Artbeads.com Design Challenge Reveal - Peeking into Paradise

I'm so excited to share something new with you this morning.  A few weeks ago I was accepted to be part of the Artbeads.com Design Partners team.  What this means is that we're given a subject/theme and asked to design a piece of jewelry that highlights that theme and features Artbeads.com products, and then sharing my honest opinion about the products I used.

This challenge was call "What's Old is New Again" and the challenge was to bring a vintage element up to modern day usefulness.  I'm so excited to share my creation with you.  I call it "Peeking Into Paradise."

Peeking into Paradise

I've used a vintage keyhole as my muse for this piece.  I also have a vintage key that goes with the keyhole, but found that using both pieces was way too heavy for the necklace.  So in staying with the vintage design, I've used an antique brass oval chain from Artbeads.  I love the texture on the oval links and it gives the necklace the perfect drape on the neck.

For the splash of color, I chose a mix of Swarovski crystals - Capri Blue, Indicolite, Erinite, Montana Blue Sky and Aquamarine.  This mix reminds me of the Caribbean... crystal clear, beautiful azul waters - a true tropical paradise.  There's no comparison once you've seen Swarovski crystals.  Their fire and sparkle are unparalleled - seriously!

As a finishing touch for Peeking Into Paradise, I chose a Tierracast Brass Oxide Pewter Lock and Key toggle.  It's the perfect finishing touch for this vintage inspired piece.  I really love how well the Tierracast closures are made, they are a good sturdy metal that will withstand even the heaviest of jewelry designs.

I also received two Tierracast Pewter charms that were not featured in this necklace.  One is a hummingbird, the other a dragonfly.  Both are of exceptional quality just like the toggle.  I anticipate showing you those in the near future, in another creation - like a bracelet to match the necklace!

I'd like to thank Artbeads for giving me the opportunity to share these great products with you.  It was such a great creative process bringing in something old with the keyhole and then turning it into something new.  It's like letting history tell a story!

Necessary Legal Stuff:  I have received the following products for this jewelry design free of charge from Artbeads.com and I am honestly reviewing them.  I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received:  Tierracast Brass Oxide Lock and Key Toggle, Swarovski Crystal Bicones in Erinite, Indicolite, Montana Blue Sky, Swarovski Crystal 6 mm rounds in Capri Blue and Aquamarine, Antique Brass Oval Link Chain, Antique Brass head pins, eye pins and jump rings.

Review: Nicole's BeadBacking from The Beadwright

Black Tie Affair

Available in my Etsy Store.

I started falling in love with bead embroidery by following suggestions made in printed publications from the best bead embroidery artists.  It was a great place to start... but if we aren't learning something new on a daily basis then we aren't growing.

Recently I faced a quality challenge.  I had been using Lacy's Stiff Stuff (LSS) which is available through all the bead suppliers because it was recommended in the book.  What I found was that in larger, more detailed pieces, the more you pass over, around and through it, the more "fuzzy" for frayed it became.  (And to this curly girl... fuzzy is to close to frizzy and it makes me cringe)

So after putting countless hours into my masterpiece, I still had to go over it with a tweezers getting all of the fuzzies and straggler fibers off to make sure it looked perfect.

Ugh.... and then about the time you take Eleventy-billion photos, you realize there was one itty bitty thread that my eye didn't catch, but the magnified, detailed photos highlighted like a zit on your wedding day... it became a glaring object in my photo.

My search began for a better alternative... And by better, I mean MUCH better!  I've been a follower of Nicole Campanella's blog (The Beadwright) for quite some time now.  For a while I just read and drooled over her designs and saying "Someday I want to be able to do that."  Then I had this little mishap with LSS and had the perfect opportunity to try Nicole's signature product, her beadbacking.

Can I tell you... I LOVE it?!?!  It doesn't fray at all.  It's nice and stiff, and your needle slides through it like buttah... seriously.  It comes in a whole host of colors making messy dying a thing of the past (thank goodness).  And can you tell, I just love it? 

