How To Make Natural, Home-made Copper and Brass Cleaners from your Pantry.

http://www.everbritecoatings.com/copper_cleaner.htm?gclid=CInYysu2u6YCFSVa7AodCyatGw

Cleaning a copper bracelet requires the use of Tarn-X and Connoisseurs Jewelry Wipes. Find out how to properly clean a copper bracelet with the advice of a professional bench jeweler and gemologist in this free video on cleaning jewelry.

Artfire Curated Collection

2010-11-28T12:01:00.005-06:00

WOOT WOOT!! I was featured on Artifre Curated Collections!!!
Ancient Inspirations curated by warrioressrisingarts for Christmas on ArtFire.com
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=8686
I love Artfire web site. It is a wonderful site to sell your handmade items.
check them out http://www.artfire.com (tip: they don't charge fees when you sell items)

I haven't posted a blog lately since I have been so busy making jewelry and editing photos and such, plus the holidays are usually Nov and Dec are filled with family and friends getting together for holiday parties and such.

Thank you everyone for following my blog and have a wonderful holiday.
Hope to post a new blog soon with some new items I have made.

Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge

2010-10-22T22:15:00.009-05:00

Hello all fellow bloggers and readers.
This post is for the weekly challenge for Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge
http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/2010/10/bringing-in-sheaves-sowing-in-morning.html

When I hear the word "Harvest" I think of the wonderful colors of the fall leaves and My harvest of wonderful beads that represents those colors. The fall weather and colors seem to sooth me. Here is a set of jewelry I made that represents fall and harvest.
I used Jasper round beads, square crystal accents and ceramic bead for the end of the focal point of the necklace. I made all the links and clasps with non tarnish artistic wire (copper core).
This wire is very delicate and should be treated with care.

The bracelet I made with random agate pieces an base metal accent focal point. All links handmade by me with non tarnish artistic wire (copper core).

www.shannonschow.artfire.com
www.shannonprodutions.blogspot.com
Come join me on Twitter > Dymnddesigns
Jewelry Classes online available.
Custom Handmade Jewelry

New Items made with Magpie Gemstones

2010-10-21T23:23:00.017-05:00

Well hello everyone. I have been working hard on making new pieces. I was successful at the Art's Goggle this fall and was very happy with my sales. I wanted to post piece I made with Magpie Gemstones. I love her beads and prices. This bead supply site has such quality items and I just can't advertise enough for her site. They have great customer service and fast shipments.

Here is the piece I made. I bought the skull and garnet beads from Magpie Gemstones.
This is a one of kind piece designed by me. :) I used base metal and silver plated non tarnish wire.
This wire has a copper core.

I have a thing for skulls and I am sure I will have to buy more of these awesome skulls for future designs.
Supplies bought:
www.magpiegemstones.com
Follow her blog for client's jewelry.
She features jewelry made by the beads we all buy from her. :)
http://turquoisemagpie.blogspot.com

Follow my Blog
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

New Items :)

2010-10-21T22:57:00.006-05:00

I like to show off at least one item I have made each month.
Enjoy
December 2010 Turquoise and Abalone Necklace

October 2010 Black Heart of the Plank

Arts Goggle Fall 2010

2010-09-28T13:37:00.005-05:00

Hello all, I wanted to advertise a festival I will participate in. Its really fun and you can see many venues and many artists. This area has been restored and looks so quaint. My favorite is the Spriral Diner. They offer vegan menu, even though I am not Vegan I love the food! I don't mind cutting calories and fat from my diet! LOL
So anyway come join the fun with music, food and art. Support our community and local artists.
IF YOU MENTION THIS BLOG WHEN PURCHASING ONE OF MY JEWELRY PIECES I WILL TAKE OFF 20 % :)

http://www.fortworthsouth.org/FWS/resources/ArtsGogglePoster.pdf

CLICK ABOVE TO SEE THE POSTER AND MANY VENUES PARTICIPATING.

MOST OF THE ARTISTS WILL BE SET UP INSIDE THE VENUES SELLING THERE WARES.

I WILL BE AT THE HANGER. IT IS A CLINIC AND I SHOULD BE SET UP OUT SIDE UNDER THE CAR PORT.

