Bonnin Designs After Holiday Sale

40% off of Necklaces

40% off of Bracelets

Free shipping to USA

Innovation a Key at Bonnin Designs

It is extremely important to me as a designer to find ways to be a little different than every other jewelry designer. I am always trying to create items that you wouldn't see in every craft show, in every boutique you go in. I've been successful at this through many of my accessories such as my flower hair pins, flower cell phone charms, beaded barrettes, and even my flower rings. I also have been able to create a style of my own in my jewelry designs. I'm now going a little farther with that and created Earring Options. An earring set that includes 3 pairs of charms and a pair of earring hoops. It's an affordable option to get 3 pairs of earrings in various colors at one time. Great gift idea and perfect earrings for a teenage girl.

Holiday Gifts under $10

Holidays can be really expensive with all of the people on your list. I've got some really great gifts for $10 and under at Bonnin Designs. Ranging from hair accessories to accessories for the cell phone, you'll definitely be able to bring a smile to any girl or woman in your life. Free shipping to USA.

New Hat

Now, not only am I a wife, mother, jewelry designer, and flamenco dancer, but I'm an editor as well. I am writing reviews for a new e-zine for jewelry only. It's thriftyboutiquejewelry which is a member of Thrifty Boutique . Pretty exciting venture. I get to really explore the world of jewelry, not only in my mind. And admire the blood, sweat, and tears of other jewelry designers. I've already met some really talented people and plan on meeting a whole lot more.

More Bracelets Than Ever

The holiday boutique was a big success and although I made a whole bunch of new bracelets for that show, I still have lots more. Just added. Bracelets to die for. And if you really want to be sneaky, you can go to Grechen's Closet and find an Exclusive discount for Bonnin Designs . Oops, did I say that out loud?

Holiday Boutique

If you're in Tustin this Friday and need something fun and worthwhile to do, come visit me as I'll be a vendor at:
Jack and Jill Guild of Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
Holiday Home Tour and Boutique

Friday, Nov. 18, 2005
Tustin Hills Racquet Club
11782 Simon Ranch Road
Santa Ana, CA 92705

9am to 6pm

We have a Contest Winner

Congratulations to Sand of Texas, the winner of the Swarovski crystal earrings. We will be having another contest very soon, so if you're not signed up for our newsletter, you can enter here. If you are already a newsletter subscriber, just sit back and cross your fingers because you are automatically entered. New contest details coming soon!

Fun Flamenco Novelties

We have some new flamenco items that are fun for you, your home and even your favorite dog.
I really love this mug. It's perfect for the coffee drinking flamenco enthusiast.

We're Live

We are live at Bonnin Designs once again. Amazingly quick and painless transition.
So go shop!

Website Issues

I am currently changing web host companies so my website, www.bonnindesigns.com is down for a day or two. This is a really big benefit for the future of this company as I will have full control of the website, just in time for holiday shopping. If you have any questions about the website or need to contact me, you can email me Hopefully this will only take a short amount of time. I'll post again when we're live.

If Beads and Findings are on Your List...

Chris Franchetti is a jewelry designer who covers all bases. She is not only the fashion jewelry editor for Bella Online's Fashion jewelry section, not only the amazing jewelry designer that has her own website chettidesigns.com and appeared on DIY "Jewelry Making" show several times teaching some fabulous designs for fun jewelry and accessories. Chris is more than that. She also owns Chetti Beads. So to sum up, Chris sells the beads and components to make jewelry, makes jewelry, writes about jewelry, and teaches jewelry. She must know a lot about the subject. She does, I assure you.

Chetti Beads is a complete site for beads and findings. Anything you'll need for a project is there. From shell buttons, to antique keys, to semi-precious beads. The prices are also very reasonable. As a jewelry designer, Chris knows what she would want to pay for beads and findings, so she offers that same consideration to her customers. Also quantity discounts are offered. If you browse through the site, you'll notice instructions on how to make projects and even information about certain beads, and the difference between Bali and Thai silver.

So go visit Chetti Beads and tell Chris I said "Hi".

Give a Gift Certificate

Just added to the website. If you're not sure if the piece of jewelry you chose would be one your friend, family, or loved one would wear, gift certificates are sometimes a savior. From our site, you can now instantly purchase and then send a gift certificate via email with a personalized message all in record time.

Collaborative Project - Part 2

Another completed set using these gorgeous ceramic leaf beads by MysticSpiral Studios. This necklace and earring set incorporate moonstones, amethyst flowers and beads, and the leaves. For more information e-mail Bonnin Designs

A Collaborative Project

It was a definite pleasure and honor to be asked by Andi of MysticSpiral Studio to incorporate some of her amazing beads into finished pieces of jewelry. Here is a picture of the Vessel bead by Andi and the beads that I chose to use for the completed piece: labradorite, dyed golden jade, and pineapple quartz.

