A shoe store like no other

11124 Old Seward Highway  Anchorage, AK (907) 929-0555

Romance is in the ear                                                             Inez Dunn©2017

Mark your calendar now for Saturday September 16, 2017, Noon to 3:00 at ShuzyQ.  All new jewelry designs in an array of hand-mixed patinas from rich coco to vert de gris and this beautiful oscar winning red (shown above.)  More to come...

Fall again and again...                                          Inez Dunn©2017                       

Look at me now

Introducing Hypoallergenic "Niobium" ear wires.                                                Inez Dunn©2017

The Noir Collection                                                Inez Dunn©2017                                

Sterling Silver a summer favorite            Inez Dunn©2017

September Sale

Sail On Through                                                                                 Inez Dunn©2016

Hello Friends,
Its fall! And I'm having one of those great sales events...I have curated much of the old and many new jewelry items all just for you! Click on the jewelry tab at the top of the page and view the amazing assortment of one of a kind earrings. Earrings for any and every occasion, plus there are necklaces all artistically fashioned, all unique and will compliment any fall outfit. There is still much more I need to do but, I'm having a blast with the updated look of this blog, and it is my hope you will enjoy the layout and selections just the same. There is more to come, please keep coming back and please share this site with a friend.

Questions, Custom Designs, email me at:   inad123@yahoo.com

Flutter Away

 

Free to Fly                                                                      Inez Dunn ©2016


Butterflies are mysterious and fascinating creatures. They gracefully appear out of no where, silent and meditative and then disappear with as much ease as when they arrived. With spring nearly upon us images of butterflies are popping-up everywhere. From towel linens to purses, barrettes, and even jewelry pieces like the ones I created in the photo below. Instead of coming-up roses, spring is now trending with all things, four winged. Naturally, I became a bit curious and immediately sat down at my computer using the free movement of  the mouse as my pen and brush, and began to pursue my own interpretation of this magical insect. And then you could say, I caught the bug! (Pun intended). After I drew and playfully rendered my first butterfly drawing I was soon on to creating many more butterflies with various filters and elements. (As seen above).  In Alaska there are as many as 80 species of butterflies, and in a rare and recent discovery the golden Tanana Arctic butterfly was just added to Alaska's growing butterfly list. So maybe today's mantra could be in the musings of the famed Cassius Clay he said,"Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee", and although I'll never be a boxer...this artist will walk away happily from this months post, lighter and inspired almost like I'm floating, just like a butterfly!

ARTS Sea

Misty Mendo                                                                                                             Inez Dunn@2016

Eye's in the Sky                                                                                           Inez Dunn@2016

Beach As Art                                                                                                                Inez Dunn@2016



My love for the sea first began along California's north coast. The ocean's beauty and beaches affected my young heart; it was a time and place where I soon realized that nature was, indeed ART. As a child I eagerly adored every tide-pool. Sea glass and fragmented seashells beckoned me. The north coast is breath-taking; its globally recognized by its signature rocky headlands veiled in a ghostly fog. The ocean's neighbor is just as impressive; Majestic Redwood forests. These forests shoulder the Pacific ocean, they inhale the seas foamy air and invite us high into her mountains. In these forests Maidenhair ferns thrive knee deep haloed only by slivers of falling sunlight. Remnants of old tree stumps breathe once more with new saplings reaching upward through the canopy. The air is oxygen heavy and fragrant with verdant spices.
            
 In Alaska my desire and inspiration to create come from these long ago experiences and are fostered each and everyday by the raw and unspoiled landscape that surround me. It is the sea, the neighboring rivers, and the richness of our Spruce forests that feed my soul and inspire me to create.  Thank you faithful readers who support me, believe in my art and have allowed me to share my NATURE with you!

Happy Halloween!

"Pumpkin is the new chocolate"                                                                                       Inez Dunn©2015

"Persimmon's & Limes"                                                                                         Inez Dunn©2015

"No sticky fingers, adjustable lengths"                                                                Inez Dunn©2015

Pumpkins, golden leaves, candy corn, hot cider...oh my!!! The colors of fall are not exclusive just to the great outdoors, try this selection of embellishments: Mix coral beads with lime colored fresh water pearls, golden Swarovski crystals and vintage lucite roundels in cantaloupe. Group the beads together by size or by color, this type of mix and match provide that un expected pop in jewelry design. Experiment with fabric or ribbon and use Velcro self-adhesive tabs in place of a traditional clasp. It might be getting cold outside but these vibrant colors worn against the skin provide a seasonal warmth long after the leaves have gone, and the candy bowl is empty. Happy Halloween!

Bracelets

Off The Cuff                                                                            Inez Dunn©2015

String Theory                                                         Inez Dunn©2015

Brace yourself! Fall fashion is calling. Bangles, broad cuffs, and bracelets in every style are the latest must have accessories. Over the years I have written dozens of technique based articles for crafting one of a kind jewelry pieces, and today I thought it be fun to walk you through an easy to make recycled bracelet project. Ready?
Materials:
Old leather belt
Scissors
Craft Knife
Hole punch tool
Cord or nylon strings
Craft wire
Lapel pin (deconstructed, pin and clip removed)
Pliers
Directions: Cut leather to accommodate your wrist size. Place lapel pin on top and center it . Use the craft knife to cut 4 areas around the outside edges of the pin placement. Now use a hole punch tool over those marks (this is where you will use crafting wire and secure the pin to the leather cuff). Use the same method at the ends of the cuff make sure you position the holes so the cord or nylon string can easily be pulled in either direction. Option add beads or crimps to the ends of the cord for a clean finished look.