Shannon Schowwww.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
diamonds1971@hotmail.com
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Magpie Gemstone's Clients' Jewelry Gallery: Kat's Custom Kreations

2010-09-09T19:17:00.002-05:00

Magpie Gemstone's Clients' Jewelry Gallery: Kat's Custom Kreations

Magpie Gemstone's is an awesome jewlery supplier. I love her beads and her blogs.
She features her client's jewelry on this blog. I especially like Kat's Custom Kreations.
Please check out this blog and maybe browse Magpie's site for some lovely sparkly things.
We all love things that sparkle hee hee . Well I know I do.

I also use this site for inspriation.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me: dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net for information
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Greeen Baby Greeeeeeeeeen

2010-08-26T20:33:00.009-05:00

OH oh oh oh Green! Green! Green!!!! Here are some more earrings I made from that shopping spree at the Bead Market! whoo hooo ! lOl For some reason I got on a green kick. This is also a product of many other trips to the craft stores.

email: dymnddesigns@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Erin's Bracelet

2010-08-26T19:09:00.010-05:00

I made this for a friend a few weeks ago. It is made with Amethyst beads and copper wire. She saw a picture of the bracelet and insisted she have one right away :) I had to custom make this one for her since she loved the copper look. :)
I also used Purple Swarovski Crystals and small glass seed beads.
This design I learned from a magazine I subscribe to. I can not find the design anywhere in my stash of jewelry magazines. I subscribe to Step by Step Wire and Beadwork. I also bought this wonderful book by Linda Jones. I keep thinking this design is from her book but when I go through the pages I can't find it. I think I have misplaced the magazine of Step by Step Wire and the design is hiding in that one issue. Who knows what I have done with it. I have all the other ones except this one. I am just glad I had pictures of the first bracelet I did and could copy the design :)

Down below is the version in silver artistic wire. This is the original first bracelet in this design that I have made.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Lacy's Project

2010-08-10T20:53:00.019-05:00

OH I am so excited to post this blog about a custom piece I made for a friend of mine.
Lacy had this out fit and she wanted me to make her some jewelry. I think the set is so beautiful.
I used Amethyst beads , howlite chips, purple seed beads and crystals.

This is my favorite way to make jewelry. The customer calls me up and says hey can you design this for me? OF course I take on the challenge. I really like how pieces come together with two people designing. The dress is a lovely canvas for my designs! The colors to die for! Can you tell I am such a nerd! Ok so anyway enough chatter. Here is the pictures of the dress and the jewelry.

I am hoping soon I can get Lacy to take pictures of her in the dress with the jewelry. I will post them as soon as I get them. :)
I WILL APOLOGIZE FOR THE PICTURE QUALITY.
Sometimes i get in a rush before shipping out and manage to get pictures of the jewelry but not in natural light. The natural light catches the real colors so much better than artificial light.
I am just amatuer photographer so I am still working on my editing skills LOL

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Affordable Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me: dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net

Champagne Taste of Pearls

2010-08-05T19:10:00.008-05:00

A Champagne Taste of Pearls! One day my sister Jessica posted some cute fancy flip flop shoes that a friend bought her. I was so inspired by the cute little silky ribboned design that I wanted to make her some jewelry to match the shoes. Sometimes I just love making stuff for friends and family.

I made her a necklace and earrings. These pearls are dyed fresh water pearls in Champagne color.
I used Swarovski Crystals as accents. They do sparkle up your attitude :) :)

Well Jessica I hope you enjoy the set and it looks divine on my diva sister! Well this blog is short and sweet because I need to get to work. I just wanted to share this beautiful pearl set.
I think I might just make one in purple for myself!

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Copper Heart Tutorial Part 1.wmv

2010-08-02T20:49:00.004-05:00

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHgdcB0t6Ic
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL76KrgOf7o

Bead Market Beauties

2010-07-31T14:23:00.016-05:00

Hello peeps! I wanted to post a few pieces that I made from the recent trip to the local bead market. The bead market comes here 3 times a year and I love shopping for beads. We also picked up some really cute charms that made really cute earrings.
Karen and I later went to the craft store to find some cool spacers. So here is a few pieces I made. The little wine opener earrings I had to keep for myself. :) I used to be a bartender and I thought it would be cute to have these. The frogs are for Karen. She loves frogs. The tribal piece is for her son Eric

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Local Bead Market!

