tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76896756155813841332024-03-13T22:42:12.473-05:00Bella Amore Legacy JewelryI design custom beaded jewelry using semi-precious gemstones, pearls, Swarovski crystal, lampwork glass and seed beads at my studio in Lake Geneva, WI. Each piece of jewelry I design is one-of-a-kind. Many of my clients commission custom designed jewelry pieces - showcasing the beauty and personality of the individual woman. Designed and finished with the highest quality standards, these pieces of wearable art jewelry will last you for generations!Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-59910044012275269412017-03-30T22:07:00.002-05:002017-03-30T22:08:05.111-05:00Bead Hop with my Cousin Creative SistersGuess what.... Easter's around the corner and we're hopping again.... BEAD HOPPING!!! Imagine when I sparked the idea mid-January to do<a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2015/03/getting-creative-with-my-cousin.html" target="_blank"> another blog hop</a> featuring Cousin Corporation beads... I can't even believe the last one was 2 year ago... holy cow! How I thought jeesh, a Febrary reveal would be easy peasy. My fellow creative sisters and I would all get the same beads, create awesome pieces that are uniquely "us" and feature them in a fancy, sparkly blog hop! But mid-January Dawn had no idea how busy February Dawn or March Dawn was going to be. So here I sit, feeling like a college kid cramming for a final... typing like mad to get my blog post up before I fall asleep. I got 2 of 3 projects done... one is still waiting which, funny enough, is the one with the colors that are my total fave... but enough about me rambling... I've got some jewelry to show you.<br />
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First, rocked the chunky druzy focal with some bad ass spikes (also from Cousin, but not part of the selected beads.) I wore this piece to work yesterday and it got a few thumbs up... I'm more of a silver girl by nature.... but the brown's and gold really played in a earthy delight... and reminded me of sand... which takes my heart to the beach. And even when I'm not sitting on the beach, I'm still at the beach in my mind! ;)<br />
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Spikes also inspired the next little project. Stretchy bracelets!! I've fallen in love with stretchy bracelets. Stack 'em, match 'em, give 'em, make 'em... you gotta have some! I have some of my bracelets featuring seashells for sale in a fancy pet spa where my furry fella gets groomed - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UnleashedPetSpaLargo" target="_blank">Unleashed Pet Spa</a> - Check 'em out! Beth and Dennis are the best!<br />
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But anyhow, stretch bracelets are a thing - and for me, I could add some spikes and those big silver balls... I did those. Black, white and silver a classic pairing with a little goth twist.<br />
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And lastly... my third project.... which is still just a project. I saw the turquoisey purple goodness dancing together in a mermaid fashion. And it still will, in an amazing project, but it is still just a twinkle in my artisan's eye. What it will turn into??? Not sure yet! But it's going to be awesome! <br />
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Thanks for playing in our little box of beads. For the real fun, keep hopping and check out my dear friend0's creations too! We're brought together by beads, but we've become dear friend! <a href="http://www.cousindiy.com/CCC/Ambassadors/CCC2013.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Creative Circle Ambassadors </a> - It's a great group of creative women that all have one of a kind style! ♥<br />
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<a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Grafton - My Girlish Whims</a><br />
<a href="http://razieladesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shelly Owen - Razelia's Designs</a><br />
<a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Crone - A Bead A Day</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Nielson - Adventures of a DIY Mom</a><br />
<a href="http://hydrangeahippo.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Priest - Hydrangea Hippo</a><br />
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Happy to be heading into the weekend!! Peace, love & sunshine!! Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-77477767305830675812016-10-03T21:11:00.000-05:002016-10-04T21:14:09.460-05:00WINNER - Erica Jahns PLUS Another Great DIY Jewelry DesignLast week I hosted <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2016/09/featuring-charms-made-with-swarovski.html" target="_blank">a great giveaway</a> of this fun, Florida inspired bracelet featuring Charms made with Swarovski Crystals!!! And I want to congratulate ERICA JAHNS the winner of last weeks bracelet!! Erica, please message me your mailing address and I'll get your bracelet right in the mail to you!<br />
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This weeks project features another really fun charm made with Swarovski Crytals!! <br />
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I love this Ohm charm!!! It's a fun pop of color with it's beautiful orangish/redish hued Swarovski Crystal backdrop. Again this charm features a lobster claw clasp, so you can literally put it on anything that has a hole... okay, maybe not on a donut. BUT you can hang it from a zipper pull. You can put it on the hook of a suction cup on the patio door as a rainbow maker and here, I created seashell necklace... but here's the secret, find a seashell that already has a hole in it! <br />
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Once you find your perfect seashell, using an eye pin, insert the eye pin through the hole and form a wrapped loop on the inside of the seashell. On the wrapped loop you just created, attach a bail with a jump ring. Now you have something to thread your necklace chain through. On the front side of your seashell, using the lobster claw clasp attach your charm made with Swarovski crystal. <br />
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Find your favorite style of necklace chain and put it through the bail and you're finished! Another quick & easy piece of wearable art! <br />
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Thanks for following along, if you'd like to see other great project made featuring Charms with Swarovski Crystal, check out each of my fellow <a href="http://www.cousindiy.com/CCC/Ambassadors/CCC2013.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Creative Circle Ambassador blogs</a>! It's a great group of creative women that all have one of a kind style! ♥<br />
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<a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Grafton - My Girlish Whims</a><br />
<a href="http://razieladesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shelly Owen - Razelia's Designs</a><br />
<a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Crone - A Bead A Day</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Nielson - Adventures of a DIY Mom</a><br />
<a href="http://hydrangeahippo.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Priest - Hydrangea Hippo</a> <br />
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Hope you have a super week!! Peace, love & sunshine!! <br />
<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-35420676425402098622016-09-26T14:10:00.003-05:002016-09-26T14:10:34.377-05:00Featuring Charms made with Swarovski® CrystalsIt's been a bit since I've had a project to do for Cousin Corporation as a Creative Circle Ambassador, but recently our ambassador team has been given some sparkly goodness to share so I wanted to bring you a couple of projects straight from my mermaid heart. <br />
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I was given a set of Charms made with Swarovski<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">® </span>Crystals and asked to create something different and maybe out of the box. So with the first two, I wanted to bring you a few designs where I incorporated the <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Charms made with Swarovski® crystals</span> AND brought in a piece of my beloved Florida! I used real seashells that I collected on Indian Rocks Beach. These projects are great ideas if you go on vacation and want to create a momento of your trip that is beyond the keychain or magnet sold in the nicknack shops. <br />
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The first project was a bracelet that I whipped up in no time! The most time consuming part is waiting for the glue to dry! Make sure you wash and dry your seashells thoroughly before creating :) Using an eyepin and adhesive of your choice (in this piece I used E-6000) fill the back of the seashell halfway with adhesive. Insert the round side of the eyepin into the puddle of glue. Prop it up at an angle that will allow you to create a wrapped loop later for the bail. Then wait... tick... tock... wait for that glue to dry.<br />
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Once it's dry, fill the remainder of the seashell with adhesive and let it dry. This is a multi-tasking part of the design, while you are waiting for the glue to dry you can bake cookies, clean, finish other projects, call your mom on the phone to tell her you love her, write a little note to a friend that you haven't seen in a while and send it .... or sit there and watch glue dry. I opted for several of the above.<br />
<br />Why do we pour the adhesive in 2 phases??? Because eyepins have a tendancy to want to float to the top of the adhesive puddle. So by pouring the adhesive in 2 phases, the eyepin is locked into the middle of the adhesive ensuring you won't loose your seashell pendant.<br />
