Koroit Opals and New Stones

Stones are my addiction, I can't get enough.  Endless inspiration, and looking at a fully stocked gem tray of goodies is the perfect recipe for creating some new beauties for my line.

Below are some new Koroit Opals I purchased, hand cut by a gentlemen from Arizona who specializes in
these stones.
What I love about these Opals are that some are more brown, some have more flashes of blue and green.  Swirls of different patterns and  matrixes for any opal lover.  These are going to all be set into rings or pendants for that one of a kind look.

Koroit Opals are found in Queensland Australia originally discovered in 1897.  Koroit Opals are a very disctint unique type of Boulder Opal.  With striking patterns making every stone tell a different story.

These will be set into rings, with a leaf detail all one of a kind.  Shapes will vary if you are interested in pre ordering.  Please contact me and I will reserve or order you a stone! Pricing will vary depending on shape and size.

MeShedesigns@yahoo.com
Visit http://www.meshedesigns.com

Turquoise Summer Finds

Turquoise Summer Finds

Turquoise is a great summer color, bright, bold, and beachy.  These are a few finds that I am digging this season. All photos belong to original sources linked!

Turquoise Strappy Flats - from Zara perfect sandal flats for comfort easy to style - $39.90
Aztec Turquoise Dress  - from Nasty Gal, a great unique flowy dress for hot summer days - $17.40
Turquoise Studded Belt  - Love a great skinny belt for a plain maxi dress - $6.77
Rebecca Minkoff 5 Zip - From Shop Bop a splurge but worth it, great price great quality will last more than one season - $195.00
Turquoise Stacking Rings - From My Line MeShe Designs a great everyday set of rings wear one or all 5 - $95.00 Made to Order in your size
Turquoise Glass Bowl  - From UneekGlassFusions cant forget home decor too a unique handmade glass bowl reminds me of coral - $58.00
Liquid Liner - Lime Crime specializes in funky colors and pigmented formulas - $13.99

Mid Year Updates with MeShe

Mid Year Updates

So I have decided a newsletter/update would be a great way to share upcoming projects and goals with my customers and friends!  Now that we are approaching the mid year mark, it is time to reevaluate merchandise, overall company vision and goals set at the beginning of 2013.  A few projects that I will be starting to better serve my customer base and streamline the brand eventually will be the following:

Decorate/Organize:

My studio is a great space, I have just enough room to store, create, ship and pack without feeling to cramped.  I would like to take it to the next level and purchase some nice art work, photographs to inspire me and keep it a peaceful motivating space. 

 

I love the color red, it is my favorite and regardless of time of year I love this photograph from Bomobob on Etsy.  Image belongs to bomobob

 

 This has been a favorite of mine on Etsy for some time it, it makes me want to be there every time I look at it! Image belongs to ElliottsPhotography

 

Love this handmade Moon Clock, I would like this for my wall in my studio. Image belongs to CyberMoon

Clearing out Inventory:

This is another project I am starting to work on.  Over the past 6 years of making jewelry I have purchased and hoarded a large collection of vintage material, stones, and other odds and ends.  It is time I break out and start sketching some pieces. In addition I would like to add a 10.00-12.00 section on my Etsy store to provide quality designs at a lower price.  I can kill 2 birds in one stone, clear out some inventory and offer special deals for my customer base.

A picture of one of many buying trips at the vintage warehouse.  Its so hard not to buy :)

Branding the Name:

I am looking forward to streamlining my metal line in the near future.  Until then I enjoy dabbling into different styles of metalwork.  For the most part I prefer making classic simple silhouettes that are timeless and wearable.  I would like have a talented graphic designer create a logo that I can use for marketing and packaging to bring a more sleek and sophisticated feel to the line.  

These are just a few updates for now, I want to focus on these three small improvements.  This way I can achieve the bigger goals I have set out for 2013. Also in the month of July there will be a small update, I will later notify MeShe fans via blog post :)

Ben Nye Pink Powder Review

I was very saddened when I realized Benefit powerflage was discontinued. The small jar had lasted me quite some time, there are no products on the market that are specifically made for setting your undereye makeup. Through searches and various Youtube videos Ben Nye's Pink Powder was mentioned as a dupe.

Benefit powderflage is specifically for setting the under eye, where as Ben Nye's Pink Powder is advertised to be an all over face powder.  

Overall Review: Love the product, it has a similar texture and almost identical coloring to the Benefit powder.  It is very lightweight like most translucent powders, virtually undetectable on the skin.  It has significantly lower price tag which is a bonus.  Check this link for pricing it also comes in a variety of sizes.  I like the packaging better, the powderflage would always unscrew spill, and waste product.  There is no shimmer, and gives a brightening effect to the skin.

Application:  I don't always wear concealers whether I wear one or not I always use this product under my eyes for added highlight.  I use a real techniques setting brush to apply.  You don't need much, tap off the excess to prevent over application.  For whole face any large powder brush will do the trick.

Negatives:  There really aren't many downsides to this product.  The powder is a tad more drying than the Benefit Powderflage, but I have dry skin and I still like it.  It can irritate the eyes, I close mine when applying near the eyes.  The color will probably work with fair to light skin tones, but they do have the banana powder and other deeper tones for darker skin complexions.

Hope this was helpful!

Saint Patricks Day Gift Guide

Saint Patrick's Day Gift Guide

With Saint Patrick's Day just around the corner we need to prepare our homes, animals and beer belly's for the festivities coming!  I thought it would be fun to pick a few handmade goodies from artists to kick up your spirits for this spirited holiday.  I particularly love Saint Pattys Days well one I am half Irish and two because you everyone can be frolicking in green attire and happy go lucky smiles.

