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!

My Green Thumb

This is the during... I should have taken a "Before pic... ooops!

In addition to making jewelry, I also love gardening. I love seeing the flowers bloom all summer long and playing "tag" with the bees... they are always it, and I NEVER want to be stung. We haven't yet developed that balance between gardener & pollinators... LOL

So this post is just a little aside from the jewelery design... but still fun!

About 2 years ago, I was up at my grandma's house, and she was watering all her indoor plants when a sprout of aloe broke off . She gave it to me saying if I went home and put it in a glass of water, it would root and I could plant it.

So I did.... and so it did! My little 2" sprig of Aloe rooted and I planted it in a beautiful piece of pottery. (The 3rd from the right in the photo below.) It sits in a really sunny window in our kitchen. It had grown so much it was overflowing the pot and had "aloe vines" growing down the side, outside the pot.

So it was time to transplant.... my one little 2" sprig of aloe turned into 4 full size plants, 2 small planters and another full size planter that's up in my bedroom (not in the picture.) Crazy, I know, but I wanted to share with you. Aloe is a heaven sent plant... from cuts to burns, it's amazing for chapped lips and dry skin. I've even used it as a moisturizer on my face before bed.

So here's my after picture of most of my plants. I'll be able to share the wealth now. I have a pot for my siblings, so they too can use the aloe to heal.

Have a green day!

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!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everybody!
(you can click on the photos to the left to enlarge them and see the detail)


I hope your holiday festivities were wonderful. Between Christmas & New Years is always a busy time when you have a huge, wonderful family. So I spent a lot of time with family, and not as much in my studio.

But last night, yes New Years Eve, I had just put my lasagna in the oven to bake and I had an inspiration - that kind of excited, can't let it go, gotta use my hands and create sort of inspiration. I'm getting together with my very best girlfriend for many, many years to celebrate our Christmas together this coming Saturday. She's had an unbelievably difficult 2008 and through the most impossible situations she's stayed positive and strong.

While they say adversity builds strength... Angela had no idea how much strength she really had in her. After being hit by a car and crushing her lower spinal column, having a major back surgery, then rehab and ongoing therapy, she's been incredible. Most people would find themselves wallowing in self-pity and crying. Not Ang, she pulled up the courage from deep inside, got involved with a spinal support group - that prior to the accident she organized & taught through the rehabilitation facility she works at - and became a persevering patient.

It's hard to be the student once you've been the teacher. I admire you Ang - you have an undivided love for life and have learned that living in the moment is truly precious! I made this piece of art for you... to celebrate love & life!

Happy New Year! 2009 will bring you much success, love & joy!

Butterflies and Happy Thoughts!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful... downright chilly actually! I know it's just winter in WI, but come on Mother Nature, you've created so many beautiful things... but the frigid -0 temperatures are a little over the top!

When it gets cold like this, it's a perfect time to grab a good cup of coffee, my wire & beads and start creating something new!

In this piece, I was thinking of happy summer days, running in the yard with the dogs and gardening in my many gardens. We have so many beautiful gardens and get all kinds of gorgeous butterflies. So here's a butterfly inspired bracelet. (Just click the picture for a larger view)

Have a Merry Christmas!

Dawn

It's only just begun!

As I begin this blog, I type with excitement. I've always had a creative mind... just didn't always have a way to express myself.

Back in October, I had a "discussion" or rather a wake up from a higher power. I just kept hearing "Follow your dreams!" as a message. What the heck did that mean? I've been self employed working side-by-side with Chris, my soulmate and partner for 2 years. It's been incredible, but with the downfall of a company we were partnered with, we both found ourselves searching for the next adventure and wanting to really find something we were passionate about.

I kept hearing "Follow your dreams!" and so began my journey to learn the art of jewelry making. I bought books and immersed myself in learning. I was like a sponge absorbing everything I could take in. From wire wrapping to metal smithing I wanted to learn it all.

But we all have to start somewhere... right?

So I purchased a few tools, some supplies - oh yes and some spakley gemstones which I'm working toward learning how to set (that's the ultimate goal) and I was off and creating.

Well, to make a long story short, I've just sold my first piece of jewelry... and received rave reviews from the purchaser who is giving it as a Christmas gift. For me to put my creativity into a piece of jewelry ... and to have someone really like what I've created is a special treat!

So now I'm here, sharing my creations with you! I'm more than happy to design custom pieces just for you! Here's the funky & wild necklace & matching earrings that I sold!

Happy Holidays to all! ~Dawn Marie

Here's another piece I created that turned out just beatiful! I made matching earring to go with the necklace too. I gave it as a gift to a very special niece... and it looked just gorgeous on her!