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One Year Ago and Approaching Normalcy, with Caution!
Posted by Dana Cassara on
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Dear Friends, One year ago, I was expecting a visitor from Beijing. A day before her scheduled departure, ALL flights were canceled from China. Shortly thereafter, she was in TOTAL lockdown. It was then I began to think, maybe this virus thing is more serious than we know… None-the-less, we took our annual trip to Arizona, via Joshua Tree, for the Yuma Arts Symposium. As a joke (I think) someone passed out surgical masks during the annual pin exchange. It was funny, ironic and of course, later I regretted not keeping it! Well, the rest is history, one with which we are all too familiar. For the first time in a year, I am beginning to see the light at...
STATE│meant 2020 Significant and Powerful Jewelry
Posted by Dana Cassara on
![STATE│meant 2020 Significant and Powerful Jewelry](http://danacadesigngallery.myshopify.com/cdn/shop/articles/Banner_Gun_{width}x.jpg?v=1602881955)
Dear friends, I am inspired. We offered jewelry artists an opportunity to speak out on challenging subjects to raise money for organizations significant to them. And speak out they did. The subjects range from immunization and global climate change to human rights and the post office. The thoughtfulness and diversity of the work demonstrates a complex range of concerns with a common thread: a sincere concern for the wellbeing of our planet and most especially those living on it. STATE│meant is a show of Significant and Powerful Jewelry. The statements come in the form of necklaces, brooches, bracelets…there is even...
Fight For the Things You Care About
Posted by Dana Cassara on
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Powerful words from a woman who cared deeply about justice. What is dear to your heart? Are you doing everything you can to fight for it? If you’re a jeweler, I challenge you to do one more thing. I challenge you to Speak up! with a powerful piece of statement jewelry. And because I think this is so important, I have extended deadline! Call to Artists Juried Exhibition, Competition and Fundraiser NEW Deadline 10/5/20 STATE│meant is an opportunity for you to speak out on challenging subjects and raise money for an organization significant to you. Make something new or...
June Surprises, July Dreams.
Posted by Dana Cassara on
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Dear Friends, June was full of surprises and the biggest for me was anticipating who would be crowned Champion of the Ring Smackdown 2020! After a grueling month of competition, Karen Keller of Pyrus Designs took the big win with her lovely ring, “Secrets Safe with Me” made from sterling silver and bolder opal. Karen says, “This hand fabricated flip ring is full of surprises! One side has a galactic boulder opal simply set in a shadow box frame. The second side features a hand sawn beetle. Beetles are symbols of resilience and hard work while boulder opals are believed...
Why We Pause
Posted by Dana Cassara on
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Dear Friends, Well, just when the “new normal” was starting to feel normal a NEW, new normal came along. And well, that’s life, isn’t it? You just never know what’s around the corner. But of course, in truth, epidemiologists knew, sooner or later, “Pandemic” would jump from the screen into our lives. And with certainty, historians and social activists knew it was just a matter of time before the people would stand up and say, enough is enough. In case you are unaware, on Tuesday Black Lives Matter, Seattle-King County called for a statewide silent march and general strike to take...