Creating a Custom Order and getting Christmas Requests

Yes, it's not yet Halloween, but can I tell you how much I love people that plan in advance to give really special gifts for the holidays?  Indeed I have started taking holiday custom orders.  I am honored to create something so special for their loved ones!  Now that's all I'm going to say about that because Shhhhhh, the rest is a secret!

And now for a piece of custom made jewelry I can share...

I was commissioned to design a piece to adorn a particular dress.  I skyped with my client so I could see the dress on her and get a feel for what style would work best with the dress.  Her dress was a vibrant shade of coral - bordering on deep orange depending on the lighting.  It has a deep v-neckline and shiny gold accents!  GOLD... are you seeing it everywhere this season?  I am seeing bright yellow gold making a come back in everything from belts to jewelry and purses.

I was excited to play in the yellow gold world for a first time in a long time!

This neckwire is PERFECT for the V-neckline of the dress... I was so excited to find it the wheels just started turning!  So I used Swarovski crystals in the Padparadascha shade (say that one 10 times fast) along with turquoise accents.  I just love that pairing together!

The finished product is elegant, sparkly and on trend with the gold theme that's en-vogue for this fall!  And even more special is that it is the PERFECT compliment for my wonderful client.  What other trends are you seeing?

{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!

So Many WIP - So Little Time

My motto through college (or should we say my excuse for procrastination) was "I work better under pressure!"  Have you ever said the same thing?

In this case, it really is about many, many projects all going on simultaneously!  I have "online" work that makes my eyes go batty... then I have my commissioned jewelry orders that make my artisan heart go pitter patter.

Because my to do list is thissssssssssssssssssssssssssss long, I'm going to get back to it and leave you with pictures of just 3 of my current projects that I've organized and have ready to start.

Coral, Turquoise and Gold Ensemble

Bold & Festive

Don't call me proud... I'm a peacock!

Win a Designs by Dawn Marie Artisan Jewelry Set in Lake Geneva WI this Weekend

This weekend, the Geneva Lake Women's Association is hosting a grand, gala event in Lake Geneva, WI.  The GLWA organization supports so many good causes and helps so many people in our local area, that I knew I wanted to do something special to give back and they'd put my something special to good use!

GLWA every year gives out a scholarship to a young woman in the area that has been active in her community, done well in her academics and is going on to further her education in order to give back to her community.  As a scholarship recipient when I went off to college, I know just how helpful opportunities like the GLWA scholarship are. 

As part of The Big Easy Jazz Cocktail Cruise, they are having a New Orleans Mardi Gras style event.  To make this event really special it all takes place on the Lady of the Lake - a grand and glorious old boat from the Lake Geneva Cruise Line fleet.  From cocktails and hours d'oeuveres to fantastic music, dancing and legal gaming the entire event culminates with the Venetian Festival boat parade and watching fireworks on the water.  Originally Chris & I were planning on attending the event as it's sure to be a great time, but since Brandi is still healing and we can't leave her alone, I've created something really special as a donation for their auction prizes.

This necklace is called Embrace Your Inner Beauty!

I was inspired to create a piece that speaks to the young women that are applying and receiving the scholarships from the GLWA.  At an age where messages from society are coming at us so fast - where to eat, what to wear, what you should be, who you should hang around with - and our decisions become the foundation for our future, I wanted to showcase being true to yourself.

We're all unique, made special and we all have a gift to share with the world.  The bold colors in this design along with the hint of asymmetry showcase an individual style.  This is for the woman that's not afraid to share her voice with the world.  She's not afraid to be noticed and she's sure to make a difference in the lives she touches. 

At the bottom is a cute little charm that says "Be Yourself" a gentle reminder that who you are is really special.  I hope the woman that wins this necklace (or a smart man who's going to give his wife an awesome gift) continues to share her message with the world.  Follow her heart and make a difference in the lives she touches. 



If you're local and still need to get your tickets to The Big Easy Jazz Cocktail Cruise on Lake Geneva, visit the GLWA website at:  http://www.GLWA.net  Funny side note, I'm about to publish this blog post and I hear The Morning Blend in the background a featuring this special event!  Serendipity... I think so!

Embrace Your Inner Beauty ... and let your glow be seen!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

I Just Experienced a True Miracle and I'm Overcome with Gratitude

Be forewarned, this story has a happy ending and a wiggly butt! :)

Really?  I'm not having a baby?? I feel like it...

So over the last week, my beloved springer Brandi developed a finicky appetite.  Odd for a dog that is normally ravenous... but it's exactly the same symptom she had when we found a bladder infection in her back in May.  Felt her tummy, it felt full, so it must be a little bloating.  Wednesday we went to the vet for what I thought was a check for a bladder infection, more antibiotics and rest.

We took X-rays and found a huge mass in Brandi's abdomen.  Yes... M-A-S-S and I saw the x-ray, it was very big.  Because we can't tell from an x-ray just how it decided to grow in there our only option was a mass removal surgery.   I knew going into surgery it was a life or death surgery.  And I was only going to do right by Brandi... I would never put my baby through discomfort or unnecessary pain if she couldn't live a quality of life.  Note:  Back in May when she had the bladder infection, we did a full ultrasound specifically looking for any abnormalities or growths.  There were NONE!

