Pieces of History, Inspiration for Today: The Driftwood Band

 

Pieces of History. Inspiration for Today.

The Driftwood Band is more than a piece of jewelry—it carries the character of the natural world that inspired it. After more than 20 years of working with organic forms, I still find that nature leaves the best fingerprints.

I've Been Making Men's Jewelry for 20 Years… Maybe It's Time to Pay Attention

I've been thinking.

That's usually when something interesting starts happening around here.

For more than 20 years, I've been carving jewelry inspired by the natural world. Leaves, branches, roots, vines, driftwood, coral—I've always been drawn to forms that look as though they grew instead of being designed.

And for just as long, I've been making pieces that men wear.

I've never really called it a men's collection.

I simply made what I wanted to make.

But lately, I'm beginning to wonder if I've been overlooking something that's been right in front of me all along.

The Driftwood Band

One of my long-time selling rings began with a real piece of driftwood.

Not a photograph.

Not a computer-generated texture.

Actual wood.

I studied the way it moved, the openings, the grain, the irregular shapes and the strength in something that had been weathered by nature.

Then I took that feeling into my wax.

The result became a ring that has continued to sell for years.

And it just sold again—in gold.

Interestingly, the most recent gold ring was purchased by a woman for her fiancé.

That made me smile.

Because maybe the customer isn't always looking for "men's jewelry."

Sometimes she's simply looking for something that feels like him.

And sometimes a man sees the organic ring his partner is wearing and says, "I like that. Do you have something that goes with hers?"

I love that idea.

Not matching rings.

Rings that belong together.

So I'm Paying Attention

I'm not interested in suddenly creating a huge men's jewelry department.

That's not how I work.

I'm thinking about a small group of pieces.

A few rings.

A pendant.

And perhaps a cuff.

(And if you've followed my work for any length of time, you know I'm no stranger to cuffs.)

My Ocean World cuffs were carried in Wyland Galleries for years, so creating a substantial organic cuff isn't new territory for me.

What's different is where my eye is today.

After more than two decades of carving, casting, experimenting and watching people live with my jewelry, I have a much better understanding of what happens when you let nature lead the design.

I Don't Want to Make "Men's Jewelry."

I want to make Dawn Vertrees jewelry that happens to be worn by men.

That's an important distinction to me.

I don't want to take my work and make it harder, heavier or more masculine just because someone says it is for a man.

I want to keep the things that have always made my work mine:

Organic form.

Texture.

Movement.

Strength.

Imperfection.

Nature.

And then see where those ideas take me.

Maybe that becomes a small men's collection.

Maybe it becomes something couples can discover together.

Maybe a woman finds a ring for her fiancé.

Maybe a man finds something that reminds him of the outdoors, the water, the woods or a place that means something to him.

I don't know yet.

And that's actually the fun part.

I'm going to start carving.

One piece at a time.

And we'll see what grows.

After all, that's how most of my jewelry begins.

The Stew That Takes Care of Me

A big pot of vegetable beef stew, made ahead for the busy creative days waiting at my wax bench.

There are days when I know I'm going to be spending six hours at my bench, sculpting wax.

Six hours of looking closely.

Six hours of shaping tiny pieces of wax with my hands, making adjustments, adding texture, taking something away, and watching a little piece of art slowly become what I saw in my mind.

I love those days.

But I've learned something over the years.

When I know I'm going to be completely absorbed in my work, I like to take care of tomorrow's me today.

And for me, that means making a big pot of stew.

Not because I don't have time to cook.

Quite the opposite.

I don't want to finish a long day of creating a tiny piece of art and open a can of soup.

I want to walk into my kitchen and already know that something wonderful is waiting for me.

After a long day of sculpting, this is how I like to finish the day—a hearty bowl of stew, fresh herbs and a glass of wine.

I think that's one of the things I've learned about creativity.

It doesn't always happen at the jewelry bench.

Sometimes creativity is choosing the ingredients.

Sometimes it's growing herbs in a sunny kitchen window.

Sometimes it's putting together a meal that makes an ordinary evening feel special.

