Dawn Doucette discusses Bella Amore Legacy Jewelry in recent interview

Bella = Beautiful             Amore = Love

Have you ever spent time with yourself really searching for what's your passion?  What REALLY means something to you that you just want to dance down the street singing about?  What are you going to leave as your mark on the world?  What's your legacy?

I know that while I'm here on this earth I express my gratitude for my health, happiness and love every day.  In fact, it's part of my mission to spread love and happiness to as many people as I can touch.

Creating really special beaded jewelry is part of the way I spread happiness and love.  When I'm creating something custom for a client, the love pours forth in so many facets.  From our initial discussion through the creation process, I am pouring love into each and every piece.  Once that beautiful package is wrapped and shipped out, I anxiously await to hear the joy my client feels opening her present! :)

Joy, love, happiness... peace - Bella Amore is all that and more!

Recently I was interviewed on a radio show about my passion for the jewelry I create.  The hostess, Suzy Manning talks with guests focusing on how to help women in their midlife connect with what their true passion and purpose is.  I truly believe everyone is beautiful and everyone has something special to give.  Finding what your special gift is and sharing it with the world, that's where your legacy starts!

Listen to internet radio with SuzyManning on BlogTalkRadio

If above audio player doesn't work, click here to be taken to the archived interview.

Bella Amore is a brand created from the depths of my soul.  Seeing the beauty around me, spreading love and letting women know how special they are!  The pieces I create are unique, artistic, quality and a reflection of the woman within.  If you'd like something custom designed to showcase your personality, or to honor 3 generations of family, a sister connection or a special mother/daughter bond, connect with me.  I'd love to send some beautiful love your way! ♥

Hugs!
Dawn



Here's a P.S. Because family is so important to me, I have to share a few pictures from a family weekend we had at my brother's house!  We had an amazing bonfire, cookout and overnight!  It was really special for all 4 of the kids along with Mom & Dad to be together under one roof.  We roasted smores, ate burgers, laughed a lot and we were able to help get a lot of yard work done around my brother's house! 

With my "Little" brother - who'll always be wayyyy taller than his big sis!

My Family (L to Right) - Mom, Amy, Brenda, Greg, Me, Dad

More Family ( L to R) - Don, Amy, Greg, Dad, Mom, Bren, Ashlynn & Liam

I think this a combination of Cheese S'more!

Grandpa and a sleepy camper!

Santa Asked for My Help - How Could I Say No

Starting on December 26th, I will have oodles and caboodles of new jewelry from Designs by Dawn Marie to share with you.  Why?  Because Santa sent me a Facebook message and asked that I help him create some really wonderful surprises some women that are on his "Nice" list this year.  I couldn't say no, I mean come on... who could say no to Santa?

So I've been a busy little elf working away in my studio.  And I've created some really wonderful and in several cases sentimental pieces of jewelry that are going to be Christmas gifts.  I'm amazed at how many husbands have contacted me asking me to design special pieces of jewelry for their wives.  I'm touched and honored - and I totally give those guys props!  They are listening to what their wives want AND not waiting until the last minute to hit up the Five & Dime.  Kudos men... you know who you are. 

I would totally love to show you pictures and share... BUT I'm not about to ruin any surprises!  So if I have to have patience, so do you. :O)~  Na, na, na, Boo, boo! 

For those husbands, daughters, mothers and girlfriends that would like to give the give of artisan jewelry, I've added a "Christmas Gifts" section to my website.  All of these pieces are finished and ready to ship.  So if you need to give a gift to the boss's wife at an unexpected dinner party before the holiday, check out that section of my online store!  I'm also happy to gift wrap as a courtesy... just let me know you want it wrapped and consider it done!

Hope you've been having a fantastic holiday season!  Spread love, spread smiles and create cheer!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

A Peek Inside the Artists Brain

Okay, if you don't want to tour the grey matter between my ears... step away from this blog post now.  BUT if you're crazy (just like me) and you want to see my thought process when creating a piece of bead embroidered jewelry... stick around. 

On Wednesday, I participated in a fantastic challenge... The Challenge of Color blog hop organized by Erin Prais-Hintz over at Tesori Trovati.  Throughout this challenge I learned many things... I took risks and those risks were rewarded with a beautiful finished product.  When I finished my beaded cuff bracelet, even I stepped back and commented, "Wow, I didn't know I had it in me!"  Who would have thought!