Yesterday was surgery... I'll spare you all the emotional moments as there were many.  Suffice it to say, the surgery took 2 hours.  They removed a tumor that weighed 7.3 lbs.  (She was only 40 lbs including the tumor going into surgery.)  The tumor had grown around one of her kidneys and adhered to her spleen, so she had them removed.  The following 24 hours would be critical.  We needed to keep her blood pressure down so she doesn't throw a blood clot.... more waiting, praying all the prayers I could pray... and wait.

You have GOT to be kidding me...

My phone rang at 9:05 last night... it was the vet.  I was expecting an evening update, but wasn't prepared for what happened next.

"How's Brandi? Is she doing okay?"
"Um, Dawn, you live close to the clinic right?"
"Yes" a pit building in my stomach
"Well I think you should come down here and get her."
"Okay.... is she okay?"
"Yes, she's recovering fine.  But she's a true springer and getting very antsy.  She's actually standing on her own and walking.  She's not letting the morphine sedate her so I'm concerned her anxiety will raise her blood pressure.  I think if she was in a familiar, quiet environment she'd sleep much better."
"Okay... I'll be right there."

Fast forward, I wake up this morning at 5:45 to a loving, happy Springer cuddling me in bed with beautiful, bright eyes.  She's amazingly strong.  She's amazingly mine... my baby girl. 

Sorry it's fuzzy, cell phone in a dark bedroom

What happened was a miracle... even talking with the vet today at a follow up check up... the fact he was able to get the solid, dense mass out of such a small frame without damaging vital organs was a miracle.  To me, the fact he kept going was a miracle.  Brandi will be 13 in November, most vets would have seen the entire abdomen filled with tumor and not have gone on thinking she's just an old girl, she'll never recover.  But Dr. Chris saw the twinkle in Brandi's eye and her spirited, feisty demeanor prior to surgery.  She spent the morning at the vet clinic before her surgery keeping the front desk ladies company while they waited for her blood work results.  She was lovin up on all of them!  So he knew, she was a fighter... if he could just get that tumor out.

I physically saw the tumor when I picked her up last night... I'm still in awe.  THAT was in THERE???? Really?  (I took pictures but am not putting them here for my queasy stomached sister AMY and brother) If you're into ER dramas and want to see them, e-mail me.

Special THANK YOU to Dr. Chris Welch and his wife Dr. Kelly Roy at Geneva Lakes Animal Hospital who both helped Brandi.  You BOTH treated Brandi as if she was one of your own.  She's my baby and your unending determination to make sure she was in the best place possible is priceless to me.  To have my baby girl home, happy and healing after what most people would never have attempted is so special.  From the bottom of my heart... Thank You.

So for now... I'm going to be spending time being a Licking Referee, keeping Bella otherwise occupied so she's calm and being grateful for the many, many blessings I received this week. 

Hugs & Love!
Dawn

Summer Lovin with a Twist of Heavy Metal

Metallic finishes are everywhere right now... from faux finishes on jeans to shoes and other accessories, not to mention the metal surrounding the 2012 Olympics (gold, silver and bronze).  The metallic finishes I'm not so fond of are the kind in my teeth commonly called fillings - but we won't discuss that here.

Behold Your Inner Strength

This design challenge excited me when I saw the kit that Amy Severino of Amybeads put together.  I've had the intention of creating something in metallics for a long time and just never had the inspiration on where or what that piece would be.  Enter Amy's challenge kit and voila... then a plan and a design were born.

I loved the tree pendant Amy included in the kit.  To me, it spoke of being rooted in something bigger than ourselves, of staying connected to our spirit guides, faith and the universe.  As leaves on a tree change colors going from summer to fall, then drifting slowly to the ground, becoming one with the earth that we too are to leave a piece of ourselves wherever we go making it a better place than it was before we got there.

I posted this sign on my FB page the other day.  

It struck me in that we shouldn't just leave (EXIT), rather we should do something while we're here in order to leave a legacy! EXIST!

That's a feeling, an energy I embodied while creating this necklace.  The copper leaves slowly cascade from the pendant and rustle like the pile of leaves we used to play in as kids playing in the yard.  I pulled in shades of pewter, silver, brass, bronze, gold and copper to embody all the precious metals.  This too reminding us how precious our life is and how truly fleeting it can be.

Root ~ Stay Connected ~ Do Something Wonderful ~ Pass it On

This piece came together over several months.  As time went on and I watched my design grow, it took on a life of it's own, literally.  I could see it blossoming into something bigger.  I could see more components being added.  In the end, this piece is the perfect depiction of a life well lived... it's beautiful while it's here and continues to spread beauty for generations to come!