And sometimes it's simply knowing that tomorrow is going to be busy...

and doing something today that will make tomorrow a little sweeter.

I don't just create jewelry.

I create moments.

And this stew is one of them. 

❤️

Mother & Child Whale Tail Pendant | Hand Sculpted Sterling Silver Necklace

Mother & Child Whale Tail Pendant

A Story Carried by the Sea

Some designs begin with a sketch.

Others begin with a memory.

This pendant began with the quiet moment when a mother whale gently guides her calf through the endless ocean. There is no rush, no fear—only trust, protection, and an unspoken bond that has existed for millions of years.

As I sculpted this piece in wax, I wanted it to feel alive. Not perfectly symmetrical. Not rigid. Just flowing... as though the ocean itself had shaped every curve.

Inspired by the enduring bond between a mother whale and her calf, this hand-sculpted sterling silver pendant captures the beauty, strength, and graceful movement of the ocean.

🐳

Designed for everyday wear, the Mother & Child Whale Tail Pendant rests beautifully at the neckline, making it a meaningful reminder of love, family, and the sea.

Celebrate the bond between mother and child with this hand-sculpted sterling silver whale tail pendant. Inspired by the ocean and created one curve at a time by Dawn Vertrees.

A closer look at the front of the pendant reveals the flowing lines of the mother and calf, hand sculpted to create the natural movement and organic beauty found in nature.

 

I'm a '70s Wild Child... That's Me. Hi! 🌿

A handcrafted sterling silver ring inspired by the tiny flowers that have come to symbolize remembrance, enduring love, and cherished memories.

There are two things that have shaped my life more than anything else—nature and creating with my hands.

I'm a '70s wild child. I grew up loving the outdoors, wandering through the woods, noticing the little things most people walked right past. Twisted branches. Tiny woodland flowers. New buds after a spring rain. Those moments stayed with me.

That's me. Hi!

Forget Me Not Ring in sterling silver with a soft oxidized finish. Hand sculpted to capture the delicate beauty of woodland flowers and new spring buds.

I've never wanted my jewelry to look manufactured. I want it to feel like it grew there.

The Forget Me Not Ring is one of those pieces.

Instead of drawing a flower on paper, I sculpted every flower, bud, and branch in wax by hand. Each tiny blossom was shaped individually until it looked like a small bouquet gathered from the garden.

When the master was finished, it was carefully molded so this design can live on for years to come. Creating that mold is a one-time investment, allowing each future casting to faithfully reproduce the original sculpture while every ring is still individually finished by hand.

This sterling silver version weighs 12.558 grams, giving it a substantial feel without sacrificing comfort. After casting, every ring is cleaned, detailed, oxidized (if selected), and polished to bring out the depth of the flowers and bark textures.

When I finally slipped it on my finger, I laughed and said,

"If this ring were in gold, I'd be wearing it right now because it's so freaking cool."

The Forget Me Not Ring comes to life when worn. Hand sculpted in sterling silver with a soft oxidized finish, this woodland-inspired design was created to be worn and loved every day.

🎕

That pretty much says it all.

As artists, we spend countless hours wondering if others will love a piece. Sometimes, though, you create something that makes you smile every time you look at it.

This is one of those rings.

I hope that when someone wears it, they don't just see flowers.

I hope they remember a walk through the woods...

A favorite garden...

Someone they love...

Or simply that nature has a way of reminding us to slow down and notice the beauty that's been there all along.

A New Woodland Treasure is Taking Root 🌿

Woodland Weave Collection – Inspired by the Forest | Dawn Vertrees Jewelry

🎕

From Wax to Woodland Beauty: A New Ring is Taking Shape

Every creation begins with a visual in my mind. Once I can see it, I begin laying out the pieces. One by one, the vision becomes reality.

What you're seeing here is the beginning of my newest nature-inspired design.

These three wax views represent the foundation of the ring before it is transformed into precious metal. At this stage, every branch, every curve, and every bit of texture is carved by hand. This is where the personality of the piece is created.

Soon, this design will be cast in sterling silver, where those tiny details will come to life. An optional oxidized finish will gently darken the recessed areas, highlighting the bark-like texture and giving the branches added depth and character while allowing the raised surfaces to shine.