Another Back Cover

My necklace made another back cover ad for Fire Mountain Gems! This one is Nov/Dec 2005 issue of Step by Step Beads Magazine. This necklace is available and is similar to one on the website called "Calm". E-mail if you're interested in purchasing this necklace.

and then there was....Gold

How about many of your favorite earrings and more, now in gold? Well, you've got it...coming soon to Bonnin Designs.

Expanding our selection to include gold filled earrings. We already have necklaces with gold filled findings available.

Pretty Pictures

I've been working really hard on my picture editing skills and have been really happy with the results. Soon, all of the pictures on my website will have a clear, white background. Many already do. This makes me happy.

Product Review

The Bag Lady has a nice product review of Bonnin Designs Flower hair pins
That's definitely a nice thing to start the day!

I'm on a Magazine Cover (Well, Back Cover)

Simply Beads Magazine October 2005
Back Cover Fire Mountain Gems Ad.
Spiney Necklace by Bonnin Designs

These Can Be Yours

These beauties can be yours. Can you imagine how great they'd look with your fall sweater. Just sign up for our newsletter and we'll draw for a winner Nov. 1. If you've been a newsletter subscriber since before our new website went up, please sign up again. I need you in the new system.

Indie Designers Helping Others

Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast earlier this week with devastating effects, forcing hundreds of thousands out of their homes and causing at least 68 deaths, including 55 in Mississippi. Rescue efforts are currently under way, with many victims trapped on rooftops and in flooded communities. The area is experiencing a shortage of food, a lack of drinking water and no power to homes that are still standing. The devastation is unbelievable.

A community of Independent Designers have come together to help in the best way we know. A shop has been set up on Etsy , with donations in unique products from all over the world by indie designers. To suppor tthe effort, Bonnin Designs has donated a handcrafted one-of-a-kind necklace

All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, which is providing hot meals to victims and rescue workers, as well as providing other much needed assistance such as shelter, medical needs and even therapy for victims. The initial goal is to raise $1,000.
Since yesterday, when the call went out to the indie designer community, there has been over $2400.00 of items donated! Please visit the Craft Revolution Etsy site and help support the Hurricane Relief Effort.

New Item

It's been busy here at the Bonnin Designs Factory (my kitchen table). New Candlestick pairs have been born. Currently in turquoise/black/white (as shown) and also in red/black. $30 pair.

I Got Tagged

I was tagged, what to do?
I've been "tagged" by a fellow Indie Designer. So sit back and enjoy, or not, a little bit about myself
10 years ago today August 26, 1995: Hard to remember that far back but I was probably preparing for my son's 1st birthday
5 years ago today August 26, 2000: Just got word of my 20th high school reunion. Began planning my jewelry and buying my outfits
1 year ago today:
yesterday: Went to 2 grocery stores and a farmer's market in search of good summer fruit for a decent price, took my daughter to her oboe lesson, worked on my website, emailed a friend in Florida to check on her status with the hurricane, watched a show about China, made homemade pea soup.
tomorrow: Flamenco class and then, whatever the day brings.
5 snacks I enjoy: Carvel chocolate chip frozen custard, hazelnut gelato, Dove milk chocolate, Munchos, green grapes

5 bands that I know most of their lyrics: (Now this dates me) Roxy Music, Earth, Wind and Fire, Thomas Dolby, Smiths, Talking Heads

5 things I'd do with a million $$: Put money away for kid's college, get a pool, Do a major business overhaul, Travel to Spain and stay for a month or more to learn from great Flamenco dancers, get a home or condo in a vacation spot.

5 places I'd run away to: Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, Greece, and an African Safari

5 bad habits I have: Shopping for inspiration and coming home with a lot of stuff, boredom eating, computer addiction (or not so bad), shoe collection, putting off housework

5 things I like doing: Flamenco dance, eating sushi, Date night with my husband, wine, spending time with family and friends

5 things I wouldn't wear: a bikini, a hat(I look like a turtle), High heels for no reason, tight jeans,
pajamas

5 TV shows I love: Survivor, Apprentice, Lost, DIY "Jewelry Making"(I'm on it), Sopranos

5 movies I love: Body Heat, A Little Romance, Hair, Pulp Fiction, Fargo

5 famous people I'd like to meet: Renee Zellweiger, Sharon Stone, Rupert (famous?), John Travolta, Jeff Probst

5 biggest joys at the moment: Getting my kids ready for a new school year, my new website, making my new fall jewelry line, my house, taking my dogs to the park and watching them run fast

5 favorite toys: Computer, digital camera, cell phone, boogie board, Viking Stove
5 people to tag: still deciding

Some New Fun!!