Presentation

"What you see is what you get"                                                                                             Inez Dunn©2015

"Put up the shutters"                                                                                                       Inez Dunn©2015

Presentation for any artist is key to getting and keeping a fan base. This summer I participated in several Arts & Crafts gatherings, and boy did I learn a lot. Firstly, there is advantage to knowing the demographics of the area or town site for which any event is to be held. One example would be is the venue tourist orientated? Or is the area a setting for business, family or single individuals? The price points will hinge on knowing these factors, and sales will be a reflection of how well your predictions played out. As I mentioned before presentation is key, its basically like meeting someone for the very first time, so everything from your displays to your tags & especially your business cards must be more than memorable. Remember its all about your "Brand"! Your brand is your company and it says everything about you. I constantly receive positive feedback from my customers, and I take to heart what they notice, and what they are buying. What I really enjoy doing is talking to my customers about source and technique information, I might explain the process of enameling, or how to anneal metal. What is gained is I'm giving my customers is new insight and appreciation for how much work goes into what I do. And my customers walk away with a clearer understanding about what I do in my creative process, the time it takes, and the work involved. These types of interaction lend value to my art and create continued sales from people who  take a genuine interest in what they buy, how something is made, and the person who is behind the brand which, just happens to be me.

    "A picture is worth..."                                                                                  Inez Dunn©2015

                               

Collage: A work of art in which various materials are arranged and placed together on a surface.
We create collage all the time, it shows up on our dinner plates, on the walls in our homes, even in our gardens. Nature give us the best examples of collage we see it in every forest, desert, and especially along rugged coastlines. Discarded and fragmented bits of Earth's creations juxtaposed to one another are all around us, almost perfect arrangements appear everywhere reminding us that the simplest natural beauty is in the everyday; and most often can be found just outside our windows. One of my favorite ways to approach collage is with assorted papers and GOLDEN gel medium. I like to start with a large piece of heavy paper that I tape down to a sturdy surface. I then tear-up small pieces of tissue paper, gift-wrap paper, aluminum foil, xerox recipes and then I mix the torn papers together just like a raffle waiting to be drawn. Next, I will compose random happy words on my computer using any combination of fonts, some in script, some in bold or italic and then print these out. I will later cut the words out with a pair of scissors and add these to my torn paper pieces. To apply the gel medium to my substrate I use an old sponge instead of a paintbrush then I lay down my torn paper pieces. Once everything is completely glued down and dry I will draw over the collage using charcoal pens or pastels crayons, and I might include a mixture of light colored acrylic paints. If I want to add additional layers I will continue with wax or a watered down sealant to my design. Collage is an assemblage of what feels right and looks aesthetically pleasing to you and its really about making that reconnection to nature. The great thing is your inspiration is already all around you and if you need more of it then just take a look right outside your window!

It's summer

Stepping into summer                                                                                                Inez Dunn©2015

Okay, I guess its summer...we all know summer in Alaska is an experience like no other. That's because there will be days here that will rival any southern climate. But most days will actually be more like spring, and then there will be many, and I mean many days that will look and feel like fall! Ask any Alaskan and they will tell you that sometimes a cold June day is colder than a cold October day. This is Alaska after-all, some say if you don't like the weather just wait about a half hour, it will change! We are an adaptive society, and living here requires we acclimate ourselves to some curious behaviors: such as the marathon pace we hum to, a  pace set all summer driven solely by the maddening gain of daylight; its like living under a dimmer switch that gets brighter and brighter amplifying and accelerating everything, minute by ever increasing minute. The other behavioral challenge is our inventions for cancelling out all that light! I'm talking about trying to rest-up, restore, and sleep. When I first moved to Alaska I was advised to purchase a lot of aluminum foil because this is what Alaskan's use to cover their windows at night, I was told that aluminum foil is ideal for "blocking out the light". That was a very long time ago, and I don't think I've ever seen foil on any window since.  Although, I have seen bedrooms where every possible nook and cranny was taped, draped, and sealed in order to block out even the thinnest crack of light. These nightly routines (which are performed while its very light outside) can sometimes teeter on  the ridiculous, its like spending a lot of time wrapping a Christmas present and once its under the tree you see a big gap in the paper, and then you have to re-wrap the gift all over again!!!  Okay, I guess its summer.

Summer 2014

Summit Lake, Alaska                                                                                                                        Inez Dunn©2014

Summer is the beloved season to all Alaska's. It is the time of year when lawns and gardens explode in size. If you leave your yard for a long weekend you may not recognize it upon your return and secondly, you'll have to start all over again! The increasing light acts like a enormous grow lamp effecting all plant life to surge to maturity. Yes, that is why Alaska continues to hold the title to some of the largest veggies on earth. Just check out the Alaska State Fair and see for yourself and speaking of summer and fair events check this out:
The city of Palmer will be holding its annual Midsummer Garden & Art Faire on Saturday July 12th all day. I will be there with my handmade jewelry creations, all new and perfect for summer. Look for the Beach House Gallery tent, and stop by to say hello.  Last years event was so much fun, a day filled with fabulous food, live music, and amazing artists selling their wares.  Look for the signs and posters coming soon and don't miss out on this one day incredible ART fest!!! See you there.
www.palmergardenandart.org