Citrine and Gold Ring Design

 Well, Third time's a Charm...

...I will start sculpting this ring for Bree starting tomorrow morning and of course, I'll be showing it's progress on my blog. I'm so glad we jumped over to the tulips...I can just envision this ring finished.

Finished making the base, now on to
the tulips, buds & leaves.

Bree's Design #1
White and Yellow Gold surrounds
this impressive teardrop shaped faceted Citrine.



There will be several designs going back in forth to get the perfect design and in the end...It may look nothing like this piece I've drawn but sometimes you just have to work out the details.

The dome like base of the ring would be white gold, high polished.  I would sculpt the leaves and vines separately and then solder them to the white gold creating a look as if they were actually growing up and around the stone. The yellow gold leaves will pop on the white gold.

Being that the leaves and vines are sculpted separately and not carved, this is going to give a lot of dimension plus making it very realistic.

I didn't add all of the leaves to the design, I wanted you to see the white gold under the yellow gold leaves. Once I sculpt the base, sculpting the leaves is the creative part.

The stone will set up and light will get up under the stone. The citrine is actually a good depth for this ring.

Bree's Design #2
White and Yellow Gold surrounds
this impressive teardrop shaped faceted Citrine.

...same concept but the stone sets up using prongs, I made the stone about 3mm shorter to be able to show the leaf detail. In real life, even with the larger stone, you'll see the detail below the stone. Also, I reversed the gold. Leaves and Stems...white gold, base and setting...yellow gold.

Bree's Design #3

I never make both sides exactly alike so I wanted to give you a quick hint for the other side of the ring. Personally...this is my favorite design so far. The leaves and tulips will be individually sculpted and cast then soldered to the ring base giving it a raised authentic look.

New Project...Updated with Sketch

After a week of thinking, I've decided to incorporate my fan coral design into my
starfish design.  It will be a combination of an embossed as well as
cutting through the wax as if you were looking through the fan coral.
I'm sure it will change...atleast 20% once I start cutting, so hopefully
tomorrow I can show off the finished wax piece.

My Inspiration Photo for a Starfish Cuff requested by
one of my customers.



Only a quarter finished but I'm trying it on for size...another great
quality about sculpting a wax model.



No detail on the starfish yet, still working with
character, comfort, legs before I continue...

 

Which one will she pick?

I was asked to come up with an "Asian inspired design" using her 44 beautiful 11mm round Jade Beads her husband surprised her with several months while on a trip overseas.

The first thing to come to my mind was the dragon but I wanted to put a bit of a spin on the traditional Chinese Dragon plus consider the Koi as well...so here is what I came up with...also, before I forget...I want to thank all of those Tattoo Artist for their inspiration as well, my hat is off to their wonderful talents!

Butterfly Koi

Lady Koi



Dragon Koi

Each design incorporates a single Jade Bead within the design...sort of my trademark on that one...anyway, each pendant will be sculpted about half the size show and my talent will be in removing the wax from the back to reduce the weight to hang properly!

I have put this on a one day delay because she will be seeing them for the first time on her Sept. 1st Birthday and hopefully she will like one of these designs.

Finished product will be VERY three-deminsional and then cast in Sterling Silver with gold accents (maybe) and each bead, hand knotted by Frances...she's the best!

Custom Bamboo Pendant & Earrings



Bamboo Pendant
14k Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver

Total height including Bail 2.5"
1.25" wide

Bamboo Earrings
14k Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver



Bamboo Set



Original Sketch

About Ametrine
Quartz which occurs in bands of yellow and purple has been given the name of ametrine (amethyst + citrine).

Initially cutters favored windowed emerald shapes with a 50/50 split of colors, and much of the rough is still cut this way.

For additional information, please call or e-mail me.

Ok, so I'm a matchie matchie jewelry designer...

This ring exhibits the natural features of a 12mm South Sea Pearl wrapped up in a very daring contemporary design with Sterling Silver Fan Coral and 14K gold starfish accent.



...the other side.



Showing the Tahitian Pearl



 This striking Sterling Silver cuff features a very
contemporary design, yet retains the natural look of
fan coral as it wraps around the wrist as if it grew that
way in the ocean currents.



Chrysocolla stone and starfish add
color and contrast.



Sideview showing overlapping fan coral,



...even the back is pretty.

