Create Every Day // Custom Designs

I have been working on a few custom designs over the past few months and I thought this would be the perfect place to share them with you.

These projects are something you would not usually see in my shop as they are extremely time consuming, but they are so much fun to do. To really liked working on both of these projects, with an open deadline that I can really just get lost in the design of them.

The first design is a letter opener I made my sister (for ahem...Christmas...). I was inspired by the copper designs coming out of the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly designs originating from Roycroft School of Design (circa early 20th century). Such timeless and simply gorgeous pieces were created during that time period.

When designing this piece I knew I wanted it to be copper and to be personalized. I also wanted it to be different and one of a kind that spoke to my sister's timeless and classic manner. Here are a few shots I got of it at a vacation house in Palm Springs...loving the light.



Here is a shot for our room in Palm Springs (loved it)!


The second is a bracelet I made for my cousin's birthday. She just turned 10, so talk about a fun project! I could be totally youthful and I was able to use one of her chalk drawings as inspiration for the piece. I decided to combine a different element into this piece that I don't normally work with, leather. My Dad is a pro with leather, so we got collaborate on this piece together which is always fun.

Here is a shot I got of it in the studio. I love the copper and leather together!

Enjoy!

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Hear Art // Featured: Erin Case

I found Artist Erin Case last month online, and I cant get enough of her collages.

They are beautiful.

The surrealism in her work is hard to miss and I love the juxtaposition of nature almost taking over the human body. Interesting in color and layout, these collages evoke emotions, rarely showing the human face. A lot of her digital collages are of women with gorgeous big hair, and their bodies are turned into natural landscapes like the ocean or the Grand Canyon.

Here are a few of my favorites. Most of these are from her "Haircut" series.




Photos courtesy of Erin Case.

You can find out more about Erin here:
http://erincase.weebly.com/

And, you can buy her art here:
http://society6.com/ErinCase

What do you feel when you see her colleges?
I love the emotion they portray, even without the face.

Enjoy!

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Exciting News!

Mad Dream Design has exciting news.

This coming weekend, I will be closing my Etsy shop for just one day, Saturday, July 21st, 2013.

Why is that good news? I will be debuting and selling my Summer 2013 Line: Wild Hearts in person!

I am so excited that Mad Dream Design will be a vendor at the SBOCC State Sprints at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, CA. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello! My Etsy shop will be closed this coming Saturday, but will be reopening on Sunday, July 22nd with all brand new items from my Summer line.

I will be rolling new items out all of next week. If you would like to be apart of a special offer, and be the first to know. Join our mailing list here! I promise it is only fun stuff!!!

Sneak Peek from Wild Hearts // Summer 2013

Shinny, polished and ready to patina.

A few necklace designs from Wild Hearts - Summer 2013.


Enjoy!

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Mad Style // The Engagement Photos

If you want to know more about our story read: Our Love Story.

Part 3: The Engagement.

Details:
Location: The Orange Circle
Photographer: Ozzie Jack Clarke
Engaged: December 23rd, 2013 
Wedding Date: February 14th, 2014

So far we have been having a blast - getting engaged, being engaged, and planning the wedding. We like the process and we love this time together. I am glad we decided to have a longer engagement and gave ourselves lots of time to enjoy it. By the looks of things, it is right in line with our relationship style...easy, cool and steady.

We like historical, classic, and simple things with a bit of imperfection in them...which is why we love the area we live in, and the fact that we have places like the Artist's Village and The Orange Circle just down the street from us, is a dream come true.

When people hear we live in Santa Ana, I almost immediately get the look, or the reaction of "why would you choose to live there?" In our opinion, why the heck not? We love Santa Ana. We live in the historical area of Santa Ana (people usually love this...duh) that backs up to the historical district of Orange. I get to see history and charm everyday, and I can't get enough! I know, it may not be the first thing you think of when you hear Santa Ana...but it is the first thing we think of.

We definitely wanted to share all of that, plus our love (of course) in these photos. Ozzie did a great job at capturing that, with the classic touch we wanted. He was great to work with and has an artistic eye that I really appreciate.

The past two weeks I have been falling all over these photos.
They are kind of at the heart of me.

Let's take a little trip back in time...






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Heart Art // Finding Your Essence with Kathryn Hunter

Our latest interview is with Kathryn Hunter of Essential Glimmer!
I love the idea behind her business...finding and living your essence. The essence for July is Joy..."how do you share your joy?" Enjoy the interview and then go on over and check our her selection of wonderful Joy inspired pendents.
 
 
Name: Kathryn Hunter
 
Medium: Fine jewelry
 
Essential Glimmer

How did you get started in Jewelry design?
I was born into it. My father's been a jeweler since the mid '70s and I designed my first ring when I was twelve. 

What is your business all about?
All women deserve the opportunity to develop into the people they want to be, and be appreciated for it. That declaration of self is why I created Essential Glimmer. We are a jewelry line dedicated to the declaration of your truest self. 
 
We're an online only company, though you can also find us at: 
 

 
 

Your biggest accomplishment with your art/design?
Taking the idea of Essential Glimmer and bringing it to reality.

Where do you see yourself in 1 year.....in 10 years?
In both cases, growing the idea of living your essential life. 

 
Where do you draw your inspirations for your jewelry from?
The fans. They're the ones who choose each month's Essence, and in doing so, lead the way. 

What projects, collaborations are you working on right now?
I have a membership plan in the works that will go to support a charitable organization, but we're keeping it under wraps until the details are finalized.

Hobbies?
Aerial Silks, Cooking, and Curling up on the Couch with a Book and a Cup of Tea - that's a hobby, right? (Maddie: Yes, I think so!)

Fave artists, designers?
Dale Chihuly, Brandon Jacob Hudson, and Adam O'Day.

Anything catching your eye for summer?
Simple lines and bold patterns.

Food for thought...want to add anything?
When you know your Essence, your reason for everything you do, everything else falls into place. If you don't know yours yet, I've got a short ebook which can help you figure it out. 
http://www.essentialglimmer.com/essential-glimmer-discount-list

All photos courtesy of Kathryn Hunter.

Thank you for sharing, Kathryn! xo,


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Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July loves!
I love this time of year, and the 4th of July never disappoints.

I love the colors.
Red. White. and Blue. Multicolored fireworks.
4th of July 2008 - watching the fireworks at NAC


As a kid it was all about summer vacations in Mammoth.  
Camping. Fireworks at Crowley Lake. Parades. Good memories.
4th of July at Crowley Lake.


Now it is all about backyard fun.
Family and friends. Street Fireworks. BBQs.
4th of July at our house - 2010


But most of all it is Independence Day.
A day to celebrate and remember our freedom and independence.
To remember the courage, sacrifice, loss and hope that gave us the Declaration of Independence.

Happy Birthday America! 

xo,

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