At the center of the design will be a 10 × 8 mm oval Moss Agate cabochon—a gemstone that reminds me of a quiet forest floor, with natural patterns that look like tiny landscapes captured within the stone. No two Moss Agates are ever exactly alike, making each ring truly one of a kind.

Creating depth, just as nature intended.
Every branch was hand sculpted in wax before becoming a sterling silver ring inspired by the forest.

Every cut creates another layer of depth. The hand-carving process gives each branch the natural character that will later be revealed in sterling silver with an optional oxidized finish.

From above, the flowing branches gently embrace the moss agate, allowing the natural beauty of the stone to remain the centerpiece of the design.

🌳

I love sharing this part of the process because it allows you to watch a piece evolve from an idea into wearable art. Before the silver is poured, before the stone is set, and before the final polish, there is simply a vision... and a piece of wax waiting to become something beautiful.

The next time you see this ring, it will have completed its transformation into sterling silver, ready to cradle its Moss Agate centerpiece.

I can't wait to share the finished piece with you.

When Nature Plates the Table: A Caprese Salad That Grew Into Dinner

 Some of my favorite creations begin long before I pick up a tool or step into the kitchen. They begin as a picture in my mind.

Whether I'm sculpting a ring in wax or arranging a meal on a plate, I don't think in straight lines. I think in curves, balance, and the way nature quietly arranges itself without ever looking forced.

Fresh Caprese Salad with Garden Herbs & Homemade Balsamic Glaze

A simple Caprese salad became the perfect reminder of that.

Fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, basil picked for both flavor and shape, tiny oregano leaves scattered like wild plants in a meadow, and a single rosemary sprig acting as the branch that guides your eye across the plate. A ribbon of homemade balsamic glaze became my brushstroke, connecting everything together.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Caprese Salad & Fresh Garden Herbs

Then something unexpected happened.

A jewelry client contacted me while I was plating dinner. Instead of starting over later, I realized the composition had been designed with room to grow—just like nature.

That open space welcomed a beautifully pan-seared salmon, transforming a simple Caprese salad into a complete meal without losing the elegance of the original design.

I love that idea.

Sometimes a creation doesn't need to be replaced. It simply needs room to grow.

Whether I'm sculpting sterling silver or plating dinner, the philosophy remains the same:

Nature doesn't grow straight.

It bends.

It curves.

It adapts.

And somehow, it always becomes more beautiful.

Perhaps that's why nature continues to be my greatest teacher.

🌿 Rustic Italian Herb Chicken with Penne Rigate

Every piece of jewelry I create begins with nature.

A twig becomes a ring. A leaf becomes a pendant. I don't force the design—I let nature guide it.

Recently, I realized I cook exactly the same way.

This dinner didn't begin with a recipe book. It began with the herbs growing in my own gardens, both indoors and outdoors. Instead of asking, "What herbs should I buy?" I asked, "What is growing today?"

That simple question changed everything.

Fresh herbs from my gardens, a glass of chilled white wine, and a comforting bowl of Rustic Italian Herb Chicken with Penne Rigate. Together with ChatGPT, we built this recipe around the herbs I grow at home, creating one of the freshest and most flavorful Italian dinners I've ever made. Sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most memorable meals.

🌿 Fresh Herbs Make the Difference

For this Rustic Italian Herb Chicken with Penne Rigate, every herb came directly from my gardens.

Fresh basil.
Fresh parsley.
Fresh rosemary.
Fresh thyme.
Fresh oregano.

Together with ChatGPT, we built this recipe around those herbs instead of adding them as an afterthought.

The result was one of the most flavorful Italian dinners I've ever made.

🌱 My Indoor Herb Garden

My indoor herb garden isn't fancy.

It's a simple shelf beside my kitchen window where herbs continue to grow year-round. It isn't about creating the perfect display—it's about keeping fresh flavor within arm's reach every time I cook.

Those little pots have become one of the most important ingredients in my kitchen.

Fresh herbs don't just season food.

They inspire it.

