Ocean Fusion



Fusion Starfish Cuff

Fusion will be available
November 1, 2011



Fusion Starfish Ring

                In 1968, noted trumpeter and composer Miles Davis produced an album entitled “Miles in the Sky” incorporating electric instruments in a combination of jazz and rock elements to form a slick, smooth, and elegant jazz sound with a rock rhythm. They called it Jazz Fusion, and the name stuck! Since then many noted music artist have been noted for their contribution to Jazz Fusion.  Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Santana, Cream, Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago, Steely Dan, Frank Zappa to name a few.

                In 1983, Wolfgang Puck, said to be a Pioneer of Fusion Cuisine, opened Chinois of Santa Monica. Known for creating Asian dishes using California’s fresh and accessible produce, combined with French Culinary Techniques, where you can find such savory dishes at “Whole Sizzling Catfish with Ponzu Dipping Sauce” or “Mongolian Lamb with Cilantro-Mint Vinaigrette.

                In 2011, Dawn Vertrees Jewelry Designer melded the design of Fan Coral with that of a Starfish, or form a bracelet like none other you’ve ever seen! Yes, she’s taken the Fusion idea to a new level.  Cast in Sterling Silver, this striking bracelet exhibits mirror polished fan coral seemingly cloaking a smooth tectured starfish that’s slipping out from under it. The bracelet fits on the wearer’s arm as if it found it’s way there while scuba diving in the Caymans.  Or is it off a ledge near Punta Bunda, Mexico. It means something different to each viewer, but one thing’s for sure, its awesome fusion!

Don Vertrees

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.

Ocean Artist Society

  



Using ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our

need to preserve our natural world.

To my Blogger fans, I wanted to let you know that I have been inducted unanimously by Wyland, Guy Harvey and Bob Talbot into Wyland's

Ocean Artists Society


- a group of distinguished painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, and writers coming together to use ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our need to protect and preserve our natural world.


A big thank you to all OAS founding members, and to Jennifer Small - Wyland Foundation.

Last night I was blown away when I was sent this picture...it's my Kudzu Band.

The bands now adorn these beautiful
hands on her wedding day.  We worked together casting my leafy bands in white and yellow gold and they were just
beautiful...so I thought, until I saw this photo, I know now what "beautiful" really means, it when my bands are part of this wonderful day, her wedding.

In her words,

Dear Don & Dawn,

Just wanted to thank you again for the beautiful ring. I love it!
I thought you might like to see it in action;)

I hope you are all well.

Matching Starfish Ring

FINISHED!

 

Starfish Ring in wax and only half finished, still chunkie looking but it's going to be awesome!
In my opinon...when it's cool looking in wax and fits the finger nicely...it's going to be awesome.


The three legs curve under the finger and the other two legs create an "S" on top of the finger.
It will have the same dot texture as the Starfish Cuff.
...more later.

 

The Starfish and Fan Coral Cuff is taking shape...

What can I say...just dots but once polished
they will take on a pearl look.

 

Well after 10 hours of solid work...it's still far from being
completed but loving the concept of this design. I had my doubts
when I took a cut into a perfectly good starfish but
I realized my fan coral always looks pretty
crappy in the beginning so I kept cutting!

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

May 11th Lionfish Update

...still tweaking.

I'm still about half finished but here is my latest Pics...

For my base (also not finished) I have started sculpting my Finger & Cabbage Corals which will sit on black granite.

Sooo much work to do...a lot of smoothing out, filling in and tweaking.

Updated...

I'm taking my art in a new direction...I'm still making my jewelry but just flexing my art a bit and trying my hands on a new "Bronze Lionfish Sculpture". My galleries have said to go for it...and I am!

I'll be starting next week and I'm so excited! I have decided to use wax instead of clay...wax is just comfortable in my hands.

This is Next Week...

Well after another three days of work...he's starting to take shape but he's a long way off from being completed. I know I have at least a week of just cleaning him up. More later...

May 6th 2011...I started on the side fins yesterday...and I now know why I haven't seen but a few bronze Lionfish sculptures especialy realistic ones...all I can say is that this is tough to do!

This is about 3 days of work but he is starting to take on a bit of personality.

Don had to make a wooden cradle for this guy, he's about 15" long and starting to take shape.

Getting better at sculpting him, it's a bit different from sculpting jewelry but I'm enjoying this project. Today I'll be working on adding some more personality to his fins. The part that makes me a bit nervous at this point is the side fins...the part that makes him so unique.

I'm sculpting this guy based on around 100 photos and this is the main photo...this is what the end product to look like.

...and this is what the side fins will look like. Needless to say, I want to get as much practice in before I attempt these awesome fins.

more later!

 3 New Awards

It's been a busy month! Gasparella, Award of Merit for my "Bamboo Foliage Necklace", Mainsail Art Festival, Award of Merit and Islamorada, FL...Best of Show! ...and I'm so tired!

2011 Award for Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Bamboo Foliage Necklace

 Awarded Individual Award of Merit

 All I can say is that it's always an honor to win an award 

at Gasparella. 

Thanks Gasparella and to all of the volunteers!

About the piece: Bamboo Collection

Mediums: Sterling Silver, 14K Solid Gold with 14 diamonds

$3,600.00

New Bamboo Star Ruby Ring

I fell in love with this stone several months ago and I immediately went searching 

for 4 small blue sapphires to add to the many jewel tone colors in this stone.

My metal choices were Sterling Silver & 14k Gold

New Facebook Page...lets get started!

I have been wanting to start this page for a while now because I want to hear from you,

 please visit my page and give me a shout!

 

-Dawn

Bamboo Necklace

Bamboo Foliage Necklace is now available.

Bamboo Collection

Bamboo Necklace

The latest addition to our Bamboo Collection, The Bamboo Foliage Necklace is available now! Featuring our proprietary Flex Wire design, this comfortable design will move with you, yet give you the customization and adjustability that will allow for subtle adjustments for different necklines and collar styles. This is done by incorporating a flexible joint in the center of the design as well as an adjustable toggle/chain in the back.  

Shown in 342 Bronze with Sterling Silver neck wire, this design is also available in all Sterling Silver, or most any custom configuration you can dream up! Gold leaves with 3pt diamonds interspersed between the leaves? Bronze with a green patina on leaves and highly polished neck wire? Send us your ideas, we'd love to hear about them!

$1,650.00 

Close Up

I'm in the final process of sculpting one of my favorite collections. My hands were cramping up a bit sculpting the bamboo joints on the neck wire. I'm debating about adding small bamboo leaves at each joint...

I haven't decided which parts will be gold and silver but it will definitely be two tone to give it more dimension with some editions having small diamonds dotted between the leaves.










At this point, this is a pretty big project that will take 4-6 weeks to complete...if you are interested in purchasing this piece once completed, please e-mail me at dawnvertrees@gmail.com