A Day of Earrings!

Yes, for me that was yesterday.  We had to have a new boiler installed in our house yesterday, so with 3 HVAC guys going in and out all day, my two ahem.... adorable dogs decided to have a not stop bark-a-thon.

After the first 1/2 hour, I decided I needed to figure out a way to hush them up without sitting on them. :)  Enter my earring making mission.  If I sat one of my dogs on my couch and the other one laid at my feet, I could grab their collars as necessary and they were good as long as I was sitting right there with them. (Translation: I was not able to leave the room without them barking their freaking heads off.)

So I grabbed 3 random bead boxes, and my box of findings and away I went.  I made 10 pairs of earrings, an adorable bracelet, a beaded eyeglass chain in turquoise colors and started a new spiral rope seed bead chain.  (Which I can't wait to share with you because it's turning out AWESOME using black & silver.)

My earring marathon turned out to be a double bonus.  I now have more items for the open house I'm having next Tuesday.  It adds more items that are great last minute additions to any back-to-school gift pack for teachers or daughters. :o)

It 'twas much fun, and a great bonding experience with my dogs.

Sweet Jewelry Surprise

One of the greatest joys in life for me is surprising someone with gratitude completely out of the blue.  Everybody has struggles with one thing or another in life - especially lately it seems - so if I can give someone a smile, or add a little joy to their day it completely makes my day! 

Such is the case with these adorable purple earrings.  I made 2 pairs, one to give as a surprise gift, the other to put in my store.  My friend has no idea these are coming to her.  I only wish the package had a voice recorder for when she opens the package... because girl, she is going to squeeeeeeeeel with joy. That I'm sure of!

If you haven't done something out of the blue for anybody lately, maybe this will inspire you.  My mission in life is to spread love and share smiles.  Since I took the oath of Large Hearts & Giving Spirit in an undisclosed location, a gazillion years ago... I've seen so many smiles.  And I know, smiles breed more smiles!  Woot, woot! 

I hope you give someone one of your smiles today!  Because I KNOW you've got plenty to go around!

Have a superfantastic* day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

*Superfantastic is an unlicensed trademark from my really, wonderful cousin Lexi.  It's her favorite word and just saying it puts a smile on my face.  Thanks Lexi for always making me smile!  You're a true gem sweetie!  Love ya!*

Lampwork Glass Starfish Necklace

The inspiration for most of the pieces I create come from something, somewhere, or someone specific.  In other words I design from the heart.  Which if you get to know me, you'll quickly learn that's really how I am in every aspect of my life.  I live by my intuition and love from the heart.

About a month ago, I ordered a pendant that just really caught my eye, but at that time, I didn't know exactly why or what it would turn into.  This week, I had my Ah-Ha moment with the starfish pendant.

I gained all sorts of inspiration from the cute little starfish, added some Mother of Pearl, some adorable glass sea shell beads and viola!

I designed this set as a gift for someone who is facing adversity with a smile on her face and love seeping out of all of her pores.  As a family over the years, they shared wonderful trips to the Caribbean and spent many special moments scuba diving with the fish.  This is just a little something to give you a moment to reminisce over happy times, and gain strength to get you through the challenging moments you are facing today!  I know in my heart, the Good Health Fairy will be knocking on your door soon, bringing strength and love so you guys can plan another wonderful adventure in the next chapter together!  Just make sure you answer the door when she knocks!

P.S.  Aren't the dangly seashells so adorable on these earrings?  I just 'wubs 'em! :)

Spring is HERE!!!

Last week was GORGEOUS... it was 60's and sunny almost all week. Which in WI where I live is very rare. So I was feeling a smidge spoiled... until Mother Nature sent us a wake up call!

Ring, Ring... "Hello Dawn, put away the flip flops... it's still March!"

Yes, Saturday morning I woke up to 1" of snow on the ground. Yes, Friday was 59 and beautiful, Saturday was freezing! Crazy, I know! I felt really bad for the two robins I saw hopping around the yard looking for worms. I almost wish I had little birdy booties to keep their feet warm. They're not used to that cold, white, fluffy stuff!

So in honor of spring officially being here on the calendar (and it is supposed to return in weather this week), I've designed these robins nest earrings. They turned out quite cute. Hope your week is loaded with sunshine, happiness and all sorts of wonderful new beginnings (like flowers & baby birds!) :)

The Biggest Compliment

The biggest compliment you can get is a special order from family. I'm not joking, when my Grandma (who happens to be very stylish and hip) called me last night asking me to make a custom piece for her long time friend Pat for her birthday, I felt so happy. Grandma saw some pictures of my designs over on our family blog and she knew I would make something special.

So after talking with Grandma we decided on a bracelet and earrings set. Now for the fun part... ahhh, what to make. I have so many wonderful memories of time spent with Grandma (and Pat) growing up. I would get 1 full week of Grandma/Dawn time every summer. As there were 20+ grandkids, this one-on-one time was SUPER special. One of the unique fun things we would do is go flying with Pat. Pat's been a small plane pilot for years and she'd always make a special day when the skies were blue to take Grandma & I up above the world in a little Cesna plane. We'd go somewhere just a few hours away, have a nice lunch and fly home!

I felt really special and I know it meant the world to both Grandma & Pat just seeing the smile on my face. So in memory of all our times flying, I kept thinking "Blue Sky." But the light blue just wasn't perfect... Pat wears bolder colors. So I chose a cobalt blue with the clear beads accenting like clouds accent the sky!

I know my Grandma will be so proud to give this set, and I know Pat will just love it too! Thank you Grandma for letting me help with Pat's present. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and such loyal family friends!

Have a wonderful weekend dear friends~
Dawn

My Charitable Contribution

One of our local High Schools is having a silent auction as a fundraiser. While I don't have children, I know how important fund raisers were when I was in High School. Our booster club made so many donations to help our athletic program out and I feel very blessed to have been able to enjoy 4 great years of athletics... including a win at the State Championship in Women's Basketball.

So when asked if I'd donate a piece of my jewelry, my answer was ABSOLUTELY!!!

3-Piece Set - Necklace, Bracelet & Earrings

I wanted to design a piece that would be appealing to both the female students and the mothers of students. Because I have no idea who the highest bidder will be, whether they'll keep my design or give it as a gift, I wanted something that had mass appeal and versatility!


I chose to go with a black and silver theme with a slight oriental feel. The school colors are Scarlet & Silver, so I wanted a piece that would match the school colors and could be worn anytime...


Double Strand Bracelet with Diamond Cut Black & Silver Beads

So here's what I created - a matching 3-piece set; Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet. I can honestly say, I love it! I really hope that it brings in a great donation for the High School and that the winner loves it as much as I do!

I wrapped it in pretty packaging so the winner would fall in love.