Jan 2016

Well I just took a look at the date of my last blog and um, oops?    I dont seem to be very bloggish lately. I hope you forgive me!

So, well, How have you been?   Doing ok?

Dawnings has been really busy - 7 craft fairs, 22 donations to local worthy causes, we bought a new bannner, added umpteen listings to Facebook and Etsy. 

Recently we joined a Etsy Resolutions group, Canadian.  Its been really instructive actually.   I have revamped my photos, and am taking a hard look at our packaging. I am experimenting with stamping, junk mail, anything, something that will make opening one of our parcels a joy but stay within our green mandate.   I will try a few things and see what sticks!

Its minus 12 outside and I spent the whole day doing Dawnings stuff - making, packaging, posting, emailing, twittering, etsying and facebooking.    Phew!    

Hopefully I will be dropping by to chat more often!

Here are some of our latest treasures!

Here are some of my new friends from the Etsy Resolutions Group:

Donna Leclair-Brisson https://www.etsy.com/shop/CanadianWarmthLtd

CanadianWarmthLtd

Vanessa Betcher Hi I live In Nanaimo BC I have an Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SaylorDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu and FB page https://www.facebook.com/VanessasClayAdventures/

SaylorDesigns

Hello and Welcome to my shop! Here you will find a collection of polymer clay buttons, crochet hooks, covered mint tins and more. . If you have any

etsy.com|By SaylorDesigns

Jenny Beck Hi there,

I live in Sackville, Nova Scotia....See More

Jenny Beck on Etsy

I am a stay at home mom to 3 wonderful kids. I make wreaths for all seasons/occasions and I have so much fun being creative! Please…

etsy.com

 

 

Leigh-Anne Stefani Gill Hi everyone! I live in lovely Dundas ON and I have had my shop on Etsy since 2009
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OceanPearlJewellery
 

 

OceanPearlJewellery

Beadwoven and beaded wire jewelry and accessories made with high quality glass beads, crystals and semi-precious stones with great…

 

 

Sarah Gillis I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and I make Paper Quilled cards, https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MaritimeHandcrafts

MaritimeHandcrafts

MaritimeHandcrafts offers handmade paper quilling greeting cards and wall art for that special someone or special occasion. Favorite my shop

etsy.com|By MaritimeHandcrafts

 

Pamela Hiscock HI, I'm Pamela, living in Oshawa, Ontario. My Etsy store is Stone Street Beach https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Stonestreetbeach
I also have facebook, twitter and instagram!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stone-Street-Beach-549812281850580...See More

Stonestreetbeach

 

Irena Deretic Hi everyone! I'm Irena and I live in Surrey, BC. I make and sell wreaths and paper book flowers. I opened my shop just couple of months ago. www.craftsbyid.etsy.com

CraftsByID

Welcome to my shop! I sell handmade yarn wreaths and burlap wreaths embellished with felt flowers. They will look great on your doors! They…

etsy.com|By CraftsByID

Diane Ellis I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario and I make handcrafted little dolls - called bendy dolls. I just started my Etsy shop last month. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/3SistersPocketDolls. I also am on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/3sistersdolls/

3SistersPocketDolls

By clicking Register, you agree to Etsy's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Etsy may send you communications; you may change your…

etsy.com|By 3SistersPocketDolls

Jordana Bingham I'm in Vancouver selling handmade jewelry smile emoticon
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ParallelFortyNine

ParallelFortyNine

Thanks for visiting my shop! All my items are handmade by me and each design is one of a kind. Favourite my shop and come back often as the

etsy.com|By ParallelFortyNine

Stephanie Dipietro Hello I'm in Toronto and sell greeting cards and paper goods smile emoticon

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MomentidiVita?ref=hdr_shop_menu

MomentidiVita

By clicking Register, you agree to Etsy's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Etsy may send you communications; you may change your…

etsy.com|By MomentidiVita

Anna Jackson www.etsy.com/shop/OldShepandYeller

OldShepandYeller

By clicking Register, you agree to Etsy's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Etsy may send you communications; you may change your…

etsy.com|By OldShepandYeller

Aisha Arslan Hi!
I'm in Mississauga, ON....See More

ChicnBliss

Chic n Bliss works to provide uniqueness in every handmade item you purchase.

etsy.com|By ChicnBliss

Leslie Napastuk Hello I live in Lacombe, Alberta. I make aromatherapy necklaces with lava beads, and handmade soaps vmade without soy, dairy, gluten or corn products)
www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AntiqueApothecary

Anne Pathammavong Another Toronto person here. I'm making shirobi products and other baby goodies. sewnwithlovebymom.etsy.com

SewnWithLoveByMom

NO MADE TO ORDER ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 16TH. Helping parents and baby find modern and minimalist baby…

etsy.com|By SewnWithLoveByMom

Julia Conway Hi! I live in Summerside, PE and I sell crocheted home decor in my Etsy shop - Not Your Nanny's Knots. notyournannysknots.etsy.com

NotYourNannysKnots

Lovingly handmade in a pet-free, smoke-free, scent-free home in Summerside, PE.

