Distracted Much?

Today, today I was going to make rings. All day.  Yep, rings. Rings for your fingers, rings for your toes.   My new ring mandrel arrived this week and I thought whohoo!  I had been waiting on that for a while, and now I can get going.....and yes I did.

I made ..... earrings, three necklaces, and seven silver bookmarks from old spoons.   Hmm.  Did you see a single ring in that list?   No me neither.

Ah well,  I suppose we wait till the muse strikes us.     And on the plus side I practiced with the silver spoons, something I have been wanting to do for a while.     I picked up a dozen pretty souvenier spoons at the charity store to practice on before I use the really beautiful antique sterling spoons I have sitting just waiting to be upcycled!

So, tomorrows posting will have all this and the other items we made all this week.   I am bound to slow down a little once I'm back at work next week but its been a great two weeks just making' and mending' and fixing'.

Chat tomorrow,  posting day!

In other Dawnings news we applied to three craft fair this week - wish us luck in getting chosen!

Chat soon!
Dawn

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

For a good cause!

We got asked to donate a piece of jewelry to a local charity - what a good cause.    We got all generous of spirit and offered to donate to a few other auctions in aid of things like literacy, pet rescue, sick children.    

So, we are thinking this too should be a regular thing!   So, once a month  we will donate a piece to a worthy cause and pop a photo up here along with a link.     Maybe you could do the same?  

December - The Feminist Twins & Adopt a Family

January - Immermans Angels!    Check it out!  http://www.imermanangels.org  I think we got the feel of the logo pretty well!   One necklace, one keychain!

February -

March - 

April - 

May - 

June - 

July -

August -

Sept -

Oct -

November - 

December again! -

I will keep updating the list as things come up!   

Got a favourite charity auction you want a donation for?  Let me know! 

From all of us at Dawnings we wish you a Happy Christmas and a very prosperous, safe and healthy New Year!

ARTIST SHOWCASE #1

I thought it would be nice to showcase some artists I know,  people who make beautiful things. Some sell their creations, some don't, but they all put a little beauty in the world.


Our first visiting artist is from the UK.  She is talented in many many ways - jewelry, painting, I have even seen her take origami and make funky earrings from the results.  She doesn't yet sell her stuff but we are hoping to persuade her otherwise! 


Background:

Artist:  Heidi Bailey
Location:  UK
Matierials: Silver plated wire, discarded welding tip from a oxy/acetylene torch, and sterling silver

INSPIRATION: 

I wanted to share an insight into my jewellery, it's not necessarily expensive or fancy, in fact some of my favourite pieces are those that I've created from discarded objects and often they are not items you would expect to find in jewellery at all.  I think it shows my personality and the way my mind works to seek treasures in the strangest things.  

For this bangle I took inspiration from curved shapes we find in nature, like sea waves and the wind-blown patterns of desert sands.  I used silver plated wire and hammered it causing the base metal (copper) to show through (I love mixed metals). 

I hammered it over a bangle mandrel to bend it into a more interesting shape and then added a thick, solid circle of copper with a sterling silver jump ring.  

This copper addition is in fact just a small cross section of an old oxy/acetylene welding tip which was in the trash at my work!  Hope you like it :)

Gotta love the creativity - taking discarded welding tips and turning them into jewelry - An artist after my own heart! 

Want to see what we make?


Here are a few examples!