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.