HOW IT STARTS... A Quick Video On How a Custom Ring is made by Dawn Vertrees

HOW IT STARTS...

 HAND-SCULPTED

FROM JEWELERS WAX

THEN THE SETTING IS CAST WITH THE RAW DIAMOND IN PLACE.

POLISHED & ANTIQUED FINISH MAKES THIS CUSTOM RING READY TO BE GIVEN TO THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE

Custom European Antler Ring from start to finish.

This ring features a 5.5ct rough diamond set in a custom European antler-inspired design, crafted with a 14k gold band and textured prongs resembling antler branches.

5.5 Carat Rough Diamond

14k Yellow Gold

Just a few pictures of the wax model I carved based on the design concept from the customer as well as pictures of the actual European Antlers which were very helpful when adding texture to the wax model.

Customer's concept drawings 

prior to starting the project.

Actual Antlers below to help with textures. 

Women's Long Driftwood Ring, Coming Soon

Women's Driftwood Ring

Coming Soon!

The wax model for the Driftwood Ring is still being carved. Once the carving is complete, it will have more detail and be cast in Sterling Silver with a light oxidation to bring out the texture carved into the wax.

The second model created will have gemstones set down the center of the ring.

 

Scooter, my Treefrog Pendant

My little Scooter is getting a makeover...

Meet Scooter!

I've had the pleasure of sculpting some adorable tree frogs in the past years and needless to say, to pick just one to expand the line on was a difficult decision.  

Scooter is approximately 2" tall but will be reduced to 1 1/8" tall and around 3/4" tall to expand the collection to include a smaller pendant, left & right ear wire earrings as well as an adorable charms for your charm bracelet.

The New Scooter Collection will also be available in 14k Gold & 14k Gold Plated

Available by Feb. 1, 2013

For more information, please contact me at dawnvertrees@gmail.com

Update: Twig Cuff #1

TWIG CUFF

Hand sculpted branches and tiny vines make up this back to nature design.

I love nature themed jewelry because it takes my mind to another place instantly, just one look at this cuff reminds me of the dogwood trees that line the edge of our forest.  I'm anxiously waiting for the small leafless trees to start budding in the spring. Once they start to bloom, the tiny flowers resemble delicate white lace that trims a cold black forest, an excitement that leads to the beginning of spring.

True to nature, I've included little vines on my cuff and although vines do not grow on our dogwood trees, they live together in nature. In NC, we have a large sweet grape called a Muscadine Grape Vine. Once winter comes and the leaves drop off the Dogwoods, you'll notice that these vines have had a grand time sharing space with our trees. Little curly vines wrapping themselves around the branches as if they grew together trying to catch the warm rays of spring. 

So, if you look at our Dogwood Trees quickly while heading down the highways, no, they do not bear fruit even though it may look that way.

For more information as well as addition photos, 

please visit my online store at Etsy.

Twig Cuff

Cattleya Orchid Rings

Featured in St. Pete's Bay Magazine

Cattleya Orchid Rings
are now available on Etsy, my online shop.

All Sterling Silver Ring
Sterling Silver & Bronze

New Curved Cuff Added to my Fusion Colection

The Starfish texture is the base
to my New Fusion Cuff.

The 1" Wide Cuff
featuring the Fan Coral
fused into the starfish design.

You can see where the base of the fan
coral starts wrapping itself around
the cuff.

...just a few other Fusion pieces available.

Fusion Post
Earrings

Starfish Cuff

Adjustable
Starfish Ring

Fusion
Starfish Pendant

A very pretty face...

Ocean Reef Collection

Hand Sculpted Fan Coral and Branch Coral Pendant

This pendant can be customized using a combination of Sterling Silver, 14k Gold or Bronze,
please e-mail me for more information. Our Signature Starfish is also available.

"more information"

New Blog!

I would like to introduce my blog,

"Kudzu"

...it's everything you ever wanted to know about that darn stuff and more.

As you know we travel to some pretty amazing places and I would just like to share some of my cool findings. 

I hope you enjoy...

Calla Lily Pendant

Calla Lily Pendant

This Calla Lily Pendant features a highly detailed calla lily leaf next to the flowing polished 

Calla Lily Flower with a solid 14K yellow gold spadix. (center stem)

Materials: 14K Solid Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver 92.5
Length: 3.25"
Width: 1.35"Chain sold Separately
Made in US

Large Round Bamboo Ring

Can I say that I just LOVE this ring! When sculpting the ring in wax, I would slip it on just to make sure it would be comfortable, not too big, etc...and once we cast the final piece, WOW...it was perfect, I wouldn't change a thing on this ring.

Description: Rows of bamboo with my signature bamboo leaves laying on top.

Description: Rows of bamboo with my signature bamboo leaves laying on top.

Materials: Sterling Silver & 14K Solid Yellow Gold Leaves
Oval Top: 7/8" x 1 3/16"
Available Sizes: 5-9
Cost: $369.00

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

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

This is such great news!

Don & I have been accepted into two huge shows here in Florida...The 21st Annual Las Olas Fall Art Fair and the 9th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving!

We are so excited about doing these shows.

21st Annual Las Olas Art Fair
Saturday & Sunday, October 4th & 5th, 2008
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm

9th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Art Festival
Saturday & Sunday, November 29th & 30th, 2008
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 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.