FantaSea - Swarovski Jewelry Tutorial

When you get pretty sparkly packages of Swarovski Crystal Elements you can't help but want to pour them all into a container so you can just keep running your hands through them in the sunlight again and again just watching the rainbows appear.  Truly... thousands and thousands of tiny crystals that are all catching the light and radiating rainbows is absolutely magical.

As a brand ambassador for Cousin Corporation of America, we have recently become the major supplier for Swarovski Crystal Elements throughout the US.  As part of the agreement, we as ambassadors will be making lots of projects and tutorials to share just how you can use Swarovski elements in your own DIY jewelry designs and crafts!

The project I just completed is a complete jewelry set - with instructions and supplies so you can create the exact pieces I made!  (Click here for jewelry tutorial and supplies from primabead.com)

The gemstones are genuine Amazonite with an AB coating... combined with the sand opal Swarovski crystals and it was like a pairing made in heaven.  To my mermaid heart, it spoke of underwater exploration and fantasies on the high seas.  SO hence, the name of this set is FantaSea!

The gemstone Amazonite has many healing properties.  It is used to treat heart trouble and metabolic disorders.  It lifts depression and reduces anxiety.  It also helps alleviate headaches and migraines.  It promotes confidence, vitality and joy of life!! Amazonite has a calming effect, corrects mood swings and helps the wearer come to terms with grief.

If your zodiac sign is Aquarius, Amazonite is your power gemstone! 

To get the complete tutorial for this Amazonite necklace, earrings and ring set visit: www.primabead.com

Those Hot Summer Nights

Welcome to summer - where the sun is brighter, the foliage more colorful, the sky bluer and Dawn the happier!  I absolutely LOVE summer, hence a big part of where I chose to move to... driving across the Georgia/Florida border was like the whole entire state wrapping it's arms around me and singing "Welcome Home!" like a chorus of angels.  Seriously... it's that much love!!

Unpacking has been fun and very challenging.  It's a whole new organization, it's a cleansing as I've been able to give away/donate things that no longer serve me and it's designing my own life the way I want.  So much fun!!!

The first project I tackled in my new studio was a piece just for me!  Just like last year, Cousin Corporation brought the 7 of us ambassadors down to their corporate office for 3 days/2 nights of business building, jewelry creating and trend spotting!  The first night is always a fun cocktail party, so it's my excuse to put on my sparkly shoes, don a cocktail dress and have a blast!

Because being right on the ocean offers amazing sunsets, I like to bring that magic into my outfit!  This year I found the most amazing, flowy, goddess inspired dress in tropical orange sherbet with splashes of tangerine, magenta, lavendar, gold and fuchsia! It was like a tropical kiss all in one!  It even had beading on it!!!  Can you say Serendipity??  (Yep, I know you just said it!) ;)

The necklace I made featured a one-of-a-kind lampwork focal from my dear friend Juli Cannon of Studio Juls. I've coveted it for a while because I knew it would turn into something magical when the time was right.  How perfect that my first jewelry design in my new home is with this beautiful work of art!

It pulls in all the perfect colors to make that piece POP against my dress!  I added a huge bit of sparkle with this gorgeous Swarovski Crystal Pendant.  The necklace is beaded with genuine agate rounds that I picked up on a trip to San Francisco in August 2013.  I fell in love with their vibrant color and smooth facets.  I also had to buy the amethysts cut by the same maker because PURPLE! ;) Those will be used in a future project, I'm still coveting their lusciousness!  It was a trip that made such a difference for my business and I built amazing friendships from that I cherish today!  So using these beads brought back that great memory and made this piece even more special.  The necklace also includes shamballa beads and toggle from Cousin Corporation!

I felt so inspired designing this necklace and it really worked beautifully with my sunset backdrop.  I had a great time reconnecting with my fellow Cousin Creative Circle Ambassadors!  Thanks to all who made this retreat memorable!

Inspired by Winter - A Pearl and Crystal bracelet for Cousin Corporation

Last Spring, the Cousin Ambassadors (aka my creative sisters) were given an assignment for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores.  Many times when we get assignments like this we can't share them because the store needs to see them and be able to use them in their advertising and promotions first. 

The theme I was to create around was "Winter."  I'm giggling about that now as I type this because I'm sitting in my office in Clearwater, FL.  It's 81* outside and still getting hotter... so talking about Winter is truly ironic. 

Alas, there are parts of winter living in Wisconsin for 35 years taught me to appreciate.  There's much beauty created in the first snow or in the frost.  I love the hoar frost on the trees when the fog freezes to the limbs... I just didn't much enjoy the fact it lasts for 4+ months.

I just got the piece back and I'm really excited to share it with you... and to wear it because, what a coincidence.... it happens to be just my size! ;)

Wouldn't this be perfect for bridal jewelry?? Or to pop that vintage glam look??

This bracelet used 6mm round mirror beads and 6mm pearls from Cousin.  I used a multi-strand clasp with hook and extender chain to be able to give it versatility.  This piece was a whole lot of making links and connecting those links, but the finished bracelet is awesome!  And of course, I made earrings to match!

If you'd like to make this great bracelet and earring set, you can pick up all the materials at Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft stores!  And I have the instructions all written up!  Message me via my Facebook Page - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry and I'd be happy to email them to you!

Dawn Doucette Published in Beadwork Magazine

I'm super excited to finally be able to share this with you guys!  I created a piece last spring... literally one year ago this month, submitted it to Beadwork to see if they wanted to publish it.  And they did... but it was slated for the June/July 2015 issue... holy cats Batman, how am I supposed to not say anything to anybody for a whole entire year?  Because yeah... that took patience, then lots of distraction... then I sort of kind of lost track of time until BAM!  Beadwork is emailing me to mail me back my necklace because the issue has hit newsstands!

I love, love, love this necklace!!! I'm totally a sucker for a beaded spiral rope... add crystals and it makes me all weak in the knees and starry eyed.  In this rope I wanted to give it a fun texture!  As an ambassador for Cousin Corporation I also wanted to showcase some of their beads.  The rope itself is made with 4mm bicones in the aqua/gold mirror beads as well as their Crystazzi brand crystals in Crystal A/B and Indicolite!

But to have just a spiral rope alone wasn't enough!  I loved this turquoise and orange peacock charm from Cousin too, so I had to dress it up in true Dawn fashion.  Add a beaded carnelian component, some great Swarovski crystal copper bicones and BAM!!!  Now that's a flirty, fun, sparkly necklace! 

Look I'm on the cover, no really it's just sitting on the cover!

All of the crystals and the peacock charms can be purchased through Cousin Corporation's consumer website:  Primabead.com 

If you aren't a Beadwork subscriber, you can pick up your copy at any number of retail locations or subscribe to their digital mag at beadworkmagazine.com.

It's so great to have this piece back in my hands.  It's one of those pieces that seemed to take a LONG time to make... because I was literally going around and around in circles... one inch at a time.  Stay tuned for another project I'm working on with Swarovski Flatback crystals now offered through Cousin Corp.  It's a little DIY to bling up my new apartment... Can't wait to share!

Peace, love and sparkles!
~Dawn

Overcoming Challenges...

Guess what y'all... I'm here!!!  I've safely landed in Florida at my new home.  I found a beautiful apartment perfect for Tucker and I, where my soul feels free and I'm excited about starting a new chapter in my story.

In amongst the chaos of moving, my friends over at Cousin Corporation asked me to write a blog post about overcoming challenges.  No problem. . . wait, what to write.  Since I was packing and moving, the beads were already packed and on their way to their new studio.  So there wouldn't be a special project... but what to write about. 

Then I laughed at myself because I was stumped on writing a blog post about overcoming challenges.  Now THAT'S irony! 

SO you want to hear how I overcome challenges, especially where my jewelry designs are concerned???  Head over to the Cousin Blog and take a read! http://www.cousin.com/blog/15-04-30/Overcoming_Challenges_Ambassador_Dawn_Doucette.aspx

Don't forget to follow them on social media for great jewelry tips, projects and inspiration!
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/CousinCorp
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/CousinCorp
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/CousinCorp/

Getting Creative with my Cousin Ambassador Sisters

Once upon a time Dawn went to the Craft & Hobby Association Mega Show to visit the Cousin booth and see some of their incredible pieces on a grand display.  Seeing so many creative people, new creations coming on the jewelry design and crafting scene and great project in all varieties of art really sparked her creativity.  So she brought that excitement home to share with her fellow Cousin Creative Ambassador Sisters.  While on that trip, she had an idea that she wanted to showcase each of the ambassadors and their very unique styles of design. 