Vintage Irish Pin Hat - Maybe you like to dress in all black maybe your not Irish or maybe your avoiding a good ol pinch.  A great small accessory for your St Pattys day spirit.

Crochet Clover Hat - We are still in the chilly months here in the East Coast keep your head warm while your out at the local parades with this adorable crochet hat!

Leprechaun Flask - Get your irish up on the go!  A clever way to be simply cooler than every one else drinking this St. Pattys Day.

Green Floral Dress - What better way to wear green than to look adorable while doing so.  I love this dress you can be festive, vintage, yet wearable all at the same time.

Irish I Phone - Our phones are just another accessory why not dress our gadgets up to.

I hope you've enjoyed this quick Etsy gift guide for Saint Patrick Day!  And may the luck be ever in your favor! Xo

All picture belong to artist linked above!

Handmade Soaps: Saturday Soap Review

Saturday Soaps Review

I had the pleasure of being a vendor at the Queens Botanical Garden's Spring Festival.  My neighbor was Saturday soaps, and this is a weakness for me.  I love handmade soaps, bath products, oils, lotions etc.  Belinda the owner was really fun and sweet making the day a pleasure.  At the end I picked up a few treasures:

Fine Lavender Soap and Body Oil (Lotion)

Rosy and Peppy Soap

&

May Chang Soap

Pricing: Soaps range from 5.50-6.00

Body Oil (lotion) 10.00

Scents:  All are concentrated with lovely natural smelling essential oils, when lathering in the shower these soaps/shampoo bars really smooth over your skin with the exact scent that you initially smell.  The may chang is very awakening with a citrus style scent without smelling articfical.  The Rosy and Peppy was my favorite with a minty burst and granules for exfoliating.  The exfoliant was not too abrasive just right.  I love lavender if you are looking for an authentic lavender soap this is for you!  The lotion compliments the soap beautifully great for someone who wants hydration without the heavyness of a body butter.

Packaging:  I love the packaging really simple eco concious and meaningful with quotes, fresh ingredients listed, and a tag line for the scent printed on the paper wraps.   Making the experience of shopping with Saturday Soaps that much more enjoyable.

All products were purchased with my own money, all photos belong are mine.

Visit Saturday Soaps:

http://www.saturdayssoap.com/

CJS Sales NYC Review

A Vintage Lovers Dream

A few months ago I needed to make a trip into NYC, I sifted climbed and dug for 5 plus hours at CJS Sales.  It’s all for the love of MeShe Designs, so I hopped on the train....

It was raining a bit on the way in, by the time I reached Penn I was starving.  First stop  something quick and easy Hale and Hearty, soups and salads.  First off I have a huge obsession with shrimp chowder so when I saw that soup my heart skipped a beat.  And ginger-ale seems to be the second love in my life.

Getting down to business I marched my way to a vintage warehouse in Manhattan for some exclusive one of a kind treasures.  The smile on my face riding up the elevator summed up my love for jewelry; irreplaceable, fulfilling, and everlasting.  I felt like a kid on Christmas awaiting undiscovered treasures of vintage findings and beads.

First Impression: 

Everything I thought it would be and a whole lot more.  When you walk out of the elevator the chaos of amazing boxes of vintage beads begin.  I was faced with a large room full of treasures piled in boxes.  I was then greeted by the owner Carl he was kind enough to give me a tour of there warehouse.  There is so much to take in as you tour their facility, there are about 5 or 6 rooms filled with various jewelry and findings ranging from pearls, wood, shells, glass, cabochons, and finished jewelry.

Selection:

 There is endless selection from floor to ceiling this place is organized by room.  Swarovski flatbacks, pressed glass, finished jewelry, chain, wood, shells and with a whole lot mixed in between.  Organized in a chaotic matter, but one that I prefer, you could spend a week in here and not fully go through all there inventory.  It is like nothing I have ever seen.  You will find one of a kind treasures from around the world that are not found in retail or wholesale shops.  

Shopping Experience:

  Absolutely wonderful, this is a vintage lovers dream.  Your mind will run wild, I literally have dreamed of going back.  One thing I must say is this is for experienced buyers, I had read as much information as possible before visiting CJS.  I knew what to expect and how plan my shopping trip.  The owners recommend experience buyers for a reason.  You need to know what materials you are looking at, and you cannot purchase just a few beads.  You buy the whole lot whether that be a box of lockets or 3 strands of glass pearls.  You must have a tax id to shop here!

Be prepared to dig as shown in the tundra of beads their can be 8 or 9 boxes stacked you really need to dig to find the components that fit your line, or supply shop.  And if you see something you like buy it, there can be no guarantee it will be there next time or you will ever find it next time;) Carl and his assistant where pleasant and accommodating when I had any questions.

Findings I purchased:  After almost 6 hours of digging with my love we had deciding on just to name a few:  Swarovski Flat Back Aura Borealis Domes Cabs, Lockets, Various Brass Findings, Lots of Czech Stones, Gemstones, and cloisonne just to name a few!

Pricing:

  I would recommend on writing a list of things your looking for and try and stay focused.  It is very easy to get sidetracked and overspend.  Most everything goes by weight 10.00LB 15.00LB and up, other treasures such as lockets or cabs can be sold by the bag and or piece.

 

Overall: 

If you are a jewelry maker of any kind this is absolutely worth the trip, you will be dazzled with the selection.   Again be prepared for the overwhelming floor to ceiling boxes of beads, be prepared to dig and get dirty.  Try to stay within the esthetics of your line and not venture off, come with a budget and a general list of what you are looking for.  You don't find these types of supply shops just anywhere, enjoy and have fun:)