So if you are a bead embroiderer or you're thinking about trying bead embroidery, don't waste time on LSS.  Just use Nicole's BeadBacking.  It really is that much better and looks so much more professional!  Nicole's BeadBacking is sold in her Etsy store, which is where I bought it, and I think she has another online venue as well.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadwright

Thanks Nicole for organizing a custom package for me with the colors I use most often.  I sincerely appreciate it and can wait to share more with you.

{Hugs!}
~Dawn

P.S.  The photos above are of the first piece I finished with Nicole's BeadBacking.  What a difference black backing, with black thread makes in how a finished piece looks.  Black Tie Affair is the name of the piece and you can see it in person in my etsy store.

Pearls are a Girls Best Friend

Well Diamonds really fit that bill... but pearls rhymes with girls and rolls of the tongue beautifully!  So that's it... we'll stick with pearls!

WHY?  This is why...

This custom made jewelry set of pewter pearls with Czech FP rounds is striking... classy yet trendy with a pop of WOW!  I had gotten an e-mail from my website asking if I did custom orders.  It was from another jewelry artisan so I was immediately intrigued.  She creates jewelry, but doesn't work with seed beads, but she's always wanted a rope style necklace and bracelet that used Delicas and pearls.  So after making the copper and pearl bracelet, I sent her photos to see what she thought of that style!

It was a hit and is now en-route to it's new owner.  I know she'll love the way the pearl necklace sits on her collarbones!  It's really striking!

Today is the last day to vote for the Artbeads Make it for Mom Challenge.  If you haven't yet gotten in your vote, would you consider voting for my design Hope Eternal?  It was a labor of love from my heart with a very inspired message.  I greatly appreciate all those that have already voted and shared with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.

I hope you are having an inspired week!
Peace ♥ Happiness,
~Dawn

Voting starts TODAY for Artbeads Beading Contest

The Contest: Make it for Mom Challenge sponsored by Artbeads.com.

The rules: 

• I have to be at least 18 years of age - check
• The design had to include at least 50% materials and components from Artbeads.com - check
• Only one entry per person is allowed - check

The Entry:  Hope Eternal by Dawn Doucette

Hope Eternal by Dawn Doucette - Designs by Dawn Marie

Here's my description and inspiration for the design for this beautiful piece:  This design is inspired by someone that is like a mom to me. The courage that she exhibited through her personal battle against cancer and through her routine follow-ups is remarkable.

The name of this piece is called Hope Eternal – because until there is a cure, we all hold on to HOPE!

The gunmetal chain I used as a symbol of strength as a chain links us all together and is unbreakable.

The charms are a mix of delicate and bold in shades of pink. Representing woman as a whole and individuality by the mix of fire-polished czech glass beads, pearls and druk beads.

The pendant is 2 pieces. A silver disk with HOPE on either side. The second part is a beautiful pink enameled ribbon that moves freely in front of the Hope disk.

The finishing touch on Hope Eternal is a beautiful gunmetal toggle in a leaf motif. The artistic leaves met with the soft curve of the toggle bar add a creative pop at the collar bones.

While celebrating women around the world, this particular design is in honor of one special lady. Her optimism and hope have been an example for her family, friends and all those in her life!

The Voting:  Voting runs from today through Tuesday, May 10th at 11:59 p.m.
You can vote via their website which will have you log in with your Facebook account.
http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/112034/voteable_entries/21067254
You can also vote directly on Facebook via the app:  http://apps.facebook.com/promotionshq/contests/112034/voteable_entries/21067254

Each person is allowed only 1 vote - and you cannot change it once you've cast your vote.

The Winner:  One grand prize winner will be announced on May 12th and will win a $250 gift certificate to Artbeads.com

I feel proud to have my creation displayed among such talented artisans.  Would you please take a look at Hope Eternal, and consider voting for her.  She is a piece born from the heart that has such a deep, deep meaning this Mother's Day!  Once you vote, you will also be prompted to share this contest on Facebook.  The more people that vote, the better all the artisans involved will be judged.

