the BRONZE age

I always enjoy a good hunt.  That is, hunting for new and exciting products.  For a few years now, I've know of a company in Arizona that creates metal components, mainly for the jewelry trade.  Most of their items involve some of the more uncommon metals like titanium, stainless steel, mokume gane, reticulation silver, and bronze.

During my hunt, I captured a few pieces of bronze Sea Fan Coral.  The company ethically obtained a genuine sea fan skeleton, created a mold and replicated the sea fan in bronze.  Cool!

The texture and detail is amazing.  I can't wait to get these pieces into the Studio and start creating new jewelry designs!

What is bronze?  Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.  It's such a cool alloy that historians have named an entire "age" after it. 

SALE!

It's time for a little spring cleaning in my Etsy shop....use coupon code "SpringCleaning" for a 35% discount off everything in the shop!  Happy shopping!  Offer ends February 29th, midnight CST.




Fine Silver and Ruby Hearts earrings

 

Why I love being a Substitute Teacher

Today I received a note from a darling 1st grader.  The note reads:

My faveret coler is blue and green. I lik your shirt. have a nice day!

The note is complete with a bright and cheery flower and smiley face.

It may not seem like much, however I was only in this student's classroom for about an hour to assist with an English and writing lesson. 

I love teaching.  I always have. In a former career-life, I was a corporate trainer. I loved it. I educated adults in customer service techniques.  Now I mostly teach 6 to 12 year olds how to count coins and identify igneous rocks. 

At times I truly wondered if I had any impact on a child's life being a substitute teacher.  Then I receive a thoughtful note or picture from a student.  It's during these moments I know that I've touched their lives just as much as they have touched mine.

Pinterest

Only recently did I discover Pinterest...and I'm hooked!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, Pinterest is simply an online pin board where you can organize and share the things you love.  Brilliant!

Want to know more about my inspirations?  Check them out here on Pinterest.  :)

My obsession with TEXTURE, PATTERN, COLOR and FORM

These are some of my favorite examples of amazing color combinations and interesting uses of texture and form.  I have always believed art should be just as pleasing to the eye as it is to the hand.  Enjoy!

Queen Anne's Lace Embroidered Cuff by WaterRose on Etsy



Retro Modern Cube by 3Dots on Etsy



Knotted Dots Bracelet by tqbdesigns on Etsy



Drooplets inside-outside glasses by Plodes on Etsy



Stoneware Pomegranates by Studio Armoza on Etsy

 

REVEAL Day!

I can now reveal the Elements by Dawn necklace that is featured in the January edition of Bead Trends Magazine.....(drum roll, please)





Love Letter Necklace



Happy Holidays!

The Holidays are fast approaching! 

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect gift of handcrafted jewelry, check out Elements by Dawn on Etsy and use Coupon Code EbDFreeShip2011 for FREE domestic USPS Priority Shipping!!

Offer ends December 24th.

Peek-a-keum-boo

Keum Boo is the Korean art of bonding pure gold onto pure silver.  I have always admired the art and have finally included Keum Boo in my newest jewelry line.

Enjoy!

Keum Boo, 24Kt Gold and Fine Silver



Product Photography

I recently decided to outsource some product photography.  I did this primarily for three reasons. 

Reason #1 - I am not skilled enough to photograph shiny silver jewelry on a stark white background. 

Reason #2 - I do not have the patience to learn how to photograph shiny silver jewelry on a stark white background.

Reason #3 - I do not know any professional models.

I have left the task of product photography up to a fellow indie businesswoman, Brooke Becker, professional small product and stock photographer.  In the next few weeks I should have my 2012 Jewelry Line photographed and ready to reveal!

For a second photography project, I hired fashion photographer Jillian Milam.  She will be photographing my 2012 Jewelry Line on two beautiful models.

Both sets of photographs will be used in my website, product catalog and Etsy shop.

Bead Trends Magazine

I am very excited to announce that one of Elements by Dawn's new designs will be published in the January 2012 edition of Bead Trends Magazine!  Be sure to look for it at a newstand near you!

P.S. I'd love to give you a sneak-peek of the design, however, the publishers have asked to keep everything under wraps until the magazine comes out. 

Vacation!

I've recently returned from our annual family vacation. This year we traveled to the Black Hills of South Dakota with an overnight stay in the Badlands. 

This was one of the most beautiful, inspiring, and relaxing vacations our family has taken in a very long time.

We stayed in Custer State Park on Sylvan Lake.  We were surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, bold mountain formations, wildlife of all sorts, and peace and quiet.  We cooked over a campfire almost every night and enjoyed some S'mores too.

Cell phone and internet were non-existant.  We couldn't use them even if we tried.  The best part was, we didn't really miss them either...except once.

Enjoy the photos.....



Sylvan Lake




Mount Rushmore




Wild Bison Herd



Special 4th of July DISCOUNT

Elements by Dawn on Etsy is offering FREE Domestic and International shipping on all orders through July 5th, midnight CST. Use Coupon Code "Fireworks2011" to activate the discount when checking-out!!

HOW it's done.



Fine Silver Imperfect Circle Necklace



Over the next several days, I'll be putting together a tutorial for my Imperfect Ring fine silver necklace. 

If you'd like to create a pendant along with me, here is your tools and materials list:

Materials:

1. Fine silver wire, 10 gauge, about 6".
2. Neckchain of your choice, hand fabricated or conventional.
3. Small beads, gemstones, or crystals (optional).
4. 22 gauge Argentium sterling silver wire, about 6".
5. 2 sturdy Argentium sterling silver headpins, 2" long.
6. Clasp of your choice, hand fabricated or conventional.