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Once everything is dry, create a wrapped loop on the top of the seashell. Using the handy lobster claw that comes on the charm, clip it onto the wrapped loop of the seashell. Now in this design I was given a peridot birthstone <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Charm made with Swarovski® crystals</span> for the month of August. The birthstone charms come with a rivoli and a second charm with the month and smaller birthstone on the back. So I used a jump ring and attached the smaller charm too. <br />
<br />Then using a premade 7" bracelet (<a href="http://www.cousindiy.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">available from Cousin at most large craft stores</a>) I slid the seashell pendant on the bracelet, clasped it and voila! Nothing like a little quick and easy project to remember your favorite beach by! <br />
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<b>GIVEAWAY: </b> Now if you've read this far, I want to thank you! I'd like to give one lucky winner this seashell bracelet. Here's what you need to do to enter: <br />
1. Post a comment below letting me know who in your life has an August Birthday you'd like to give this to. <br />
2. Share this post on social media... tag Dawn Doucette or Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry so that I can see you shared it. <br />
3. If you like my designs and want to follow me, I'd love to stay connected. You can find a link below for all of my social media accounts. Feel free to follow and share, but it is not necessary to follow to be entered to win!<br />
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I will pick one lucky winner next Monday, October 3rd to win this bracelet. Good luck! Stay tuned for another Seashell Design from the heart. . . it's coming soon! <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/designsbydawnmd" target="_blank">Twitter: https://twitter.com/designsbydawnmd</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dawn.doucette/" target="_blank">Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawn.doucette/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-1238541652436306462015-08-25T11:15:00.000-05:002015-08-25T11:16:32.724-05:00FantaSea - Swarovski Jewelry TutorialWhen 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.<br />
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<b>As a <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2015/06/those-hot-summer-nights.html">brand ambassador</a> for <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation of America</a>, we have recently become the major supplier for Swarovski Crystal Elements throughout the US.</b> 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!<br />
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The project I just completed is a complete jewelry set - with instructions and supplies so you can create the exact pieces I made! (<a href="https://www.primabead.com/swarovski-and-gemstones-fantasea-set-necklace-ring-earrings" target="_blank">Click here for jewelry tutorial and supplies from primabead.com</a>)<br />
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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!<br />
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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 <i>helps alleviate headaches and migraines.</i> 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.<br />
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<b>If your zodiac sign is Aquarius, Amazonite is your power gemstone! </b><br />
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To get the complete tutorial for this Amazonite necklace, earrings and ring set visit: <a href="https://www.primabead.com/swarovski-and-gemstones-fantasea-set-necklace-ring-earrings" target="_blank">www.primabead.com</a><br />
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-73875667398558505842015-06-24T10:26:00.000-05:002016-03-03T15:34:19.830-06:00Those Hot Summer NightsWelcome 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!! <br />
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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!!!<br />
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The first project I tackled in my new studio was a piece just for me! Just like <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/03/business-beads-and-beach.html" target="_blank"><u>last year, Cousin Corporation </u></a>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!<br />
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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!) ;)<br />
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The necklace I made featured a one-of-a-kind lampwork focal from my dear friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Studiojuls" target="_blank">Juli Cannon of Studio Juls</a>. 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! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgBqu4inprI/VYrI3-BaQkI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/pNWRusSNqOg/s1600/20150617_172522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgBqu4inprI/VYrI3-BaQkI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/pNWRusSNqOg/s320/20150617_172522.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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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 <a href="http://www.cousin.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a>!<br />
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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! <br />
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<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-69613511668321701592015-05-12T12:09:00.002-05:002015-05-12T12:09:59.277-05:00Inspired by Winter - A Pearl and Crystal bracelet for Cousin CorporationLast 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. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGlW0a_Tbwk/VVIzPAkq18I/AAAAAAAALrQ/PXeNswp6cgs/s1600/1Collagea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGlW0a_Tbwk/VVIzPAkq18I/AAAAAAAALrQ/PXeNswp6cgs/s320/1Collagea.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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! ;)<br />
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<b>Wouldn't this be perfect for bridal jewelry?? </b>Or to pop that vintage glam look?? <br />
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This bracelet used <a href="http://www.primabead.com/48pc-6mm-round-silver-mirror-beads" target="_blank">6mm round mirror beads</a> and <a href="http://www.primabead.com/158pc-6mm-white-pearl" target="_blank">6mm pearls</a> 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!<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank"><u><b>Facebook Page - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry</b></u></a> and I'd be happy to email them to you! Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-40293249733838044002015-05-04T19:09:00.000-05:002015-05-04T19:09:04.227-05:00Dawn Doucette Published in Beadwork MagazineI'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!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UudG3QMqj30/VUgJkw2MWkI/AAAAAAAALqc/xX-inMqhKzg/s1600/1logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UudG3QMqj30/VUgJkw2MWkI/AAAAAAAALqc/xX-inMqhKzg/s320/1logo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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 <a href="http://www.cousin.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a> I also wanted to showcase some of their beads. The rope itself is made with 4mm bicones in the <a href="http://www.primabead.com/70pc-4mm-bicone-mirror-beads-aqua-tan" target="_blank">aqua/gold mirror beads</a> as well as their Crystazzi brand crystals in Crystal A/B and Indicolite!<br />
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But to have just a spiral rope alone wasn't enough! I loved this <a href="http://www.primabead.com/2pc-metal-peacock-charms-silver-teal" target="_blank">turquoise and orange peacock charm</a> 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! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look I'm on the cover, no really it's just sitting on the cover! </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9IaeEknIFI/VUgJsHxtLGI/AAAAAAAALqs/z6a7juRgVYw/s1600/2Beadwork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9IaeEknIFI/VUgJsHxtLGI/AAAAAAAALqs/z6a7juRgVYw/s320/2Beadwork.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All of the crystals and the peacock charms can be purchased through Cousin Corporation's consumer website: <a href="http://primabead.com/">Primabead.com</a> <br />
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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 <a href="http://beadworkmagazine.com/">beadworkmagazine.com</a>.<br />
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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!<br />
<br />Peace, love and sparkles!<br />
~Dawn <br />
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-529602047419022222015-04-30T10:34:00.000-05:002015-04-30T10:34:21.452-05:00Overcoming Challenges...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-vwNYzTdwc/VUJLQESYCvI/AAAAAAAALpg/6-0pRjr9SFA/s1600/April292015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-vwNYzTdwc/VUJLQESYCvI/AAAAAAAALpg/6-0pRjr9SFA/s1600/April292015.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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.<br />
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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. <br /><br />Then I laughed at myself because I was stumped on writing a blog post about overcoming challenges. Now THAT'S irony! <br />
