Living here in the foothills of North Carolina, my inspiration often comes from simply looking down at the forest floor or walking along the creek. There is a quiet beauty in the way fallen twigs and branches weave together at the water's edge.
For this design, I wanted to capture that exact texture—the rough bark, the organic curves, and the strength of nature.
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| Riverbend Sterling Silver Twig Pendant by Dawn Vertrees The Riverbend Pendant I created this pendant using the lost-wax casting method. I hand-carved the wax model to mimic the texture of driftwood and branches, weaving the silver to cradle the center stone. It feels ancient and grounded, like a piece of the woods you can keep with you. |
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| Riverbend Sterling Silver Branch Earrings |
The Riverbend Earrings To complement the pendant, I designed these earrings to look like curved branches found along the riverbank. They have an open, hoop-like feel but with an organic, uneven silhouette that frames the face beautifully. They are cast in solid sterling silver but are designed to be lightweight enough for everyday wear.
As always, these are hand-finished right here in my studio in NC.
I know we are approaching the season of hearts and chocolates, but this year, I have decided to step back from the Valentine’s Day rush. Instead of hurrying, I am taking a few extra weeks to truly immerse myself in the design process.
I believe that good things take time, and "perfect" takes a little longer. I am currently spending my days at the bench, fine-tuning the wax models for a brand-new release coming in late February. I want to make sure every curve of the branch and every gill under the mushroom caps is exactly right before they go to casting.
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| The new Mushroom & Fern pendant, hand-carved and cast in solid Sterling Silver with a light oxidation finish to highlight the textures. |
First Look: The Mushroom & Fern Series I am particularly excited to introduce this first set. Nature is, as always, my guide, but these pieces feel a bit more like a storybook coming to life.
I’m starting with a new pendant where I’ve carved a cluster of tiny mushrooms sprouting along one side, balanced by a detailed fern frond on the other. It frames the stone like a hidden window into the forest floor. I’ve also designed matching earrings that feature those same mushrooms climbing up a textured branch.
Forest Floor Mushroom & Twig Pendant Necklace
The Twig & Branch Designs To complement the mushrooms, I’ve been refining a series of organic twig designs. These are all about the flow of the wood—the way vines and branches naturally weave to protect what they hold.
I am working on a few variations of this pendant. Some are intricate and woven, while others are cleaner and more open. I’ve also created a pair of simple, elegant twig earrings with a gentle curve that will be perfect for everyday wear.
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| Matching organic branch earrings featuring tiny sprouting mushrooms, cast in Sterling Silver. |
The Finishing Touches When these are ready in late February, they will be cast in solid Sterling Silver. I plan to finish them with a light oxidation. This is my favorite way to bring organic jewelry to life—the darkness settles into the deep crevices of the bark texture and the details of the ferns, making the silver pop and revealing all the hard work I'm putting into these waxes right now.
Thank you for your patience while I refine these new creations. I can’t wait to show you the finished results!
Embracing the Forest
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| Our newest one-of-a-kind creation: An oxidized sterling silver twig ring featuring a cast-in-place 1.8ct rough diamond, designed to perfectly match our signature pendant. |
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| The design that started it all: Our signature oxidized silver twig pendant, the perfect companion to the new ring. |
Handcrafted in sterling silver with a rustic oxidized finish, the branch-like setting is cast directly around a stunning 1.8ct rough diamond. This unique "cast-in-place" technique ensures that the stone is securely cradled by the metal, making each ring truly unique.
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| Behind the Scenes: Carving the Wax Model for the Cast-in-Place Ring |
Coming Soon!
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| "This image perfectly illustrates my philosophy: the gold smear was created with a palette knife, treating precious metal just as a painter treats paint on a canvas. It is the signature of an artist inspired by nature." |
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While I work with precious metals and gemstones, the traditional title of "jeweler" has never felt like the complete picture of what I do. When people see my work, like the piece in the image above, I explain that I see myself as an artist whose medium happens to be jewelry.
The image below the ring perfectly illustrates my philosophy. The gold smear, created with a painter's palette knife, symbolizes my sculptural approach to the craft. Just as a painter uses brushes to create a painting on canvas, I use carving tools to sculpt intricate details in wax. To me, that wax is simply my paint, and nature is my inspiration.
My designs are different from the symmetrical, traditional pieces you often find in standard jewelry stores. They are wearable sculptures inspired by raw, untamed beauty.
Wearing a DV design is like wearing a tiny, intricate piece of art where you can see organic details that are unique to my hand-carved process.
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| Hand-sculpted sterling silver Twig Weave Earrings inspired by organic forms, natural textures, and flowing woodland design. |
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| Hand-sculpted sterling silver Twig Weave Earrings inspired by organic forms, natural textures, and flowing woodland design. |
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| Twig Weave Earrings — hand-sculpted in sterling silver, inspired by nature’s quiet rhythm and the beauty of organic growth. |
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| The final Banyan Collection design, featuring the intricate, woven root shank in antique rose gold, set with a stunning light blue aquamarine. Launching Spring 2026. |
Unveiling the "Banyan Collection": Roots of Inspiration for Spring
Today, we're thrilled to introduce a design that truly embodies the heart of our craft: the Banyan Collection, set for our Spring Release. This collection is a deeply personal exploration of nature's enduring strength and intricate beauty, born from an imagination that finds wonder in the world around us.