So, she came up with the idea to coordinate a blog hop.  For the blog hop, Dawn put together a list of materials from Cousin Corporation and Prima Bead. Every Ambassador would receive the same materials and could design whatever they want.  In order to ensure everybody found something they liked, we brought in gemstones, crystals, chain, animal print and earth tones... so there was every reason to get creative!  Each ambassador can use whatever materials were sent, whether a little or a lot, and add to it anything they wished.  The idea was to truly allow each artist to showcase who they really are in designing something they would wear and love! 

Photo Courtesy of Shelly Owen Raziela's Designs

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I'm so excited to share these pieces with you. After having this idea and kicking it off with my fellow Ambassadors, I began the adventure of relocating to be in the sunshine and near the sea where my heart is.  So I received the beads, then took a 10 day trip to Florida to find my future home.  I found the perfect place (which I'll share in another post soon) but that meant coming home, getting my rear in gear and designing something... then packing and downsizing like a fiend!  And I'm so excited to say, I've been able to accomplish all of that in a very short time!  So without further adieu, here's the 2 pieces I designed with some of the materials in our kit. 

I've been walking a bit on the wild side this year, so it was no surprise that the animal print beads spoke to me!  I loved how they were like flat coins... add a pop of bling with the mirror beads and the perfect chain and this necklace was ready for a night on the town!

This piece is native inspired.  The turquoise and orange color palette in the pendant were the perfect foundation for a whimsical and fun necklace.  Love the little leather tassel too!  The turquoise and orange beads are the perfect compliment to the pendant!  All in all, the piece is super cute and will be perfect to wear once I'm in Florida!

I have another crazy idea turning with the copper pieces and teal glass beads, but it'll have to wait until this mermaid is living by the sea later in April to be created.  Here's where the fun kicks in... each of my fellow ambassadors also created some amazing designs!  Won't you please take a moment to visit each of their blogs and see what they've designed to express their personalities!

Shelly Owen - Raziela's Designs - razieladesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Crone - A Bead A Day - http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/
Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations - quietlioncreations.blogspot.com
Rachel Nielsen - Adventures of a DIY Mom - adventuresofadiymom.com
Molly Alexander - Beautifully Broken Me - Beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims - www.mygirlishwhims.com
Carolina Moore - 30 Minute Crafts - 30minutecrafts.com   
Dawn Doucette - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry - YOU ARE HERE!

To my fellow Ambassador Sisters, thank you each for playing along in Dawn's Crazy Bead Game.  I appreciate each of your friendships and the way you each inspire me creatively!  I think we ought to do another blog hop this summer!  Who's game?? 

Make it a beautiful day in your world!
Love & Hugs!
~Dawn

Following My Wild Heart - Heading Toward a Dream

I'm on a wild kick lately...  lots of changes are happening in my life and my inner creative soul is being set free!  I've begun the process of truly following my dreams and listening to my intuition as a guide to help me.  And friends, let me tell you, this is a big, Big, BIG dream... like moving halfway across the country in search of sunshine to design the life I've been building toward for years!  YIKES!

So in spirit of allowing my soul to run free and to be present in all my feelings, emotions and decisions I decided this year to create something special for a few of my very dearest friends.  They are like sisters to me, so I wanted to give them something that will remind them how much I love and cherish them in my life no matter the distance between us!

The fun part is, I found these super great leopard cabochons when I was doing some homework at Hobby Lobby for Cousin Corporation of America... which also coincided with planning the amazing For the Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner benefit we had last October.  It was a really crazy busy fall for me, so my creativity just wasn't jiving then... but these spoke to me and I knew they'd become something amazing!

I used a steel chain from Cousin Corp so it's hypoallergenic and super light weight!  I beaded the leopard print cabochons to create a delicious palette of chocolate browns, black with a pop of irridescent finishes!  I love how they turned out, my friends loved them and even better... they'll always have a piece of my heart no matter near or far! 

Spread love & joy!
~Hugs~
Dawn

P.S. Follow my journey on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry

CHA Mega Show - Wherein MEGA Means Knocks Your Socks Off

Thank goodness this isn't Twitter because I have wayyyyy more than 140 characters to share about my whirlwind weekend trip to the Craft and Hobby Association Mega Show in Anaheim, CA.