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SO you want to hear how I overcome challenges, especially where my jewelry designs are concerned??? Head over to the <a href="http://www.cousin.com/blog/15-04-30/Overcoming_Challenges_Ambassador_Dawn_Doucette.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Blog</a> and take a read! <a href="http://www.cousin.com/blog/15-04-30/Overcoming_Challenges_Ambassador_Dawn_Doucette.aspx"><span style="color: blue;"><u>http://www.cousin.com/blog/15-04-30/Overcoming_Challenges_Ambassador_Dawn_Doucette.aspx</u></span></a><br />
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Don't forget to follow them on social media for great jewelry tips, projects and inspiration! <br />
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CousinCorp">http://www.facebook.com/CousinCorp</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/CousinCorp">http://twitter.com/CousinCorp</a><br />
Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/CousinCorp/">http://www.pinterest.com/CousinCorp/</a>Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-27991803309147596772015-03-30T06:16:00.000-05:002015-03-30T06:16:00.117-05:00Getting Creative with my Cousin Ambassador SistersOnce upon a time <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2015/01/cha-mega-show-wherein-mega-means-knocks.html" target="_blank">Dawn went to the Craft & Hobby Association Mega Show</a> 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. <br />
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So, she came up with the idea to coordinate a blog hop. For the blog hop, Dawn put together a list of materials from <a href="http://www.cousin.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a> and <a href="http://www.primabead.com/" target="_blank">Prima Bead</a>. 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! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw5AqKEqzN4/VRic47GpUdI/AAAAAAAALmY/MKIxi-IkFng/s1600/supplies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw5AqKEqzN4/VRic47GpUdI/AAAAAAAALmY/MKIxi-IkFng/s1600/supplies1.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of Shelly Owen Raziela's Designs</td></tr>
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<br />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. <br />
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I've been <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2015/02/following-my-wild-heart-heading-toward.html" target="_blank">walking a bit on the wild side</a> this year, so it was no surprise that the <a href="http://www.primabead.com/69pc-animal-print-oval-round" target="_blank">animal print beads</a> spoke to me! I loved how they were like flat coins... add a pop of bling with the <a href="http://www.primabead.com/38pc-8mm-rondelle-mirror-beads-bronze-clear" target="_blank">mirror beads</a> and the perfect chain and this necklace was ready for a night on the town! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIaKjqZlPlI/VRicivclloI/AAAAAAAALmQ/CIKnF8BZwL4/s1600/1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIaKjqZlPlI/VRicivclloI/AAAAAAAALmQ/CIKnF8BZwL4/s1600/1a.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This piece is native inspired. The turquoise and orange color palette in <a href="http://www.primabead.com/1pc-metal-gemstone-leaf-cluster-pendant-orange-teal-gold" target="_blank">the pendant</a> were the perfect foundation for a whimsical and fun necklace. Love the little leather tassel too! The <a href="http://www.primabead.com/9pc-gemstone-teal-marbled-oval" target="_blank">turquoise</a> 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! <br />
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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!<br />
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<a href="http://razieladesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shelly Owen - Raziela's Designs - <span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"></span></span></span></a><a href="http://razieladesigns.blogspot.com/">razieladesigns.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Crone - A Bead A Day </a>- <a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/">http://abeadaday.blogspot.com</a>/ <br />
<a href="http://quietlioncreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0">Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations - </span></span></span></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"></span></span></span></a><a class="" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446495005499202:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://quietlioncreations.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446498505498852:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446498505498852:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446498505498852:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0">quietlioncreations.blogspot.com</span></span></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Molly Alexander - Beautifully Broken Me -</a> <span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><a class="" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com</a></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims -</a> </span></span></span><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><a class="" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mygirlishwhims.com</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><a href="http://30minutecrafts.com/" target="_blank">Carolina Moore - 30 Minute Crafts -</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_452913181524051:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_455900047892031:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_455900047892031:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_455900047892031:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><a class="" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_455900047892031:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://30minutecrafts.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">30minutecrafts.com</a> </span></span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1jl.1:3:1:$comment446475765501126_446562908825745:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0">Dawn Doucette - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry - YOU ARE HERE!</span></span></span></span></b></a> <br />
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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?? <br />
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Make it a beautiful day in your world!<br />
Love & Hugs!<br />
~DawnDawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-18012235520648154842015-02-09T20:30:00.001-06:002015-02-09T20:30:47.618-06:00Following My Wild Heart - Heading Toward a Dream<a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2015/01/is-2015-going-to-be-wild.html" target="_blank"><b>I'm on a wild kick lately... </b></a> 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!<br />
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<b>So in spirit of allowing my soul to run free</b> 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!<br />
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The fun part is, I found these super great leopard cabochons when I was doing some homework at Hobby Lobby for <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation of America...</a> which also coincided with planning the amazing <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/09/october-4th-for-love-of-greg-come-join.html" target="_blank">For the Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner</a> 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!<br />
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I used a <a href="http://www.cousin.com/18in-Round-Link-Chain-P16565.aspx" target="_blank">steel chain</a> 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! <br />
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<br />Spread love & joy!<br />
~Hugs~<br />
Dawn<br />
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P.S. Follow my journey on Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry </a>Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-84131313059469237372015-01-15T12:36:00.000-06:002015-01-15T12:38:06.803-06:00CHA Mega Show - Wherein MEGA Means Knocks Your Socks OffThank goodness this isn't Twitter because I have wayyyyy more than 140 characters to share about my whirlwind weekend trip to the <a href="https://www.craftandhobby.org/" target="_blank">Craft and Hobby Association</a> Mega Show in Anaheim, CA.<br />
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The ball was put in motion when I was asked to design a show piece to be displayed in the booth for <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>Cousin Corporation</u></b></a>. 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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Lion-Creations-by-Allison-B-Cooling/231909966829616?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations</a> creating this stunning dress all with chain! It was amazing and a true draw into the booth.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Girlish-Whims/187270901311261" target="_blank">Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims</a> created the white pearl necklace compliment to my dark pearl design. <br />