Thanks for stopping by!  Now here's all of the participants in the Summer Lovin' Challenge that Amybeads so graciously put together!  Hope you feel more inspired after stopping by!
{Hugs!} ~ Dawn

Renetha LampLightCrafts

Kepi   A little of this, a little of that...

Shannon Falling Into the Sky

Maryanne Zingala's Workshop

Shirley Beads and Bread

You are HERE  ---> Dawn Designs by Dawn Marie 

Therese Therese's Treasures 

Vimala The Bead Diaries

Ginger lilmummy likes...

Linda Lindy's Designs

Kristen My Bead Journey

Lois ¿Que Onda Q'town?
Debbie Beechy Beetique
Tanya A Work in Progress
Audrey Dreams of Absolution
Sandra Stories from the City of Brass
Mary MLH Jewelry Designs
Lori B.
Lucy K.

An Eye for Color Comes in Handy

Welcome Home Greg Doucette!

So when my dear, little brother (who towers over me at 6' tall) sends me an e-mail with color swatches of Tweety Bird Yellow, Blaze Orange and Electric Blue saying these are the colors he thinks would look best in his new house the color wheel in my head started spinning, then smoke started coming out my ears and then I volunteered to help paint.

Yes, that's the events of last week that led to a very busy weekend and a few achy muscles - but those weren't too bad and the result is so worth it.

The Original Color was a peach with wayyyy too much pink for Greg.

On Friday, my brother purchased his first home.  It's a well-built solid ranch with 3 bedrooms, a full, finished basement, a 2 car garage all on a nice mature lot in the small town of Brooklyn, WI.  The home was a fore-closure, so he got it for the right price knowing he'd need to put in a bit of elbow grease before he moved in and plopped down in front of the playstation.  The good news is the majority of the work is all cosmetic.

The home was dirty, so Greg's home inspectors said "Just use a little Dawn, it'll clean this place right up for you."  To which Greg responded, "Great, I'll call her right now."  (Yep, no sense of humor here... no sireee!)

After seeing his thoughts on paint colors, then talking with him about how he wanted his rooms to feel when he comes in from work, or sits down to enjoy a weekend the "Wants" were very different than the colors he thought he wanted.  He wanted a warm, cozy feel that allowed him to relax.  But he really likes orange (Note: Blaze Orange was NOT painted in the kitchen)

What Greg didn't realize that I was able to help share with him is that you can get "orange" in a whole host of colors that can still give you the warm, cozy feel you are looking for.

So thus far, we got the kitchen painted (2 coats) from top to bottom - ceilings are the worst part of painting.  We've got the paint for the living room and are playing with options for the color of the master bedroom.  While I painted, mom cleaned and my dad with the brother-in-laws helped Greg install 2 new toilets and tear up stinky, icky carpet from the basement.

It's awesome to see the progress and even more awesome to share in one of the biggest moments of Greg's life!  He's come such a long way in 8 years and I'm a beaming big sister right now!
{Hugs!}

Love how Mulling Spice brings out the warm coloring in the floors and trim!

For Sapphire Lovers - Sparkly Dangle Earrings

Are you a September Baby - or are you just classy enough to love sapphires?

As I'm walking through stores this summer, I've been looking at color trends.  Two distinct trends keep popping up... there's a shade of mango that seems to be everywhere from throw pillows, to patio place settings to clothing and accessories!

The other color that is all over the places is that rich shade of cobalt or sapphire blue!  I know we've seen red, white & blue color palettes in place every summer as people love the marine theme.  But this year cobalt blue has taken center stage all on it's own.

When my sister picked cobalt blue and silver as her wedding colors for a June wedding I thought "What??? A jewel tone in the summer???"  Then as the wedding got closer, I started seeing cobalt blue everywhere.  It's a bright pop of bold among the tradition summery orange, turquoise and lime shades.

To bring in that touch of sapphire as an accessory I created these artisan beaded earrings, Don't Cry for September.  Each earring features a genuine paua shell in the center surrounded by sparkly crystals and tiny seed beads. There's something so magical about looking at the iridescent lining of a shell.  These Paua shells are no different.  They display vivid shades of blue transitioning to green and grey even.  Depending on the lighting you'll see that magical rainbow dancing in the middle of these earrings. Dangling off the bottom of the earring is a beautiful glass teardrop in a sapphire shade. 

These earrings aren't just for September babies (like myself) but for anybody that loves that elegant shade of cobalt blue.  The earwires are an antique silver creating a vintage inspired, chic design.

One-of-a-Kind Artisan Earrings Created by Lake Geneva, WI Jewelry Artisan

Don't Cry for September

These are truly one-of-a-kind for the woman that likes to be fashionable and still have flexibility in her accessories!  If you are interested, use the Buy it Now button above or e-mail me dawn@designsbydawnmarie.com and I would be happy to arrange delivery of these beautiful earrings to your home.

Each piece of custom jewelry I create is special and comes from my heart.  If you would like to have a piece of custom artisan jewelry designed just for you, contact me.  I'd be happy to collaborate on your vision and turn it into a piece of artisan jewelry you can pass down to your future heirs.

Have a fabulous day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn