Happy New Year!

With the New Year comes new opportunities and ideas! I have been working diligently on learning new and exciting wire working techniques. I've also started creating chain maille!

I've fallen in love with the way wire and metal can be formed and worked to create truly beautiful and unique jewelry. Everyday my skills develop and my pieces become more intricate. Here is an example of one of my latest accomplishments. Since I am such a perfectionist, this bangle-style bracelet took nearly 8 hours to complete! It features over 10 feet of Sterling Silver wire and two dozen Swarovski Crystals!

To see some of my other creations and examples of my chain maille work, go to my Etsy shop.

I hope everyone has a safe and joyous New Year!

Secret Santa

This year I participated in my first Secret Santa! I know, I know...I'm 33 and have never done this before?! But it was so much fun!

I was fortunate enough to be chosen by On A Friday, headquartered in Honolulu, HI. Liana Miyamura is the owner and designer behind this terrific company. She creates handmade jewelry, greeting cards and stationary. For my secret Santa gift I received a wonderful greeting card set. It was complete with a well-constructed and just-as-beautiful storage box for the cards. She was kind enough to include some Hawaiian treats too!

Thank you, Liana!

Last Show of the Year!

Just a friendly reminder...this Saturday, December 2nd will be my last Arts and Craft show of the year.

I'll be exhibiting at the Union Grove High School on Highway 45 from 9am - 3pm. Stop by and say "Hello" and check out some of my new designs! I'll be offering free gift boxes with every purchase...perfect for gift giving, stocking stuffers, and even secret Santa gifts!

Hope to see you there!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was filled with the usual fare....Turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. As our family tradition dictates, we went around the table and shared what we were thankful for. Won't my son's teacher be surprised (and probably delighted too) to find out she was mentioned as a person he was thankful for!

I have had the past few weeks off from exhibiting at craft shows. But, this does not mean that I haven't shopped at craft shows!

I feel refreshed, recharged, and ready to work on some new designs I've been wanting to implement. Check back for photos.

Wishing everyone a merry holiday season, no matter which holiday you choose to celebrate!!

Has Crafting Hit Its Peak?

I remember once upon a time, there were two really large Arts and Crafts shows in my area every year. Our family would plan for these events for weeks before the actual show!

Gas in car - check
Bottled water - check
Picnic - check
Cash - check
Sunscreen - check
Hat - check

We were ready!

Today there seems to be an Arts and Craft show in just about every town, every weekend. My love for these events hasn't faded. I still make it a point to go as often as I can. However, with these events being so common now, some of the excitement and thrill has subsided. I know that if I miss a show this week, there will be another one next week.

As a consumer and lover of all things crafty, I am well aware of this fact. As a crafter and jewelry designer, I too am well aware of this fact. So, my big question is....is a craft show every weekend in every town sustainable?

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! Not because of the costumes and candy and haunted houses. I love Halloween because for me, it marks the beginning of Autumn, my favorite season!

Last weekend I exhibited at the Union Grove Elementary School's Craft Fair. What a delight! I had a lot of fun. It was great to see all the families out and about, getting ready for the holidays. Many crafter were in full holiday mode displaying decorated Christmas trees, hand-painted ornaments, stuffed snowmen, lighted wreaths and more.

In fact, I had such a nice time, I have all ready reapplied for a booth next year! It will be held on October 20, 2007 from 9am - 3pm.

This weekend I'll be in Janesville. I've never been to this town before, but I like discovering new places.

Arts and Craft Fair in New Berlin

This weekend I exhibited at the New Berlin Junior Women's Club Arts and Craft Fair. I met a lot of really nice people and fellow exhibitors.

Just about everyone commented on my display and how unique it was. So...I think I'll keep it ! :) I'll post pictures soon!

I was fortunate enough to be set up next to Patty from Soaps by Patty. She has been making all-natural soaps, lip balm, bath salts and other goodies for several years. During the Summer you can find her and her Soothing Soaps at the Farmer's Market in New Berlin.

Just a reminder...next weekend I'll be in Union Grove! I look forward to seeing you there!

The Dressing Room

With all the excitement of my sister's wedding this past September, I failed to mention Becky Rovik from The Dressing Room! She is a wonderful seamstress and did all the alterations for my gown. I plan on returning my dress to have additional alterations done so I can wear the dress again for a night on the town! Right now the dress has a small train which I would like to remove and transform the hemline to a tea-length.

Becky also makes custom wedding gowns, has formal gown consignment, and has an assortment of bridal jewelry! If you're in the Kenosha, WI area and in need of alterations or a formal gown, give Becky a call at The Dressing Room.

New Show Date

Recap of Show Dates for 2006:

Oct 14th: New Berlin Jr. Women's Club in New Berlin, WI at the Glen Park Elementary School from 9am - 3pm. Booth #27.

Oct 21st: Union Grove Elementary School PTO Craft Fair in Union Grove, WI at the Union Grove Elementary School from 9am - 3pm. Booth #TBA. This is a NEW event!

November 4th: Roosevelt PTA Holiday Craft Show in Janesville, WI at the Roosevelt Elementary School from 9am - 3pm. Booth #2.

November 26th: St. Aloysius Holiday Craft Fair in West Allis, WI at the St. Aloysius Church from 8am - 3pm. Booth #26.

December 2nd: 3rd Annual Holiday Gift and Craft Fair in Union Grove, WI at the Union Grove High School from 9am - 3pm. Booth # TBA.

I hope to see you there!

Excitement!

Officially my first show is just over two weeks away! Nervous? NO! Excited? YES!

