Tomorrow: Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Contest #11

Reminder: Be ready to win in the Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest at http://thriftyboutiquejewelry.blogspot.com/ There is one winner each week.It’s simple to play. By answering 3 questions and being the first to respond by email, you can win really fun jewelry donated by the many different and very talented jewelry designers that you read about on the blog. So keep an eye out tomorrow morning for the contest to post. It's around 8 am Pacific time.Tomorrow's contest is sponsored by Fat Free Style. They are giving away gorgeous jewelry worth $79!

Big After Holiday Sale

Bonnin Designs
On Now! Dec. 26 - Jan. 5
And as always, free ground shipping and a free gift box with purchase until Dec. 31.

Now Can You See Me?

I'm trying a "new look" with my silver jewelry. I've been trying to keep all of my backgrounds of my jewelry pictures white so as to look more "professional" and so as not to detract from the jewelry. However, my silver jewelry and my white jewelry pieces look flat and unimaginative on white. So I am photographing some pieces with a leaf type background. It's something I lay the jewelry on to photograph it, so I struggle a little more, because some jewelry definitely looks better hanging. But we'll see how this works out. I hope the pieces "get noticed" now.

Tomorrow: Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Contest #10

Tomorrow: Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Contest #10
Reminder: Every Wed. Morning be ready to win in the Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest at http://thriftyboutiquejewelry.blogspot.com
There is one winner each week.
It’s simple to play. By answering 3 questions and being the first to respond by email, you can win really fun jewelry donated by the many different and very talented jewelry designers that you read about on the blog. So keep an eye out tomorrow morning for the contest to post. It's around 8 am Pacific time.
Tomorrow's contest is sponsored by Formoda and they are giving away a lovely pair of carved jade earrings
Happy Holidays!
Shari Bonnin
Bonnin Designs
Stay tuned for our after Christmas Sale starting Dec. 27!

It's Just Sick

It started in the early 70's when I was a child and taking ballet classes and gymnastics. I had an opportunity to audition for Utah's Ballet West company when they came to Arizona each Christmas time for the Nutcracker. I was hooked and addicted to everything Nutcracker. It started the first year when our choreographer presented us each with our very own nutcracker. The collection has grown since then. My husband calls it the Army. And each year they come out in force to stand guard throughout our home. Here is a sample of them together before I order them to their positions.


We occasionally have casualties and rush them to the M.A.S.H.unit for emergency care. After a year in the attic, their arms or legs, or heads tend to fall off. This year we lost a mouse king arm and a rifle off a guard. Fixable and not critical.

My Day

I spent the day at the bead show and was able to find some really neat new beads and findings and also was able to replenish my jewels for the Jewel Necklace. This was really exciting for me because I didn't think I'd be able to make more than one in each color. Now I have plenty and even a topaz like yellow, which I have yet to add to the site. So, based on that finding, I lowered the price on the Jewel Necklace to now only $65 each. It's a perfect present for the holidays. It's a big but simple necklace with lots of Kapow.

Tomorrow: Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Contest #8

Tomorrow, Wednesday be ready to win in the Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest at http://thriftyboutiquejewelry.blogspot.comThere will be one winner each week from here on out.It’s simple to play. By answering 3 questions and being the first to respond by email, you can win really fun jewelry donated by the manydifferent very talented jewelry designers that you read about on the blog. So keep an eye out Wed. morning for the contest to post. The editor (me) lives on the west coast so the contest will not post until sometime around 8 am Pacific time.

Miss Doxie Holiday Gift Guide

Bonnin Designs is a featured business in the 2006 Miss Doxie Holiday Gift Guide; for gifts $10 and under. Our Flower Rings and Felted Flower Brooches are featured items and are selling out quick. A huge thank you goes out to Leigh, the mastermind behind this incredibly funny and always amazing blog. Also a huge thank you goes out to her gazillion readers that have stopped by Bonnin Designs for a look or a purchase or two. They are awesome. Yesterday when her gift guide was published, we had more than 10 times our normal visits to Bonnin Designs. Incredible! I'm completely impressed. If you haven't checked out Miss Doxie, you're missing something big.

