Monday, January 14, 2013

Ghost Orchid Bronze Sculpture

Ghost Orchid 
Bronze Sculpture

The Ghost Orchid aka: Dendrophylax lindenii

The Ghost Orchid intrigues me the most. Books & Blogs have been developed, several novels have been written about it and a Movie, Adaptation with Nicolas Cage & Meryl Streep was based on the book, The Orchid Thief...there is just a lot going on with this particular orchid.

It is perhaps the most revered orchid in the United States, if not the world and It is one of the rarest orchids found only in South Florida, Cuba, and Haiti, most likely existing on other nearby Caribbean islands in addition and I am proud to say, I had the pleasure of seeing this leafless orchid in person!

A great blog for additional information on the Ghost Orchid: http://www.ghostorchid.info/

I sculpted this bronze sculpture in wax, exactly like my jewelry I make and then we cast in piece in Bronze. I added a high polish finish to the front of the flower and a stain finish to the back.

To purchase this piece, go to:
Ships in 2-3 weeks

Material: High polished solid bronze
Total Height: 9" 
Flower/Spur (stem) Height: 7"
                                    Base: 2" Tall x 4" Wide Square Black Marble Base 
                                       

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Tropical Key West Pendant for Helen

This one is for Helen...


Key West Tropical Collection

This is also what you call a balancing act!

Only 13/4" high this pendant features (6) Heart Shaped Philodendron leaves (1) Philodendron Leaf (1) Palm Leaf (1) Banana Leaf (1) Hibiscus Flower (1) Boulder Opal surrounded by Bamboo

This piece will be cast in 14k Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver...WHEW!

...and matching Earring, of course

Almost finished, these will be cast in SS & 14k Yellow Gold 
to match the pendant.




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




Thursday, October 18, 2012

I have a new toy!


New Tip for my Kerr Waxer II

Just completed a huge job so I decided to treat myself to a new toy! It's still pretty shiney, haven't had a chance to use it but it's going to help clean out the wax from the back of my cuffs. I'm hoping to find the perfect temperature for scraping the wax out. If too hot, it will just melt through to the front of the cuff but the Shell Cuff has been a labor of love. When you're matching the  design in the shell, you have to get as accurate with the design as possible...you don't want someone saying, What Is It?

Once cast in silver...it's going to be awesome, totally unique!


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Seahorse Ring

Personally, I think this is some of my best work!


It was absolutely a joy to sculpt this little guy and have never had so many request to resculpt a piece. This is a one-of-a-kind ring but I do plan on resculpting him with a smaller pearl.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Ocean Reef Martini Glasses

Ocean Reef Martini Glass
Another Design Request...I'm going to make these for myself.

This Martini Glass is made up of Fan Coral, Sea Weed (just a little at the base) 
Plate Coral and two types of branch coral. 
The base, stem and bottom of the glass is all Sterling Silver, 
only the top part is glass. 

September 4, 2012 Update

Slight change to the top, I like this better.

Sorry for the dirty glass, wax is a bit oily.

Still all in the rough but it's coming along nicely.
Sept. 5th.
REDESIGN!!!

Just added up the weight and converted it to silver...OUCH!!!

Here is the new design....

...much lighter and I like it better.

And I love the flow to the base of the glass.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

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.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Single Whale Tail Ring


I love this Ring!

I call this a ring a "Ring and a Half"

The cool thing about this ring is that it's a high quality adjustable ring.


Seahorse & Pearl Design


Seahorse with Pearl
Design Request

Sterling Silver Seahorse with a Rhodium Finish and a 16.5mm Tahitian Pearl,
I would love to see an antique finish on this ring.



Day 1

Thought you might like to see 1 day in the sculpting process.
It's taking shape and I'm getting a bit more confident that he will have tons of personality once completed.

You are not seeing the whole picture, I removed his pearl and the part of his tail that holds it close to him. He's very tiny, my customer loves big rings but only has a size 5.5 finger...
anyway, more later.

Shell & Fan Coral Pendant Design

Shell & Sea Fan Design
I worked so hard on this design but yet I draw a dorky starfish on it...
sometimes I wonder about me.

I love textures and colors so I choose a satin finished shell with black 
Rhodium Fan Coral with a solid 14k yellow gold Starfish.