Tools:

1. Torch
2. Heat-proof surface (solderite pad, charcoal brick, etc.)
3. Cross-lock tweezers
4. Small quenching bowl
5. Jeweler's saw with blades
6. Bench pin (optional)
7. Wooden dowel (optional)
8. Steel ring mandrel
9. Vise
10. Flush cutters
11. Planishing or ball pein hammer
12. Bee's wax or Burr Life
13. Rotary tumbler with 1LB mixed shot
14. Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
15. Assorted hand files
16. Center punch
17. Flexshaft or Dremel-like tool
18. Texturing wheel (optional)
19. Assorted drill bits
20. Steel bench block
21. Rawhide hammer
22. Safety glasses

RECIPE TIME

I haven't shared any new recipes in a while...so ready your apron, mixing bowl, and favorite dinner guests!

This recipe is as delicious to eat as it is to serve. Promise!

Tomato-y Shrimp with Zucchini and Pasta
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 8oz. can tomato sauce (no salt version, if possible)
2 TBS canola oil (divided)
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1 medium-sized zucchini
1 medium-sized yellow summer squash
1 pound raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails off)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
Cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce (to taste)
8oz pasta (orecchiette, bow-tie or campanelle)

• Combine tomato sauce, chopped basil, 1 TBS canola oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne. (go light on the cayenne/Tabasco at this point, you can always add more later!)
• If needed, peel, devein, and remove tails from shrimp. Rinse in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Add shrimp to the tomato-basil sauce and stir well, making sure all shrimp is nicely coated in sauce.  Set aside to marinate.
• While the shrimp is marinating, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is al dente and set aside for later.
• While pasta is cooking. wash zucchini and squash. Remove stems. Slice squash lengthwise into quarters. Cut into 1/4" thick slices.
• In a large skillet or wide-bottom sauce pan, heat the remaining 1TBS canola oil on medium-high heat. 
• Gently sauté the squash for 1 -2 minutes.
• Add the shrimp-tomato-basil mixture to the squash. Cook for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Add the pasta to the shrimp-tomato-basil-squash mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta.
• Cook until all ingredients are hot (1 - 3 minutes more), stirring often.
• Add more cayenne/Tabasco, if desired.
• Garnish with whole basil leaf (optional).

Serve with crusty bread and a mixed greens salad.

Variations on a Theme

I know not everyone wants or can afford a necklace dripping with gemstones and precious metal! 

As a jeweler, you have to keep your customers in mind when creating new designs.  Often I'll create variations on a theme.  Similar pieces with varying degrees of extravagance.  Most designs will be quite simple and classic, but a few will kick up the wow factor for those who want something just a little extra special.

A few days ago, I showcased a gorgeous necklace with nearly 140 carats of gemstones.  It definitely has that wow factor!  However, the practical side of me and many of my customers know that it's not something you'd wear everyday while grocery shopping or while lounging at the beach. That's where this piece comes in:

A sleeker version of the "Love Letter" necklace.  It features petite Peridot gemstones and an Argentium Sterling Silver neckchain. Perfect for everyday wear.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to extend a delightful Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Husband, and especially all the other Dad's who are not able to be with their children or families today.

A growing tradition in our family is to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day as a weekend event.  Gifts are not generally exchanged, but good food and good company are definitely a must!

Last night we went out to a great little German restaurant so my husband could enjoy some German beer and his favorite German meal (Rouladen) complete with Apple Strudel.

This morning, I'll whip up some blueberry pancakes with sausage. Yum!

As for the rest of the day...it will center around relaxation and good 'ol family time....complete with a game of Monopoly or Clue.

New TOOLS! New GEMSTONES! New DESIGNS!!

So, what have I been doing for the past few months??  Well, I've purchased a few new and totally cool tools. I went on a gemstone buying trip and bought some amazing stones.  I've been experimenting with my new tools and gemstones to create a few new designs. 

This is a sneak peek at my latest design. 

This design was created with nearly 140 carats of amazingly beautiful rhodolite garnets and a gorgeous fine silver "love letter" pendant. 

The pendant was created by passing a piece of fine silver sheet through my rolling mill with a section of a low-relief paper pattern.  The rolling mill compresses the pattern onto the fine silver, destroying the original paper pattern in the process.  The pendant is then shaped, drilled, filed, buffed, polished and work-hardened* in my rotary tumbler for about 10 hours.

*Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver and is a very soft metal that must be properly work-hardened to make the metal more durable and less prone to bending and warping.

The Poor Deserted Blog

Has it really been over 2 months since I posted.  Well, I guess the Blog doesn't lie.  April was my last entry.

Well, let's get back into the swing of things!

MILESTONE

Celebrate my 100th sale with a special promotion....FREE domestic shipping through April 30th!! Use Coupon Code "EbDFreeShip2011"


Visit my Shop and take a peek.  I'll be adding new items in the coming weeks, so if you don't see your must-have piece, check back soon.  Or contact me for a custom handmade piece of jewelry!

Happy Spring!

Oh bother!  It's that time of year when working in my one window studio makes me not want to be in the studio. 

The sun is shining, the grass is getting greener everyday, and folks are coming out of hibernation.  Kids are zooming by on bicycles and scooters.  Even my own kids asked for a frisbee the other day.  Of course, the really funny thing is that the weather is still barely above freezing most days!!  I suppose 34*F feels like a heat wave compared to -20*F though. 

I can't wait for the trees to start budding and flowes to bloom.  Ah, spring!