Bada-Bling

Nothing sells like the "shiny" stuff.   I repeat, nothing sells like the "shiny" stuff.  I myself suffer from this weakness....though on occasion have tried to deny it.

To prove this point, I made several pieces.....minus bling and than repeated the process including bling.  Guess which line people ran to?

Despite what they want us to believe.....men carry this desire as well.  Just pull up in a "shiny" new car and watch their eyes dance.

So, in the spirit of keeping you happy....along side our new men's line.....we will be introducing our gem line and additions to our crystal line.

Now if I can just make myself put it all up for sell.....rather than keeping it.  :-)  That would be impressive!

Have a Bling Filled New Year.

May 2012 be filled with shiny, happy, warm and wonderful moments.....as well a little bling.

Thank you for your continued support of our company.  We promise to continue our mission of creating one of a kind pieces....hand made with love.

Happy New Year from Ardore Donna Designs.

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring....

Nothing warms the heart of your lovely lady....like BLING!  Nothing gives me more pleasure than creating jewelry that makes my clients sing.  Christmas is a opportunity to kick those creative juices into high gear.

The thing about custom jewelry is not just that it is hand made....but that you now own a one of kind item.  So when your girlfriends are oooohhhhing and aaaahhhhing...you get to say, "this is the only one".

Some items turn out so extra special, that they end up in my jewelry box instead of price tagged and up loaded.

Feel extra special this Christmas, own a piece of 

Adore Donna Designs.

Santa Baby.....hurry down the chimney tonight!

Blue as the Ocean

When working with gems, one first has to decide whether to fit a gem into a particular design or built around the gem that catches your eye.  There are numerous colors to select from.  I lean in several directions....red being one of them....however, more often than not I reach for the ocean, the sky, the blues.  I can not even pick a favorite among the pales and deep blues.  I can build a wondrous item just from a glance at those beauties.  My daughter's birth and death were both in September, as well as the birth of my beloved husband, perhaps lending a hand to my obsession.

I must admit to having pep talks with myself.....filled with reminders that I am creating to "sell" and therefor must branch out from all I hold dear.

But don't misunderstand, this girl never turns down a diamond (or topaz for that matter)!  They come in blue too, you know!

Critters......the ones we love.

Standing in the bathroom I felt a slight tickle across my right foot.  Glancing down I caught a glimpse of "IT" and my low budget horror flick scream flooded the apartment.  This was immediately followed by the..."Kill It" chant.  Now ask me how many pieces of jewelry I own proudly displaying spiders.  The only good spider is one sporting ruby eyes?  I guess so.  Scratch that, I know so!  I make so many different designs that it would take a day to produce a list, however anytime I upload a selection with critters.....the masses go wild.  Butterflies are still my best sellers.  Why do we love wearing a sterling silver elephant necklace when in person our only comment is, "Boy do they smell?"  Most (and I use the term loosely) people are animal lovers on one level or another.  So, naturally, we would be drawn to jewelry, clothing or decor with them incorporated in some form or another.

This does not pose a problem for me....I have a box filled with butterfly bling.  So, tell me your critter of choice and I will create one that lasts a lifetime.

Blings the thing......

Bling is what draws the masses......trust me.....the vast majority of your clients will be females and they love the sparkle.  I have cases filled with beads, stones, findings, tools, etc.  But nothing catches the eye....like gold or gems.  Recently I was gifted several bags of loose gems and I can remember the first time they spilled out of their plastic onto black velvet and the way my eyes danced.  I love the smooth, cool texture too.  I can build a whole design around one gem.....easily.  Wedding bands are a grand example of the desire to own a piece of the rainbow.  How many men do you see lined up to buy their women a plain band?  How much are they willing to shell out for a diamond that most of them don't understand or desire?  Everyone has witnessed women grabbing another's hand.....almost yanking it clean off, as they ooohhh and aaahhh over her ring?

I am not sure there is a clear reason behind this obsession.....beyond the fact that people loves beauty, to feel beautiful and everyone wants to have status.

For myself, the steps to creation bring as much joy as seeing the finished product.....so much so....that temptation has taken over and caused me to keep several pieces rather than sell them.....guess I am no better than the masses......and that is just fine with me.

Silver, Silver, Silver........White Gold?

Each new design reaches a point where I hesitate and think......Where is this going as far as metal?  Many beads or gem stones drag you kicking and screaming toward one metal or another....and yet others say....."what speaks to you today?"  So goes it with my men's line.  I can't seem to take the Yellow Gold road.  So, before me lays Silver, Jewelers Metal and White Gold.  Which to use?  Sometimes It depends on the gem or bead.  Many of my men's designs are metal only and therefor I by nature lean towards Silver.  Recently I was asked to create a piece from Stainless Steel.  Hummmm.....newer format for me...can it be manipulated as easily?  I love the darker look of white gold and yet....silver can be made to look more "manly" with oxidation.  Why am I so frustrated and intimidated?  who would have thought such a hump in the road could make me consider a detour.  Only kidding!  I never sacrifice workmanship....ever.  I have been known to scrap an entire design and start from scratch.  Perhaps I will just cave and use the silver!