DSM Originals

Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for eclectic tastes

In case you missed it, I used to work at a magazine called Bead Style. Sadly, the magazine is no longer with us (print is dead, blah blah). But my incredibly lovely, remarkably chic, and insanely talented friend and Bead Style colleague, Dana, has started selling handmade jewelry. She started with an Etsy shop and a Facebook page, and this past weekend, through rain and shine, Dana took her stunning creations to the streets for the Oconomowoc Fall Festival. 

Let me tell you why I love Dana's work. Her designs are thoughtful, with gorgeous combinations of colors and beads (like craggy stones and bright Czech glass). Her pieces have range — sparkly dangles like Carnivale for your ears, necklaces with global flair, dainty beauties, and more earthy pieces too. 

I love the obvious time and detail in Dana's work — tiny clusters of beads and elegant wirework show she's dedicated to making something unique and heirloom-worthy. Any beginning jewelry maker can dangle a pendant from chain or string pandora beads, and while there's certainly a market for that, Dana's work is in another league.

As we head into fall and the eventual holiday season, I plan to keep Dana and other local sellers in mind. Why buy mass-produced bling when there are locally-made treasures to be had? If we're going to spend money (and we are), we might as well spend it on something worthwhile — like encouraging artists in our community to shine. Dana, shine on! Your first show was certainly just the beginning of Milwaukee's local jewelry scene becoming a much more beautiful place.

Check out DSM Originals on Facebook and on Etsy!