Friday, March 20, 2015



B'sue Boutiques Build A Line Challenge, Blog Hop Three
Micheale Collie, The Vintage Gem

The Big Reveal


I spent the last week of February and the first week of March frantically getting ready for my second show. My daughter helped during the show, where I debuted three of the pieces from my line. 

I find it almost surreal how the past three months have seemed to fly by. I began the Build A Line Challenge (BALC) with a vague idea of what I thought could make an interesting line. Many thanks to Brenda Sue Lansdowne of www.bsueboutiques.com who accepted me into the challenge and provided support, guidance, and encouragement throughout this process. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the amazing women who've also been a part of the Challenge. The camaraderie in the Build A Line Challenge classroom has been second to none. I've learned so much from these talented artists and designers, developed friendships and simply don't want this to end!

While preparing to write this post, I found this photograph from my first BALC blog post.

These pieces represented the kernel of an idea that would become more than I ever dreamed possible. I'm not, nor will I ever be, finished with my line. I've realized the infinite possibilities that lie ahead for this line and any others that I begin.

In February, one of our Classroom discussions centered on where each of us identified ourselves, a hobbyist-who makes pieces for herself, family and friends; a jewelry maker-who puts components together to create pieces; and a jewelry designer-the true artist, with vision. If there's a middle ground between jewelry maker and jewelry designer, that's where I see myself. I'm planning to take more classes, do more research, learn as much as I can about design elements and hope to become a jewelry designer. 

Enough of the chit chat, I hear you-get on with the big reveal!

Those of you who've read my blogs will recognize some of these pieces, but I've added more and even have pieces still to complete. I've already sold one of my first dragonfly necklaces-woo hoo!! My pricing pyramid is still a work in progress, particularly at the higher end. I have earrings in the $12-15 range, a bracelet that's $20, and necklaces that start at $25 and go up to $40. I'm still trying to work out pieces at the high point on the pyramid. 

Without further ado, here are my completed pieces:

The top necklace sold after the last blog hop



Blue Gold Butterfly Bib Necklace Set


I have a lavender and gold necklace similar to this, but need more beads to complete the chain!

Fuschia Dragonfly Set


Teal Dragonfly Set

I enjoy creating these sets in different colors. Dragonflies are a personal favorite and I seem drawn to them in my work.  Where possible, I include vintage elements like the Lucite beads in the chain of the teal dragonfly set.




I have two other butterflies like this that I've either painted or colorized using Swellegant. I ran out of time to finish the other two.





I love this dragonfly in the silverware finish and plan to get more to create bracelets with. I'm definitely adding these bracelets in different finishes and colors to my line.


My lowest price point pieces are my earrings. I enjoy working with these dragonflies, but want to expand to include butterflies and hummingbirds. This teal pair was made with a small piece of filigree cut from a B'sue round filigree stamping. I really like this design!










Now, for something a bit different! I've had a picture of this in my mind for two months, but was only able to see it to fruition this week after discussing the problems I was having with these pieces amongst the B'sue Challenge Group. Thanks to each of you who had a hand in helping me get these finished!!  




I love the chocolate finish of the flowers, which I tried to replicate on the cuff. The black-eyed susans in the center of the flowers are from vintage enamel earrings, which had seen better days, but turned out really well here. I'm planning to add a pair of earrings. Time for another B'sue order!

I could write a missive about my experiences in the Build A Line Challenge, but I won't, this time. Come join us at the B'sue Creative Group on Facebook if you make jewelry, as a hobbyist, a jewelry maker or designer. You won't find a more supportive or encouraging group anywhere. 


Thanks for reading my blog post and following me during this journey! Please visit the blogs of the amazing artisans listed below. You won't be sorry.
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie---you are here!
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law

Friday, February 20, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Micheale Collie of The Vintage Gem, Part Two

Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Colors...Oh My

I can't believe it's already been a month since the first Build A Line blog hop! I began the challenge with a vague idea of a line. Yes, I wanted to work with butterflies and dragonflies, two of my favorite creatures, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with them. 