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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!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Lion-Creations-by-Allison-B-Cooling/231909966829616?ref=br_tf" target="_blank"><b><u>Allison Cooling - Quiet Lion Creations:</u></b> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiet-Lion-Creations-by-Allison-B-Cooling/231909966829616</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Girlish-Whims/187270901311261" target="_blank"><b>Rebecca Utermohlen - My Girlish Whims:</b> https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Girlish-Whims/187270901311261</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank"><b>Dawn Doucette - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry:</b> https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry</a></div>
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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...<br />
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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! <br />
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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!<br />
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<b>Love & sunshine heading your way! </b><br />
<b>Xo ~Dawn~ oX </b><br />
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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! <br />
<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-19390666951214689252015-01-05T18:03:00.001-06:002015-01-05T18:03:35.712-06:00Is 2015 Going to Be Wild?Hello Darlings and Happy New Year to You! <br />
<br />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.<br />
<br />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...<br />
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But flip the calendar, plan a trip to the big C<u>raft & Hobby Association</u> 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! <br />
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Darlings.... this is my Walk on the Wild Side... until next time! Meowwwwwww! ;)<br />
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Don't you just love those leopard beads? They're from <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a> 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!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypILa19AeZM/VKslGWo2GcI/AAAAAAAALek/f8ZxjrhdNd4/s1600/2necklaceA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypILa19AeZM/VKslGWo2GcI/AAAAAAAALek/f8ZxjrhdNd4/s1600/2necklaceA.JPG" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
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Would love to chat more! Feel free to pop over to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank"><u>Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry Facebook Page</u></a> and say hello! Let's make 2015 a dynamite year together!<br />
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Love & Light ~<br />
DawnDawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-43905713176203679092014-10-09T13:26:00.002-05:002014-10-09T13:26:49.079-05:00Custom Designed Jewelry from the HeartThis past weekend, we had our For The Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner Benefit. The goal of the benefit was to raised the remainder of funds needed to install a StairGlide for my brother Greg who's fighting brain cancer. What we received as a family was so much larger... like so, so, SO much larger, than the funds needed to finish the renovations to keep Greg safe and mobile as he continues to fight!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65QiiscHFuY/VDa6y_I24TI/AAAAAAAALV4/xNnTCk-jtyo/s1600/ThankyouCollage1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65QiiscHFuY/VDa6y_I24TI/AAAAAAAALV4/xNnTCk-jtyo/s1600/ThankyouCollage1a.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
We received LOVE in magnanimous amounts... There was literally love seeping out every doorway, from every corner of the room, floor to ceiling and pouring out the door. We had people travel hundreds of miles, overnight to come out just to support us and show our love. We had surprises from people near and dear to us that we never expected. We have tender, precious family moments, the kind you cherish forever. And we felt blanketed in a joy so great I cannot even express it in words. <br />
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The team that helped me organize this amazing event, I cannot thank you enough. I could never have done this without you and I will be forever grateful for your countless hours of help, sleepless nights and brilliant ideas that made this possible. <br />
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To the local businesses and people that donated items for our silent auction and raffles, Thank YOU! We were humbled by how many people stepped up offering to make donations of their products and services to help raise the funds needed. My family is a huge believer in supporting local businesses. Yes, it might cost a little more, but knowing you are helping a family pay their mortgage, put food on the table and put Christmas gifts under the tree is priceless.<br />
<br />To everybody that came from near and far to share in this amazing event with us, Thank YOU! We served a heck of a lot of spaghetti, a ton of desserts (awesome!!!) and had amazing bids on our silent auction items... along with a bazillion raffle tickets sold. THIS is what living in a small town is about, lifting each other up when we need it, not being afraid to ask for help and allowing others the joy of being able to lend a hand, make a donation or just give a hug! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmDrAO0yp_0/VDbTUnaC2JI/AAAAAAAALWY/nfbHlJNIep4/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmDrAO0yp_0/VDbTUnaC2JI/AAAAAAAALWY/nfbHlJNIep4/s1600/1.JPG" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>If you want to see the custom necklace I made for the silent auction, visit my website: </b> <a href="http://bellaamorelegacyjewelry.com/10/poker-necklace-for-the-love-of-greg/" target="_blank">Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry <u>www.BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com</u></a> The woman that bid on it and won is a fellow Springer Spaniel mom. She does countless work for ESRA where I got <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/02/30-words-from-my-heart.html" target="_blank">my first springer, my heart and soul, Brandi</a>. So when I connected with her after she won, I wanted to let her know if she needed the necklace sized or need any adjustments made, I'd be happy to take care of it. Her response was "I'm not keeping the necklace. I bought it to re-donate to the <a href="http://www.springerrescue.org/" target="_blank"><u><b>ESRA</b></u></a> fundraiser picnic tomorrow for the raffle, so you'll be there in spirit!" AMAZING... and can you say tears, yes I cried... for the 843rd time that day. I'm honored and blessed to see so many golden moments as a result of this journey my family is on. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxKkGjgxvFY/VDa8XFFl7LI/AAAAAAAALWE/6o9CcNpB054/s1600/StairGlide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxKkGjgxvFY/VDa8XFFl7LI/AAAAAAAALWE/6o9CcNpB054/s1600/StairGlide1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I still cannot wrap my heart around how amazing and loved our family feels after this event. The Stairglide was installed on Monday and the security of knowing Greg can get up & down the stairs without fear of falling is priceless. Sending love your way!<br />
XO,<br />
DawnDawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-73775736766120351242014-09-15T14:20:00.001-05:002014-09-19T10:24:11.732-05:00October 4th - For the Love of Greg Come Join Us<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<span data-dobid="hdw">grat·i·tude</span></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph">/ˈgratəˌt(y)o͞od/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-log-string="pronunciation-icon-click" style="display: inline-block;" title="Listen"><input height="14" type="image" width="14" /></span></div>
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<i>noun</i></div>
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noun: <b>gratitude</b></div>
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.</div>
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"she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support"</div>
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If I could write that in 6,594,284 sized font I would because I'm so humbled and very grateful to everybody that have made donations to Greg's mobility fun so far. (If you'd like to know more about Greg's story, click here: <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/08/helping-my-brother-in-his-fight-against.html">http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/08/helping-my-brother-in-his-fight-against.html</a>) We're a little over half-way to where we need to be to continue the modifications Greg needs to stay safe at home. The bathroom has been made handicap accessible now including a wider door, new sinks that are wall mounted and an ADA approved toilet and grab bars. Operation Bathroom was an amazing success! </div>
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The front door was also replaced to accommodate the stairglide which is being built at a factory in Wisconsin as we speak. We're anticipating a call to schedule installation in the next few weeks... which is perfect timing for the BIG EVENT we've been planning.<br />