Also, Leigh of Miss Doxie opened her own shop. Very cute and hysterically fun. You must check it out.

As Seen in Fashion Market Magazine

This is huge! My jewelry is in a spread for the November 2006 Issue of Fashion Market Magazine. It's a fashion trade magazine. Here are the pictures from the features on Sportswear and Denim.

This picture above features the Flower Rings and the Sea Urchin Necklace in Blue.

This picture above features the Pow Earrings and the Crave Bracelet.

This picture above also features the Flower Rings. They are ever so fun!

The picture above features the Jewel Necklace in Amethyst and the Onyx Long Necklace in Green.

Holiday 50% off Sale at Bonnin Designs

Starting today! For four days only, take 50% off of EVERYTHING at Bonnin Designs. This includes new designs and ongoing favorites as well. All items come gift boxed and shipping is FREE to the USA! So hurry, sale ends Monday.

As Seen on Brown712

Thank you to Marsha of Brown712.com for featuring the Bonnin Designs Wired Flower Earrings in her blog today. "Great Potential Holiday Gift" is what is written. That was a really nice surprise and made my day.

As seen on Carpel Tunnel Magazine

Angel at Carpel Tunnel Magazine wrote a super duper special review about Bonnin Designs with lots of nice images of my jewelry and accessories. You must check out the latest issue of the magazine. It's all really amazing. Thanks Angel.

As Seen on Asian Buzz

Asian Buzz so kindly promoted our Fan style jewelry on their blog. Thanks goes out to my friend Lilie, an editor there. Go take a look.

Tomorrow: Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Contest #4

Tomorrow, Wednesday be ready to win in the Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest at http://thriftyboutiquejewelry.blogspot.comThere will be one winner each week from here on out.It’s simple to play. By answering 3 questions and being the first to respond by email, you can win really fun jewelry donated by the manydifferent very talented jewelry designers that you read about on the blog. So keep an eye out Wed. morning for the contest to post. Hint: the editor (me) lives on the west coast so the contest will not post until sometime after 7 am Pacific time.

Happy Birthday to Me, All Month

I don't normally celebrate my birthday but this year there is a lot to celebrate. I just had major back surgery 2 weeks ago that was successful. A week in the hospital, I'm home now, barely skipped a beat and I'm feeling great. I'm on the mend and raring to get going. I'm so happy to have a stable back again and hope to be able to do activities I've either done and suffered through or haven't been able to do because of my back pain.
So, in celebration of my birthday, I am offering 20% off any purchase on Bonnin Designs including sale items (that's up to 70% off) with code NEW20. exp/11/30/06

Exciting News

Happily Handmade Giveaway
We have big news:
Bonnin Designs produced the Grand Prize Winner of the Happily Handmade Giveaway! Yes, that’s right, Juliana Williamson-Page submitted her entry through Bonnin Designs and won this gift basket (bottom right hand corner) worth $511. How exciting is that? Congratulations Juliana!

As Seen On..

Lady Licorice at ladylicorice.com featured our gorgeous Amethyst Jewel necklace in their last newsletter. Check it out. This is one of my all time favorite pieces. It's chunky but elegant and perfect for the holidays. Thanks to Amanda.

Important Website Message

Any orders placed at Bonnin Designs between Oct. 23-Oct. 29 will be processed the following week.

New Markdowns at Bonnin Designs

New markdowns now on your favorite items at Bonnin Designs from 20-50% off. There are items marked down in the Collections as well as more items added to the Summer Sale pages. Hurry, because they will go fast!

Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest #2

Tomorrow is TB Jewelry Blog Contest #2

Every Wed. Morning be ready to win in the Thrifty Boutique Jewelry Blog Contest at http://thriftyboutiquejewelry.blogspot.com
There will be one winner each week from here on out.
It’s simple to play. By answering 3 questions and being the first to respond by email, you can win really fun jewelry donated by the different designers that you read about on the blog. So keep an eye out Wed. morning for the contest to post. Hint: the editor (me) lives on the west coast so the contest will not post until sometime after 7 am Pacific time.