2010-07-26T23:43:00.012-05:00

Well it is that time again for the wonderful Bead Market. I stock up on wire and shop around for things you can't find in the local craft and bead shops. I buy the silver non tarnish copper core wire. This wire stands up to wear if it is taken good care.

I have noticed that the coating will come off if you get the wire wet repeatedly. I always suggest to always take of wire rings when washing hands or applying lotions and such.

So anyway enough about wire loooook at the pretties we bought! My friend Karen and I met at the bead market and shopped til we dropped or rather die of thirst LOL
So this time a lot of the normal vendors did not come this time. I was surprised how many empty booths all around, none the less I found plenty to buy.
I purchased some beads from a huge mound of grade b beads. They are just the right price and if you look long enough you will find really pretty beads.

I think I am getting my friend Karen hooked on buying beads and then i make her something. Its so funny...
Well I have many projects now to work on so that is all for now.

I am sure I will blog soon when I have finished a piece.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Fun Jewelry

2010-07-26T22:59:00.010-05:00

Well hello peeps! What's happening :) I said in my last blog I would post a picture when I made something from the beads I purchased recently. I have so much fun getting beads together and designing a piece. I am taking my time with these beads because they are just so JUicy :). Well here are my cute little skulls earrings down below :)

I am designing a piece for the nice cluster of green beads in my last blog. Woot! I have my hands full right now since I just went to the bead market and bought more beads! I will blog about that soon.
Oh and for any of you artists out there the kiosk on face book is awesome. It is by Artfire.com They are a wonderful site for selling your handmade items. :) Ok so see ya guys later

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

New Beads

2010-07-04T19:16:00.013-05:00

Hello and good day to everyone. I am so excited about my new beads I had to write a blog about it. I recently purchased these beads. They are so lovely!!!! The green beads are glass and the skulls are turquoise. The red beads are garnet. The little green beads are garnet as well. The skull is Quartz Crystal! I love skulls :)
Links at the bottom. I love going to my little shop across town for some cool beads. The picture of green beads and skulls are from this little shop. The Artful Bead.
This nice bead shop always has beads you can't find most places. She has good prices and quality items.

I had fun shopping this day because it was my friend who called me up on the phone and said let's get out and do something. I then suggested bead shopping. :) I have also included in this post, the pictures of the earrings I made from this wonderful excursion. LOL My friend picked out some fabulous beads and then the next day I started working away on the designs.

I am stuck today on the design for the turquoise skulls. I have some ideas but I am not sure if I want to make earrings or just pendant. I think they will be to heavy for earrings. The designing continues... :)

Well anyway I will post a new blog when I have used these beads in my jewelry.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

New Items for 2010

2010-05-23T22:55:00.007-05:00

Well hello fellow bloggers today I just wanted to share some pieces I have made in the last six months. I have had fun making some beautiful pieces with wonderful gem stones.

I have been lucky this year at the Arts Goggle. Arts Goggle is a small event that I participate in twice a year. It is a small event filled with great food , drink and music. It supports local artists and the local restaurants and business in the area.
Click on the link below for the site that sponsors the event.
The event is free for set up for all artists. You must sign up with the web site to get registered for the event. It is located in south Fort Worth, Texas
www.fortworthsouth.org

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Fairmount Home Tour of Fort Worth Texas- Donation to the Silent Auction

2010-05-23T22:25:00.007-05:00

Fairmount Home Tour Event. This year I participated in a home tour event and set up near the ticket sales booth. We had a few other vendors set up and it was a profitable event.

I also donated a an anklet and pair of earrings for the silent auction for the community.
I don't live in South Fort Worth but it was nice to help out another nice community.
I helped raise 1700.00 for the community. I enjoy helping communities even if it is not my own

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

:)

Fort Worth South Banquet Auction.

