Druzy Love Me or Druzy Not

As a child, I was a rock collector.  I loved picking up rocks with unusual colors or smooth faces.  When I was in junior high, I went with my friend Karen to her grandparents house in Indiana.  We went down to their creek (pronounced crick with a short i) and gathered geodes.  Little did I know at 12 how much I would still love rocks in my adult life - and that's not just the ones between my ears. ;)

Of course Diamonds are a girl's best friend... those are rocks that just ROCK!

What I didn't realize as a girl however is that the sparkly pieces of geodes I collected would re-enter my life in the form of jewelry design.  When we were wading barefoot in the creek we'd look for round rocks that when you picked them up and shook them, if you heard something rattle in there, it was sure to contain crystals.  We'd haul buckets (very heavy buckets I might add) back to Karen's grandparents house where Grandpa would break some of them open with a hammer to show us the "magic crystals"

Today, working with Druzy stones have me giddy like a little girl again.  What is a druzy?  Druzy is a layer of crystals that form within a mineral crust, like the inner cavity of a geode.  Natural druzies come from a number of different stones including agates, jasper and quartz.  As people have started to see more of these beautiful natural earth-born crystals in jewelry, their demand has grown.  Now companies have created treatments and coatings for natural druzy stones to give them a more sparkly finish.

In this piece I used a titanium coated druzy that has a beautiful iridescent finish.  It showcases a myriad of colors ranging from lavender to turquoise.  I really love that color combination, so I pulled in natural amethyst beads and more chunky turquoise beads.  I also incorporated some blingy bold Swarovski crystals that have a finish in the complimenting lavender hues.  Because more bling is better, right? :) 

I wish I could capture the true sparkle of this piece.  It really is magnificent!

A Walk in the Woods

This wasn't the first cuff I created with a druzy focal.  I created another cuff, "A Walk in the Woods" using a natural druzy focal and turquoise accents.  This piece was designed for The Challenge of Color blog hop hosted by my dear friend, Erin Prais-Hintz.  This cuff was purchased as a gift between girlfriends.  It shows how much we cherish those women in our lives that are there to laugh with us, cry with us and help us pick up the pieces if we've made a mess of something. 

As an artist, there are pieces that you create that just stick in your mind foever.   This piece will be one of those memorable pieces.  From the colors to the textures and the big sparkle, this is a piece that will be a showstopper for a confident woman that loves to look good and turn heads!

Here's hoping you have something sparkly in your week to make you feel like a million bucks - because you deserve it!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

An Amazing Totally Awesome Reveal

Brace yourself for something really... really awesome!  

Saturday we're having the reveal for the Sequintastic September challenge hosted by Sarah over at Saturday Sequins.  If you haven't checked out Saturday Sequins blog before... head over and take a look at her work.  I'll wait, then come back because there's something else wonderful I have to share...

Waiting...  tick, tock, tick, tock...

Glad you made it back!  I was worried you got gobbled up by cyber grizzly panthers.  Those little buggers can be sneaky! ;)

It's rare that I create a piece of beaded jewelry from a tutorial.  It's rare I use a tutorial at all.  I actually look at the books & magazines, love the designers and admire their talent... then go on my merry way doing what I do... ME!

So imagine the bruise on my chin as my jaw dropped when I, myself purchased a tutorial from Heather Collin with the intent to actually make the bracelet!  I know, I was shocked too!!!

I saw Heather's Crossing Over bracelet a while ago.  I loved the curvy layering and Celtic feel to the embellishment and really, really wanted this bracelet.  So I scooped up her tutorial and this weekend made the bracelet.

Now if you saw the necklace I made as a custom order in turquoise and coral last week, you'll know I've been deeply inspired by those colors ever since.  I don't duplicate designs as each piece of jewelry I make is one of a kind.  So when I saw Heather Collin's Crossing Over, I saw the beads still sitting on my tray from that gorgeous necklace and BAM!  It hit me like the first sip of coffee in the morning!

Then I heard the angels sing... and now I have my very own turquoise & coral work of art.