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| The Banyan is a big tree, known for its aerial roots that grow down from the branches to form new trunks. |
The inspiration for this design is the majestic Banyan tree, which first sparked our original design journey. When living in Florida, the sight of the Banyan's powerful, flowing aerial roots back in 2003 inspired the very first concept for our signature leaf motif.
This new collection returns to that original source. Its aerial roots, gracefully descending and intertwining, create a dance of growth and resilience. This natural artistry sparked a vision—a ring that would mirror this organic complexity, a wearable sculpture that tells a story of connection and strength, moving beyond the traditional leaf to the foundational root structure itself.
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| My First Sketch |
It began with a quick simple sketch, a moment where the intricate network of Banyan roots took form on paper.
The Vision Realized
After refining the initial concept with the help of advanced visualization tools, we are proud to introduce the final piece. The design features a densely woven network of Banyan-inspired roots, emphasizing texture and organic flow, beautifully capturing the original vision:
Details of the Banyan Ring
Metal: 14k Rose Gold with an Antique Finish
Center Stone: Oval, faceted Light Blue Aquamarine
Design: Intricately carved, interwoven root structure inspired by the Banyan tree's complex support system.
Release: Available this Spring.
We invite you to celebrate the natural elegance and powerful story behind the Banyan Collection. Stay tuned for the official launch date!
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| Skeeter is ready to leap! Our hand-sculpted Sterling Silver Tree Frog Pendant, designed with a hidden bail for a seamless look. |
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Skeeter is more than jewelry; he is a tiny, fierce warrior, hand-sculpted with passion to represent transformation, resilience, and luck. Wear him as your daily talisman, reminding you to be ready to leap at life's opportunities!
Why Skeeter is Special:
Original Artistry: Every detail was lovingly sculpted by hand in wax, ensuring his personality and life-like texture shine through.
Heirloom Quality: Cast in solid Sterling Silver (or 14K Gold options) using the traditional lost wax method, Skeeter is a treasure built to last for generations.
Focus on Design: The custom bail is hidden discreetly under his hand, ensuring the focus remains entirely on Skeeter's beautiful, ready-to-jump sculpture.
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| The stunning details of Skeeter! Close-up view of the Sterling Silver Tree Frog Pendant, showing his expressive face and textured feet. |
Size: Approximately 2 inches tall (from hand to toe) and 1 5/8 inches wide.
Material: Sterling Silver (shown). Also available in 14K Yellow Gold or 14K White Gold.
Finish: High Polished.
Bail: Hidden under his hand.
Want to see more of the creative process? Please visit my Blog: http://www.dawnvertrees.com/
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| Dogwood Wax Model |
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| Dogwood Necklace Cast in Sterling Silver |
When words failed, the North Carolina Dogwood spoke for me. This intricate wax design from January 2008 is a perfect example of my visual language.
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This photo captures the very essence of my passion: the raw wax carving for the North Carolina Dogwood flower, created back in January 2008. This delicate shaping process is my true language.
Unlike the clamor of the hammer, the quiet, meticulous work of lost wax sculpting allowed my hands to perfectly translate the gentle curve of each petal and the smooth texture of the berries. It is a piece born directly from the peace and quiet poetry of the foothills.
Over a thousand wax designs have flowed from my fingers over twenty years, but this Dogwood remains a cherished sentence in my visual diary—a constant reminder of the gift I was given in the woods.
Which natural beauty from your childhood holds the deepest memory?
— Dawn, Sculpting Stories Since 2004.
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I am thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new design series that is deeply personal and incredibly detailed, starting right here on the drawing board. This design has been brewing for a while, and it's time to translate the beauty of an idea into the precision of a wearable sculpture.
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Introducing: The Riverbend Creek Collection
Every piece I create needs a name that captures its essence, its origins, and its movement. This collection is called The Riverbend Creek Collection.
The name is a nod to the flowing, sinuous lines of the leaves and vines that weave around the center stone, mimicking the curves of a creek winding through the landscape. More personally, it honors my roots in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains—a place of rich, natural, and enduring beauty. The "creek" represents the steady, organic movement I strive to capture in the metal.
From Idea to Pencil
Right now, my workspace is set up to capture the design's intricate "flow." This is where the magic begins—where the design is first translated from a mental image to paper. I am using my sketching tools to map out the exact dimensions and the graceful movement of the metalwork.
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| My Studio |
The sketch I just completed establishes the foundation for the entire ring, ensuring that the final wax model will have that perfect, hand-sculpted quality. This initial drawing dictates the precise path of every stem and the placement of every tiny diamond accent, all flowing naturally toward the star of the show.
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| The Riverbend Creek Collection Sketch |
The Heart of the Creek: Alexandrite
Anchoring this flowing design will be a magnificent 6 x 8mm Oval Lab-Created Alexandrite. I keep the stone right here on my desk as I sketch because its unique personality dictates the dimensions of the entire setting. In the next few posts, I'll share why this specific USA-made gemstone—with its incredible color-change magic—is the perfect choice for the warmth of our chosen metal.
Stay tuned! The sketch is done. Next, we will dive into the materials—the beautiful 14k Rose Gold sourced from our Upstate New York refinery—and the Light Antique finish that will bring the Riverbend Creek design to life.
