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Thanks for a great 2014!

Celtic Knot Leaf Necklace
Celtic Knot Leaf Necklace
Celtic Knot Leaf Necklace

It’s fun to look back at where we came from once in a while. I started designing for 3D printing in the Summer of 2012. It took me several months to learn the 3D modeling software. Then it took me another several months to learn the limitations of 3D printing. A ton of my early designs were rejected by Shapeways as “unprintable”. Then some of my others that were printable just didn’t quite turn out as I had hoped. After about a year of learning and trial and error I was finally turning out some decent designs. It was during the summer of 2013 that I did a lot of my early designs. I only got serious about selling these designs in the Fall of 2013. I did good enough last Fall that I decided to stick with it in 2014. So 2014 has really only been my first full year of selling my designs. Thanks to all of you for making it a very fun and successful year! Here are some highlights from the year:

I plan to keep going in 2015 and I look forward to what the future brings.

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Celtic Necklaces Available at L&D 15

L&D 15

A few of our Celtic necklaces are featured in this new Davenport store.

L&D 15 Outside
L&D 15 Outside

A few Celtic necklaces from D&O Celtic Jewelry are for sale at L&D 15. This is a new store in Davenport that opened last month. The store is unique compared to other stores in this area. They feature things from local artists and crafters. They also carry national brands we don’t normally see here, such as Me&Ro. They selected a few of my necklaces to sell there. It was humbling to see my Celtic necklaces next to some of the great jewelry they have.

The two people behind L&D 15 are Lepeti Etu and David Balluff (L&D). They feature their own work there as well. Lepeti is best known for his hats. He comes from New York and has worked with world-class designers. He also designs clothing and jewelry. David does silk screening and art. He used to work at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. He also has a silk-screen business called General Assembly. They are both extremely talented.

Leaf Celtic Necklaces - Brass
Leaf Pendant – Brass

The space itself is still a work in process. It will be more than just a store. There is a mini coffee shop inside. There is also a workshop space for makers to work on their products. They are going to have a regular series called “Meet Your Maker”. Local makers will come and talk about what they do. This is a chance for customers to meet the designers. They can ask questions and see a demonstration. The store has furniture, jewelry, art, clothing, hats, household items and more. The store is at 520 W. 2nd Stret in Davenport.

I wish nothing but success for L&D 15. They bring a very unique resource to our city. I look forward to see if it leads to a larger project. I think some very cool collaborations could come out of this. You never know what might happen when you get so many creative people together.

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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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D&O Celtic Jewelry at Iowa Irish Fest 2014

Iowa Irish Fest Logo
Iowa Irish Fest Logo

We are excited to be a part of this year’s Iowa Irish Fest! We will be there showing off our latest jewelry designs and enjoying music and food of the festival. The festival is the biggest Irish festival in Iowa. It runs from August 1-3 in Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. The event is put on by Cara, whose mission is to promote and develop Irish fellowship in their community. This event is their main way they do that. Here are some of the things going on this year:

  • A 5K race
  • Irish dancers
  • Highland games
  • Tons of different music, headlined by Gaelic Storm and the Red Hot Chili Pipers.
  • Jewelry of course and a lot more.

For the full schedule of events, directions and other information, go to iowairishfest.com.