Under Sea Adventure Necklace

Because sometimes when life gets hard, we just want to run away and put our toes in the sand and let the water lap over our feet all while looking for seashells and smelling the saltwater dancing through the air.

I'm so proud to share this necklace with you.  As my assignment from Cousin Corporation this month, we were shipped a box of beads, wire and findings that are part of a brand new line with one of their clients.  We were instructed to only use the materials in the box to create something really unique that would showcase our style and personality.

After daydreaming about playing in the sand and scuba diving (which I've never done, but really want to try some day) I was enchanted with the glass bugle beads I received.  They are the most luscious, elegant shade of teal with a silver metallic lining, making each one vibrant and beautiful.  Because I love to create jewelry that really creates drama and WOW, I paired those beads with over 170 tiny crystals in this dramatic necklace.

Each bead and crystal is hand stitched one-at-a-time.  Which means as I struggled to find peace and balance this month, each moment of time I was able to sit down and work on this helped me find my zen.

I love how this necklace turned out and I'm already anxious to have it back from Cousin so I can wear it out!  :)  It's being shipped down to be professionally photographed and get the royal treatment.  I love the bling factor, the teal is "totally Dawn" and the bib-style wears so perfectly with most necklines of my shirts, sweaters and dresses! 

Where do you turn when you need to find peace and balance?  Is it a person, a special place, a song?
Hoping you see the joy in every day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Tis the Season with the Cousin Creative Circle

While we're having an relatively mild fall in in Wisconsin (translation, it still feels like summer - 80 & sunny) I had to dig deep into the frozen tundra to pull inspiration for my latest Cousin Creative Circle Assignment. 

This month, Cousin has partnered with A.C. Moore to feature their special collection of 'Tis the Season beads & charms just in time for the holidays.  The beads in this collection range from fun Christmas Charms, to soft winter inspired designs. 

When I design something, I want to make sure that it turns heads and gets maximum visibility or wear-ability.  This time I decided to create a winter inspired ornament featuring several of the Cousin 'Tis the Season charms.  The crystals I used to create the body of the snowflake are also all from Cousin.  I finished the ornament with a hand-dyed silk ribbon, my signature beadwork and metallic silver Italian leather. 

My goal with this design was to create something that would really "Wow!" people.  For my fellow jewelry artists and designers, I wanted this ornament to inspire you to use crystals and beads in a non-traditional way.  Give a crystal the stage and watch her dance!  My ornament is at Cousin Corporation right getting her very own diva session.  She's being photographed to use in the holiday promotion of the 'Tis the Season Collection.  I'm excited to have been able to blend my unique design style and artistry in this ornament for the Cousin Creative Circle!

This was just the first of two projects for the month!  I look forward to sharing the second project very soon! 

Dawn Doucette is the artisan soul behind Bella Amore. Bella = Beautiful, Amore = Love Through all things, Dawn looks for something beautiful and creates each design in the energy of love. Dawn resides with her soulmate Chris, and two fur babies in Lake Geneva, WI. Her inspired designs are created to be cherished and passed down as heirloom jewelry. If you'd like to have Dawn create a one-of-a-kind piece of legacy jewelry exclusively for you, contact her via her Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry