Hi, my name is Dawn. I design jewelry and love doing it. It relaxes me plus I get to stretch my imagination by trying to create pretty things. My day job can be fulfilling and some creativity is used but making jewelry is what I love to do.
I only began blogging in 2012 but was not very consistent. There was lots going on like work, family, friends etc. Same as everyone else. Last spring I decided to try and make posting to my blog something that I would consistently do.
That failed but now i'm doing my best to balance it all and blog on a regular basis.
I began making jewelry about 6 years ago. I was inspired by a co-worker who made and designed jewelry and I used to buy things from her all of the time. One day I started talking to her about her jewelry-making process and she suggested that I buy some supplies and she would help me get started. Very generous of her. I would make earrings or necklaces and take them to work with me and she would show me what I did wrong or right and how to correct.
That began my love affair with creating and designing jewelry. I have a little shop on Etsy that I dabble in and I make items for friends and family. But the reason that I love it is because it just soothes my soul. Even if I make something that no one but me likes I take it in stride because the relaxation it gave me was worth it.
After I really got into making jewelry I signed up for an online certificate course which I thoroughly enjoyed taking. It gave me something to look forward to when I got home in the evenings and on weekends. I need goals to work at something and that was just the ticket for me. I have long since completed the course but I learned a lot.
Here are a few of my recent pieces:
Downton Abbey inspired.
I have always loved trying to do things creatively with my hands because I grew up with a mother who sewed for a living. She worked for several clothing designers in Dallas. My sister and I hated for her to make our clothes because we wanted store-bought clothing like everyone else. It wasn't until some little friends of mine commented how they wished their mothers made them stuff that I realized how lucky I was to have that.
My mother tried to teach me to sew but she was a hard task master and would often rip seams that my sister and I had sewn and say "no! They must be perfect". (I know she sounds like mommy dearest but not really). That is when my sister and I decided amongst ourselves that we no longer wanted to learn. I wish to this day that I had continued just like I wish I had continued taking piano lessons and my sister wishes she had stuck with the violin.
Many regrets later I learned how to crochet and that took me awhile but I learned and still love it. I learned to crochet because another co-worker taught me (by the way we really do work at work). I usually only crochet in the winter months. It's another thing that is brings me piece and relaxation. I tried knitting but didn't have the patience for it.
I am very much looking forward to this blog hop because I would love to find some new bloggers to follow and because I think if I have some regular readers that would make my commitment to blogging better. Please email me with any comments and I look forward to finding more bloggers to follow and for others to find and follow me.
Dawn
**I can't believe I did not thank Vicki from vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com for hosting this blog hop party. Please stop by her blog. It's full of deliciousness!!
The drawing will be on February 15, 2014. Comments must be made or emails sent by February 14, 2014 to be entered in the drawing.
Welcome to the Blog Party! Your jewelry is lovely, and that necklace will look great on me with my grass skirt when I get to Hawaii...oh, do put my name in for a chance. Enjoy the party! Aloha
ReplyDeleteI love your jewelry creations! I'd love a chance to win your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. Your jewelry pieces are gorgeous -you are very talented! I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna
Your creations are really beautiful, Dawn! I especially love the key necklace - gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteI fear I wouldn't be able to wear your giveaway, but I wanted to leave a comment anyway.
you make some beautiful jewellery! So special
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry is beautiful and being a Downton Abbey fan, I really like that necklace.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me for your draw.
Cool Blog! Following the GYB hop today. Looking forward to following you.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Tammie Everly of TTE Designs tammie@ttedesigns.com
I love your jewellery. I used to have a thing about ear-rings in my younger days. And those in the pic above would have felt at home in my collection :) Now, I don't know the last time I wore a pair.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the blog party. Really nice getting to know new people.
Liz
Hi, I've come over from Grow Your Own Blog to say hello.
ReplyDeleteYour jewellery is really lovely, you are talented, good for you for doing what you love.
Ive signed up to follow you, hope you gets lots of followers. :)
Your jewelry is very pretty. I especially like the wing earrings. Lovely designs. Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Caroline
Pretty. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry is beautiful! I am looking forward to following your creations! xoxo Jen
ReplyDeletei love the wing earrings & the old keys ... what is it about old keys ... such fun!! my mom has many - i would play with them as a kid ... so cool. ( :
ReplyDeletehi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party.
Hello, Vicki asked me to be a helper; I'm Sandra from Thistle Cove Farm. Welcome to the GYBP; thank you for participating this year!
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn, Your work is just lovely! I look forward to seeing new creations! Your newest follower ~ Terri
ReplyDeleteHey Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry is lovely and creative. Just visiting from GYB event, but we'll be back!
Kathy and Deb
Hi, Dawn! I'm glad to meet you from the GYB party today! You are so creative with your jewelry designing. I love that key on the chain. I hope your blog continues to grow and be a fun outlet for you. I've found that joining some regular link parties keep me writing. And the bonus is that you get to "know" the people who show up week after week. I encourage you to find a few parties and go for it!
ReplyDeleteDear Dawn, thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment! Your blog is beautiful as are your jewelry creations. I'm so glad we met through Vicki's blog party!
ReplyDeletexoxo Silke
Beautiful pieces, Dawn - I dabble in jewelry myself. SO glad you decided to hop back into blogging, and better yet, the Blog Party. You're going to find SO much inspiration among the blogs, I know! Happy Creative Sunday - your newest Follower...Tanya
ReplyDeleteLove your work. Making jewellery can be very relaxing and there is always something new to learn! Keep it up and happy hopping!
ReplyDeleteHappy to meet you Dawn. I'm following thanks to the GYB party. I also am a jewelry artist and love what you said about making jewelry soothing the soul. So true for me. I love your creations..please enter me for the giveaway and visit me at wirednan.blogspot.ca
ReplyDeleteHi dawn, nice to meet you. You have made some lovely pieces
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn, really enjoyed looking over your blog. I really enjoy the style of jewelry you make, the earrings are to die for. Although I probably looked right at it and missed it I couldn't find the name of your esty shop. When you get time would drop me a line with the name please
ReplyDeleteVery pretty jewelry. I will enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the earrings with the wings! Very cool. Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.
ReplyDeleteaprilsongstress
Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Lovely jewelry! Thanks for sharing,
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry designs are just beautiful. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteDawn,
ReplyDeleteDropping by to say "hello" from the GYB party hosted by Vicki.
Your jewelry creations are beautiful!
I, too, need to have something to keep me inspired and busy. Crafts, in all forms are one of the outlets that allow me to express myself and give me a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I have enjoyed my visit to your blog and hope you will find a moment to drop by Mimi Mine! Have a blissful week!
Hiya Dawn, Ohh what pretty bead work. Thank You for the chance to win the beautiful necklace. I'm looking forward to seeing more as you have a new follower.
ReplyDeleteIn Kind Regards,
Tricia
So delighted I had a chance to visit your blog today...your work is beautiful!!!!! I am a new happy follower via GFC!
ReplyDeleteCount me in as a new admirer of your lovely creations Dawn!
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry is super fancy! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteHello from the Yukon. I hope you're enjoying this party as much as I do :)
ReplyDeleteEvalina, This and that...
What a beautiful piece. Off to poke around your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful work with us here. :)
ReplyDeleteYou do beautiful works of wearable art Dawn. So nice to meet you. I can imagine leaving such a beautiful farm and home is not easy. Life is a journey, I am sure good things are on their way to you soon. Keep smiling and creating along the way.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn visiting you back :-D..
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and looking forward to see your updates in the future..
asri
Dawn, your work is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing it! Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteVery nice work. I will check out your Etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteI love your work & you have a nice blog.
ReplyDeleteHello Dawn how lovely to meet you at Vicki's party!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a creative and talented jewellery designer.
I love everything you've shown us - it's something I would love to try as well, I would need to find a class to know where to start - Youtube may be?! You may have some ideas on how I can get started. I would like to make little bracelets and necklaces for my granddaughters.
I know it is hard to keep up your blog when you are working and trying to juggle normal life. I'm semi-retired and I even find it a chore sometimes!
Your giveaway is gorgeous - please add my name to the hat - fingers crossed.
I would love you to come over and enter my giveaway too!
I'm your newest follower.
Hugs
Shane
Hello again Dawn
ReplyDeleteMany thank yous for your reply about getting started and "how to".
Yes I will check out books on line and then see if my library has them - good idea!
I appreciate you getting back to me!
Shane
Hi Dawn! Nice to meet you. You design beautiful jewellery. I'm now following your blog. Please count me in for the giveaway. Have a great day. Ana
ReplyDeleteHi, this is Wanda. Thanks for stopping by my blog (tidbitsandtreasures2011.wordpress.com) earlier this week. I'm glad, finally, to be able to return the visit. I enjoyed learning more about you and your craft, and loved the examples you posted.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely jewellery you make Dawn, thank you for visiting my blog. It is such fun meeting so many people and seeing their blogs but it will take me a long time to visit everyone, as I am starting Bead Soup blog party soon and that is another huge blog hop lol.
ReplyDeleteJackie
Welcome to the party! Your place if work sounds exciting. Everyone so crafty. I attempted and failed learning to sew from mum too (mainly as I was not trusted with the sewing machine ... and had to use one of the worst ones ... mum has a few). But I will try to learn! It is never too late.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the party!
Lija
http://stitchingincrossesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to meet you!
I really like your jewelry projects. It's easy to see that you put a part of your heart into each piece. I really like the necklace you are offering for your giveaway -- what a unique color combination! Thanks for including me in your giveaway.
Lots of greetings from Germany,
Birgit
Your jewelry is some of the best I've seen. How great to have someone show you the ropes. I want to learn to make jewelry but haven't found a good how to yet. I found your blog through the GYB hop and hope to see more of your jewelry soon.
ReplyDelete