For more information, just e-mail me at dawnvertrees@gmail.com

New Release:

New Release: "Scooter" and "Peanut"

 Sculpted and Ready to be Adopted

Scooter and Peanut will be featured at the Ft. Lauderdale Orchid Show, January 14th-16th, 2011

and January 15th at the Wyland Galleries (Boardwalk and Polynesian Gallery) at Disney.

I sat in my studio on Lake Norman and created these two little froggies and they will immediately make you smile.

"Scooter"

$235.00

Pendant ID: 

SS-TF-PEND (Sterling Silver)

BZ-TF-PEND (Solid Bronze and CrystalCoat Coated)

Year Released: January 2011

Edition Size: 2000

Size: 2.0" x 1.50" x 3/4"

"Peanut"

$289.00

Ring ID: 

SS-TF-RING (Sterling Silver)

BZ-TF-RIND (Solid Bronze Frog, Sterling Silver Ring) 

CrystalCoat Coated

Year Released: January 2011

Edition Size: 2500

Size: 1 3/8" x 1" x 1/2"

Wyland Galleries

  Wyland Galleries 

announces newest artist Dawn Vertrees 

 

We are extremely proud to announce the placement of select works in two Wyland Galleries at the Polynesian Resort and the Boardwalk Resort at Disney in Orlando. 

 
As you might imagine, our Bamboo Collection and Orchid Collection have found a great fit surrounded by bronze sculpture and paintings of nature by renown artist Wyland as well as others. We hope to introduce our Ocean Reef Collection and Kudzu Collection over the coming months. 

The Wyland Galleries are some of the finest on the Disney properties, and feature only the highest quality art in the most beautiful atmosphere imaginable. 

If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend a visit to either or both of these fine galleries the next time you're in Orlando!

Starfish and Pearl Ring

 

Ocean Reef Collection - My Starfish Pearl Ring!

My rings are hand carved in wax and then cast using the lost-wax method. This ring is a highly detailed work of art with a design that flows all the way around the base of the ring.

Solid 14k yellow gold starfish wraps it's arms around this fabulous 13mm Black Tahitian Pearl. (blue, violet & green hues...beautiful)

This ring also features hand sculpted branch coral and plate coral accents.

Metals: 14K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver 92.5 
Note: This ring can be customized.

"Seven"

New Kudzu Pieces added today!

Stack-able Rings

Medium Kudzu Cuff

It has been a busy couple of months but we have finally added 7 out of the 10 pieces finished, polished, sealed and photographed. 

Hoop Earrings

 I have a lot to say about this new line but I have more to do tonight plus an Orchid Show in Ft. Pierce Sat. & Sun. where I'll be introducing the new line in Florida but I hope you like my new Kudzu Collection!

I've just started on this piece but it is turning out to be just too cool!

This was my brain thoughts when my husband told me that we really needed to add a man's line to our collections.
First: sculpted wood-like cuff with a fishing hook stuck in it....had to cut fishing line. Second: Hook and a lure stuck in wood cuff. Third: Kill the wood...hook, anchor cuff design. Fourth: Vintage anchor, no hook. Fifth: Really cool vintage anchor, found the KILLICK!
That's it...high five!!!!

Some of you may know what a Killick is but for those who don't...it's a small anchor, especially one made with a stone in a wooden frame.

There are many versions of a killick but this one was pretty awesome and a no-brainier for a piece of jewelry. It will have a stone, we are working on that one.

Ocean Reef Collection...

...sculpting new designs featuring
the ocean's reefs.

My new line of pendants go from simply
elegant to fabulous and I hope you agree.

Click here for more information.

Ocean Reef Necklace

I'm getting close to finishing up the wax model on this new project. I have sculpted several fan corals with plate coral peaking out from between the overlaping corals.

Some of the plate coral will be cast in 14k yellow gold but the majority of the necklace will be Sterling Silver. I will have 3 clusters of small aquamarines dotted around the necklace. One cluster on the left side and two clusters to the right.

I took two of my sketches and combined them, coming up with this design...I think you can see by looking at my drawings, I took the best of both.

Needless to say, it's going to take some time to complete this piece but I can assure you...it will be photographed. This is a one of a kind piece, and if anyone is interested in this piece, please call me.

New Lemon Quartz Vine Design

I have been sitting on this stone for a while now but the design finally hit me while in Winston-Salem at a convention. It was the perfect stone for trying out my new Vine Design.

I'm not particular fond of the tradition straight line settings that most stones sit in...especially since I don't care for straight lines in the first place.