The support of the other Build A Line Challenge (BALC) participants has been unparalleled. I posted the germ of an idea I had on our Facebook page and received support and encouragement. From that exchange, my line was born. 

Here you can see my initial ideas and the lovely stampings from bsueboutiques.com



I knew I wanted to create necklaces, earrings and bracelets using these and other components in a variety of colors. After quite a bit of experimentation, this was my first attempt using various coloring techniques.


This was just the beginning. I took each piece and added additional color and highlights to create more interesting pieces. I'm finding the colorization of the pieces to be the biggest challenge, so far. 

Ta-da! Here are the first pieces of my line:


Tammy Adams, another BALC participant, referred to this as "a flight of dragonflies." I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I'm calling this and other sets like it by that name! Thanks Tammy.

Here's a different take on dragonflies, using parts of vintage earrings for the flower. I wanted these to give the wearer a sense of the dragonfly in it's natural habitat.



I could watch butterflies for hours, admiring the natural beauty of these amazing creatures. Getting the colors right for these stampings and filigrees was a challenge and a learning experience.






The BALC has been such a wonderful learning experience for me and we still have a month to go! I'm still using vintage parts in what I create, but now there's cohesion amongst my pieces. I'm working on pieces every day, instead of waiting for inspiration to strike. I still create one of a kind pieces, and always will, but I hope the pieces in my line will become my bread and butter pieces-something Brenda Sue Lansdowne, our fearless leader calls them.

Be sure to check out the blogs of my colleagues in the BALC! I'm fortunate to be surrounded by amazing jewelry designers!


Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Micheale Collie-you are here
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law







Friday, January 23, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Micheale Collie of The Vintage Gem, Part One



Welcome! I'm Micheale Collie of The Vintage Gem and I'm so excited to participate in my first blog hop with the Build A Line Challenge sponsored by B'sue Boutiques. This is the first of three blog hops where I'll share a bit about myself, why I chose to participate in the challenge, and what inspires me to create art jewelry. The Build A Line Challenge is actually a fabulous opportunity to learn how to create a line of jewelry with the support and guidance of 50+ other artists.

Here are a couple pictures of what I think are my best pieces, so far. 



And here's me in my very messy work space!


What can I say, I get organized, then I mess it up. Guess I work better in clutter. 

I started creating jewelry several years ago as a stringer/beader; making necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I did custom work, designed original pieces and even made wedding jewelry. My decision to make jewelry was two-fold; I had become allergic to base metals and couldn't afford to replace my earrings with ones made of sterling silver, and I was looking for a creative outlet. I've always been a creative person. I've been a musician since childhood, have a degree in music, and besides jewelry making, I sew, have had a cake decorating business (I love to bake), knit, play guitar, write-you get the idea.

I became frustrated with the type of jewelry I was making because it didn't hold my interest. I felt there was more I could do, but couldn't find my niche, so I stopped selling jewelry. I continued to make pieces for myself, family and friends. You can imagine the joy and excitement I felt when I found Brenda Sue Lansdowne's videos on YouTube last summer. Finally, here was a completely different and challenging way to make gorgeous, unique jewelry. 

Being a part of the challenge was very important to me, even though I felt completely overwhelmed when I trying to come up with an idea for a line. I knew this would be a great learning experience, while challenging me to think of jewelry design in a new way. With a vague idea in mind, I applied for the challenge and am very grateful to Brenda for accepting me. Inspiration finally hit and the theme for my line is Dragonflies and Butterflies, two of the most beautiful creatures in nature. I don't have any finished pieces, but I have ideas and a few components, plus a couple works in progress. (I need to place another B'sue order!)  www.bsueboutiques.com


You can find my jewelry at www.etsy.com/shop/thevintagegemmc.  I'm so excited to learn from all the other talented artists in the challenge as we begin this three month journey together. 

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law