March 22 2015

You know, when I started this I didn't expect to meet so many people.    I considered craft shows to be where I would chat and learn, and connect but I was profoundly surprised by the connection with people I have found over the internet.  (Yes, yes I know, everyone else knows this,  but I didn't!)

I hosted a small jewelry party last week. Sort of a test to see if a) I liked it, b) how my displays held up, that sort of thing.  Thinking of something fun to do (and badly needing makeup) I got chatting with a lady selling  makeup via the local Ladies Who Lunch group.  So, she came along and we both did our thing, with wine and coffee, and laughter.   Lots and lots of laughter.

I loved it.    And I think I want to do it again.  Craft fairs are wonderful,  the internet sales are good,  the custom orders are gladly accepted but the home show also satiated my need for a bit of a more personal connection.

I hope my ladies loved the pieces they bought, the makeup they tried.   And I plan on doing this in the summer with a few more crafty artsy minded folks.  A garden showcase maybe!  Now I just need a garden to do it in!

Oh, and have you heard of Ladies Who Lunch?  Awesome group - community minded business women looking to connect and promote local businesses.   Amazingly supportive and just a little awe inspiring some of them - with what they have built from scratch.   I am gonna learn a lot! (Hopefully by wearing my new makeup and selling a ton!)

I couldn't lock in a local artist for March to profile.  But I did do my monthly donations.   Ladies who Lunch and Sits with Me dog rescue plus an auction item for a local family who lost nearly everything in a house fire.  Loving the fact I can do this!

Now I have to go brave the snow and minus 15 chills.    It be cold out there!

Dawnings!

ps  We posted again this week - a few treasures to add to our horde - check us out on Facebook and Etsy!

Some friends of mine are currently climbing Kilimanjaro, so I thought why not find out what jewelry (yes I am obsessed) gets created in that part of our big bright beautiful world.

Apparently color plays in a lot (borrowed from  here:  http://interesting-africa-facts.com/African-Jewelry/Maasai-Bead-Jewelry.shtml ).

• Red - stands for bravery, unity, and blood. Red is the color of cows blood. Often a cow is slaughtered when the Maasai meet and therefore unity is associated with red.
• White - represents peace, purity, and health. The association with health comes from white cows milk which the tribe drinks to stay healthy.
• Blue - represents energy and the sky. Rain falls from the blue sky which provides water for the cattle.
• Orange - Symbolizes hospitality. The association with cattle is that visitors are served cows milk from orange gourds.
• Yellow - like orange yellow also symbolizes hospitality. The animal skins on visitors beds are yellow.
• Green - symbolizes health and land. Cattle graze on the green grass of the land.
• Black - represents the people and the struggles they must endure

And this artist has a very modern take on the traditional designs:  http://influxjewellery.com/matthieu-cheminee/

Im coveting this book, and placing a request for my local library to order it :  Jewelry Techniques of West Africa,  by Matthieu Cheminée

One of our favourite stones - Tanzanite comes from the region.    

Etsy has a fantastic range of Kilimanjaro inspired jewelry too

Now I'm sitting here getting bitten by the travel bug!

Kwaheri & Nakupenda  (Goodbye, and Love!)

Dawnings

March 2nd 2015

What a few weeks!  Did you miss me?    Had to get the computer rebuilt and so I missed our chat.    I have now made arrangements so I won't leave you lonely again!

This weeks coffee assisted wandering across the inter webs included too many funny pet videos (don't judge me)  and a rehash of the melted silver in pine needles technique (my first few tries are ....not great) and research for a few custom orders.  When I started this adventure in jewelry I didn't even think about custom orders  but they come in and I am thrilled.    With Mothers Day approaching I have orders coming in and its so much fun figuring out how to put things together.    This afternoon I will be making up two more necklaces and two pairs of earrings to join the pretty pile of chiffon bags by my front door waiting on pickup and mailing!

I won't be making these however: http://youtu.be/e4A720TeqWc  Nope!  The top ten most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world are a little teeny tiny bit out of my range.    

I also wanted to fix up a ring that lost a stone...so practicing my setting techniques. This blog is good for that:

http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2012/07/25/intro-to-stone-setting-essential-tools-for-setting-stones-in-bezels-and-other-settings.aspx

And lastly I wanted to share my treasure hunt updates.  I was perusing FreeCycle and decided to post an ad asking for broken and unwanted treasures - and in return I would donate to the food bank.  And it worked!!   I have been the lucky recipient of quite a few bags of treasure and the Food Bank is getting its donations regularly.      Plus these kind folks get to declutter, and avoid landfill!  Win!!

I thought that was pretty sharp of me,   patting myself on the back and avidly waiting for yard sale season to start!   Do you have any ideas how I can source supplies?

Hope your March is off to a good start....I will be choosing a local charity to donate a Dawnings creation to for our March good will gesture.    Ideas?

Chat soon!
Dawnings

p.s.  Here are some of this weeks creations - available on Facebook or Etsy.