Those Hot Summer Nights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turning My Beaded Art Jewelry Upside Down for a WOW Design

Jewelry Dilemma #87 - 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 might 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!

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?

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! ;)

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!!!

Turn that piece upside down!  

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. 

The focals pair so well together in this piece!  I have to give props to my soul sister, Julianna Cannon - Julsbeads, for the amazing lampwork focal.  The druzy and arrowhead came from Cousin Corporation.  So did those super funky space rocks, mirror beads and nut & bolt toggle for the necklace!  The Cosmic collection of space age awesomeness is my favorite, favorite, favorite collection from Cousin!

As we're moving into summer, I have an amazing few pieces I'm starting of commissioned work.  One is another Tree of Life necklace similar to the design I created for myself.  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! 

Stay inspired and spread love my friends!
xo,
~Dawn

Gluten 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!

Say what????

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.

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!

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.

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! 

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. 

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! ;)

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 Cousin Creative Circle.  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!  Visit this blog post for lots of fun, happy pictures: http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-than-just-beaded-bracelet-its.html   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!  http://www.facebook.com/BellaAmoreLegacyJewelry.com 

Mocha Latte - Chocolate - Love - Inspired Jewelry to Last a Lifetime

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time we talk a little about LOVE!  Personally, I show my love for all those I care about every.single.day!  Yes, in DawnVille, it's always Valentine's Day!  However some people need subtle reminders or gentle nudges about how to show their love and appreciation to those that matter.

This month, our assignment from Cousin Corporation was to design something that is Valentine's Day inspired.  My interpretation is your everyday Valentine.  

For my inspiration in my design, I think back to my first day with my sweetie!  We had a date at a coffee shop on a chilly fall night.  Drank mochas, watched the stars come out... until we saw floating orange orbs silently moving across the sky but those are for discussion on a different forum. ;)  I talked, he listened.  We shared stories until the frothy whip cream was long gone and the coffee shop was closing up for the night... so in honor of my first date with my love, this necklace is called Mocha Love!

For this necklace, I used a lampwork heart designed by Juli Cannon - Studio Juls and created the necklace with a mix of beads from Cousin Corporation.  The necklace has pearls, glass crystals, mirror beads, oval gemstone beads and copper accents. 

Every love is different, special and unique.  Meant to help us learn and grow.  Meant to cherish and represent a place & time in our lives.  Just like no two pieces of jewelry I design are the same.  Beadwork, stitching, accent beads... there will never be a necklace just like this!

If you are looking to celebrate your love with a one of a kind piece of legacy jewelry, apply for a free design session to work with me! http://bit.ly/DesignWithDawn2014  Not everybody appreciates art or celebrates love like I do.  But if this piece speaks to you and you'd like something original designed exclusively for you, I'd love to have a personal conversation!

For more pieces of legacy jewelry, follow Bella Amore on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Under Sea Adventure Necklace

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tis the Season with the Cousin Creative Circle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where the Ocean Meets the Sand - A custom necklace inspired by Florida

Your walking along the shore.  You feel the wet sand under you feet.  Glancing back, you see your footprints leading the way back to where you've been.  Looking ahead all you see is possibilities.  You can go anywhere and your options are endless.  But you're called back to the water...

For my first custom design for Cousin Corporation, our assignment was to create something inspired by Florida because their company is based in Largo, FL.  We could choose anything at all about Florida to use as inspiration, but we had to use only Cousin beads in our creations.  Whether it was flamingos, citrus fruits, Disney, palm trees or something else all together.  I always chose the "something else" path less traveled. 

I created this custom beaded necklace I call Where the Ocean Meets the Sand. I started by laying out everything under the sun that might go into this necklace.  Initially I wasn't sure where my inspiration would take me... but here's what I started to play with.

Personally, I've always been drawn to water.  Sunrise, sunset, walks on the beach... and let's be honest, Florida being a peninsula has a LOT of beaches.  So I thought it was appropriate that my Florida inspired necklace feature the beautiful ocean and beaches.

As a focal, I selected an amber and teal colored geode slice. It's almost the shape of Florida (it's just missing the panhandle).  It paired perfectly with the teal seed bead mix and the amber seed bead mix from Cousin.  The mixes have a combination of bugle beads, 11/0 and 8/0 that worked to give this an organic, funky flow.  To finish the necklace I pulled in beautiful copper accents in bead caps and the toggle clasp, some amber gemstone nuggets and acrylic faceted beads.

A little wire-wrapping makes this necklace reversible

This is one of those pieces that will go perfectly with turquoise outfits all summer and will blend marvelously into the fall earthy tones.  It's artistic and fun.  It's asymmetrical and still balanced.  I think I nailed Florida so perfectly that this piece should take a trip to Florida just for good measures! ;)

And because I needed some instant gratification in the sea of seed beads and all the looping to make this necklace, I created a pair of matching earrings.  The kidney ear wires and copper charms with crystal accents are both Cousin products.  The lampwork glass beads are from Juli Cannon of StudioJuls.  Yet another staple in my array of turquoise and copper... can you say LOVE?!?! 

Click to Follow My Creative Inspirations on Facebook

Angelic Ethreal Pearl Jewelry

When we see pearls, we admire their soft finish, their beautiful luminescence and their elegant look.  Combined with Swarovski crystal, those pearls magnify their divine feeling. 

Sometimes the most elegant design speaks to the heart, on a soul level.  Earlier this summer, I took my jewelry to display at a really special event in Scottsdale, AZ.  There I met a woman that just embodies living your purpose and your passion.  She and I discussed having a necklace custom designed.  The colors that best suit her are warm, amber tones, earth tones, olive greens, terracotta and the like.

