Journey of a Jeweler

a journey into fashion decorating style and life with jeweler lisa lehmann

Lisa Lehmann Designs, formerly StudioJewel

studiojewel

In the studio – meet Emma

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Hi friends! It has been awhile, hasn’t it? Oh, how I have missed you. I decided it’s time to take back this blog of mine and start writing again.

Studio Jewel is celebrating 15 years in business this year!!!

The question is where do we begin? Let’s get bare bones a bit. A little behind the scenes. Studio Jewel has grown so much. We are celebrating 15 years in business this year. FIFTEEN! That’s huge! Some of you have been with me from the beginning…oh the changes!

One of the best parts? Our team is growing. We are small. But mighty! I want you to get to know them too because they are ridiculously talented! [Read more…] about In the studio – meet Emma

Behind the Scenes – creation of a ring

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My studio – my behind the scenes place – is more than just where I create. It’s my respite. It’s the place where I can walk in. Sit. Feel. It feeds all my creativity. Textures. Lights. It heightens my senses and allows me to just be. But it’s also the place “where the magic happens”. Where I get to breathe life into a piece of metal and see it become something beautiful. I love that. I am extremely grateful for the gifts I have been given, and that not only do I get to do what I love, I am privileged to create for others. To bring them joy in something as simple as a piece of jewelry.

Today I thought I would give you a tiny glimpse into the steps that go into the fabrication of one of my favorite rings. Delicate and feminine yet also statement making and powerful. That’s how I feel when I wear this design.

This is how she becomes.

behind the scenes - creation of a ring by StudioJewel.com

artist studio - behind the scenes with Lisa Lehmann and StudioJewel.com

My studio is more than just where I create. It’s also the place “where the magic happens”.

[Read more…] about Behind the Scenes – creation of a ring

My top 5 favorite photo apps

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These are my favorite photo apps to take your phone photos from mediocre to stellar. It is critical to make your visual social media stand out from the crowd.

I love anything photo related. Photography is my jam. I studied it in college. THAT is what my degree is in.  And although I know film. I shoot with a DSLR. I love me my iPhone. I can take some amazing photos with this little device that is ever connected to my hand.

Last week in Vegas at the BAM conference I took this photo and captured a stellar moment with my daughter. ( the cool thing. The JW reposted this photo on all their social media!)

photo editing apps for photography

[Read more…] about My top 5 favorite photo apps

Stone Setting behind the scenes

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As a goldsmith I do a lot of stone setting in my work. Some days it goes well. Some days it’s a challenge. But. The result is beautiful ALL the time.

What is interesting is how we all take for granted our skill set. We forget that everyone else doesn’t live in our micro world! Since I started Snapchatting behind the scenes looks into my studio I have had great response. Y’all love seeing the mess behind the finished product. Who knew? (It’s those crazy filters you love…admit it!)

I thought I’d show you the tools and a bit of what goes into flush setting a teeny tiny diamond! It’s a quite a bit of steps. A great deal of focus. And often stressful! Those diamonds have a funny way of bouncing off my bench and into oblivion! Elves. Fairly sure they lie in wait for the occasional bouncing stone!

I’ve also added the link for super fast speed stone setting video I created last year! Enjoy!

And, if you are so inclined, I’m having a blast on Snapchat {{sorry teenagers}}. It’s fun showing you my very relaxed sometimes crazy studio life. Give me a follow if you are so inclined! [Read more…] about Stone Setting behind the scenes

Tween fashion for girls. Top 10 fashion needs for back to school.

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Tween fashion. Yes, tween is a word. 
And….it is defined as such from the urban dictionary…
Tween: a girl ages about 9-14…too old for toys, but too young for boys. 

Very easy to market to, will usually follow any fashion trend set for them, will most likely go through the phase of ‘finding themselves’ as they ‘grow up’.

(Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen’s main fanbase are all tweens.)

Comforting? Not so much. But take courage. I’m here to help. If you have a tween daughter I feel your pain. This in-between stage is brutal. They want to shop juniors, but it doesn’t quite fit. They want bras…but they don’t quite need them. Too short. Too tight. Too grown up.
But wait. It really doesn’t need to be that bad. I have three daughters. Two have successfully passed through this phase…fashionably. And daughter number three…well, she is not just going to pass through it. She is going to leave a mark. Little Miss. “T” has suggestions for girls on what’s trending…what you must have for fall…and how to pull it together. I don’t dress this one. I guide her. Seriously.

Tahlia’s “must have” list for fall fashion.
  1. Converse.
  2. Denim vests.
  3. Colored denim.
  4. Lace.
  5. Boots.
  6. Accessories.
  7. Cardigans.
  8. T-shirts to layer.
  9. Denim shirts (are you sensing the denim trend?)
  10. Outrageous fun flats.
I don’t know if you know…but Tahlia was chosen to be a Discovery Girl, for Discovery Girl magazine. I’ll have to tell you this story someday. Anyway…she needed to choose an outfit for her profile shoot for her magazine spread. This is the outfit she chose. Why? Because she loves boots and she loves dresses. I love that it’s kind of girly with an edge.

(dress H&M / boots Target / cardigan – hand me down / jewelry MudLove and StudioJewel)
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Determined to find red jeans – not easy when she doesn’t quite fit in juniors…yet. But alas, these she loves. Cuffed for early fall. Tucked in boots when the weather gets cooler. Paired with a little lace for softness and denim for contrast. And don’t forget a touch of leopard. Rawr. And really…what is it with the jumping photos? Ok, she does look kinda cute…right?
(red jeans – Macy’s kids / lace shirt – Target / denim button down – Platos Closet / leopard flats – Payless)
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T loves color. It suits her. And since we were on the hunt for colored jeans, these also made her “pahleeeeese” list. Paired with stripes…still hot this season…AND sparkly converse…it’s a win! And more jumping….of course… 
(purple denim – Old Navy / striped shirt – Old Navy / grey cardi – Old Navy / sparkly converse – Kohl’s)

Last but not least, a basic denim outfit. cute jeans – again, rolled for fall – tucked in boots for cooler weather. A lightweight printed blouse – because layering is key. And this absolutely-I-love-it-with-all-my-heart daisy light denim vest. S’cute.
(jeans – Target / floral blouse – Old Navy / vest – Tilly’s / sandals – Payless)

I think this gives you some very good options for your tween. Shoot, I might even steal some of her ideas! Just remember, it’s ok for your little girls to look like…well…little girls! They will be forced into grown up land WAY too soon anyway. Help them find their style while maintaining their youth. 

And if they don’t read Discovery Girls magazine, they should. Real girls. Real issues. Acting their age. I can’t brag enough. Tahlia will be in the upcoming February/March issue…I think. I will totally keep you posted.

But until then…happy shopping. And remember…hormones are fun! Lol.

xooxoxooxox
lisa