etsy.com|By NotYourNannysKnots

Dori Rainey Hi, I live in Winnipeg and I paint and do brush scripts. I've also tried some greeting cards. www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DoriLaineArt http://dorilaineartist.wix.com/dorilaine

DoriLaineArt

I believe that we are shaped by our surroundings, so choosing the art that we surround ourselves with is as personal as creating it. The…

etsy.com|By DoriLaineArt

Ashley Deprez Www.etsy.com/shop/mellowcrafts87

MellowCrafts87

Januarys Specials is Birthday if you order something with birthday cake scent there will be a 15% discount. New rewards for reviews, return

etsy.com|By MellowCrafts87

Lindsey Nill Dhanoosingh Hi, I live in Calgary and I paint mosaic animal shapes. Lndart on etsy but i post alot on instagram @lndart
Www.etsy.com/shop/lndart

LNDart

By clicking Register, you agree to Etsy's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Etsy may send you communications; you may change your…

etsy.com|By LNDart

Amy Tom am from Vancouver and I sell art about whimsical animals and fantastical humans. I am in the process of creating a colouring book(let)! www.amytomartdesign.etsy.com

AmyTomArtDesign

15% off all orders store wide from January 15-31. Coupon code Jan15. I am inspired by pop culture, literary characters and anthropomorphic

etsy.com|By AmyTomArtDesign

Teri Hall Teri Hal, from Bay Fortune, PEI and I create sea glass jewelry....http://ow.ly/V6KP6 https://www.facebook.com/PEIseaglassjewelry/?fref=ts

Cindy Johnson I'm just outside of Winnipeg MB and I like to make pretty things.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BlacknotFarm

BlacknotFarm

Welcome to Blacknot Farm! Enjoy my rustic and nature inspired jewelry, decor, art and designs handmade from wood, clay, paper and fabric.…

etsy.com|By BlacknotFarm

Marilène Lucas EtGeneviève Chouinard We live near Montréal, QC and we are funny photographers! www.fluophoto.etsy.com

Fluophoto

Fluophoto vous offre un peu de folie dans votre vie! Des photos alimentaires colorées sur une foule dobjets pratiques pour la maison,…

etsy.com|By Fluophoto

Deb Car https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Funkydeb?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Funkydeb

By clicking Register, you agree to Etsy's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Etsy may send you communications; you may change your…

etsy.com|By Funkydeb

Tracy Rose-Ross Hi All! Tracy here from beautiful Muskoka, Ontario with my hubby and my sleddogs. I finally started loading items to my Etsy Store this past year and I sell at Festivals, Markets, Art Trade Shows and Craft Shows. I, like many of you, like creating so m...See More

GypsyPlaid

Creations include tooled and hand stitched leather, carved wood, bone and antler, sculpted paper and wire. Dont be surprised to find…

etsy.com|By GypsyPlaid

April 2015
Check us out! We were profiled again this month - on this fantastic site below.       Social media has a profound effect on small businesses,  we are able to connect with people that we never would have access to otherwise.     If you would like to be profiled on my site here, please reach out!


http://www.businessacceleratorlab.com/founder-interview-dawnings/

We continue to donate each month to a non profit - this month we donated to Ladies who Lunch,  and to a local pet rescue.    My child saw a photo on an emaciated dog on their web site and decided to donate all hard earned savings ($9.75) to support the care of this beautiful neglected animal.     We matched the donation. Then the work began...and many jobs and errands later there is over $30 in the Pet Fund jar.     While its not a lot the empathy I saw in my child warmed my heart.    So we donated some jewelry to their next auction......check them out, they do great work: http://sitwithme.ca


So enough preaching,  our coffee roundup time was taken up this morning with dancing around in our pyjamas at the write up so we are off to our workshop to make some pretties!!

Dawnings!

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.

Sunday Feb 7 2015


What did we see on this mornings coffee round up?   Glad you asked!

Well, did you see these glorious gems and beads at the Tuscon show?   I am in awe of the (what seems to be miles of..) beads and sparkly things.  Check them out here:  http://www.tgms.org/show-2015/  I follow these guys on Facebook and am wondering how I get there next year!

And look at what this artist does with old tires!      http://yonghoji.com/db/?ckattempt=1

Toby Malms mother and child sculpture...me want!  His stuff is simple and elegant and eloquent  http://www.jernmalm.com


Do you like the delicacy of silver filigree?  

See how its done here:  http://youtu.be/pLShQYztBHI

Not sure I will ever try it but it really is beautiful!

Our new postings are up on Facebook - we had fun with bangles this week.  Let us know what you like?

Bangles, Bangles, Bangles! 

Remember the leather we recovered from the
furniture store....isnt it beautiful!

Here is what we made with it this week

Looking forward to chatting with you!


Dawnings

Feb 7th 2015

How creative do you feel when you have a cold, the weather is out to get you and regular job stress fills all the space in your brain?  Yeah, me neither.

But Im back,   yesterday I lucked into some plain bangles so those are all jazzed up now for you to covet tomorrow when I post and there are some keyrings, bookmarks, earrings and necklaces coming your way too.

I need some inspiration people...!!

Chat soon on our Sunday coffee ramblings!
D