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.

Guest Artist:  CADIA

Hello Everyone,

This guest artist has some of the most beautiful creations I have seen, I am coveting SO many of these pieces!

Artist:  Cadia

Website: www.oficinadiecipercento.com

Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/OficinaDieciPerCento?ref=hl

Biography: Born in Benevento, but Florentine by adoption.  Cadia's obsession for the goldsmith's art has led her, since adolescence, to follow an educational path to become a goldsmith jeweller.

Cadia started her training in Florence, around the age of sixteen, with a course of wax sculpture then she continued with a two-years jewelry course at the Goldsmith centre "Il Tari" in Marcianise (Province of Caserta).  Afterwards she continued in  in Naples, with a Diploma in Applied Arts (Metals branch), then in Vicenza with the qualification of Goldsmith operator and finally in Florence for a Master's degree in Culture and Style of Fashion and a specialisation course in ancient Florentine goldsmith's techniques. 

Nadia has for six years been assistant of two goldsmiths in a Professional institute (Metals branch), dealing with everything concerning the jewelry environment: projects (freehand drawing with pencils and watercolours or with design softwares as Rhinoceros), and objects production (both unique pieces that serial ones).

She participates in several competitions both national and international, in trade shows abroad, and she's presently working on her new Gothic-inspired collections.

 Moon Bubbles rings: 

Bronze ring, galvanic rhodium plating and liver of sulfur oxidised crust.

Nabucco collar:

Bronze collar with bath in 18K rose gold, Honey colour crystal multifaceted Cabochon-cut, treated leather string.

Nabucco ring:Bronze ring with bath in 18K green gold (Etruscan gold), Citrine quartz multifaceted Cabochon-cut.

Semi earring: silver sterling earrings with synthetic gold leaf.

I think you will agree Cadia has a beautiful eye for these things!  Check out her site!

Chat soon!

Dawn

ps Oh, and our weekly postings go up tomorrow - stay tuned!

Jan 4, Sunday

We posted our new items this morning to the sounds of Abba (don't judge, you probably know all the words too!) and we are now going out to play in the snow!

Check them out... https://www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/DawningsCustomDesign


And after that - back to the task at hand!    

Work in progress, stay tuned! 

What are YOU up to today?

Favourite Website Roundup

Over the holidays I discovered lots of new websites while sipping Godiva Chocolate Coffee (seriously, you have to try it, its delectable!  A gift from a treasured friend!)   You might already know these sites or have  few favourites of your own...(and if you do please please share them!)


So here goes, my top ten!

1.  Lots of free project downloads at JewelrymakingDaily: http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/forums/
2.  These guys at Handmadeology have a lot of cool stuff: http://www.handmadeology.com/10-blog-topic-ideas-for-jewelry-designers/
3. Everything Handmade: I am SO trying the torch fired enamel earring tutorial from here: http://www.oheverythinghandmade.com/blog/
4. I think everyone knows Craftsy but just in case.... http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/10/tips-for-selling-handmade-jewelry/
5. These guys seem to have a great appreciation for conservation and give back  http://blog.handmade-beaded-gemstone-jewelry.com
6. We lucked into some leather this (last!) year so love Ninadesigns: http://www.ninadesigns.com/blog/category/how-to-make-jewelry/
7. I know they are commercial but great service and their videos are so easy!  Fire mountain gems:  http://www.firemountaingems.com/video.asp
8. Buzzfeed:  http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/46-ideas-for-diy-jewelry-youll-actually-want-to-w#.pvd5Y327ll
9. These guys at Allfreejewelry have SO many how to's! http://www.allfreejewelrymaking.com

And lastly (for now at least!) 

   10. Howcast - I also got some great tips for photos here:              http://www.howcast.com/guides/624-How-to-Make-Jewelry

Anyway, hope your Jan 1 is going well!

Let me know YOUR favourites! 