I had one necklace on my table that was made from beautiful white pearls and crystals.  It had a touch of silver, but was very elegant in contrast with such a vibrant pop of color.  The necklace sold to another client, but the original vision stuck in the mind of this amazing woman.  You see, she's living her passion and helping people to heal from the darkest of places in their lives.  She's lifting people up and helping them work through their addictions, take control of their actions and rise above their vices.

The way this pearl and crystal necklace spoke to her was like hearing angels singing.  The light, white balance of the necklace felt ethereal to her, so much like the work she's doing to help others.

I re-created a necklace very similarly with a tiny tweak to make it an original, one-of-a-kind design with the same ethereal feel.  Each piece I make is truly special, but when I have the ability to infuse love in the process that ultimately will be worn by a healer, I am the one who feels so richly blessed.

Thank you, Janet, for giving me the privilege of designing something so special for you!  I know you will wear the necklace beautifully and help so many women find their light!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Classic Pearl Earrings add the nicest touch!

P.S.  Because I'm so excited and have a hard time keeping really fun things to myself, I wanted to give you a sneak peak into the project I'm working on for Cousin as my August project.  I'm not going to give you any hints (yet, until my dogs sit on me and make me do it) but I will show you the array of beads and components I'm working with to Rock the Casbah on my very first assignment.  Are you drooling yet?

Some with stay, some will go - what will be the big reveal?

"My Dear Dawn,

There are no words to express my joy and support of you.  I admire that you are owning how significant and meaningful your jewelry is.  Your packaging, announcing the arrival of a future heirloom, reflects your ownership of your talent, positive energy and labor of love.

I will be honored to wear my angelic necklace; I pray that, our combined energies with the intent to serve and love others, will indeed reach those whose hearts are willing to receive it.

With huggs, cheers and gratitude!" ~Janet
 

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Selected as Cousin Creative Circle Brand Ambassador

Be Yourself Charm by Cousin Corp.

First, can I tell you how hard secrets are for me... especially good secrets.  When something wonderful happens (or is about to happen) I'm bursting at the seams to share and yet I have to keep my lips zipped.  It's like when you find the perfect Christmas present for your sweetie... and you HAVE to tell someone because it's burning a hole in your head, and you're so excited to see his face on Christmas morning when you surprise him, but you can't keep it in because all that Christmasy goodness would cause one to explode... Yes, I'm THAT excited!

I am honored and thrilled to have been selected by a panel of esteemed judges at Cousin Corporation to be on their Creative Circle as a brand ambassador for the upcoming year. (Click Here to read the press release.)  Out of hundreds of applicants, I was one of 5 jewelry artists chosen.  I'm thrilled because I use beads in an unconventional way!  It makes me very proud to be able to bring my form of art jewelry to a larger audience and help people think outside of the box.

Cousin is a 4th generation, family-run company which is so special to me.  As my jewelry is designed to be a legacy from the matriarch of the family to future generations, so is this company for the Cousin family.  I value family so much and I'd do anything for my family.  So to be welcomed as an official "Cousin" is an honor and a privilege.  (Useless Trivia that won't get me on Jeopardy: Jeff Cousin, President of Cousin Corp. was born in Beloit, WI about 45 minutes from me)

"Our Creative Circle program has absolutely surpassed our expectations," said Jeff Cousin, President. “We want to keep the craft of jewelry making relevant and maintain it as a growing art. We are excited to expand the program so we can show even more people that jewelry making is accessible and rewarding, and also introduce them to the Cousin brand.”  As Cousin Ambassadors they will have a platform to share ideas with the product development team, create projects for publications in magazines and on various social media platforms, preview upcoming programs and provide feedback about products before they go to market.

Published in Beadwork Magazine September 2012 - Love Toggle by Cousin

Over the next year, I'll be working with an incredible group of women to share our love of jewelry design.  We all have unique styles and bring something special to the Creative Circle.  We'll be working with the designers at Cousin to help test and try new products and give feedback to help enhance the art of jewelry design.

Designed for Tony Romo's Wife at the suggestion of my brother - Chain by Cousin

As my journey into the art of jewelry designs embraces this new adventure.  I have so many people to thank for inspiring me, teaching me and helping me to become ME!  My grandma taught me to crochet at a really young age, which translated into a few wire crochet jewelry pieces.  My mom taught me to sew and quilt which has been exponential helpful in creating the style of jewelry I create today, bead embroidery.  My mother-in-law who encouraged me that "surely you have a talent darling" and that I needed to "bling it up a bit."  My dear brother, Greg who has become an integral part of my business as an inspiration, an idea generator and over all quality control.  I'm so lucky he's so interested and passionate about that which I love doing so much.  My sisters Amy & Brenda, thank you both for appreciating my jewelry and allowing me to create special YOU-inspired designs.  Amy your wedding was such a joy to be able to create for. My numerous business mentors for believing in me, wearing my pieces, sharing my name and helping me to make good business decisions to grow the business I have built.

Finally, I have to thank Chris.  You're my soul mate and my best friend.  I thank you for allowing me to explore my creative side and find what my true calling is.  It gives me such joy to create pieces of jewelry for women I know love them and are going to pass them down to their daughters and granddaughters.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming year of sharing my creativity with the Cousin team and fellow members of the Cousin Creative Circle!  I'm honored and excited to embrace the possibilities!