St. Petersburg Times "Bay Magazine"

June Issue

Tampa Bay Magazine

Isn't she beautiful!

Our Tampa Bay Magazine is out!

I was blown away by this. Don & I came home from a large art show and normally I do not go straight to my e-mails (due to lack of brain cells after a 4 day show) ...but I did anyway.

When I saw the e-mail from the Bay Magazine editor...I quickly scanned over the e-mail, couldn't believe my eyes and told Don to read the e-mail and let me know if it was as good as I thought it was...AND IT WAS!!!

The St. Petersburg Times was wanting to look at adding my big bold silver pieces to their article on elements of copper, brass, silver & gold...what an honor! My pretty pieces were going to a very prestigious magazine.

Ghost Orchid Pendant

Just finished a small quantity of

Sterling Silver Ghost Orchids...finally!

Tomorrow, I'll add them to my website.

Thanks for waiting.

New Leaf Band

Blue Topaz Leaf Band

This ring is so comfortable...if I wasn't getting ready to design my own ring, this would be it!

I am also making this leafy ring using a 5mm round Citrine and purple Amethyst.

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

Florida Craftsmen, Inc.

I was just accepted into the Florida Craftsmen Gallery starting May 26th, 2009. We will be displaying 10 pieces in their gallery.

Florida Craftsmen, Inc.

501 Central Ave

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: 727.821.7391 Fax: 727.822.4294

Jeannine's Lotus Ring...

5 am - Starting on Jeannine's ring.
7:12 am - coffeeeeeeee
8:56 am - Just finished the ring shank, just plain for now.
10:15 am - hungry, making a sandwich & pretty satisfied with petal design
11:45 am - making lotus petals.
12:59 - adding the petals to the ring.
1:15 pm- it's starting to take shape...looking good.
1:45 pm - making the 8mm setting

Did I mention that Jeannine is only a short drive away (15 min. max) and I bet she can't wait to see her ring plus I know she is wondering WHY I'm not posting any pictures???

2:36 pm - adding the surprise to the side of the ring shank. This idea is just too cool.

2:39 pm - fine tuning the petals.

After a bit of additional work to say the lease...whalla!

I'm a bit under the weather but I will be posting additional information about the Sunstone she choose to add to the center of her Lotus Flower.

The best of both worlds.

Although my designs are self explanatory...I have a lot to say about this design...but first, I have to add a few things to my website and then I'll be back.

KRISTI - UPDATED!

As you can see I'm getting ready to work on a few custom pieces.
This one is called "Kristi".

It's going to be an impressive ruby ring. Kristi wanted a ring based on one of my leaf bands which is a beautiful ring but for this stone I wanted to make it a special one-of-a-kind piece.

Finished...

New Dogwood Designs for Tammy

Being that one of these is going to go to Tammy once finished...I think I'll just
name the one she picks "Tammy" unless she has another idea.

I have two Teal Blue Quartz in my possession, one 14mm and the other is 15mm. Each will consist of silver (maybe palladium) & 14k yellow gold...my designs will change slightly, they always do once I start sculpting the wax but I'll do my best not to get carried away...I am pretty happy with the overall design, just hope Tammy is once she sees these.

It's Finished!

Mainsail Arts Festival

34th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival

What an exciting year!

I was awarded the "Awards of Excellence" at the 34th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival

St. Petersburg Times Newspaper Article

Houston AOS Spring Orchid Show - UPDATED

2009 AOS SPRING SHOW
HOSTED by the HOUSTON ORCHID SOCIETY

Well, this concept started with an idea that we might develop a special piece for the AOS Spring Show in Houston, Texas. The theme of this show is "Orchids Texas Style" and to me, this design says just that.

Dimensions: 1.5" high and very 3 dimensional.

Available in Gold/SS (as shown) and Sterling Silver 92.5

For more information, please click here to go to my website.

...a little nautical

Abalone Shells don't normally create a pearl but this one did. So I sculpted coral around the pearl
which created a shadow box, so inside this colorful shell I added a 14K Starfish to add to it's mystery. This is a very rare one of a kind pendant.

Sold

Citrine & Gold

Key West Collection

Golden Citrine Cuff with 14K Philodendron Leaves
and SS Banana Leaves
$2300

Golden Citrine Ring with a combination of 14K & SS Philodendron Leaves
and Banana Leaves
$689

New Items

14K with Diamond Ghost Orchid
$1150

Oncidium Spray UPDATE

Oncidium Orchid Spray
$2200

What an honor. I was blown away when I saw my stand from across the room.

Not only did I win 1st Place in my category, I won Best of Show for my Oncidium Spray Orchid Necklace.

What an exiting event.

Thanks to the jury!



This is the Oncidium Spray Necklace I will be entering into the Miami International Orchid Show Art Contest this weekend.

I call this piece "Oncidium Spray" but I took the idea from the World's Most Beautiful Orchids by Greg Allikas & Ned Nash.

The picture on page 275 is a Oncidium ampliatum which produces a sturdy branched sprays of yellow flowers in the spring.

Because this particular Oncidium produces a sturdy branch, I decided to accent the stem with hand carved leaves and buds which gave me a intricate neck wire .

I personally think the whole Oncidium Spray came together beautifully.

This is a one of a kind piece in Sterling Silver.

New Designs

...this is a little out of my comfort zone
but I just couldn't resist once I found these
beautiful stones.

Check back for designs & finished pieces.

Amethyst Leaf Necklace

Hand Sculpted Sterling Silver
& Amethyst Drop Necklace

$725

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.

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.

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

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

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.