What Every Woman Wants Under Her Christmas Tree. The Elegance of Designs by Dawn Marie. Jewelry Giveaway!

Welcome everyone! We’ve reached the final week in my What Every Woman Wants Under Her Christmas Tree blog event. It’s been a festively spectacular event thus far. Thank you to everyone who has popped in to share their holidays with us this yuletide season! 2010 Christmas at this blog is certainly one that will go down on record…to be blog chatted about for years to come. Mark it on your calendar now, I will officially be hosting this holiday event every year. Are you a jewelry maker, novelist or other creative vendor? Then contact me now at skypurington@live.com and get booked for 2011!

While every single person who has been featured this season is the best of the best, I did save one of my favorites for last. Why do I think so highly of her? Loaded question. Dawn Marie came into my life earlier this year when I participated in Blogmania. Thank God for that event or perhaps our paths would not have crossed! Though she was part of the event, Dawn Marie took the time to comment on my post. (one of nearly 400). I read her comment and commented back on her blog. Within literally two email correspondences I knew she’d be a friend for life. Save a scant few others, I’ve never come across someone so kind and giving. How could I not adore her instantly?

Our mutual love for gardening definitely sealed the deal. Remember those 40 hostas Dawn? What was I thinking! LOL. Our only regret? We live quite a distance apart. Makes no difference. When you find a person like Dawn, you know distance means nothing. She’s a keeper.

Okay, it’s officially time to have some yuletide fun. This week (though Dawn Marie grumbled at me something fierce over it!) My treat (her talent) I’m putting a few things beneath this blog’s Christmas tree. And, bless her heart, Dawn Marie hand-made two jewelry pieces specifically for this blog event. A beautifully designed Rose Quartz Set - Earrings & Necklace on a gold plated chain and a Vintage Brass Pendant using a mix of bronze and brown tones on a Choker Style Necklace.

I couldn't help but steal what she'd said in an email to me about when she worked on the pieces being featured in this blog post. I feel this one sentence really drives home how much she cares about her work... 'It's sunny today, so that's what I'm going to do when the sun is "just right" in a bit.' Not sure about you but I was thoroughly impressed that she worked around the sun's placement. True artist I'd say! Two lucky winners will be drawn. How do you enter to win? Well, I’m all about holiday cheer and the memories that they invoke. So, to be entered to win share with us one of your all time favorite holiday memories in a comment at this blog.

Ready to get to know Dawn Marie a wee bit better? Aye. Good! Here we go…

SKY: Dawn Marie, it’s wonderful to have you back. Merry Christmas!

DAWN MARIE: I love stopping by! Thanks for the invite! Your readers are absolutely wonderful to chat with!

SKY: Must agree. Great bunch of followers here! While I intend to focus on your fabulous jewelry business in just a moment, I’d like to first dive into your life at the holidays. Do you have a favorite holiday memory you’d like to share with us?

DAWN MARIE: As a child, I always loved Christmas Eve. We would go to the children’s service at Church, then we’d drive around looking at Christmas lights all over town. By the time we got home, Santa had stopped by (because our house was always first on his list) and we’d have dinner of popcorn shrimp and all sorts of other kid-friendly finger food. Then we’d all get to open one gift before bed.

SKY: I too love Christmas Eve. My little one gets to open one gift as well! Many have traditions at this time of year. Mine is setting up ‘Santa Central’ with my son, picking out the perfect tree with my family and then hanging bulbs. What are yours?

DAWN MARIE: Now as an adult, the tradition has changed to incorporate my fiance’s family too. We celebrate Christmas Eve with Chris’ family doing a big, formal dinner on the fine China followed by hours of laughter and sharing of gifts. Then we get up bright and early Christmas morn and head over to my Mom & Dad’s for Christmas breakfast. We all gather on Christmas in our snuggly jammies… slippers and all!

SKY: That sounds wonderful! We’re both ‘mamas’ to dogs (Belgian Sheppard and Great Dane pup here). Their smiling faces are a huge part of my holiday season. Part of the family, they will always create a holiday memory. What about yours? Any moment in the past bring a fond smile to your face?

DAWN MARIE: My fur babies are quite comical. They always do a little shopping of their own and wrap gifts for their Daddy to get on Christmas morning. I have no idea how they learned to use the internet and all, but they never cease to amaze me! ;) Then we package them in the car with us to go over to my parents’ house. They are part of the festivities over there!

