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Shapeways Designer Spotlight Is Shining On Me

Shapeways Logo

Shapeways is featuring a short interview with me and some pictures of my designs in their Designer Spotlight this week. I’m extremely flattered and honored they chose me for this feature. I used to see the designers who were featured on that and some of their designs are mind-blowing. I’m still not sure my designs are on the same level as some of the artists on Shapeways, but I think I have come a long ways from when I started. A link to the interview will appear on their front page starting tomorrow. Here is a part of the article:

This week, we are highlighting Dan Foley of D&O Designs! Dan’s shop is full of intricate, beautiful celtic designs. The complex designs pair perfectly with 3D printing, and give Dan a chance to take a break from technical engineering and focus on his artistic side.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
I’m a professional engineer and 3D designer located in Davenport, Iowa. I have a beautiful wife and three children. The “O” of D&O Designs is for my son, Owen, who is learning to be a 3D modeler.

 

What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
My focus is on Celtic Knot jewelry. In the past few years I have become a lot more spiritual, and Celtic Knots are a representation of that. I read that some believe the complex knot designs represent “humans’ complex relationship with the natural and the divine.” This sums up my feelings pretty well.

 

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I had known about the idea of 3D printing for a long time, but I had no idea it was so easily accessible. A friend told me to check out Shapeways. I was blown away and I had to try it. Once I received my first Shapeways shipment, I was hooked.

To read the whole article with pictures, click here.

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October News

St. Pat's Logo

There are several things going on this month that you should be aware of.

  • All the prices in my Shapeways shop were updated today. Shapeways reduced the price of their stainless steel materials. Most items went down by about $3 to $5 in those materials. Check it out if you want to see the new prices.
  • We will be selling jewelry at a table that Quad Cities St. Patrick’s Society’s Shamrock ‘n’ Roll Event on Saturday, October 18. It is at the Stern Center, 1713 3rd Avenue, in downtown Rock Island. Doors open at 6PM and there will be bagpipers, Irish dancers and a performance by Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls. There will be silent auctions, raffles and 50/50. This is the fundraiser to support the Grand Parade, their scholarship program and other charities.
  • We will also be at the Bettendorf Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 1st at the Bettendorf Public Library from 9AM to 3PM. This is a fundraiser for Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.
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Review: Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings

Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings
Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings
Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings

This is the first review of others’ jewelry that I’m doing. It is a way for me to learn about other jewelry designs that I might be able to work into my own designs, and it’s also to get the word out about some great jewelry designers.

The first is this pair of Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings by Ann at Tarnished Royalty. I got this pair of earrings for my wife, because I was looking for something very different from the things she already has.

First I had to learn the answer to the question: what is Ombre Lace? It really refers to lace that has this gradient dye to it, from light to dark. I’ve seen it in different colors. It often refers to an entire spool of threa that has been dyed, bit it can also be dyed after it has been woven into a pattern. To make this one, I believe tea dye was used to dye the crochet lace.

The lace hangs from a pearl drop which to me gives a nice contrast to the lace. It gives it a combination of old (the dyed lace) and new (the pearl drop). This combination look of old and new can be seen in a lot of Tarnished Royalty pieces.

The earrings were priced very reasonably and even came packaged nicely. This particular earring is a bit long, but that kind of goes with the style. If the pearl drop were shorter, or just a pearl, then the length might be better. This is a minor thing and overall I really like the earrings, and I think my wife will like them.

Details:

Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings by Tarnished Royalty

Vintage crochet lace gets an ombre tea-dye treatment, hangs from a pearl drop, silver tone fishwire hook. Approx. 2 1/4 inches. $14