To all Mom's, Fur Moms, Foster Moms, and Expectant Moms I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day surrounded in the love of your kids... whether two-legged or four-legged.  :)

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Have a beautiful day!

Peace & Love,

Dawn

Time for a makeover

A listing make over that is.  I've become a perpetual student of photography.  Always learning something new, reading online articles and blogs trying to gain more insight into the wonderful world of photographing inanimate objects - i.e. my jewelry.

So after learning a few new tricks, then the seasons change here in WI which also means my natural light changes and I find myself re-evaluating my current listing photos, seeing which ones I can improve and giving said listings makeovers... all while wearing pink fuzzy slippers. :)

Isn't it funny how just 30 days can make such a difference in the lighting in your home?  I find myself amazed (and seriously laughing at myself) as I take my special photo set up... you'd laugh if you really saw it... to the "BEST" spot for the perfect light that I'm looking for.  It's a seasonal thing, so for now it's about 4 times a year. 


Am I the only one that gives listing makeovers?  Seriously though... here's why:

Before Photo

After photo

See... isn't it so much better?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65394121/purple-lampwork-glass-and-seed-bead 


So whether you think I'm crazy... or you're joining me on the USS CrazyShip I hope you take a moment to appreciate those simple things around you... like sunlight!

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.  My fur children have promised I get to sleep in on Sunday! :)
{Hugs!}

Of Pearl Bridal Jewelry and Lightening

Sometimes inspiration strikes at very odd times... like in the middle of the night.  BUT it usually ends up being a great design.  

This was the case with this pearl necklace.  I made the turquoise and copper pearl bracelet using 6mm pearls a while back and "filled" my beaded netting.  I experimented using different size pearls to create a beaded bead.  And voila... it work out! YEAH!

So what do I do with a beaded bead... well I make another one of course.  Because if one is good, two is better.

Then both beads sit side by side on my beading mat until I was struck with inspiration lightening again.  Which I was (side note: that's why my hair is curly).  So I finished this piece with a double strand of pearls in the front with the largest centering the strands and graduating to smaller pearls at the edges. 

I finished the necklace with single strands of pearls and a toggle clasp.  Perfect for the classic romantic bride.  If you are a bride and this is your dream necklace e-mail me designsbydawnmd@gmail.com.  It is for sale and I'd be happy to make matching earrings.  Pearl Bridal Jewelry is a classic design, by adding crystals or beaded beads it's the perfect blend of traditional with contemporary.

Hope your day is filled with love!
{Hugs!}

YEAH - I fueled up - no more E

Finally, this weekend, spring decided to show up... Mother Nature has been traveling blindfolded and backwards since the "official" start of spring back in MARCH... Yes, it's remained cold, we've gotten snow and my tulips and daffodils have been crying - until this past Friday.

Friday brought glorious skies, warm sunshine and lobster red forearms from sitting out on the patio of a local coffee shop catching up with a dear friend for a few hours.  Seriously 2 hours turned my very pale, freckled Irish arms to the likes of Sebastion on My Little Mermaid. :)

I was able to hand deliver the chocolate swirls necklace and earrings this weekend.  I have to share, seeing the reaction on Jenna's face when she actually saw the jewelry in person for the first time was priceless.  If gas wasn't EightyBazillionJillion dollars per gallon, I'd hand deliver all my orders... everywhere.  But it is, so I won't be doing that anytime soon.

The sun also completely refilled my creativity tank.  When I have too many days in a row of no sunshine, the fuel meter on my creativity tank dips lower and lower and l-o-w-e-r... get the drift.  So after more than a week... I was running on E.  These last 72 hours of sunshine have be so very welcome.

I have designed a special piece for the Mother's Day Challenge at Artbeads.  No pictures yet.... I'll keep you waiting with baited breath! :)  I also designed a beautiful Ivory pearl necklace with special hand beaded focal beads.  Looking forward to sharing that with you as well!

For now... I'll share with you a photo of a new pair of earrings I created with some beautiful lampwork beads by JulsBeads!  These will be available in my Artfire Store shortly!

Hope your week is filled with creativity!
{Hugs!}
~Dawn