My father has always told me that nothing in nature grows straight, so I sculpted this ring as if the vines were holding the ring up and my leaves were holding the stone down.

Well I'm happy to say...I'll probably never go back to a straight setting again. I think it came out beautiful...

Vine Setting

Laser Cut Lemon Quartz

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.

Orchid, Buds & Leaves

When I have three projects in a row this week and I have a tendency to start with one of my projects rather than someone else's project so I had found a gorgeous natural 20mm x 30mm oval (my favorite shape) cabochon in aventurine.

Aventurine is a quartzite gemstone composed of interlocking grains of quartz and small mica crystals.

This mica looks like tiny silver specs in the gem which is really going to pop once I cast this orchid in Sterling Silver.

I haven't decided on how I'm going to make the bail...I've started with a small stem with some neat texture in it.

I also found the matching 28mm x 13mm twisted nuggets and I added 5mm Sterling Silver beads between each nugget...

...I think it's going to be an awesome necklace when finished.

UPDATE: Just cast but not soldered yet. More photos to come once completed.

As soon as I have this cast and soldered, I'll post the finished piece.

Citrine & Hal Together

"Hal & Citrine"


Once I put "Hal" my larger "Phala" Orchid up to the Citrine Nuggets...I knew they were meant to go together. This is a elegant combination.


Hal is a little over 1.5" across and sandbasted giving this orchid a soft glow, plus we highlighted the edges which outlines each part of this beautiful flower.


The Citrine Nuggets are 18mm x 13mm and have a rich gold tone to them with slight inclusions.


I have added a Sterling Silver Enhancer to the "Phala" Orchid making this necklace very versatile. You can wear the necklace with or with the Orchid or you can attach the Orchid to one of your existing necklace.


$225.00

Click Here to Purchase

2nd Annual Seaside Craft Fair on Hollywood Beach

My Next Show!

Hollywood Beach, Florida

Saturday & Sunday, April 26th & 27th, 2008
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Many crafters told Howard Alan Events that this area of Florida has great potential, so they are back for a second year. The show is set up directly on the boardwalk, right off Hollywood's newly renovated beaches. They receive support from the city, local media and residents wanting good fun events in their backyard.

Admission is Free

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk named one of America’s top ten nostalgic promenades by USA

Today in 2005, the pedestrian Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has undergone a complete renovation.
Built in the 1920s, the oceanfront Broadwalk offers over two miles of car-free enjoyment. Walkers, runners, bicyclists and rollerbladers set their own pace on this path, which is bordered by six miles of Hollywood’s famous coastline, boutique hotels, charming shops, and cafés and places to eat facing the ocean. The beach area and Broadwalk also offer free wi-fi access. Hire a bike on the Broadwalk and follow the gorgeous new path. Then, continue into the West Lake Nature Preserve to reconnect with nature and discover what early Florida looked like.
The beach offers its own entertainment, including paddle ball, volleyball, group yoga and Tai Chi classes. Several golf courses and tennis courts are also within easy reach. At night, a full season of cultural events takes centre stage.

New Asymmetrical Necklace in Lemon Quartz, Citrine & Amethyst

Asymmetrical Design using Amethyst

SOLD

This has been an amazing designs that I created a while back. I gave it to one of my Galleries and within a couple of weeks it was sold. Since then I have had several request for this piece so I decided to bring it back in Amethyst as well as Citrine and Yellow Quartz.

I designed a new necklace based on the original Asymmetrical Necklace plus I designed a smaller version of the "A" Necklace using Amethyst & Citrine Brioletts and Faceted Stones shown below.

Asymmetrical Design using Lemon Quartz

SOLD

The "Leaf Section" of the above "A" designs are 2 1/2" and Argentium Sterling Silver 925

In each design including the smaller Asymmetrical Designs below, the Clasp is in the front of the necklace instead of in the back which is usually impossible to attach plus you can adjust the length with a catch we have behind the stem in front. This is the most versatile necklace I have ever designed.

Asymmetrical Design (smaller version) using Amethyst

SOLD

All the same features of the larger Asymmetrical design have been incorporated into the smaller design.

Asymmetrical Design (smaller version) using Citrine

SOLD

Smaller Asymmetrical designs leaf section is 1 7/8", the briolettes are adjustable.

For additional photos, please e-mail or call me for front & back photos.

Thanks for looking!