As Seen On...

Today I am featured in the Craft Revolution Blog "Inside the Indie Mind" for the "31 days of Deals". That's a nice surprise to wake up to. Thanks to Georgia for making this happen.
If you go there, you can find a nice little 25% off discount code for Bonnin Designs.

Craft: Magazine

I got the first issue of Craft: a few days ago and have been reading it over and over. There are tons of different projects in there from a Blinking LED tank top to a crocheted robot to even a 101 on silkscreening. Each project is layed out with written directions as well as photographs of each step including the item and equipment lists.

I'm infatuated with the layout. And it's like a manual. It makes you want to read it....over and over. There are no ads in between each page, just a little in the beginning and some at the end and even the ads are fun to read.

There are all kinds of great stories about crafters we know and admire like Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. I really enjoyed reading about her and how it all began. I never knew about the brain behind the embroidery. Very insightful.

I especially liked the "Bazaar" where you could check out new products and learn more about them. So whether you want to learn to make your own hard cider or try your hand at a handmade antfarm room divider, I'm sure you'll find it all here.

As Seen On...

Urban Bloom Blog did a little write up on Bonnin Designs jewelry. How nice is that? I have to tell you, it's a wonderful thing to find out people are thinking nice thoughts about you.

Happily Handmade Giveaway Starts Today. Enter NOW

It's on baby! Today is the day! Entries are now being accepted to the Fall 2006 Happily Handmade Giveaway! We have 69 amazing sponsors for this event, and we encourage you to visit each and every one of their sites. You can enter once through each sponsor's website, that's 69 chances to win!
What can you win? One of 50 amazing gift baskets chock-full of indie goodness! If you've participated in past giveaways, then you've seen how truly amazing these gift baskets are, and this one is no exception.
So get going. It's an amazing giveaway.

Contest Ends Today

Contest Ends Sunday

The Back to School contest ends this Sunday, September 17 and a winner will be drawn on September 18. In order to be entered into the contest, just make a purchase at the Bonnin Designs website and it's that simple. We have lots of items on sale in our Sale section which are fun and affordable.

Contest Ends Sunday

The Back to School contest ends this Sunday, September 17 and a winner will be drawn on September 18. In order to be entered into the contest, just make a purchase at the Bonnin Designs website and it's that simple. We have lots of items on sale in our Sale section which are fun and affordable.

Happily Handmade Giveaway

What is the Happily Handmade Giveaway?
The Happily Handmade Giveaway was created in appreciation of indie shoppers, everywhere! Twice a year, they put on a massive event and give away nearly $10,000 in indie prize goodness! The indie shop sponsors of these fantastic giftbaskets collect entries through each of their individual websites, then all the entry lists are combined and the winners are chosen!
This event is good for all who participate - the entrants (supporters of fine indie products) get a chance to win some seriously awesome prizes. The sponsors (makers of the aforementioned fine indie products) benefit from increased traffic, publicity, brand awareness, and (hopefully!) sales!
The Fall 2006 Happily Handmade Giveaway will officially begin on September 1st when we will begin accepting sponsor applications. Entries will be accepted beginning September 30th, and the winners will be announced in early November.

Bonnin Designs is once again a proud sponsor of the HHG and I have donated 20 really unique necklaces made just for the occasion. Starting Sept. 30 you will be able to enter at Bonnin Designs as well as at all of the sponsor's sites to increase your chances to win 1 of 50 giftbaskets.
Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available. I will have a page on my website for details and for sign-up.

Joe Pastor Art Exhibit - Flamenco

Joe Pastor, a good friend of mine and a very talented painter is having an exhibit of his paintings. His subjects are: Flamenco Dancers, Construction workers, and Polo players
Chaffey Community Art Association Museum of Art at the J. Filippi Winery. It's an incredible exhibit with over 52 of his works. I went today for the reception and was in awe. He even had a painting of me!
When: Sept 2 - Sept. 27, 2006 Wed-Sunday 12-5 pm
Where: CCAA Museum of Art 12467 Baseline Road Rancho Cucamonga, CA
909.463.3733

Vulnerable

The Vulnerable jewelry in my Modern Collection is one of my new favorites. With the soft but contemporary lines of the sterling silver flat oval shapes and the cool color of aqua, it's a definite shoe-in for any fall wardrobe. I combined black with aqua in some new pieces yet to be up on the Bonnin Designs website. Stay tuned.

