Design's by Dawn

Design's by Dawn Metalsmith jeweler that I designs and creates every piece from start to finish myself.

I was drawn to copper because of its ability to change colors, bend and fold. I have spent tons of hours learning and mastering the art of patinas and metalsmithing

Restocked the gift shop at Maker’s Mark today!I brought my son, Zack, along with me. He benches in the studio and trave...
03/19/2026

Restocked the gift shop at Maker’s Mark today!

I brought my son, Zack, along with me. He benches in the studio and travels to shows with me, so it was fun for him to see where some of my pieces end up and be part of the behind-the-scenes side of my work.

Grateful for opportunities like this! Even more grateful to share them with my kiddo. Studio days are great, but days watching him connect the dots from bench to gift shop are pretty cool.

I had this lovely couple spend a few days in the studio with me taking several of my classes. Here are some highlights ...
03/16/2026

I had this lovely couple spend a few days in the studio with me taking several of my classes. Here are some highlights from their Intro to Metalsmithing session!

When I first started teaching, I had no idea how much I would love it. My passion for metalsmithing comes out, and there’s nothing better than helping students build skills and confidence right in front of me.

What surprises me most? How much I learn from them and I’m so grateful for it!

Another bezel cup day at the bench!There’s something so fun about turning a simple strip of metal into a home for a ston...
03/12/2026

Another bezel cup day at the bench!

There’s something so fun about turning a simple strip of metal into a home for a stone. You can create rings, pendants, earrings, and so much more. Once you’ve got bezel cups down, your design options open up fast.

Master this one skill and you can start working with stones of all shapes and sizes in your work. Endless possibilities from one solid foundation of metalsmithing.

She made her very first bezel cup (the wall that hugs and holds the stone!)From forming the cup to soldering it onto a r...
03/10/2026

She made her very first bezel cup (the wall that hugs and holds the stone!)

From forming the cup to soldering it onto a ring band, she did it all. Great first attempt. So proud of her progress!

I’m currently developing a full bezel cup curriculum for an upcoming class. It’s looking more like a late summer/early fall launch so we can really dive into the fundamentals and build confidence using raw materials.

If you’re ready to learn sooner, private lessons are always an option.

03/09/2026

Kicking off the first Intro to Metalsmithing class of the year and it was a good one.

They start only with raw materials and the fundamentals. Learning to see how the possibility of a flat piece of metal can slowly shape it into something is so much fun!

Lots of hands-on learning, new tools, and those “aha” moments that makes metalsmithing so rewarding. This is where strong skills begin.

Today in class was all about knuckle hinges.We broke down the fundamentals of the hinge which includes the measuring, li...
02/25/2026

Today in class was all about knuckle hinges.

We broke down the fundamentals of the hinge which includes the measuring, lining up barrels, creating clean knuckles, and getting that smooth, functional movement. It’s one of those techniques that looks simple but you need precision, patience, and planning.

A knuckle hinge can be used for:
• Box lids
• Cuffs
• Lockets
• Hidden compartments
• Even kinetic pieces

I love teaching skills like this because once you understand the structure, you can apply it to so many designs. Fundamentals first and then creativity takes over.

This was a first for me!It was fun working with the heavy metal of serving pieces with a past life. I wasn't sure if I h...
02/10/2026

This was a first for me!

It was fun working with the heavy metal of serving pieces with a past life. I wasn't sure if I had the tools to bend them. This was my first time I have worked with silverware. She got to watch the transformation of her pieces turning into a ring and cuff that carry past family stories and will have new and different stories to come.

02/10/2026

Look at the beautiful cuffs my students made! Their homework was to create a bezel cup while I was recovering, then design a finished piece around it. The result? Hand-fabricated wire cuffs made from raw materials and a whole lot of creativity.

Private lesson students started coming back this week after time off for recovery. Some finished pieces they’d been work...
02/02/2026

Private lesson students started coming back this week after time off for recovery. Some finished pieces they’d been working on at home, others picked up new techniques. I really missed having students in the studio.

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Louisville, KY
MAJOR: 402XX, MINOR: 400XX, 401XX

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