Friday, January 30, 2009

I"M IN!!! #1 Show and I'm IN IT!!!!

Booth #15
What: Celebrating its 46th anniversary in 2009, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival® presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, is one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine Arts Festivals. The Festival attracts more than 150,000 people annually to view the works of over 330 of the finest artists and craftsmen in the world. A signature event of the South Florida cultural calendar, the Arts Festival offers visitors the opportunity to meet with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment and take a walk through history. And for the kids, they too can create their own works of art in our Coconut Grove Bank Kids Creative Corner. Last year approximately 4 million dollars of artwork was sold in three days at the show.
When:
The 46th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida will be held February 14, 15, 16, 2009.
Where:
The Festival is held annually in the streets of Coconut Grove, Florida, a charming village within the city of Miami. The Festival is located just south of downtown Miami, adjacent to beautiful Biscayne Bay. It runs along the streets of McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive.
Festival Hours: The Festival will be held February 14, 15, 16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Woven Chains Have Arrived!


Handcrafted
Sterling Oxidized Woven Chains


Besides beautiful our new chains are extremely comfortable and hanging one of my Cattleya Orchids on the woven chain is a perfect match...it's actually stunning.

You can purchase these on my website at www.dawnvertrees.com or you can click on the link for more information.

The New Vanda...


I took this flower from the front cover of Dr. Motes book...VANDAS. He wrote the book "Their Botany, History, and Culture.

In my sculpting opinion, he had the best Vanda to re-create because of it's character and I only hope I have captured the beauty.

These will be available in a few weeks, I will be posting the finished piece here before I list it on my website.

I will have 4 sizes available ranging in price from $32 (charm), Earrings $69, Med. Vanda Pendant $139.00 up to $189 (shown with enhancer).

I have also attached a link to Amazon where you could purchase the book. It's a wonderful book and I hope to see them again at the Redland Orchid Show in May to have my book autographed.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

New Vessels


My Leafy Perfume Vessel

This is a one of a kind hand sculpted vessel with 14K solid gold leaves draped around as if it had been sitting on a step for so long the vines grew around the vase.

Note: This necklace hooks in the front.

Materials: Argentium Sterling Silver Vase
Leaves: 14K Gold
Chain Length: 18"
SOLD

New Orchid Pendants!


Bamboo and
Phalaenopsis Orchid Pendant


1.5" Hand sculpted bamboo beautifully frame my 14K gold Phalaenopsis Orchids and buds.
The chain is an 18" reverse rope in Sterling Silver.

Price: $429

Key West Collection


New Key West Collection Pendant

One of my small hand sculpted philodendron leaves holds this cluster of tropical leaves which include a banana leaf, a large philodendron, palm leaf and two small philodendron leaves to the right with a solid 14K hibiscus peaking through the forest.

The 19" Byzantine Chain is hand made by Don and is made up of a combination of Argentium Sterling Silver and gold filled rings. Length can be adjusted.

SOLD


"Theodore"

My Cool Little Tree Frog...

...this little guy took over 6 months, not necessarily to sculpt but to just wrap my brain around carving him. I've never sculpted animals, reptiles or bugs and never planned on it but my husband insisted on this one.

I would work on the Lil' guy for hours and then hide him away hoping that Don would forget about him but about every few weeks he would ask, how's my frog coming along? Eventually I was satisfied with how he was turning out. He started taking on a personality...he definitely became a "HE", he also took on the Geico Gecko look which is kind of adorable.

Well needless to say, I've become very fond of the Lil guy. He's about 2.25" legs and all plus he has a double bail to fit up to a 10mm wide Omega chain (chain not included). He has a high polish finish on him which is something very new to me as well but he wears the look well and his name is Theodore.

Note: This is for the tree frog pendant, he will fit on a 2.3mm up to a 7mm omega. Frog Pin is also available.
Due to the popularity of this item, please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery or e-mail/call us for availability.
Materials: Argentium Sterling Silver 92.5


Price: 169.00

Thursday, January 8, 2009

New Orchid Charms


YAY, I have Orchid CHARMS!

...phalaenopsis, ghost orchids, lady slipper, cymbidium and my favorite, a cattleya.

Along with the individual charms, we have created necklaces, post earrings, charm bracelets, and rings.














Materials: Sterling Silver 92.5

Charm Necklace with 18" or 16" Chain $69

Charm Post Earrings: $69

Monday, January 5, 2009

New Plumeria Designs - UPDATED!

