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Friday, July 29, 2011

Last Friday in July

In the salon I work 3 days a week. On the last day I work for a particular month I will pause at the end of the work day to reflect on the events of that month and to plan things for the following month.
Yesterday was that day. As most of you know 2 weeks ago I lost my cat of 9 years. That was a very difficult part of the month of July but July wasn't all that bad. Despite the sadness in my heart at his passing I would say July was a pretty great month.
I was able to participate in 3 design challenges! J-Lynn Jewels, Chinook (which will be revealed soon) and today's reveal Artisan Clay.
I am still high from receiving my first piece of jewelry being in a print publication (Bead Trends) and I had a piece of jewelry in an e-magazine (Everyday Bracelets) So awesome!!!
I was able to attend a bead show, buy some truly awesome beads, and spend a wonderful day with my husband. Speaking of my husband, we celebrated our 10 year Anniversary in July! He took me for lobster and crab legs right on the Hudson River. It was a wonderful evening, the food was delicious and the view was amazing. We live minutes from the river and seldom get to go down there because the restaurants are very pricy, so it was such a nice treat.
We had a wonderful time with new and old friends at a barbeque to support a friend who is running for a political position.
On Monday night I was listening to Nail Talk Radio and won a $1500.00 Gellish gel color kit from Harmony Nails! It contains 72 colors, all the supplies needed and the LED lamp! This kit will be life changing for me and so wonderful for my salon and the future growth of my salon. I am still in shock that I actually won. You see there were 2 of us named Shannon on the call so I thought for sure they meant her.
I hope that the month of August will hold many more special moments for my family and I. I will be celebrating my 35th birthday in about 2 weeks. I hope to achieve my goal of submitting designs to magazines every month for the rest of the year and I hope to spend more time on both my salon and my jewelry.
What did you do in July?
What are your plan for August?

Now I want to reveal my design for the Artisan Clay Design team:

 I chose the beautiful purple donut bead because I knew the color would present a challenge and the shape. I rarely use purple and I have never worked with this shape before. This necklace is inspired by the designs of one of my friends Staci Klinger Smith of StaciLouise she uses this shape in many of the pieces I admire in her shop. How'd I do Staci? Thanks for being an inspiration!!!

 I hope you'll take a second today to reflect on July, plan for August and visit the other members of the Artisan Clay Design Team.




~Shannon



13 comments:

Kristi Harrison said...

Wow, I would say you had a great month! Life brings us both joy and sorrow I think almost everyday and hopefully the joy will always outweigh the sorrow!! Passing of a pet I think is one of the hardest things to go through, but fun to read about all your "happiness" this month!! :) Thanks for being a great friend and an inspiration!! This piece is beautiful!

Kristi said...

I love what you did Shannon, I am partial to purple!! I'm glad even with it's challenges July was a pretty good month. Here's to August being even better my friend!

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Just gorgeous! Here's to a wonderful August and congrats on such an amazing July!

TesoriTrovati said...

What a great month! And I love that you take the time to reflect on it. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet. They are so important to us, aren't they? You loved that pet with all your might and give her a wonderful life. That is a happy thought. Congrats on all the publications. And this is a beautiful design in a wonderful palette.
Enjoy the day, Shannon! Good things are going to happen, I just know it!
Erin

Holly said...

Hurrah for the purple! Love the necklace, especially that back fabricky part, and the Artisan Clay donut and the lampwork and and and. Well, you get the idea. And congratulations on the successes of July, and here's a glass raised to more for August :)

Miss Val's Creations said...

Your purple piece is absolutely gorgeous!!! The chain you created is so beautiful with the donut. Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! That is an exciting milestone. ~Val

Carol Dean Sharpe said...

Wonderful purples, Shannon!

Mellisa said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, the publications and on your big win of the nail kit! I loved this post...hearing about the events of your month, ups and downs but with such a focus on the positive.

Judy said...

I am glad you had a great month, despite the loss of your cat. I am so excited for your first Bead Trends publication, I saw it and it is wonderful! What a super score winning the nail supplies, wow!
I really love your necklace, the purples are so pretty...you created some magic with your design.

Therese's Treasures said...

I like your piece all the different shades of purple work well with each other making it a very lovely piece.
Therese

Jen Judd said...

Great design and great post! It's such a wonderful idea to take some time and reflect on the month. I've been underappreciating all the good things in my life so maybe a little time to focus would be a good idea. :) Have a great August!
Jen

CraftyHope said...

With the exception of the sadness at the end of the month, i'd say you've had an exceptional month. I'm wishing mine was as productive and amazing. You've really inspired me to out a little more effort into trying to get into publications. As well, i'd love to know how you find out about the design challenges. I never seem to hear about them until everyone is revealing their pieces. Thanks for the boost, I definitely need it!

Lastly, I chuckled a little at you saying you don't often use purple, but all the jewelry in your blog header contains purple.... Lol!

Best wishes for an awesome August!

Unknown said...

WOW that was a great month! Have you gotten your prize yet? We also celebrated our anniversary this month. Once again with my theme of the day....Belated Congratulations!