If you like the bracelet and want to pick up your own tutorial (and you should) head over to Heather's Etsy store.  She's got TONS of beautiful tutorials listed in there.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/studio183   This one is Crossing Over, but I won't limit you to crushing on just one!

**This post is not a paid advertisement.  In fact, Heather has no idea I'm writing this and has probably never even heard of me (until I purchased her tutorial.)  But I have to say, her design inspired me so and the bracelet is sooooo comfy to wear.  It's not meant as your very first beading project if you've never done any beading before, but with some stitch know-how (and patience because lordy, lordy... herringbone with 11s and 15s takes for-EV-er) you too can have a wearable work of art!

Now, don't forget to come to our Sequintastic party on Saturday!  We'll be sporting some bling and showcasing just how sequins can be included in jewelry designs!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

P.S. If you'd like a piece of custom made jewelry designed for yourself or to give as a gift, contact me via my website:  http://www.DesignsByDawnMarie.com or on my Designs by Dawn Marie Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/DesignsByDawnMarie.  I'm happy to work with you to make something really special that can be worn countless times and passed down as your legacy to your children or grandchildren!

Flowers for the Queen - A Bead Embroidered Necklace with an AH HA Moment

I'm so excited to share this piece with you today!  In creating this necklace, it stretched me outside the box and allowed me to grow.  First, let me show you Flowers for the Queen!

One of a Kind Art Jewelry - Bead Embroidered Necklace

You can read the full story of how Flowers for the Queen came to life here.  Part of the romance behind this piece is that the flower on the focal is a real flower.  I purchased the pendant because I love bringing natural elements together with man made beads to create something special.  It feels like I'm honoring Mother Earth while sharing my creative talents and gifts.  So the dried, pressed flower on this pendant spoke to me... but here was the kicker... the flower was yellow.

Did you read that right???? YELLOW???  I know, I was as shocked as you were!  It's a big challenge for me to get into a yellow or orange creative space.  I love the colors, I just don't design with them often.

So thus, I had to think outside of the box and incorporate a beautiful happy yellow, along with two of my favs turquoise and brown.  Hope you like the piece.  I have many more photos posted on my website along with the whole story of how I designed this piece.  

I hope you enjoy story and can see the same beauty in this necklace I saw while creating it!  It exudes happiness and love!

Make it a terrific week!

As Beautiful As a Picture - Beaded Dreams Collection

Meet Chitralekha!

Chitralekha means as beautiful as a picture in Native American, Alaskan, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Mohawk and Miwok.  I thought it absolutely fitting for this beautiful necklace.

She started as a beautiful turquoise stone and a petrified wood bead.  I love the way the browns and turquoise families play with each other.  So fun, so rich and so appealing to the eyes.  I didn't draw her out, I just let the beads tell me when they wanted more embellishments and when they were fit to finish.  The petrified wood fascinates me.  Those beads can be millions of years old!  (I ordered them along with the magnesite at the bottom from Happy Mango Beads).  GREAT selection of unique beads from around the world.  So where those trees were before, what was their story, and how they finally traveled to my hands will always be a mystery.  But the energy and feeling they give off is almost magical!

I also want to give credit for the ceramic beads I used in the chain.  MaryAnn Carroll creates some incredible ceramic focals and beads for her business Artisan Beads Plus on Etsy.  I had been a follower of MaryAnn's blog for some time and wanted to experiment with ceramic beads, but the vision had not yet come to me.  When she had a contest I quickly shared with all my friends because MaryAnn's designs are just special.  Low and behold, I won.  But these precious ceramic beads were so unique I knew they would take a very special piece of jewelry to showcase them properly.  When the creative inspiration arrived, the beads were waiting!  Thanks MaryAnn for these delicious baubles! ♥

Chitralekha told me two wasn't finished, she needed the third focal bead added. For so many reasons, three resonates with me.   Three is an out of the box number.  In recent years, we've seen three used to represent past, present and future.  Taken literally, the number three invokes expression, versatility and the pure joy of creativity.  And for me, this being one of the pieces of my new line, Beaded Dreams, was a pure joy to create.   Three also symbolizes reward and success in most undertakings! ♥

I can't wait to share more from this collection, but you'll have to wait.  Beaded Dreams will be revealed in it's entirety at my debut on April 28th, live in Williams Bay, WI.  It will be a grand event showcasing this entire line.  Named because each piece of beaded art jewelry is allowing all of my dreams to come true ~ one bead at a time.  The love that goes into each piece is truly special and for anyone that will own a piece from this collection I know you'll feel it personally, too!

