The Only Time You'll see my BUTT plastered all over the Internet - No worries its G-Rated

What a fun weekend!  Seriously, lots of laughs and running around without pants on.  Oops, did I just type that... well maybe I better do a little rewind so you don't think I'm some freaky teaky joining a nudist colony going into winter.

Once upon a time (on Saturday) I had a friend Carol that was having an open house.  The open house was a blast.  Carol is an exceptional hostess and does all the right things ahead of time to market and ensure a great event.  Hostess with the mostess...

This time, in addition to asking me to share my Designs by Dawn Marie jewelry, Carol displayed and demonstrated her Miche Bag purse system.  Love the Miche Bag and love how Carol shares the product without EVER being pushy or "salesy."  She's an awesome relationship builder which makes her parties even more fun. 

I saw lots of faces that I knew from other parties Carol has hosted.  It was so sweet to hear people say they came just to see what new jewelry designs I had created.  I was able to share my bead embroidery jewelry with Carol's friends which hadn't seen this style of my jewelry in the past.  I got lots of "OMG, you MADE that!!  How do you have the patience?" 

We also had Art, from Purple Creek come.  He purchases gold & silver (and at a mighty fine price.)  Purple Creek pays out better than any local jewelry stores and WAY better than the Cash 4 Gold commercials you see.  Plus their reps test the gold & silver right in front of you so you see exactly what your pieces are and you get paid right there on the spot.  GREAT home party if you're looking for a win/win.  You and your guests all walk away with more $$ than you came in with. Cool - YES, very!

BUT... the something different about this event was so much fun I plastered a picture of my butt on Facebook!  SERIOUSLY... and I've NEVER done that before!  

Giving SparkleButt a Whole New Meaning!

Carol had invited a woman that demonstrates Vault Denim.  I had never heard of Vault Denim before and all Carol knew was that she brings in blue jeans in all sorts of sizes and you purchase them right there.  I tried to go online to see what the jeans look like ahead of time, but their website doesn't show their jeans.  That's because their inventory is always changing.  They get designer jeans that are factory overstocks and sell them for 1/2 of what you'd pay in the store for designer jeans.  Okay... I'd never pay for designer jeans in the store, so I went in with an open mind. 

I walked into Carol's living room and squeeled like a little girl.  SERIOUSLY... as I looked at all the jeans that the woman was setting up (because I was there early to set up my jewelry too) I was seeing crystals and rhinestones all around the room.  OMG I was in BLING heaven!  Were the jeans ever cute and the denim was a good quality denim. 

So I dropped my drawers and started trying on... okay I didn't do it in the living room, I went to a bedroom first.  I tried on 14 pairs of jeans (and I really, really, REALLY dislike trying on blue jeans because they NEVER fit right.)  Yes, I tried on at least 14 pairs and finally narrowed the lot down to 6 - did you hear me?  I found 6 pairs that I liked and that looked good on me.   Again, that NEVER happens!  I'm pretty sure the angels in heaven were all singing Hallelujah because I was having a BLAST and kept looking at my butt in the mirror.

We were laughing and having such a great time that I had to spread the word to answer the question so many people that were invited to the party had:  What type of jeans does Vault Denim have.  A:  Super cute well cut jeans that have spandex so they fit comfortably, wear just right (and hold their shape!)  That way people knew what to expect that were pondering coming to the open house or not.  If they like cute jeans, they were there!

So alas, my butt in some blingy hot blue jeans ended up on Facebook and we had a great turnout at the party.  Seriously, I don't know where all Vault Denim currently has distributors, but if they are in your area, this is a GREAT idea for a girls night out party.  You will have a blast!  If you're in my area (SE WI or northern IL) I've got a great woman to connect you with.  She was really helpful with fitting and finding those pairs that were "perfect" for your personality.

For the record, I did narrow down the 6 pairs to just my favorite.  AND They got the stamp of approval from Chris when I wore them home... and the rest is all history! ;)

Hope your week is fantastic!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

P.S. This party was just what my creative heart needed with so many life "issues" going on for the past several weeks.  I'm headed to the studio to create some new pieces and I can't wait to share with you exactly what comes of it! YEAH!

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To start your Christmas shopping, visit http://www.DesignsByDawnMarie.com for a special section of the online store just for Christmas Gifts.  Dawn Doucette is an artisan that creates OOAK custom beaded jewelry blending her unique style with the personality of the recipient to make something truly special.

Here is an Awwwww Moment to start your weekend out with a fuzzy feeling

Fuzzy like cute... not fuzzy like one.too.many.glasses.of.wine fuzzy.  I have an open house this weekend at my dear friend Carol's house - who coincidentally sells Miche purses.  If you don't know what a Miche Bag is, check out Carol's website:  http://www.my.michebag.com/carol_murphy

Miche Bag Readers Digest Version:  NEVER Dump your purse to change bags again.  Miche is a base bag with interchangeable shells now in 4 different sizes!

She does a fall open house every year and has asked me to again join her this year.  So I'll be headed over there to set up Designs by Dawn Marie jewelry ahead of time.  So while I've been tagging pieces and putting the finishing touches on my display... I wanted to share a picture with you that will make you go awwwwwwww.

Yes these are my girls, finding their "new" normal.  As I work, they have learned to really love each other (which is saying a lot for my almost 12 year old Springer Brandi.)  Little Bella blew into the house like an F5 tornado over the summer and finally they are learning to play - and actually love each other.  This photo was taking yesterday.  Brandi was sleeping on the VERY cushy dog bed and Bella wanted to cuddle.  So she jumped up next to Brandi, curled up in a ball and away they both did sleep.  Did I tell you I love my girls?