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So I can finally tell you...we've organized a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for my brother Greg. The journey through fighting brain cancer has been an uphill battle. And honestly, most of us would throw our hands up in the air in frustration! NOT GREG! Nope, he's a courageous fighter. Just because he can't feel his feet isn't stopping him from riding his recumbent bicycle so he keeps his heart and lungs strong. Seeing his courage through this journey and his humor that he infuses in everything makes coordinating this benefit for him an honor and a privilege! <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">So here's the details: For the Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner Benefit</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Saturday, October 4, 2014 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">The Monte Carlo Room </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">720 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI</span></b></div>
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It's a Badger Saturday, so we'll be televising the game on the big screen! We'll have all you can eat spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and delicious desserts from the Elkhorn Pastry Shop. Special thanks to Greg Kaplan for donating our desserts!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ir4VSic2ZwE/VBc7W8q0kVI/AAAAAAAAKIM/gR0mA7koJ6c/s1600/W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ir4VSic2ZwE/VBc7W8q0kVI/AAAAAAAAKIM/gR0mA7koJ6c/s1600/W.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
We'll have a silent auction with some amazing items! WI sports fanatics... mark this date on your calendar... and be there! We have an autographed Bo Ryan basketball! We have an autographed football from the Big 10 dinner in 2013 with signatures from UW Alums Jared Abbrederis (now a Green Bay Packer) and Chris Borland (now a San Francisco 49er!) We'll have a show down between two amazing NFL team throws - which side loves Greg more... Chicago Bears fans or Green Bay Packer fans?? Time will tell!<br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>UPDATE 9/19/14: We JUST got an Autographed Green Bay Packers football with the entire 2013 team!! </b></span><br />
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<b>We'll also have silent auction items for the dog lover, a limited edition pheasant print and more! </b><br />
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But even more than that, Saturday, October 4th will be a great time to come out, enjoy some laughter with Greg and know that your meal is truly making a difference in his life! We've been blessed to be surrounded by amazing family and friends through this journey. Through love and prayer, I can honestly say I feel so lifted up and cherished.<br />
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My family means the world to me, so being able to help Greg keep his mobility as his cancer wreaks havoc on his body, is my blessing as his big sister! So here's the deal... you can buy tickets in advance for $12 or at the front door the day of the dinner ($15.) And because we love family, anybody under 5 eats Free! Advanced ticket sales will make big sister Dawn really happy, and will earn you an extra hug (because then we can give the Monte Carlo room a better count for how many fans Greg has!) :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Tickets available beginning Wednesday, September 17th at the following local businesses: </span></b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">The Quilting
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Street, Elkhorn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Soleil Caffe </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">56 W. Market Street, Elkhorn - <span style="background-color: yellow;">FREE Tan with ticket purchase!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Keefe Real Estate </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">204 E. Commerce Court, Elkhorn </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Keefe Real Estate </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: EN; line-height: 100%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;"><span dir="ltr"></span>751 Geneva Parkway, Lake Geneva </span><span style="language: EN;"></span></div>
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Thank to to all the local businesses that are helping to spread the word and make this Spaghetti Dinner Benefit For the Love of Greg a Success. It's what being part of a community is all about. And I am so grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing community!<br />
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<h2>
<b>If you would like to help Greg's Mobility fund, but cannot be there on October 4th, we have also established an online fundraiser that would allow you to donate online at: <a href="http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer">bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer</a> </b></h2>
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And because we're still getting in so many amazing prizes for the silent auction, we've created a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Facebook Page - For the Love of Greg</b></span></a> to show you just what you can win... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer">https://www.facebook.com/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer</a><br />
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<b>And did I mention you could win cash?? </b> Yes, we're also doing a 50/50 raffle where YOU can WIN Ca$h! And who doesn't like a little extra dough in their pocket? ;)<br />
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If you aren't local to us and would like to purchase advanced tickets, or you have any questions about silent auction donations, please email us at <a href="mailto:ForTheLoveofGreg@gmail.com">ForTheLoveofGreg@gmail.com</a> and we'll make sure you get your advance tickets and answer your questions right away!<br />
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Thank you to all who have helped my family. Each and every one of you has earned your angel wings and I am so deeply grateful and humbled to have you in my life!<br />
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Love & Light,<br />
Dawn <br />
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-75150948178347723672014-08-12T08:46:00.000-05:002014-08-12T08:46:37.586-05:00Just Call Me Last Minute LucyI stand by the old saying that "I work better under pressure!" And before you go any further, I now present you with the following earworm! You're welcome! :)<br />
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For years (translation - my.entire.freaking.life) I used this as an excuse to procrastinate. Because I loved sleep, often it won out over studying, writing term papers, cleaning (sleep is definitely better than cleaning) or doing whatever needed doing... because TOMORROW! :) Yes, I'll just get up early and get "it" done tomorrow... <br />
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Well over the last 2 weeks, I've pushed that whole "I work better under pressure" statement to the limit! I had 3 full days being a nearly-professional chauffeur taking Greg & my mom to doctors appointments... except without the tux because 80* and a tux, yeah, no thanks. <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/08/helping-my-brother-in-his-fight-against.html" target="_blank"><u>I launched a fundraising campaign to help raise funds for Greg as he continues to bravely fight brain cancer.</u></a> I also had a wedding to attend, clients to take care of and sleep... yes I needed some of that or nobody would like me anymore. Seriously, I pushed it to the point I thought I just might not get done what needed getting done. And then I'd have some really disappointed people in my life and that just wasn't going to fly! <br />
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And by what can only be classified as a miracle, I got done everything that needed my attention, I kept everybody happy and I even got sleep... and no, I'm not on crack or addicted to coffee (anymore... the coffee, not the crack.)<br />
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So I'm really excited to show you one of my two jewelry projects because it makes me feel all sorts of happy that I was able to get it finished and give it as a gift to my baby sister... who coincidentally got asked if we were twins when we took her kids for ice cream. She rocked it at the wedding that she went to! (Fine Print, the second project I can't show you because it's for a big retailer and they are using it in their print ad this fall... so it would positively land me in bead jail. But I did post a sneak peak of the leopard print beads ;) on my Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com">http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com</a>) <br />
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I used a titanium coated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druse_%28geology%29" target="_blank">agate druzy</a>, surrounded in aqua mirror beads from <a href="http://www.cousin.com/">Cousin Corporation</a> and finished with copper chain also from Cousin. I made a dainty pair of earrings because Brenda doesn't like to have things pulling on her ears. So these rose gold earrings from Cousin with a few mirror beads for dangles added a sparkle and she didn't even know she was wearing them!<br />
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So maybe this set did turn out awesome and just maybe I do work better under pressure... but let me tell you, creativity doesn't just come when you snap your fingers. Actually quite the opposite, I have my best inspiration when I'm lying in bed in the middle of the night... and then I want to get up right.this.minute and start working on those projects. Which leads to very early mornings and posting on Facebook at 3:30 a.m. And thus why I'm a recovering coffee addict...<br />
<br />Happy thoughts and love to you!<br />
~Dawn<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister Brenda and with her friend,the bride. </td></tr>