What I do when I'm not Jewelry Making

It's a crocheted cell phone case. I just upgraded my cell phone and I need to protect it. I made it in a few hours while watching tv at night. I added beads as the button closure so it still has a little Bonnin flair to it.

Fall is Here

I've been busier than ever trying to get the Fall line out. I do have more to add but I'm really happy about what's on the site now and I'm also in total love with these Jewel Necklaces. They are giant 1 1/2 diameter or so "jewels" on a long sterling silver chain. My favorite is the aqua necklace. They are faceted glass jewels and come in 5 different shapes and colors!

A Little Friday Press

The Daily Buss newsletter today mentioned the Viva Earrings as their Haute Sale of the Day!

Back To School Contest

If you make a purchase at Bonnin Designs between Aug 17 and Sept 17 you are automatically entered to win this Green Turquoise bracelet (retail value $40). Random drawing will be held Sept 18. The more times you purchase, the better your chances are to win. For more information, see our contest page.

A Little Friday Press

Today we got a little press from WAHM Spotlight: Friday's Featured Five blog. Thanks Marie!
Featured are Bonnin Designs Flower Filigree Earrings, now on sale at $35.20 pair.

Bonnin Designs in New Book

I am so excited to finally today, after over a year of wanting to spill the beads (I mean beans), announce the release of "Dazzling Beaded Jewelry (DIY): 50 great projects"by Lark Publishing. I have a project that was on the DIY show in this book. When I get ahold of a copy I can give more details as to which project they picked to feature. You can get a copy of it at any bookstore or online at Amazon.com . Yay, I'm published! See more at Bonnin Designs

July Contest Winner

We have a winner for our July contest. Congratulations to Kate D. from NY who won the Grape Leaf Necklace just for making a purchase at Bonnin Designs between July 8 and Aug 8. Stay tuned for our next contest which I hope to post by the beginning of next week. In the meantime, by subscribing to our newsletter you can receive the info first hand as well as private sale announcements and subscriber only discounts.

Our Jewelry Table

So far we've had a blast at the Barclay Theatre. Jewelry has been selling really well. I've made lots of new pieces especially for this show (lots of red and black jewelry) as well as many items from the website. My daughter has been an invaluable presence as she's been my assistant and is quite the sales girl. We've been able to see the shows and so far, Juana Amaya's company was incredible. They're all really nice people too! I've seen lots of old friends; many I haven't seen in years and have met some new friends as well. So it's been a memorable event so far, I'm always so full of excitement and anticipation when I get there and am looking forward to the rest of this week and weekend! If you're seeing a show, say "hi".

We'll be at the Flamenco Festival

I was just asked to be the jewelry vendor at the Flamenco Shop for the New World Flamenco Festival in Irvine. This will be for 8 shows and I will be selling my flamenco jewelry as well as my other jewelry. If you're there, stop by and say hi. I've always wanted to sell jewelry at a flamenco show, but I was always dancing at the ones I went to. Not this time. These are the quintessential Flamenco performers. I can't wait.

New Markdowns at Bonnin Designs

Even more items are now in the clearance section of the website. Many are pretty new items, and many are one-of-a-kind. Plus, all accessories and home decor items are marked down 50%. It's time to make room for the Fall/Winter line, coming soon.

As an added sale, I have a featured item from our Summer Line at 20% off. The Salmon Coral Loop Necklace is now $45 from regularly $60.

Last Day for 25-50% Off

Today is the last day for our Summer sale. Everything on our website is discounted 25-50% off.
Shop Bonnin Designs.