SKY: *Smiles* So sweet! Now, let’s chat about ambiance. As Christmas is nearly upon us, my house is decorated. As you might imagine, my tree is lit with blue lights, arched Victorian doorways framed with spruce, mantle speckled with red-berried holly. How do you decorate your space at this time of year? Does it influence you while creating jewelry?

DAWN MARIE: Great question Sky! Every year is different… I like tradition, but I also embrace creativity. So the one staple piece is the handpainted Nativity scene on our piano. Chris’ mom made is a few decades ago and it’s absolutely beautiful – complete with Swarovski crystals. This year, I decorated my office/studio with a small tree and all sorts of festive decorations. I have beautiful angels, santas from around the world and of course I needed to add the old school garland in bright red!

SKY: Sounds beautiful, Dawn Marie! I’m big on music, especially at this time of year. I love to cozy in and write to Highland Bagpipes Christmas while I write. What about you? Do you have a few favorite songs or perhaps albums that you listen to while working at this time of year?

DAWN MARIE: I love celtic music any time of year. While I have some traditional albums, I still gain unlimited creativity when I put in my Celtic Woman album. Their voices just speak to me! So even though it’s not their Christmas album, it still puts me in the festive mood and let’s my creativity bloom. The other album that you can count on in my holiday selections is the Kohls Cares for Kids annual holiday album. All the proceeds from the sale of those albums goes to St. Jude’s children’s hospitals and every year they have a different theme/genre or style. They’re all wonderful!

SKY: Oh my goodness, I love Celtic Woman as well. Their music is absolutely breathtaking. This is the first I’ve heard of Kohls Cares for Kids annual holiday album. Bravo my friend, I always try to bring awareness to this blog and the various ways people can help children in need. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

The season puts us in a festive mood. Have you created jewelry specific to Christmas? If so, what element of the holiday inspired the piece or pieces? What were you thinking as you spun your magic?

DAWN MARIE: Well I LOVE the glitz and glamour surrounding Christmas and holiday parties as well as getting all gussied up for New Year Eve. So rather than focus on Red & Green… I love to focus on big sparkle! Pieces that are perfect for a night out on the town or a holiday party and can still be worn throughout the year! This year I also wanted to add a touch of handcrafted to my Christmas Tree, so I designed a few beaded ornaments that are very festive too.

SKY: As this run is titled, “What Every Woman Wants under her Tree,” Christmas blog event….if you could choose two of your ALL TIME FAVORITE pieces you’ve ever made, what would they be and why?

DAWN MARIE: Can I only pick two???? That’s so hard. Each piece I make is really, really different. Much of the time, each piece is created for a specific person so I incorporate that person’s personality. This year I created a set for a bride that even I said “Wow” when I had finished it. The necklace in particular was stunning. It used ivory pearls and was created with swarovski crystal & pearl “charms” that looked like bubbles. It was really stunning and draped so beautifully across the neck and collar bones.

Another one of my all time favorites is in the purple family (are you surprised?) The necklace used varying shades of purple Swarovski Crystals, some silver accents and deep purple pearls. It turned out really beautiful and again, had the sparkle that just catches my eyes!

SKY: This set is positively stunning. I am SO impressed! WTG my dear! Dawn Marie, it was a pleasure meeting and getting to know you better throughout 2010. You are a truly fitting way to tie up this Christmas blog event. Thank you so much for joining us and bringing your holiday into our homes. Best to you always, my friend.

DAWN MARIE: Thanks so much for having me Sky! I just love sharing the love at Christmas time and I appreciate your readers taking the time to stop by and say hi! Have a blessed New Year too!

Learn more about all the wonderful hand-crafted pieces Dawn Marie has to offer. Visit her Website. Follow Dawn Marie day to day at her Blog. Enjoy social networking? Find Dawn Marie on Twitter and Facebook! Contact Dawn here.

What a spectacular thing having Dawn Marie here. Don’t forget, for a chance to win be sure to leave your fondest holiday memory in a comment at this blog. Contest closes Saturaday, December 25th 12 AM EST. All winners to be announced next week on the right hand side of this blog.

And that’s not all, one extra lucky commenter from every post from the start of this event will be announced Christmas day. What will you win? That will be a surprise, my treat to you! So be sure to swing back to A Writer’s Mind to find out if there was a little something extra for you beneath this blog’s Christmas tree!

And because I couldn't help myself, this one's for you Dawn Marie. My favorite Christmas song by none other than Celtic Woman...Carol of the Bells. I highly suggest you all turn up your speakers as these ladies are absolutely unbeliavable!

A very, very Merry Christmas to you and yours. May you find all you desire beneath your Christmas tree this year!

~Sky