Showing posts with label Charlotte Observer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlotte Observer. Show all posts

Friday, April 24, 2015

Charlotte Observer - Silver & Gold, Stones & Wax



What an Honor!

I was blown away when my Mom called and said, You made it on the front page of Charlotte Style!  I was in the studio and hadn't made it out that day but once my husband came home, he was carrying a small stack of Newspapers....you could tell, he was beaming with pride. He has so much confidence in my work, LOL...probably more than I do.

It was so important for me to come back to NC to make my jewelry and then to be recognized this way, it's an amazing feeling.

I can't thank Olivia Fortson (writer) and Kiran Dodeja Smith (photographer) for visiting my studio and getting to know me and my work...what awesome people to meet.

I ofter kid around with people that I wear bunny slippers to work but Olivia was right, I actually curl up my legs in my chair looking at my mandrel, visualizing my next project, and yes...barefoot and very happy with my job.

THANK YOU CHARLOTTE, NC!!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Lake Norman Magazine - Accessible Art






Dawn Vertrees of Dawn Vertrees Jewelry in her Cornelius home studio working with a lost wax process to sculpt a decorative wine glass ornament commissioned for use in an upcoming wedding.

-Grant Baldwin Photography - Grant Baldwin

Dawn Vertrees, 54, Etsy store: DawnVertreesJewelry
After retiring from a lengthy 
corporate career, an unexpected mentor came into Dawn Vertrees’ life. Volker Kracht, a senior master jeweler from Germany, put off retirement for three years after seeing a stunning orchid pendant that Vertrees made from three sheets of wax.
Since 2001, Vertrees has pursued different artistic media, starting with ceramic jewelry and moving on to the world of Lost Wax, which she works in today to make fine artisan jewelry like intricately designed rings and pendants depicting tree frogs, turtles, starfish, and other nature-inspired subjects.
Along the way, she’s picked up numerous awards at festivals and art shows across the Southeast while making a living 
from her craftsmanship. But when the constant travel started to take its toll, Vertrees turned to the Internet to keep her business going.
“I got so tired of being out on the road that one day while my husband was filling up the motor coach with gas, I created an Etsy site and at each rest stop and break I had, I photographed my pieces so I could continue to make money without having to constantly travel to shows,” Vertrees says.
The Internet opened up more doors for Vertrees, allowing jewelry retailers in St. John, Virgin Islands and Disney resorts to discover her pieces and add them to their collections. 
In the coming months, Vertrees says her business will come full circle as she’s in the process of building a wholesale market and will eventually only sell through brick-and-mortar stores.
“It’s the circle of life of being a jewelry designer. Art shows come first, then Internet, and then wholesale and possibly, a a few wholesale shows,” Vertrees adds.

Read more here: Accessible Art
Wholesale Contact: Julie King Julie@buydawnvertreesjewelry.com, or by phone at 340-344-0410