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<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-45358928784572128482014-08-04T13:08:00.000-05:002014-08-04T13:08:56.965-05:00Helping My Brother In His Fight Against Brain Cancer<b>If you only read one of my blog posts ever in this lifetime, please read this one. I'm opening my heart to allow you to see what my family and I are up against as we help my brother Greg's fight against brain cancer. </b><br />
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See when Greg was just 20 he was diagnosed with brain cancer, medulloblastoma for those that are wondering. Typically this type of cancer is found in children... so it was rare to see someone his age with a brain tumor. At that time a team of doctors did brain surgery and successfully removed the tumor. An extended hospital stay and radiation later and Greg was healing and on the road to getting his life back.<br />
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In October of 2012 Greg's routine MRI revealed that his brain cancer had returned. He now had 3 tumors and the cancer had spread to his spine. Due to the locations of the tumors, these are inoperable. Greg underwent radiation and chemotherapy at UW Hospital in Madison, WI to help shrink the tumors. <br />
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<b><a href="http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer">Help Greg's Fight Against Brain Cancer </a></b></div>
<br />Last week we had an MRI checkup and found a new abnormal spot on Greg's spine. It's a very small spot, so we cannot yet tell if the cancer has spread or if it's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrosis" target="_blank">necrosis</a> the result of extensive radiation. We have to wait 4 weeks and do another MRI to determine. It was not the news any of us were hoping to hear. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only time you'll see Green Bay Packer anything on my blog... for the love of Greg!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom & Greg</td></tr>
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Since Greg's medical treatments, his mobility has been severely affected. He has no feeling from the knees down in either leg. Picture walking and not knowing where or how your feet are landing. That's how Greg's feet are every day. He has increasing pain in his hips due to avascular necrosis from prolonged steroid use to prevent brain swelling. <br />
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Currently, Greg is living with my Mom & Dad, in their bi-level home (translation lots of stairs). He was forced to sell his home he worked so hard to buy, and has since sold one of his cars. He's currently in the process of selling his beloved Camaro because "it deserves to be driven like the machine that it is." <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy Duke loves Greg!</td></tr>
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If I had one wish, it would be to take Greg's cancer away. But I cannot do that. <a href="http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer">So I'm doing the best I can to help him maintain his mobility as his body decides not to cooperate.</a> Right now, my parents need to make modifications to their home to keep Greg safe & mobile. The largest of those being to installed an electric Stairglide to allow Greg to get in & out of the house. They also need to renovate their bathroom to accommodate his walker & wheelchair. Additionally, because of the design of their home, they need to change their front door to one that opens outward so it doesn't bump against the track for the stairglide. As Greg's mobility continues to deteriorate, an electric wheelchair will be the only way he'll be able to get around safely. In addition to Greg's medical bills, these modifications are quite extensive and my parents cannot do it on their own. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mx75/greg-doucette-s-fight-against-brain-cancer" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mx75/greg-doucette-s-fight-against-brain-cancer" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KW0XPeMmgc/U9_HjvnlJzI/AAAAAAAAEd8/SJsoJlnWiLw/s1600/difference1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click photo to lend a helping hand! </td></tr>
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Several of my friends from around the globe have personally emailed me asking if they can help. Up to this point, as a family we've been balancing and managing through sacrifice & love. Give & take... but together we've been able to take care of things. <br />
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However, with these latest requirements, we are no longer able to do it on our own. It takes a whole village! If you feel in your heart you'd like to contribute, I've set up an online fundraiser to help Greg's Mobility Fund. If you cannot donate, but want to make a difference, can you share Greg's story with a link to his fundraiser. <a href="http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer">http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer</a> Every donation helps! The love & prayers we've received since Greg's cancer returned have been amazing! Love can & will make a difference! And I appreciate you for helping me make Greg's journey more comfortable and safe for as long as we're blessed to have him on this earth. Sending love & light! xo, Dawn<br />
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<a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mx75/greg-doucette-s-fight-against-brain-cancer" target="_blank"><b>Donate to Greg's Mobility Fund: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mx75/greg-doucette-s-fight-against-brain-cancer </b></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 30, 2012 - Photo by Matt Mason Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 5, 2014 - Photo by Ashlynn, 6 years old. ;) </td></tr>
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<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-14118980484062921532014-07-15T11:12:00.002-05:002014-07-16T09:30:09.358-05:00Eye've got something to share with you!Last week I shared the first of two project I created using these festive Halloween inspired beads & charms from the brand new <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a> 'Tis the Season collection. <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/07/skip-straight-to-halloween-do-not-pass.html" target="_blank">The first project was a set of boo-tiful napkin rings with the instructions to create your own for a spooktacular dinner party!</a> <br />
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Once the creative juices started flowing, my cuppeth runneth over and I had to create something with this totally funky eyeball pendant! I rummaged through my supply of Cousin beads to find just the right compliment. What spoke to me was the glass tear drops... and since I'm an incredibly emotional person (happy, sad - it doesn't matter, I cry at everything) I thought it most appropriate to make illusion of the eye crying... so without further adieu, my extra credit project because EYE can! ;)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeq2rQYgUt8/U8VR4V1iG7I/AAAAAAAAEak/IyrDVhHCuzs/s1600/beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeq2rQYgUt8/U8VR4V1iG7I/AAAAAAAAEak/IyrDVhHCuzs/s1600/beads.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>You can get the entire line of the Halloween 'Tis the Season Charms at A.C. Moore stores beginning this month! They are really quite adorable with a few spooky ones to play with too! And if you'd like the supply list and instructions for this jewelry project, message me over on my Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry Facebook Page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry </a>Include your email address and I'll email you a word doc with all the deets!<br />
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<i>Hugs & Love!</i><br />
<i>Dawn</i><br />
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P.S. If you'd like to see the latest piece of legacy jewelry I've created or discuss having something special and one-of-a-kind created exclusively for you, visit my website: <a href="http://bit.ly/1wq0i0v" target="_blank">www.BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com</a>. Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-18364666564118553372014-07-09T17:37:00.000-05:002014-07-09T17:37:24.414-05:00Skip straight to Halloween - Do not pass Go - Do not collect $200I'm one that likes to relish in the summer months.... sunny days at the beach, ice cream cones (now that I found a gluten free cone,) kids playing in the park, long days, lightening bugs... so imagine my dismay when I received my package as a <b><a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2013/07/selected-as-cousin-creative-circle.html" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation Ambassador</a></b> this month to see... HALLOWEEN beads & charms! YIKES! That's way, way, way to fast-forwardy for this sun goddess.<br />
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But I had to complete the mission, so I put on my best thinking cap (and I'll admit, that cap seemed full of hot air and not so many brilliant ideas) and I stared at all these really cool but Halloween (translation FALL, specifically October... END of October as in getting to the point where Dawn becomes a goose and flies South for Winter because it's too darn cold for this girl.) So I had a mental block about even thinking about life after summer.<br />