The ball was put in motion when I was asked to design a show piece to be displayed in the booth for Cousin Corporation.  Their theme for the booth was fairytales and they wanted me to design something dark, all black.  If you know me, you know I love color... bold, contrasting colors.  So all black?????  No problem mon!  I sketched up a general idea of what I wanted to create and submitted it to them for approval... because I do things Dawn's way... I had to make sure it fit with their desired effect in the booth.

The piece took me some serious time, but I love the finished effect.  A collar with beaded stays and draped pearls creating a bib-like effect!  I'd totally wear that piece... like every.darn.day!

Since I poured so much Dawn Love into my design, I set the goal to see it on display in a big way!  Having one of my Bella Amore designs on display for thousands of people to see... what an experience!

Having never been to CHA, I related it to my first time visiting Bead & Button... so much to see it sets your mind spinning!  Except with CHA it's craft vendors for every type of craft you can possibly imagine! Paper crafts, yarn crafts, beads, and storage galore!  It was amazing and meeting artists from so many walks of life it was incredible.

The Cousin booth carried out the fairytale theme beautifully... complete with crystal slippers.  Which I totally loved!!!!  You know my deep burning love for good shoes. . . ;)  It was amazing to see my fellow ambassador's designs on display too!

Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations creating this stunning dress all with chain!  It was amazing and a true draw into the booth.

Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims created the white pearl necklace compliment to my dark pearl design.

Check out their Facebook pages and give them a follow!  They both do some amazing designing and write great tutorials for the DIYer in you!

Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Lion-Creations-by-Allison-B-Cooling/231909966829616

Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Girlish-Whims/187270901311261

Dawn Doucette - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry: https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry

I'm finally unpacked, sadness ensued unpacking the 3 swimsuits I took (one for each day) not having gotten to wear a single one of them.  60's and raining was not the So Cal weather I expected... or that the weather guessers predicted until the day before I took off.  And wouldn't ya know, the day I left the sun came back out and the 70's returned.  Murphy's Law...

It was amazing to connect with my friends from Cousins again.  We always have a great time together!  I also got to meet new friends that have previously only been Facebook friends and was connected with new artists I'd never met!  We shared an abundance of laughter, creativity and made a lot of great memories together!  I'm no longer a CHA noob and look forward to staying in touch with all the great people that have made this journey so spectacular!

I'll share more of the great people I connected with and the awesome saucey tools I found... OMG... my life has been transformed with one little tool... can't wait to share!

Love & sunshine heading your way! 
Xo ~Dawn~ oX 

P.S. I wanted to design a necklace for myself that complimented my CHA piece... but wasn't so heavy.  So I created the same beaded collar, but used chain and spikes from Cousin for a wicked sassy look!  It got lots of looks and plenty of compliments! 

Is 2015 Going to Be Wild?

Hello Darlings and Happy New Year to You! 

With the start of a new calendar I find myself reflecting, as I'm sure you do to some extent or another as well, on the past year.  What went according to plan... what didn't... what surprised me and what I learned along the way.  Especially from those "didn't" experiences... often the best teacher.

In reflecting, for me personally it also allows me to let go of the things, thoughts, feelings, emotions that are no longer serving me... thus allowing room for more creativity, and more blessings to enter my life.  I had a few really big projects to wrap up the last 2 months of last year... but they are still super secret, so I can't show you pictures... but you can rest assured, I didn't fall in a hole or get eaten by gremlins because I got them wet... and they were hungry, after midnight!!!  I just can't reveal those pieces yet...

But flip the calendar, plan a trip to the big Craft & Hobby Association show this weekend and the creativity comes to life.  It's like just the mention of a trip to the land of glitter and sequins just fuels my fire.  Thus I created this set, because a girl's gotta have some glam to go with her wild side as she connects with other creative people! 

Darlings.... this is my Walk on the Wild Side... until next time! Meowwwwwww! ;)

Don't you just love those leopard beads?  They're from Cousin Corporation and for sale at ACMoore Stores.  I blinged them up with Swarovski Crystals in Crystal Copper and seed beads.  The bracelet totally rocks, it's a brand new product in the Cousin line.  I love it because it's hindged at the bottom and opens just under the focal I created!  There's so many options on how to play with a bracelet like this.... I picked up a few in Silver too... stay tuned!

Would love to chat more!  Feel free to pop over to my Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry Facebook Page and say hello!  Let's make 2015 a dynamite year together!

Love & Light ~
Dawn