The All-New ShelyChic.com

ShelyChic launched a fresh web site, redesigned by James Dauer, on Thursday, July 8.

Developed to serve as a design gallery for ShelyChic’s only store at Etsy.com (mmpeck.etsy.com), the all-new ShelyChic.com showcases favorite pieces, includes information about ShelyChic Designer Michele Peck and offers contact forms for customers seeking more information about ShelyChic products or custom designs.

"The all-new Shelychic.com has been overhauled from front to back," said Designer James Dauer. "JavaScript navigation, fresh photos and custom contact forms replace the static Googlesites page that used to serve ShelyChic."

“It was terrific working with James to launch the site. He was very flexible; James also delivered on fresh design ideas and innovative solutions to programming challenges,” said Peck.

ShelyChic was founded in 2003 as an in-between-jobs project for Peck. She started selling jewelry in 1981 in Universal Studio of Dolls’ St. Louis studio. Peck followed U.S. Dolls to craft shows around Missouri and Illinois before finding a home in the New Braunfels (Texas) Art League Gallery. After leaving New Braunfels, Peck continued to make jewelry for friends and family. The Chocolate Affair in Highland, Ill. started selling ShelyChic in 2008, and ShelyChic’s Studio Store on Etsy.com opened in March 2009.

ShelyChic designs range from apparel to jewelry to paper crafts. Crafting elements and custom orders are also available.

Dauer is a Web Designer with an applied skill set in the Adobe CS4 line of products. His focus is on Web Design and he has published personal and commercial websites. Dauer also dabbles in graphic design. Currently enrolled in Sessions College for Professional Design, Dauer is studying for his certification in Web Design with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Dauer has experience using Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, and Flash in both professional and academic settings. A professional portfolio is available online at www.jamesdauer.com.

Scrappy Weekend

No family plans made for a lazy weekend at home and a busy time in the ShelyChic Studio. I caught up on a few layouts and assembled some ACEOs debuting in the ShelyChic Studio Shop on Etsy.

Blowing Bubbles Scrapbook Layout

The rainy Sunday afternoon was a perfect time for my daughter to slicker up with matching galoshes.

The rainy driveway captured the bubbles and our dog couldn't help by play along!

I took so many great pics of the scene that I decided to run them on the page in sequence.

I picked up the bright colors in her outfit with a sunny patterned paper for the background.

Strips of bright satin ribbon are a great background for my Cricut-cut title and a butterfly sticker accents the paper.

Get your own ShelyChic scrapbook and other crafty bits at http://mmpeck.etsy.com.

Mad Hatter Scrapbook Page/Layout

You know those sweet snapshots you collect along the way, that don't seem to be enough to make a page on their own? I love pulling together photo collections in theme pages. My first 'Ralls was a set of snap shots of my son in overalls - something pretty prevalent in an infant boy's wardrobe.

This "Mad Hatter" page shows off some of his favorite toppers - from costume to coffee koozie!

Chapungu Scrapbook Pages

So I spent 12 hours in a marathon crop with my new - much more patient - scrapper pal. In addition to a few drink and snack breaks, we completed tons of pages! I don't have a fancy 12x12 scanner, so I had to piece the pages together a bit.

Chapungu was a great exhibit of sculptures hiding within the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I took tons of photos of the exhibition, but had fun capturing Alex & Noble as sculptures within the garden. The bright summer scenes gave me the excuse to break out some fun papers. I pulled in a patterned paper for accents and mattes to add some whimsy to the boxy images and the formal (but funky) gold embossed titles. I also used a clear acrylic frame to highlight the coin Noble tossed into the pond as it was still mid-air.

Let's Get Ready to Scrapboook!

Alrighty...Granted "Scrapboook!" doesn't have the same ring as "Rumble!" It doesn't mean I'm any less excited to spend a day on my pages.

I finally met a local scrapbooker, cardmaker, cook and crafter extraordinaire and I'm looking forward to spending the second day on 2010 in my loft studio dusting off supplies I haven't touched for months! (I'll be spending the first day of 2010 in my studio, too...digging my supplies out from beneath Christmas paper and ribbon...and dusting.)

Look for new posts of paper bag albums, ShelyChic jewelry and pics of the general crafting chaos soon!

Free Gifty Boxes for the Holidays

How often do you toil over selecting the perfect gift, spend hours perusing every card in the store and pick up a gift bag on your way out?

Gift presentation is important. Packaging that intriques, delights, celebrates and excites the gift recipient is just another way to show how much you care. Gift wrapping showcases your gift - giving you a way to express your love and appreciation - even without words - to the one who will receive it.

Now through December 31, all jewelry orders from the ShelyChic Studio on Etsy will include FREE gift packaging. Don't forget, ShelyChic also offers FREE shipping for all jewelry orders mailed in the US.

Delight your friends with a ShelyChic gift and gifty box this holiday season. Packaging styles and colors will vary. Leave a note at check out to specify the occasion.