It's all about the Hair

I just finished these assorted heart barrettes for a special order and so I kept on with the theme.
Here's one with a flower:




And then today I was reading on Style Bakery about how "in" skulls are. So here is my contribution to the whole skull theme. In a barrette of course. I'm unsure as to whether to add these to the website for sale. I'd love to hear opinions.

Sale Starts Now with Even more on Sale

We decided to put everything not already on clearance, on sale for 25% off. This means all of our inventory is 25-50% off. It's for one week until July 19 at Bonnin Designs
Shipping is FREE to the USA.

Summer Sale

Our summer sale is on.
For one week only, starting tomorrow, July 12 and ending July 19, all Summer Collection jewelry items plus Accessories and Home Decor items will be discounted 25%
Remember Shipping is FREE to the USA plus with every purchase through Aug 8 you will automatically be entered to win our July contest for the wonderfully colorful Grapeleaf necklace.
So hurry because items are in limited quantities of up to only 1-4 of each style.

July Contest

Our June contest was so successful, we thought we'd do it again.
It's another super simple contest and your chances to win are up to you!
Make a purchase at Bonnin Designs between July 8 through Aug 8 and you will be entered to win this gorgeous Grapeleaf necklace made with sterling silver, a carved quartz leaf with opalite and glass briolette beads. 17 inches in length. Retail value $50. Each time you purchase, you are automatically entered to win.

Featured on Omiru

The Sea Urchin Bracelet has got more exposure once again as it was featured on Omiru blog today as a shopping find. This bracelet is perfect for the summer and has a necklace and earrings to match. It also comes in blue with a necklace to match.

One Week Left in Contest

One more week left to enter our June Contest. Make a purchase through July 5 and be entered to win this lovely necklace and earrings set.

In Love with Apatite

Apatite is my new favorite stone. It's aqua, it's deeper though and really goes wonderfully with purple. So I have a new set of earrings out that come in silver or gold and include Apatite and Amethyst stones ($42 pair). They are incredible. I'm sure you'll agree.

Daily Buss

Bonnin Designs Golden Loop Necklace was featured on today's Daily Buss from bussbuss.com

In Haute Pursuit

Ending soon so get your game on: In Haute Pursuit (IHP) is a new contest site that's unlike any other. At those other contest sites the prizes are either sample, discontinued or last seasons items. NOT AT IHP...All prizes have a minimum retail value of $20 and are full size products from the current season. Remember you have to play to win! Join us June 1-30, 2006 to play our first contest & enter to win some fab HAUTE prizes.

Bonnin Designs has donated a prize of the handmade earrings in the above banner.

As Seen on SheFinds

SheFinds posted a really nice review of my jewelry. You can see it here
That made my week!

Making it Easier on You

I'm so happy to let you know that Bonnin Designs is making it easier for our customers to shop. As of now, we are accepting not only PayPal as we've been doing, but also Visa, Mastercard, and Discover directly through our secure website checkout.

And all purchases made through July 5 will be entered into our contest to win a necklace/earrings set.

Boutique now Carrying Bonnin Designs

Exciting news today. Bonnin Designs can now be found at:
Pink Laundry Clothing Boutique
17853 Santiago Blvd.
Villa Park, CA 92861
714-921-8685

This is a really wonderful shop with incredible clothes and accessories and it's local to me as well. I want to thank the owner, Sue for supporting local designers.

Nice Mention

Independent Luxe, a gorgeous new fashion blog by Kelly Meeker of Kelly Meeker Designs featured a pair of my stick pearl earrings the other day in a nice feature about an outfit.

New Contest

All customers that make a purchase between June 5 and July 5, 2006 are automatically entered to win this custom necklace and earring set called Turquoise Passion. Turquoise glass beads and black onyx hand-knotted on silk. Sterling silver toggle clasp and sterling silver earwires. Retail value $75.

Serious Press in Panache

The New Jersey Daily Record Newspaper has a quarterly woman's lifestyle publication called Panache which is in print and online. They are featuring my Silver Leaf neckace and 2 of the vintage hair combs from the website in a fashion feature. It came out today! http://adserver1.harvestadsdepot.com/mordailyrecd/ss/047046/ (Page 10)