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But when the inspiration struck, two projects came to mind. First we were encouraged to making something other than jewelry... so something crafty. Since I like to eat... napkin rings came to mind! I used some of the new 16 gauge wire from <a href="http://www.cousin.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank"><u>Cousin Corporation</u></a> and two sets of the charm from the 'Tis the Season collection which AC Moore stores will be carrying and voila! Skip the eye of newt and your dinner party will be fabulous with these fun napkin rings!<br />
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And as part of my homework, I had to write instructions as to how to make these... I'm so not the verbose instruction writer. I just make things... inspiration comes from the heart and I just create. SO actually writing step by step how to do something... let's just say I might need therapy for that! ;) <br />
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So if you'd like the instructions, send me a message via my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank"><u>Facebook Page - Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry</u></a> Include your email address and I'll send them right over to you.<br />
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And heck, even if you don't want the instructions, you can still pop over, spare a friend a "Like" and say hello! I'll be sharing the jewelry portion of my project soon! Stay tuned... <br />
<br />Have a boo-tiful day loves!<br />
xo,<br />
Dawn Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-70732535886960587992014-07-03T08:35:00.001-05:002014-07-03T08:38:23.738-05:00Freedom Fun and Family - F Yeah! <b>As we're heading into the 4th of July holiday weekend in the US, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude to all those who have given so much for our freedoms. </b>To the brave Veterans that stood on the lines and fought for our freedoms, thank you. To those currently serving, we pray for your safety and we appreciate your service. To the families that are celebrating this Independence Day without your loved one, we bow our heads and give you our hearts. Your loved one is a true American Hero. How can we help you honor and remember them?<br />
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While celebrating America's birthday, we're also celebrating my niece's 6th birthday! And what a firecracker she is. We'll be cherishing every moment with our family and hope you are creating memories with yours as well!<br />
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<b>Happy 4th of July with Love,</b><br />
<b>Dawn</b><br />
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<b>And next week we're fast forwarding holidays as I share my latest project I did as a <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Cousin Corp brand ambassador...</a> it's featuring their brand new Halloween charms.... </b><br />
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-58516452437629757742014-06-10T11:00:00.000-05:002014-06-10T11:00:37.968-05:00Turning My Beaded Art Jewelry Upside Down for a WOW Design<b>Jewelry Dilemma #87 - </b>I've collected the coolest components for which I'm planning an extraordinary piece of jewelry. I lay out the 3 main focals, get out a whole sheet tray (and then some) of beads, pearls, crystals and glass that just<i> might</i> fall into the design perfectly. I start creating and everything is flowing beautifully. THEN I hit a brick wall... I need to back the pendant and figure out what the heck to do for the bail. I'm thinking fringe off the bottom, but it's just not flowing right. And back to that bail... what the heck was meant for this design? Oy... creativity block kicks in big time!<br />
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<b>Have you ever had the moment where you see a finished design in your mind's eye but the actual piece you're working on tells a different story?</b><br />
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So I put this piece aside... took a little trip, okay it was more than a little trip heading down to Florida to spend a week at the beach. Just letting my soul feel the energy and love from the ocean and hoping to recharge my creative brain. Letting the sun warm my skin as I claimed MY chaise lounge, ordered up some fruity drinks and watched the scenery go by... use your imagination! ;) <br />
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I came home determined to finish this f*@$&%g piece come hell or high water! So I sat at my table, moved some beads around... the pendant stared back, giving me zero ideas. Dawn, stand up & walk away. So I did... for 3 days, then all of a sudden on a Sunday morning inspiration struck! Holla!!!<br />
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<b>Turn that piece upside down! </b><br />
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It's not the first time I've done a 180 on a design and it always turns out better! I have to agree with this piece. It knew what it wanted... my brain was just a little too foggy to "get it!" So the beach cleared things up and allowed my heart to listen to my art. <br />
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The focals pair so well together in this piece! I have to give props to my soul sister, <a href="http://studiojuls.indiemade.com/" target="_blank">Julianna Cannon - Julsbeads</a>, for the amazing lampwork focal. The druzy and arrowhead came from <a href="http://www.cousin.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Cousin Corporation</a>. So did those super funky space rocks, mirror beads and nut & bolt toggle for the necklace! <a href="http://www.primabead.com/Cosmic-C1057.aspx" target="_blank">The Cosmic collection</a> of space age awesomeness is my favorite, favorite, favorite collection from Cousin! <br />
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As we're moving into summer, I have an amazing few pieces I'm starting of commissioned work. One is another <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2012/08/summer-lovin-with-twist-of-heavy-metal.html" target="_blank">Tree of Life necklace similar to the design I created for myself</a>. I'm so excited to be working on that piece in particular because it continues to remind me and inspire me to stay true to who I really am. Be rooted in my divine essence! <br />
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Stay inspired and spread love my friends!<br />
xo,<br />
~DawnDawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-57056465427202689322014-05-09T13:48:00.000-05:002014-05-12T08:40:38.454-05:00Bringing the Bling with Prom JewelryMost of what I design are detailed, <a href="http://www.bellaamorelegacyjewelry.com/" target="_blank">legacy jewelry pieces</a>. However, when a friend reached out that she was looking for a special set of jewelry for a young lady going to prom that is like a daughter to her, I poured my love and energies into a set that she will cherish and hold as a great memory.<br />
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One of the reasons I love doing custom work is 1. No two pieces are the same. 2. I can infuse my love into a special piece of jewelry that will resonate with the personality of the woman wearing it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK7-KZ7eYYg/U20hPFqd2cI/AAAAAAAAESE/oKfAaDgHqE4/s1600/1WIP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK7-KZ7eYYg/U20hPFqd2cI/AAAAAAAAESE/oKfAaDgHqE4/s1600/1WIP.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shamballa Beads from Cousin</td></tr>
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In this case, I knew the design had to be versatile as I didn't have the exact wrist size for the young lady. I also knew it needed to be sparkly and her dress was teal. With those parameters, I set out to create something unique that would let this young woman feel like a princess even just for a night!<br />
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For this set, my inspiration was the <a href="http://www.cousin.com/" target="_blank">Shamballa beads from Cousin</a>. They are a bright pop of color with lots of sparkle. I incorporated crystals in a variety of shapes all designed to capture light differently. Then added some seed beads to infuse that rich teal color throughout the bracelet.<br />
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Of course, one cannot have just a bracelet, but we needed matching earring to complete the beautiful ensemble. I mirrored the crystals I used and included some adorable, flower earrings and channel set crystal also from Cousin.<br />
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The look turned out perfectly as a set of prom jewelry! It would also have looked divine for bridesmaids in a wedding where the bride desires all her attending ladies to have matching jewelry.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG8N8QYfB7U/U20iD8GVClI/AAAAAAAAESU/KwQuXW5Z2A4/s1600/4a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG8N8QYfB7U/U20iD8GVClI/AAAAAAAAESU/KwQuXW5Z2A4/s1600/4a.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugdxfflabYU/UzxSR5lCl-I/AAAAAAAAENo/0Rmo5hNOoY0/s1600/DawnBellaAmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugdxfflabYU/UzxSR5lCl-I/AAAAAAAAENo/0Rmo5hNOoY0/s1600/DawnBellaAmore.jpg" height="179" width="200" /></a>If you have someone special in your life you'd like to give the gift of jewelry, I'd love to connect with you. It warms my heart turning your desires into a beautiful piece of one-of-a-kind jewelry. <a href="http://bit.ly/DesignWithDawn2014" target="_blank">Apply for a complimentary design session so we can share your vision for the perfect piece of jewelry to showcase your beloved's personality. <b>http://bit.ly/DesignWithDawn2014</b></a><br />
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Much love,<br />
Dawn<br />