I'm in a Plumeria mood again...I actually designed this piece in porcelain about 2 years ago but because I've been so busy with my orchids I haven't had a chance re-visit this design in wax.

I really like this design and plan on making several versions of this pendant.





This design will have an enhancer on the pendant so that you can clip it over an existing Chain, Omega, Pearls or Wire.

More than likely this pendant too will have a 5 or 6mm round Citrine stone set inside the plumeria.

If your not familiar with me or my work, I'm a lost wax artist and each piece will be cast in Sterling Silver.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Hibiscus & Buds

Argentium Sterling Silver Oval Necklace with Hibiscus & Buds growing around the oval rings.

My teacher, Mr. Volker suggested this ring type design to me but because I could not visualize the outcome, I sat on it for 3 months but then because I trust his instincts, I sat down and sculpted the little rings. I imagined vines growing on the rings jumping from one link to the other.

Well to my surprise...this little guy is one of my best sellers. We have made earring and pendants based on this design and everyone just loves this design.

I have had so many wonderful comments on these pieces at our show, just thought I would show all of you blogger.




Full Circle Necklace: $365 (top)


Circle Pendant with Enhancer: $135 (bottom)

Earrings: $89

Sterling Silver Coral




I guess by living in Florida for 8 years it has made me aware that we are losing our reefs.

After a few snorkeling trips, I have found that our coral reefs are one of the most beautiful and visually impressive habitats on earth, swarming with life with an abundance of color, they are just amazing.


I guess by living in Florida for 8 years it has made me aware that we are losing our reefs.

After a few snorkeling trips, I have found that our coral reefs are one of the most beautiful and visually impressive habitats on earth, swarming with life with an abundance of color, they are just amazing.

Quick Facts: Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on earth. Hosting hundreds of different species, one square kilometer of healthy reef can produce food for 2,500 humans per year.

Tiny animals related to jelly fish and living attached in colonies of millions build up the massive reef structure by secreting calcium carbonate, the same chemical material of limestone and marble, to form a protective outside skeleton. Coral reefs flourish in warm, clear, shallow waters of tropical oceans worldwide.

The highly productive coral reefs provide significant benefits to the human population. The reefs are sources of food. They are a major source of sand as they erode. As buffers, they provide protection to coastlines from waves and currents. There is increasing interest in reef species as sources of biologically active compounds for medical drugs.

But for the past 30 years there has been significant decline in coral reefs from massive hurricane damage, plus a number of other factors mostly caused by human action have led to the deterioration of the reefs. Over-fishing, sedimentation, the increase of nutrients in the water and a large scale die-off of Diadema, the black sea urchin (sea egg), have been identified by the researchers as being among the major causes of the decline of coral reefs.

The growth of large algae (seaweed type marine plants), if not kept in check, smother existing coral and prevent coral larvae from settling to form new colonies. The algae are kept under control by herbivorous organisms which graze on them. The parrot fish, a Jamaican dinner delicacy, is one of the most important grazers, and over-fishing of parrot and other reef species allows the algae to flourish. Blast fishing using dynamite kills living coral and does damage to the physical structure of the reef.

Sea urchins (sea eggs) are also important grazers on the reefs. Between 1982 and 1984 there was a mass die–off of the black sea urchin, Diadema, from a disease which attacked only that particular species. The Diadema population fell a hundred-fold and has not recovered. So algae flourish on the reefs.

Sedimentation leading to turbid water conditions also blocks coral growth. The coral polyps share a symbiotic relationship of mutual assistance with microscopic algae living in their cells. These algal partners, as plants, need sunlight for photosynthesis. Sedimentation from land run-off reduces sunlight.

Peter Edwards and Tatum Fisher identify sewage and agricultural fertilizers as the major sources of nutrient-supplying pollution affecting coral reefs. Additional nutrients mean additional growth.

...My vision with this new line is to bring awareness to our Coral Reefs and to donate a portion of the sales to an organization to support long term restoration.

Once these pieces are completed, I will locate an organization that help coordinate a donation program ...if anyone can give me a name of an organization, please e-mail me this information and I will be more than happy to post the results.


New Stones...

I have the most wonderful gem guy from Hobe Sound, FL ...he came by our booth in Sarasota this past weekend and dropped off a few of my favorite stones which include Citrine as well as Aquamarine, pear shaped Blue Topaz and a trillion cut Garnet .

I have already started sculpting with these and I'll post the results later today.

If you are interested in a one-of-a-kind design using any of these stones,
please email me.