2010-02-16T23:44:00.017-06:00

I participate in a festival twice a year locally near where I live. It is such a nice festival and usually brings lots of good sales for all the artists.
The Arts Goggle supports South Fort Worth, Texas Area.
Michel Stebbins helps coordinate this small but eclectic festival.

www.fortworthsouth.org
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
You can find more jewelry that I have created at the web site above. Artfire is a very user friendly web site for hand made artists.

This year they asked me to donate a piece for their auction and I was quite happy to donate this necklace. This is my first donation to the community. :) :)

This festival is so good for artists who can't afford any set up fees.
It brings new business to the all the business involved in the festival.

The ladies who ran the auction left me a message on my ArtFire store: "Thank you for the donation to the Fort Worth South Banquet Auction. The necklace and earrings are gorgeous"

Red Hot Copper

2010-02-02T21:41:00.006-06:00

I am posting another new pendant inspired by a comment on my Turquoise colored copper heart pendant. I started making a tutorial and ended up with this heart pendant. I really love red and especially crystals. There is never a set design. I usually just design as I go with these pendants. Sometimes I do draw out my design first if I have something really special in mind. I also like to make custom pendants that my customer has helped design. I get a lot of customers asking me for custom design and it is so fun to make these pieces.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Copper Heart Pendant Tutorial Available

2010-02-02T21:03:00.006-06:00

I wanted to post one of my new pendants. I love turquoise and it seems to go well with copper. I am working on the tutorial for beginner wire wrappers.
If you would like a copy of my tutorial please just send me a message.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

How to Care for Pearls and How to determine if they are real

2009-12-07T12:00:00.004-06:00

How to care and store pearls

* Silver polish damages pearls. If you string pearls with sterling silver and the silver tarnishes, you'll discolor the pearls if you try to clean the silver. Store the jewelry in a tarnish-resistant pouch.
* Pearls need air to maintain their luster. Take them from their pouches from time to time. Do not store pearls in plastic baggies; they allow no air inside.
* Do not expose pearls to deodorant, perfume, or scented hand or body lotions. Put on makeup and spray scents before putting on your pearls.
* After wearing pearls, wipe them gently with a lint-free cloth before storing.

The fake pearl is very obvious. At the hole in the bead, there is usually an accumulation of pearlized coating. If there is not, there is chipping in the "pearl" color around the hole. This stuff flakes in the cheaply manufactured ones.

Real pearls are valuable and they display the natural beauty of pearls. They are also called “faux”, “costume” or “imitation”. They can be made of glass, plastic, or fish-scale imitations. There is nothing in them that rightly allow them to be called pearls. They are not naturals nor cultured.

Fake pearls are made to look like expensive Akoya or South Sea pearls, with a price range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.

Crystal pearls
Crystal pearls are glass pearls formed around a crystal foreign object usually called a “seed.” They simulate the luster of real pearls and are quite lovely as beads. Their advantages include lower cost, a larger hole, and perfect symmetry. Personally, I love crystal pearls but make sure my buyers know these are not real pearls.

Here are some tips on how to distinguish real pearls from fakes:

1. Real pearls have fingerprint-like surface ridges when viewed under magnification. Fake pearls have bubbles or matte patterns on the surface when viewed under magnification.

2. Real pearls have body color enriched by an overtone color. (Some pearls have very strong overtones while some pearls have weak overtones). Fake pearls only have one body color. Their colors look flat and lack depth.

3. Real pearls reflect light beautifully and their luster looks very natural. The luster of fake pearls doesn't look natural. It looks like glass.

4. When viewing real pearl strands under light, you can see a slight difference between each pearl in terms of size, overtones and surface quality. Even top quality cultured pearls with perfect surface have tiny thin layers when looking at them closely.
For fake pearl strands, each pearl looks like the exact copy of another. Their surfaces look perfect.

5. Real pearls are cold when you touch them. You don't feel the coolness when touching fake pearls. They always have the same temperature as the room air.

6. When rubbing pearls across your teeth, real pearls feel gritty while fake pearls feel smooth.

7. Real pearls are heavy in weight. Fake pearls are light in weight.

8. Real pearls show smoothness around drilled holes. Fake pearls show roughness or bump around drilled holes, as if the pearls have been melted during drilling.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Handmade Designer Jewelry by Shannon Schow

2009-10-29T15:49:00.002-05:00

SHANNONSCHOW

Designer Jewelry

Cleaning Chain

2009-10-05T14:56:00.002-05:00

I thought this would be helpful for my customers or anyone who wants to know how to clean your jewelry fine or costume.