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P.S. I was sent this beautiful picture of Katie all dressed for Prom. She looks just so beautiful.<br />
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-72668537988385432652014-04-16T07:33:00.000-05:002014-04-16T07:33:29.365-05:00Gluten Free Jewelry Making - Say What?Now if you're wondering "What in the heck is Dawn talking about - Gluten Free Jewelry Making?" It's this... making jewelry while eating the most amazing, scrumptious, ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven because I can AND the are gluten free!<br />
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<b>Say what????</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKjlQ2f2fa8/U051Jq8FpSI/AAAAAAAAERA/F_glTdiDoF8/s1600/DomataFlour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKjlQ2f2fa8/U051Jq8FpSI/AAAAAAAAERA/F_glTdiDoF8/s1600/DomataFlour.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I have to share this with you because I love you... and because I know many of my friends are eating gluten free and I want to help as many people as possible to enjoy the simple pleasure of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.<br />
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It's been over a year since I've had chocolate chip cookies. G-free cookies just aren't the same. No matter how hard I tried with the almond flour, rice flour... blah, blah, blah flour... there just wasn't a substitute for good old-fashioned homemade chocolate chip cookies. Until now!<br />
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A fellow g-free friend suggested I try Domata flour... but the challenge was it wasn't easy to find. It was only available in this one specialty store and that was a half hour drive.... read my lips not.convenient.at.all. So I hadn't had a chance to try it, until I found it while picking up a "few quick things" (translation $150 of stuff) at our local Walmart! *It's not possible to run in & out of Walmart and not drop $100+ seriously, just not possible.<br />
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But this time... I didn't care! I had Domata flour - and the part about Domata flour that's really, really awesome is that it's a cup-for-cup exchange. Meaning you can follow any cookie recipe, add exactly the same amount of flour it calls for and continue mixing on your merry way! No messing around with additional ingredients like xanthum gum or trying to figure out a conversion between regular flour and gluten free flour. Domata flour is a rice flour that all ready has done the mixing of the extra special ingredients for you! BRILLIANT! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Trfimpni8A/U051P_qPdzI/AAAAAAAAERI/lUohBfN3PTo/s1600/Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Trfimpni8A/U051P_qPdzI/AAAAAAAAERI/lUohBfN3PTo/s1600/Cookies.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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So Sunday I tested this in a cup-for-cup challenge. I made my favorite type of chocolate chip pudding cookies. Like I said, I haven't had a fresh baked choclate chip cookie in over a year. And I'm really, really happy to share with you that they were devine... were because I shared a few and I've since polished off the rest. Shhhhhh, don't tell my Beachbody coach friends that! :) But they were seriously that good. <br />
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Domata also makes a seasoned flour mix and a pizza crust flour. I'd be willing to try either of those after how good these cookies turned out. If you are like me and you're eating gluten free for your health, try Domata flour for your baked goods. I know I'll use it again soon... right after I burn the 3,402,287 calories I consumed from this batch! ;)<br />
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P.S. So you're wondering about the jewelry I made... sorry, I can't show you! It's a secret for a large retail bead store as an assignment for the <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2013/07/selected-as-cousin-creative-circle.html" target="_blank"><b>Cousin Creative Circle</b></a>. BUT I'd love to take you back to a really happy, inspired cuff I designed that makes me really want to dance on the beach! <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-than-just-beaded-bracelet-its.html" target="_blank"><u>Visit this blog post for lots of fun, happy pictures: http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-than-just-beaded-bracelet-its.html</u></a> AND follow it up by heading over and connecting with me on Facebook! I'd love to show you what work is in progress in my studio as we speak! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com"><span style="color: blue;"><u><b>http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com</b></u></span></a> <br />
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<br />Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com3Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA42.5916836 -88.4334301000000142.4981481 -88.594791600000008 42.685219100000005 -88.272068600000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-52830213556432171542014-04-10T19:48:00.000-05:002014-04-10T19:58:37.315-05:0030 Word Thursday at Lake Geneva Beach<div style="text-align: center;">
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Winter ice has finally gone,</div>
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Open water lapping the shore.</div>
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Summer peeking around the corner</div>
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Sunshine is waiting to kiss our cheeks.</div>
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My heart is smiling at what is coming.</div>
Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-19052458223763043742014-04-04T11:36:00.001-05:002014-04-04T11:36:13.166-05:0030 Word Thursday - Oops is it Friday Already?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Two years ago we had little snow,</b></div>
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<b>The temps were mild and spring went wild.</b></div>
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<b>This was my yard, trees were in full bloom...</b></div>
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<b>the first week in April 2012.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Add your link to the InLinkz on<a href="http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2014/04/30-words-where-you-live.html" target="_blank"> Erin Prais-Hintz 30 Words Thursday post</a>. </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.</b></span></div>
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Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689675615581384133.post-72629306063667359682014-04-02T13:17:00.000-05:002015-05-18T10:56:15.097-05:00More than just a Beaded Bracelet - It's Wrist Candy<b>A bracelet by any other name is just a bracelet... but this bead embroidered cuff is like a kiss of Hawaii, a dance along the Florida Gulf and a sip of a Rum Runner all in one! </b><br />
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And this is where I tell you if it had magical powers, my nose would be twitching like Tabitha, I'd be nodding my head like Jeannie and I'd be finding myself on the perfect tropical beach wearing this cuff... maybe <i>just</i> this cuff it's so delicious! <br />
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One day last week I woke up and said (in my best Jimmy Kimmel voice) "Dear Winter, thank you for the lovely blankets of fluffy, white diamonds you sprinkled on us, every.other.freaking.day (*rolls eyes). For without you, I'd forget just how much <b>I love summer.</b> Love, Dawn"<br />
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After that I was a one woman wrecking crew determined to bring sunshine and happiness to my little corner of the world. I pulled from tropical vacation memories, from places and colors that make me smile and made my soul sing. Lime, Fuchsia, Purple, Aqua... marry them all together and BAM! It's like sunshine just kissed my wrist!<br />
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For this cuff, I used the coolest amethyst purple <a href="http://www.primabead.com/18pc-Crystal-Buttons-Purple-P2596.aspx" target="_blank">crystal</a> buttons I picked up on the crazy <a href="http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/03/business-beads-and-beach.html" target="_blank">Cousin shopping spree</a> when I was there on the Ambassador Retreat. I also pulled in freshwater pearls in peridot, raspberry and aquamarine. I used some flat backed glass stones that have the coolest iridescent finish! I backed this piece of happiness with a metallic fuschsia Italian lambskin leather and... you guessed it. I haven't stopped smiling since!<br />
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If you like this and want one of your own, I'll gladly create the perfect Cuff of Happiness to fit your wrist exactly! I can play with the same colors or I can tailor it to be exactly what you're looking for! With warmer weather, we're gearing up for halter tops & swimsuits here! How about a little arm candy to make you smile every time you look at your wrist?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugdxfflabYU/UzxSR5lCl-I/AAAAAAAAENk/MWsyDLaRwgM/s1600/DawnBellaAmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugdxfflabYU/UzxSR5lCl-I/AAAAAAAAENk/MWsyDLaRwgM/s1600/DawnBellaAmore.jpg" width="200" /></a>Follow my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Page: Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry</a> and we'll create magic together! <br />
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<b>Peace & Love,</b><br />
<i><b>♥ Dawn</b></i> ♥Dawn Doucettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249588677366444337noreply@blogger.com6