Ciao, 

Dawn

Todays Coffee Roundup - And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Good Morning! And Happy New Year!

I love the holidays,  easy peasy coffee time spent browsing the internet.    I was asked this morning for photos of my table for an application I'm making to a local cool craft fair ...and of course I had those ready (ahem cough).

So,  our mission today - create a craft table display!

First I ran to the local charity shops - where I lucked into a most excellent Bombay Company find, a large tea chest.  New hinges, a good polish and that's staging area #1.

A very beaten up vintage box makes for display area #2.

Next -  a coupon search for Micheals and voila! Two eiffel tower displays at 70% off (we are thrifty!)

Wanting something natural and not so square to balance it I scoured the area while walking the dogs - and a beautiful twisted tree branch adds a little au natural to the table.

Charity store find #3 - cork mats.

And lastly I co-opted our tray from the living room table.


Finally - a run to the hardware store for eye pins to screw into the wood and cork so as to hold things steady.

What do ya' think?

I am liking image #1 better - the addition of the round cork mat adds a little balance.

Oh and hey, check out that beautiful vintage silver mirror!    Wasn't intended to buy that but its so elegant and beautiful!

Total cost:  A smidge over $38 - not too bad!

Pictures are on their way now with my application - hopefully we get in and get to meet some folks in the spring!

Hope your New Years brings you love, hope and happiness.  Spread a little cheer today!
Dawn

Did you see this?    Part of social media is spreading your wings far and wide - Linkedin is a great place to get advice and converse with like minded individuals. I have had some great chats with people there - and look!   I got profiled on this website from South Africa!

Feeling so global right about now!

http://workfromhomemembership.com/craftlistings/handcrafted-jewelry-dawnings-custom-designs/

Big thanks to our new friend Robert Bruce Anderson!   Take a browse through the crafting world in South Africa on his site!

Dawn

And did you see? New items are up for sale in my Etsy shop - take a look - recycled copper heatsinks turned into beautiful creations!   https://www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/DawningsCustomDesign

I take the heatsink, polish it, file it down a little (they are pretty rough edged) and then work them.   I cut, texture, dome, heat and generally experiment till I like the look and then (because I really love contrasts) add something - silver, pearl - who knows what I will find in my box of treasures.      

 Love these things,  the copper is gorgeous and the recycling a  huge bonus.   

<wicked laugh> Spouse is getting nervous as I keep eying all electronics now, wondering what is in them that I might use! 

Dawn

Thought I would share this mornings coffee search - every morning after dealing with dogs and kids I sit and look for inspiration. There are some AMAZINGLY creative folks out there. I am constantly in awe of what people come up with.

Where do you get YOUR inspiration?  Please share!

Check out this amazing creation- old pipe turned into strange beauty

So awesomely creative! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZvPYGX9Tbk&sns=tw … via @youtube



Cracked Marbles....into wearable art

Cut out and Keeps site - excellent tutorial on turning marbles into jewelry!  I gotta try it, going to raid kids toy box!   Marbles, Glue and findings.   All credit to Ivy M on the Cut out and Keep site!  (I couldn't get the link to work so here are the details.

1. 1   Bake marbles in the oven for 20 minutes at 400〫F.
   (I found changing the temperature has little affect.)
   I baked the marbles in foil on a cookie sheet.
2. 2
   Immediately after removing the marbles from the oven, put them in ice water (be careful, the marbles are extremely hot). This will cause the marbles to crack! Also be careful of some weak marbles that may break entirely.
3. 3
   Put the metal bead and bead cap on the earring hook (you may also use the small looped jewelry wire things.. I wasn't sure what they were called). Bend the hook to somewhat hold the bead cap on the bottom and cut the excess wire.

   1. 4
      Next you can either use jewelry glue to attach the marble to the little top you have just made, or use hot glue. I tried both, and the hot glue tends to fall off occasionally.
   2. 5
      Now just add a cute chain and you're finished!