Bubble Barrettes $3 each at Bonnin Designs. Also, many more plus other fun stuff to be sold at the Orange International Street Fair Labor Day weekend at the ARTHUB booth.

Sampler Sneek Peek for September

Here is my contribution to The Sampler for September. Cute, colorful beaded barrettes!! For those lucky 50 people, these one-of-a-kind barrettes.

Watch TV!!

I'll be on TV again as a guest on the DIY Network show "Jewelry Making" episode "Crown Jewels"
AIR TIMES
August 15, 2005
11:00 AM Eastern
August 15, 2005
10:00 PM Eastern
August 16, 2005
1:00 AM Eastern
August 20, 2005
4:00 PM Eastern

Please tune in.

Also, for any of the projects I've demonstrated on the show (for which there are many) , you can find the instructions on the DIY website. Just type in the search box, Bonnin Designs or Shari Bonnin and the project links will appear.

Coming Soon

These black onyx pendants are my new find. They are genuine onyx with a matte finish in these really amazing shapes. I have 2 necklaces finished (as pictures) but more designs and bead colors to come.

They will be available by Aug. 12 on Bonnin Designs ranging from $59-$79 each .
So let me know what you think. Get your orders in fast, I only have a very limited amount of these pendants and they will go fast. Send an email

More Jewelry on TV

Jackie Guerra, host of DIY "Jewelry Making" is a big Bonnin Designs jewelry enthusiast!! She has been wearing multiple pieces of my jewelry throughout the show's existence. Here in 2 episodes, she is wearing the Pink Zebra necklace and a variation of it in Mookite stone. Yay Jackie.

Leopard Spots Necklace - I just love the animal in this piece 

New Digs Celebration

Visit the all new Bonnin Designs websiteThere is more unique jewelry and accessories, more flamenco items, a better search tool, and the ability to provide you with many more sales and promotions. Which brings me to my next point....

New Digs Celebration Sale

20% off any order when you enter GRAND20 in the coupon code box upon checkout.

New Website

I will be transferring my domain to my new webhost that has been building me an unbelievable website. The transfer will take place this evening so if everything is ready, it will just show a new website, if not, there will be no website until the new one is done. Don't be alarmed. It will hopefully be up this week, if not tonight.

I'm in love with these hot pink stones. They are almost translucent and the hottest pink I've ever seen. Now on the Bonnin Designs website in new jewelry. 

My pups, Summer and Flick. Aren't they the cutest? 

Earrings for Summer

Just added to the Bonnin Designs website, many new earrings with necklaces to match some of them. These are my Tropics inspired pieces. With titles such as "Paradise", "Moonlight", and "Solstice", you know it's time for summer.

ZZZZZZ - Not Sleep, Pizza

Let me tell you about Z Pizza. There are quite a few here in So. Cal, but I was only introduced to one last week. Talk about the YUM factor. Great salads and Pizza combinations. I must say, being a New Yorker, it's rare to get that crust/cheese combination that is just right. This is, and more. Check out their menu at their site.

Foodie, I Am

I figure, since I am a total food/restaurant fanatic, I could use this blog as a platform to recommend restaurants, or not, recommend food, cooking ideas, and wine recommendations.

So here is the first entry:
Went to Joe's Crab Shack in Newport Beach on Sunday for a late lunch/early dinner. I have to say, I wanted to be impressed, but when the salad came with the Italian dressing I asked for and it tasted like bottled Wishbone dressing, that set the mood. The crab was crab. The coconut shrimp was yummy though with a fruity dip for it. Like a plum sauce almost. All in all, I won't go back. Wasn't that impressed that I need to return to wait for 30 min. at 2pm on a Sunday. Hey, crabs take a long time to eat. Hate to see how long a dinner crowd has to wait.

New Gemstones

A quick stop at a local Gem and Bead show and inspiration ensued. Coming soon to http://www.bonnindesigns.com a new line for summer called "The Tropics" Green and Blue turquoise, aqua beads like the water made of Peruvian Opal and more turquoise as well as a peach coral. Also Opalite reminding me of the glistening water in the moonlight.

New for Summer - The Tropics Jewelry Line only at www.bonnindesigns.com 

Silver Lariat with Hot Pink Quartz 

New Designs in Silver

New jewelry, primarily necklaces and pendants are going to be posted on the website http://www.bonnindesigns.com These are hand made with silver by me. Some are oxidized to bring out depth in the textures. Here's an example

Giving is Good!!

Allure Beauty Live
Bonnin Designs is donating 5 pairs of earrings to this event for a prize give-away. Allure will donate all proceeds to benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation
Saturday May 21 1pm-5pm
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park NYC
with special performance by Kelly Clarkson
Ticketmaster tickets