🍷 From Garden to Table

After the herbs were picked, they became the heart of this meal.

Tender chicken.
Perfectly cooked penne rigate.
A splash of white wine.
Freshly grated Parmesan.
Garden basil and parsley scattered over the top.

Every bite reminded me why I love cooking with fresh herbs.

It's the same feeling I get when finishing a new jewelry design.

Nature always knows best.

❤️ A New Creative Journey

For over twenty years I've shared the stories behind my jewelry.

Now I'm discovering that recipes have stories too.

They begin in the garden...

grow in the kitchen...

and end around the table.

Just like my jewelry, every recipe starts with nature.

And that's exactly where the best creations begin.

When a Twig Becomes a Ring | From Wax Model to Sterling Silver Part 2

Every jewelry design begins with a vision, but the real magic happens when wax is transformed into precious metal. This updated wax model reveals how the branches naturally divide, rise, and gently cradle the gemstone before becoming a sterling silver ring.

Creating nature-inspired jewelry isn't about forcing a design—it's about allowing nature to guide the process.

As I refined this wax model, the trunk became more defined before dividing into two graceful branches. That simple change gave the ring exactly what I wanted: the feeling that the gemstone had been discovered growing within a living tree rather than being held by traditional prongs.

The branches aren't identical because nature isn't symmetrical. Each one follows its own path, twisting and growing as though shaped by years of wind, rain, and sunlight. Together they gently lift the Moss Agate, allowing the stone to become the focal point while the branches quietly support it.

Once the design is complete in soft wax, it will be cast in sterling silver, preserving every carved groove and every organic texture. A medium oxidation will deepen the bark-like details, creating contrast that makes the ring appear as though it has grown naturally over time.

This stage of the journey is one of my favorites because it captures the transition between imagination and reality. The wax is temporary, but the design it holds will soon become a lasting piece of jewelry meant to be worn, treasured, and eventually passed on.

Nature has always been my greatest designer.

I simply listen.

Jewelry that feels like it grew, not made.

— Dawn Vertrees Jewelry

 

Nature Designs the Prongs

A New Sterling Silver Ring Coming Soon

Sometimes, before a piece is cast in precious metal, I like to take a glimpse into the future.

The image you're seeing isn't the finished ring—it's an AI rendering created directly from my original hand-carved wax model. It allows me, and all of you, to see what the design will look like once it's cast in sterling silver.

For me, this is one of the most exciting parts of the creative process.

As I sculpted the wax, I watched a simple twig transform into a living tree. The trunk rises naturally from the band before dividing into two graceful branches. Instead of using traditional prongs, those branches become the setting itself, gently lifting and presenting the Moss Agate as though it had grown there naturally.

This is exactly how I imagine nature would design a ring.

The sterling silver version shown here is my vision of the finished piece—a preview of what's to come while the original wax model begins its journey through the casting process.

In approximately 3 to 4 weeks, this design will become a real sterling silver ring, handcrafted from the original wax sculpture shown above.

Nature Designs the Prongs

"Only one hour into carving, and the branches are already finding their way around the Moss Agate. Nature has a beautiful way of designing the prongs. 🌿✨"

Nature Designs the Prongs...

Sometimes the best jewelry designs don't begin with a drawing—they begin with listening to nature.

Today, only one hour into carving this new ring in blue wax, the design is already beginning to tell its own story. Rather than forcing traditional prongs around the gemstone, I allowed the branches to grow naturally, wrapping around a 10 x 8 mm oval Moss Agate cabochon as though the stone had always belonged there.

The beauty of working in wax is that every curve can evolve organically. One branch becomes two. A gentle twist becomes the beginning of a tree. Before long, the prongs disappear, replaced by something that feels alive.

There are still many hours of carving ahead before the bark texture, flowing lines, and final details emerge, but this early stage is often my favorite. It's the moment when an idea first takes root.

Sometimes, nature designs the prongs better than we ever could.

Materials

• Sterling Silver
• Oxidized Finish
• 10 × 8 mm Oval Moss Agate Cabochon
• Hand carved in wax using the lost wax casting process