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'm off to spend time with family at a baby shower today and a birthday party tomorrow!  LOVE IT!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Spring Colors - Turquoise, Purple & Yellow

I'm so excited to hear that the "it" colors for this spring & summer are turquoise, purple & yellow! I love those colors! I wear turquoise & purple all the time... all year, regardless of the season. So I challenged myself to blend those colors into a piece of jewelry just for me.

So here's what I created~ a 3-strand beaded necklace using beautiful Blue Moon lampwork beads, seed beads from the Bead Smith and gorgeous cut glass amber colored beads. I usually create pieces with intent to sell them, but this piece I designed just for me! We do need to treat ourselves once in a while and this is my treat to me!


I'm in the process of creating a similar, but different necklace to make available in my Etsy store because I think these colors are a dynamite choice for anybody, any age, any skin tone, and so many outfit styles. I'll keep you posted with pics on my latest creation~

Thanks for taking time out of your Monday morning to share a little piece of sunshine from my world. I hope your week is absolutely splendid!

Beautiful Turquoise and Amber Beaded Necklace Set

Another beautiful custom designed jewelry set is off to a wonderful new home today. I created this beautiful necklace and earrings set just a few weeks ago. It was online for literally less than 1 week and someone decided it would be the perfect gift for her sister for the holidays.


The inspiration for the necklace and earrings came from the beautiful lampwork glass beads that you see up close in the earrings. They just struck my eye at the store and I knew they would turn into something special. With flecks of gold glitter, intertwined with turquoise, and white swirls, these were just the perfect "WOW" I needed.

So using a mix of turquoise and amber beads of all sizes, I created a one-of-a-kind set that will put a smile on someone's face out in the state of Washington! Happy Holidays to all!

If you're looking for something special to give a loved one for the holidays, please feel free to visit my Etsy Store where I still have the matching bracelet for this set available: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dawnmd092979

Can't Decide...

Happy Easter Everybody! For our Easter gathering with family this afternoon, I plan on wearing this beautiful turquoise necklace that was given to me as a gift. As I laid out my outfit this morning, I realized I didn't have any earrings to go with it... I had made a pair of earrings that matched, but someone bought them right out of my ears! :) (That's not a bad problem at all!)

So low & behold, here it is Easter Morning and I'm creating a new pair of earrings to go with my beautiful turquoise necklace.

I love turquoise & silver, a very southwest style. Here's a picture of what I created... now my dilemma is which should I wear & keep, which should I sell?

Hope all your Easter gatherings are great ones!

Back on track, Focus and Create!

What a whirlwind life throws at us all at times. Since Christmas, it's funny, I expected life to be a little slower so I could focus more on my jewelry making. But it's been quite the opposite. Chris & I have taken on a new business venture, arbitraging - it's all internet marketing and advertising. It's quite in depth, but we're learning from the best of the best in the industry. It's a whole different side to advertising on the internet that previously I didn't even know it existed or the income tied to working it! It's great and let's us use our creative business minds.

My e-bay business has been steadily growing. I love helping women get great quality cosmetics for reasonable prices. Especially in this challenging time. Women still need to keep themselves looking great and feeling great because "if Mama isn't happy, nobody's happy!" Isn't that right?

And trying to squeeze in all of the new business, I've had less time for my jewelry design. I've still done some pieces as special orders, but nothing just to put on the internet for sale.

This last week I did take time to focus and create. I love the way it feels to have an image in your mind, sketch it on paper then create it with my bare hands! It's inspiring! Here's some of my creative inspirations most recently. Hope you enjoy!