It is time for a new home!

 Mad Dream Design >>>>> Folk Dreams

 I have had so much fun on this blog! And I will continue to blog - just in a new home.

You can now find my new blog at folkdreams.com!

I am so excited to be on tumblr...I mostly like to post photos on this blog here, so tumblr makes it super easy for me to share all my photos (and travels) with you! I will one day have an official wordpress site, but for now tumblr will be home.

I hope you will come and join me there and follow along. You can find me and Folk Dreams (read more about my new business name here) at all the following places:

Maddie Spoto
www.maddiespoto.com
www.instagram.com/maddiespoto
www.twitter.com/maddiespoto
www.pinterest.com/maddiespoto
plus.google.com/+MaddieSpotoFolkDreams

Folk Dreams
www.folkdreamsjewelry.etsy.com
folkdreams.com (NEW BLOG!!!!)
www.facebook.com/folkdreams
www.twitter.com/folkdreams
www.instagram.com/flkdreamsjewelry

Follow Folk Dreams via Bloglovin'!

Happy travels!

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Loving Lately // Happy Friday + Giveaway!

Happy Friday friends!

What do you have planned for the weekend? I know I am going to fully enjoy mine!

Summer is flying by, but then it always does...is it becasue it is my favorite time of year???

Late sunsets, warm nights, sunny days, getting outside (more), enjoying nature, the beach and my favorite - the ocean. I would take the ocean over the beach any day. Being in the water, or on the water surrounded by big blue...that is where I want to be when I can.
I'll be there tomorrow morning.

I have not been there as much I would like to be this summer, and I am okay with that. I have been inspired by it, and all nature, so I have been in the shop creating and making. I love being there just as much...my hands are saying what my words never could and I am getting them dirty. July was focused on my Summer line: Wild Hearts (which I am in love with, by the way), but August is going to be focused on enjoying the rest of my summer (Hawaii, people, Hawaii) and getting on the water, paddling and some surfing (I miss Blackies, SanO too).

I have so much to be thankful for and I am loving all the awesome support my friends and family have given me over the past few months starting this, what I hope to be, epic journey. So I think it needs to be celebrated...

Last week I reached over 100 likes on Facebook, along with a few other milestones, and I have just released my Summer line. So, I am giving away a pair of my copper earrings to celebrate!

Native drop earrings with puka shell in copper.

The only mandatory entry for this giveaway is to like us on Facebook, which is simple enough. All the other entries are for bonus points. :)

Good luck!

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Heart Art // Mad Dream Design Summer Line: Wild Hearts

Happy August! (my favorite month of the year...)

Summer....


I am thinking salty curls, natural beauty, the beach and backyard barbeques.

Our Summer line is an extension of our Spring 2013 line: Tribe Vibes. Tribes Vibes was nature inspired with clean lines, and a cultural outlook on minimal design. I love that, and I still wanted that to ring true in my designs, with a twist.

Mad Dream Design Falcon drop earrings (Spring 2013)

In addition to the earrings from our Spring line we have added all new necklaces and dangle earrings + a few new designs. The one thing you will see throughout Wild Hearts are shells! For me Summer is lived at the beach and I am constantly inspired by the ocean, so shells fit the bill just right. Plus, they look amazing against the copper.

Mad Dream Design Falcon Necklace with Puka Shell (Summer 2013)

Our Summer 2013 line, Wild Hearts is all about getting outside, in nature and living as wild and free as your heart will let you. As they say, wild hearts can't be broken.

All of our new designs will in the shop by the end of day today, and I couldn't be more excited to share them with you!

Shop now, if you'd like!

Here is the look I was going for while creating Wild Hearts...

I am super excited to be celebrating a few milestones along with the release of our Summer line, so I am having a giveaway on the blog tomorrow! I will be giving away a pair of copper earrings. Want to participate? Make sure to LIKE us on Facebook.

Enjoy! xo,

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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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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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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

www.essentialglimmer.com 

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: 

 

facebook.com/essentialglimmer

pinterest.com/gimmeglimmer

twitter.com/gimmeglimmer

instagram.com/essentialglimmer

 

 

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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Guest Post // Ocean Inspired Jewelry

Hi Loves....Happy Friday! 

For this Falling for Friday I have Kel Thompson here to talk about where she finds her favorite ocean inspired jewelry! 

Kel Thompson blogs over at www.kelthompson.wordpress.com and is always writing about paddling, ocean inspired things and her latest adventures. She always has fun ocean inspired jewelry on so asked her to write up on where she finds all of her jewels.

Enjoy!

Kel wearing MCKMetal earrings

I am a HUGE fan of Ocean Inspired Jewelry, well really ocean inspired anything. I try to keep my blog related to the ocean life somehow, because that is my lifestyle. It is a big part of my life, and a big part of what I LOVE to write about! It just so happens that ocean inspired jewelry is one of my favorite things to discover!

One of the easiest ways to find jewelry with elements of the sea and ocean involved is ETSY. Etsy has a HUGE database of handmade good and jewelry that can be easily found by just searching for what you want!

A fun way however is to search INSTAGRAM. I personally post on my instagram (@KelThompson) everything I buy that’s ocean inspired to support the small businesses I buy from! The women (I say women because it usually is) work day in and day out to provide their social media followers with jewelry they think they will enjoy. Now one day, go and search #SeaGlassEarring, #ShellBangle, #TahitianPearl! This is what I found:

Mermaid Jewelry HI bangles and ring

Mermaid Jewelry HI

Name: Senchal

Instagram: @MermaidTreasureHI

Website: MermaidTreasureHI.com

Mermaid Jewelry HI ring

I love her rings and shell bangles, I never take them off! The work she does with silver is amazing, and everything is reasonably priced! I buy three a time!!

Photo Credit: MCKMetal.com

MCKMetal

Name: Mckenzie

Instagram: @MCKMetal

Website: MCKMetal.com

Photo Credit: MCKMetal.com

A lot of the times jewelry you like you find at music festivals or even outrigger races. That's how I met McKenzie of MCKMetal! And I absolutely LOVE her earrings! You could easily say I'm obsessed with her earring collection, and I love supporting small businesses!

 

BoMo earrings

BoMo Designs

Name: Bobbie and Morgan Poppler

Website: Bobbiepoppler.com

BoMo necklace

Another way to find great jewelry is to just look towards your friends! Sometimes they'll surprise you! My best friend on Oahu just started making jewelry a couple years ago and I'm her #1 fan! Her jewelry is simple and beautiful! It goes with everything!

BoMo Earrings

I most always wear a piece of BoMo Designs with almost every outting I have to get dressed up for! She's currently working on getting a website up and running for just her jewelry! So stay tuned on Bobbie Poppler!

Bettys Belts

Instagram: @BettysBelts

Website: www.bettybelts.com

As a bigger company, Bettys Belts has made quite a name for themselves as one of the larger ocean inspired jewelry business! Don't forget to check them out! She does wonderful work with left over surf resign as well!  



I love ocean inspired ANYTHING! Jewelry is just one of my favorite things! 

You can check out my blog:

www.kelthompson.wordpress.com

Instagram: @KelThompson
Twitter: @KelThomp

as I move forward in my adventures to find the newest ocean inspired gems!

But for now, check out the people I mentioned above because they won't disappoint you! These were all brief descriptions as I could go on for hours on each individual business! Just explore your social medias, Etsy stores and local events to find the hidden treasures you may have passed over before!

 - Kel Thompson


xo,

 

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