7 Great Tips to Maintain your Chain!

1. Daily Care
When you remove your jewelry, wipe off the chain with a lint-free polishing cloth that has no abrasives. If you have been wearing perfume, rinse the chain with water, pat it dry, then follow with the polishing cloth. This is great for day-to-day maintenance: cleaning off fingerprints, skin oils, scents, and surface dirt.

2. Storage
Yvonne Padilla of Rio Grande recommends that you place your jewelry in an air-tight plastic baggie along with an anti-tarnish strip. These strips are fantastic–completely safe and non-toxic. They absorb moisture and neutralize tarnish-producing gases in the air. They will last up to 6 months or longer if placed in a sealed environment. They work for silver, brass, copper, nickel, bronze, tin, and gold. Copper is the villain when it comes to tarnishing, so any metal that contains copper will tarnish. Clean your chains thoroughly, then store them with anti-tarnish strips and they'll be ready to wear for months.

3. Weekly Maintenance
Use an ultrasonic cleaner and a cleaning solution that is PH-balanced and ammonia-free. This will eliminate surface dirt, oil, lotion, and perfume. If you are cleaning a rope chain or snake chain where dirt might get into the crevices, use a soft toothbrush to get into those hard to reach areas.

4. Let It Soak
Soak your chains in a PH-balanced, ammonia free jewelry solution for stubborn tarnish. If you have chain with stones, make sure that the cleaning solution you are using is gentle enough to use on the particular gemstones or pearls. Don't use the ultrasonic cleaner as the vibration may harm the stones.

Anti-tarnish strips, polishing pads, polishing cloths, and cleaning solution.

5. Tarnish Be Gone
There are some wonderful polishing pads and cloths that are embedded with microabrasives that get rid of tarnish and dirt in a jiffy. Just rub the cloth over the piece and watch it polish to a clean, brilliant shine.
Brass chain cleaned with vinegar and salt solution. Bottom: Tarnished chain.

6. Go Eco
To clean silver, try Jean Campbell’s At-Home Tarnish Busting Remedy. For stubborn spots, use plain toothpaste (no gels or whitening) and a soft toothbrush, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. I learned this trick from Kate Richbourg of Beaducation: For brass and copper pieces, use hot vinegar mixed with a few tablespoons of salt; let soak, then rinse and dry.

Shannon Schow
www.shannonschow.artfire.com
Custom Handmade Jewelry
Plenty of beads in stock to make what your heart desires.
Online Classes available. In house Classes available
Contact me for details
dymnddesign@sbcglobal.net
www.shannonproductions.blogspot.com

Finally Finished with the Mad Hatter

2009-09-06T13:42:00.003-05:00

Here is my Mad Hatter painting. This took me about a month to paint. I didn’t paint every day but spent many many hours if you add it all together. :)

This was a lot of fun to paint. I have some friends on Blogtv.com. I enjoy my friends on Blogtv very much. There are a lot of artists on this site and we all get together and have a monthly challenge. We all do our version of the challenge then post our pictures on the Gallery Page of Blogtv.com

BlogTv is also a site for some comedy and random entertainment. Go check it out and have fun.

Here is the link to the Art Gallery Page

www.blogtv.com/people/ArtGallery

Here is the the link to my page on Blog Tv

I do a show every Saturday at 6 pm Central Time

In my show I am usually working on a painting or just chatting.

www.blogtv.com/people/SweetNSourShannon

www.shannonschow.artfire.com

www.youtube.com/rosebud1971

View Full Album

Almost Finished with the Mad Hatter

2009-09-04T00:47:00.000-05:00

More Progress on my New Painting

2009-08-02T20:05:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SnXhoCRMvY

What is wrong with me ? Listen to how I say the word "progress" it just sounds funny to me ... I should just leave my Texan accent in when I say that word lol lol

New Painting

2009-08-02T19:54:00.002-05:00

Painters

2009-07-26T18:37:00.003-05:00