Hope you weekend is filled with sweet and tender Awwww moments!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

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Dawn Doucette is a jewelry artist based out of her studio in Wisconsin.  You can learn more about Dawn on her website: http://www.DesignsbyDawnMarie.com.  As an artist, Dawn specializes in creating custom beaded jewelry that perfectly mirrors the recipients personality.  Currently she's added a Christmas Gift section to her online store of finished jewelry designs.  She is happy to gift wrap your purchase so it's ready to put under your tree!

Creating Heirloom Jewelry for a Special Lady at Just the Right Time

One of the warmest, fuzziest feelings for me is when I can make somebody's day.  Whether it's surprising them with a handwritten card out of the blue, buying them a coffee or designing a piece of jewelry that perfectly matches their personality.

Key to Her Heart - Bead Embroidered Art Jewelry

For the second present from my birthday giveaway the lucky winner was Gen Voss, The Diversified Crafter.  After Bella chose Gen as the winner, I set out to get to know Gen's personality and discussed with her what colors and styles she likes. 

What I learned about Gen is that she's all heart.  This woman maintains a positive attitude, is constantly supportive of her online and offline family AND she's a wonderful mother, grandmother and GREATgrandmother.  Now that's some big shoes to fill Gen!

I wanted to make a special piece for Gen that she would be able to pass down to her daughter or granddaughter someday.  What I designed is a work of bead embroidery art!  I call it "Key to Her Heart."  When I e-mailed Gen the photos, she e-mailed back in tears because this came at just the perfect moment for her.  Gen needed a pick me up on a particularly difficult day and I'm so glad this necklace was the perfect solution.

Bead Embroidery as a style of design just resonates with me.  I just love how each bead has it's own voice and how they all play together to create texture, color and send a message.  The voice behind Gen's necklace said it was a vintage romantic at heart and indeed it was.

Hope your day is filled with beautiful things!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Dawn Doucette is a jewelry artist based out of her studio in Wisconsin.  You can learn more about Dawn on her website: http://www.DesignsbyDawnMarie.com.  As an artist, Dawn specializes in creating custom beaded jewelry that perfectly mirrors the recipients personality.  Currently she's added a Christmas Gift section to her online store of finished jewelry designs.  She is happy to gift wrap your purchase so it's ready to put under your tree!

Birthday Giveaway Presents Revealed

So excited to share with you the first of the birthday presents I gave away.  If you're new to my blog, I had a brief stint on the Celebrity Creators Television show.  On my live show I talked about turning your passion and purpose into a viable business.  I also offered to give away a piece of custom made Designs by Dawn Marie jewelry to one lucky winner.


Well my little Bella has a big mouth and picked two winners.  So here's the present I created for Nancy.  Actually when Nancy found out she won, she asked me to create something special for her granddaughter.  So my first step was to find out a bit more about her granddaughter.  I saw a photo, learned her age, found out the colors she likes and what type of jewelry she wears.

As a teen, she wears a lot of black and red.  So I wanted to make something really "cool" that she'd wear to school or the movies and feel beautiful wearing.  I created a necklace and bracelet set.  The custom made necklace is a choker style with a vintage style skeleton key dangling.  It's a touch of gothic with a dance of vintage romanticism.

For the matching bracelet, I used the classic tiffany-style bracelet with the heart charm.  I used a substantial gunmetal chain and added a few dangly charms, one being a great crystal heart.  Again it has that flair of romanticism with the pop of color!

I can't wait to hear what Nancy's granddaughter thinks when she gets her pretty package.  From what Granny said, she's a very special girl that deserves to be treated as such.  She makes her Granny very proud and it was such a priviledge to create a set for this special girl.  It really touched my heart to be brought into the family.

So I ask my fellow artisan friends, what is one of the most special pieces of custom jewelry you've been asked to create?  I love to hear stories from the heart and I know we all share in the sentimental moments!  So let's spread love together! 

The other winner was Gen and I have finished her heirloom necklace and will be sharing that later this week.  I can't wait to show Gen and hear her reaction.  Hopefully it's the perfect piece that matches her beautiful, generous heart!

Have a terrific week! {Hugs!}

Wordless Wednesday - Captions are like small print so they don't count

This week in 2009 - view from my desk

Oct 24, 2009 - My front yard

Sunset 2009 - the evening my nephew Liam was born

2 years ago, 10/20/2009 - happy birthday little Liam!

Just cuz baby toes are cute!

Awareness Jewelry - Having a message and sharing it beautifully

Some of the most special pieces of custom made jewelry I've been able to design are awareness pieces.  Not only are the designs special because they are OOAK, but the message the recipient is sharing by wearing such a piece proudly is even more profound.

While awareness jewelry isn't something I keep in my store at all times, when I have the opportunity to create something special, it makes me so very happy.  Here's a few of the designs I've created recently as custom orders for different awareness messages.

Diabetes Awareness - Symbolized as a Grey Ribbon

Breast Cancer Awareness Brooch

Domestic Violence Awareness - A Purple Ribbon

If you are looking for a really special gift for someone, maybe you're now considering a piece of custom beaded jewelry with their symbolic awareness ribbon.  I'd be happy to help if you are thinking about it.  Drop me an e-mail and we'll create something beautiful together!

Wordless Monday - Hey it could happen and I think it starts today okay?

Taken of Cody in 2009