So in an effort to document my process throughout the design of this embroidered cuff (now available in my online store), I took pictures throughout the process and put a video together.  It'll show you how I design and where my brain and the beads play together.  Remember though the beauty of bead embroidery is that every person is unique and so are your works of art!  Design what you dream!


http://video214.com/play/V6nP0IXkuWUtLs6R1dCHjA/s/dark

For Supplies:  I use Nicole's Bead Backing from Nicole Campanella (The Beadwright).  I tried Lacy's when I first started and was not happy as it kept "frizzing" and "fuzzing."  I purchased this druzy from a seller on Etsy.  Both offer SUPERB service! 

Well... that's a tour through my brain.  Hope I didn't lose you in the process!  Have a terrific weekend and live an inspired week!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Cotton Candy and Circus Peanuts

Muse: \ˈmyüz\ 1.  the source of an artist's inspiration.  2.  A state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction.

What's your Muse?

For the most part, my muse in my designs is happy things.  Things that make me feel like a kid or things that make me giggle.  My muse often stems from love and the feeling of abundance.  As of late, I've really been addicted to enjoying creating special pieces of jewelry with seed beads.  Bead Embroidery has been an artform I've oogled at online for a long time.  LONG time (like before I even dreamed of designing my own jewelry.)  So now that I'm learning and creating my own pieces I'm constantly feeling bubbly at what my two hands create.  It's almost like having an out of body experience when I see the finished product.

Recently I was inspired by the sound of a calliope that was on a commerical in the background.  That sound made me think of a wonderful experience as a child going to the circus with my family.  I instantly started seeing pink & orange... which also left me feeling very happy.  So I sorted through my stash and just started "playing" with colors & textures.  I created a necklace called "Cotton Candy & Circus Peanuts."  Take a peek this fun piece and a few more in the new youtube video I just uploaded! 

I've been having so much fun!

If you're looking for inspiration or to learn more about bead embroidery jewelry - this is the book that was my "Ah Ha" moment!

I'm Speechless - That NEVER Happens!

When I say never... I really mean it.  Dawn always has some witty comeback, or something sincere... but right now I'm so very humbled and grateful.

Yesterday Happy Mango Beads announced the winners of their Bead my Valentine Contest.  It was the first time I had ever stepped outside of my comfort zone and entered my unique jewelry in a contest for my peers to judge.  I was so very nervous, but suppressed those butterflies and the "What if's" and just said whatever will be, will be.  I put my heart into the piece and I find it beautiful and that's good enough for me.

Romance In Bloom

So imagine my surprise yesterday when I saw Happy Mango Beads facebook update that the winners had been announced and I saw the photo of my necklace.  My first thought was no way.  So I clicked over to their blog to read who the winners really were...

What happened next was almost like an out of body experience.

All of a sudden, I'm dancing, squealing, laughing, CRYING, and the dogs are barking like we have an intruder in the house.  The emotions that this simple webpage brought to the surface in me was unbelievable.  I called Chris at work... squealed, and was crying as I told him.  Then I had to call my mom... more crying and squealing.

I feel so incredibly blessed.  I just let my heart and the beads have a conversation... and what they decide to become is really beyond my control.  I'm just the instrument that does the work. 

But the story doesn't end here.  Happy Mango Beads is having a Viewers Choice contest among all of the entries.  I have two very dear friends that have their jewelry entered as well.  Voting runs through midnight February 18th.  Voting is open to anyone.  To vote, go to the Facebook album and designs you like give a "Thumbs Up Like" to.  The photo with the most likes at the end of the week will win a $50 shopping spree from Happy Mango Beads.  Here's the link to their facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=76049058528&aid=327193

By Dawn Horner - Northern Adornments

Can I ask you to consider 'Liking' these two very special pieces?  One of those pieces is the piece I blogged about from my good friend Dawn Horner in Alaska.  I just love the chainmaille bracelet with the really, really sparkly Swarovskis that run down the middle.

By Regina Santarre - Sundance Gems

My friend Regina of Sundance Gems won her category with her bracelet, Roses for my Sweetheart!  It's a beautiful bracelet that really has a soft, romantic feel.

Thanks to everybody for encouraging me to step out of my box.  I never expected the view to be so wonderful.  More contests and new adventures are in the works!  Can't wait to share with you!

Hope your day is absolutely amazing!
{Hugs & Blessings!}
~Dawn