Now the fun and work begin....I have to create an inventory system, label all my pieces, do a "dry run" display mock-up, and make sure all the little details are taken care of before next weekend.

I've been experimenting with copper and have created a few unique pieces. Now I just have to decide whether to bring them to New Berlin for the show.

Links

From time to time I will be adding Links to my Blog. While some people like to add as many links to their Blog as they can, I will only be adding links to those companies/individuals who I have done business with and am completely satisfied with the product I have received!!

Earthenwood Studio is located in Ferndale, MI and is operated by Melanie and her husband, Chuck. She creates ceramic beads and tiles. She even creates all the molds for her beads. All of her items are of exceptional quality!

This and That makes custom paper products for other independent business. Leslie's product line includes: Business cards, stationary, notepads, products tags, and more. She is great to work with on customizing products and her prices are phenomenal!

Logo

After what has seemed like hundreds of crumpled up pieces of paper featuring "bad" designs...I have decided on a simple company logo. And here it is...

Hawthorn Hollow

This past weekend I went to the Walk in the Woods Craft Show at Hawthorn Hollow in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The weather was a little nippy and the rain stayed at bay (thank goodness) and the arts and crafts were wonderful! Pottery, stained glass, jewelry, paintings, yard sculptures, knitting, soaps, and much more! All the vendors were great and loved to talk about their craft. Tim Brenner of Brenner's Stained Glass (website coming soon) had some of the most beautiful and finely crafted dichroic glass pendants and charms I have ever seen! Truly! He makes his home in Oshkosh, so of you're in that area, look for him and see his artistry for yourself! Another favorite is Elise Landry of E Originals. She creates some very beautiful and unique pearl and crystal items of just about every color you can imagine! Visit her at "eOriginalsCustomPearls-dot-com" You can also see her on Saturdays at the Kenosha Harbor Marketplace. Or, Elise also sells her pieces in NC and VA at a few boutiques and galleries.

Holidays

Wow! Is it really September? I went to the card shop a few days ago and was taken back by all the Halloween items already on display! But, then I realized that it was in fact September! Oh, no! Summer is indeed ending and the holiday season is upon us! May the holiday (read: shopping) madness begin!

Since moving to the Midwest two years ago, I am realizing that I love this part of the country! Unlike Florida, where I spent more than half of my life, the Midwest has four very distinct seasons. In Florida there was: Summer, scorching hot Summer, Summer, and slightly cooler Summer!!

In a few weeks, the trees will be changing their leaves to display their brilliant shades of autumn and the cool air will once again invigorate me.....

Simply Beautiful

I have just returned from my little sister's wedding which took place on September 3rd. It was a wonderful ceremony....company was great...flowers were beautiful...food was delicious...and most importantly....my sister looked sooo beautiful!

As a wedding gift, I created her bridal jewelry. She loved it! In fact, that evening after the day's events had come to an end, she was still wearing the earrings!

Well, I have just over three weeks until my first show of the autumn season, so I had better start getting ready!

Weekend Wear

Introducing Elements by Dawn's Weekend Wear casual jewelry line!

This NEW jewelry line will be featured exclusively on the Etsy website. Weekend Wear will feature items made from Coral, Bone, Glass, Wood, Shell, and other elements that will compliment the more casual, relaxed, and fun weekend atmosphere.

Coming this Fall, www.ElementsbyDawn.com will feature elegant, stylish, and classic jewelry with a more upscale feel that will be perfect for the office or a night out on the town!

Visit Me at Etsy!

While we're working on getting the ElementsbyDawn website up and ready for you, please visit my Etsy Store at www.elementsbydawn.etsy.com You'll find many of my handcrafted jewelry pieces for sale!

As Promised

Here's a sneak peek....Enjoy!

Website Coming Soon!

My husband and I have been diligently working on getting the ElementsbyDawn website up and running! Cross your fingers, we're hoping for an early September launch.

Sneak peek and photos coming soon....

For a Good Cause

I have just received notice that I will be participating in a Craft Fair Fundraiser!

The Family Readiness Group for Delta Company 2-128th Infantry is hosting an Arts and Craft Fair at 4200 43rd Avenue at the Kenosha Army National Guard Armory in Kenosha Wisconsin from 9:00am - 3:00pm on September 30th.

All vendor fees and admission fees ($1.00) will be donated to the Family Readiness Group in support of loved ones overseas.

I hope to see you there!

Sorry folks...as of September 13th, this event has been cancelled.

Welcome!

Welcome to Elements by Dawn!

This Fall I will be exhibiting my handcrafted sterling silver jewelry in Southeastern Wisconsin. If you're in the area, stop by and take a look...you won't be disappointed!

You can find me and many other artisans at:

The New Berlin Jr. Woman’s Club Fall Harvest Art & Craft Fair at the Glen Park School, 3500 S. Glen Park Road in New Berlin Wisconsin from 9am - 3pm on October 14th. I'll be at Booth #27!

The Roosevelt PTA 1st Annual Holiday Craft Show at Roosevelt Elementary School, 316 S. Ringold Street in Janesville Wisconsin from 9am - 3pm on November 4th. I'll be at Booth #2!

The St. Aloysius Holiday Craft Fair & Breakfast with Santa at the St. Aloysius Church, Gonzaga Hall, 92nd & Greenfield Avenue in West Allis Wisconsin from 8am - 3pm on November 26th. I'll be at Booth #26!

The Holiday Gift Craft Fair at Union Grove High School, 3433 S. Colony Avenue (Hwy 45) in Union Grove Wisconsin from 9am - 3pm on December 2nd.