Dragonfly Designs, jewelry making a conscience, is continuing their efforts to spread the benefits and joy of jewelry making to underserved populations.  We are very excited to let you know about our recent partnership with the CAL-Safe Program. 

CAL-Safe is a secondary education program that provides academic instruction and support services for pregnant and parenting teens.  Dragonfly Designs will be providing classes in entrepreneurial skills working to lead teen mothers and children out of poverty by teaching them the skills to own and operate their own art-based business. If you would like to be contribute to our efforts with CAL-Safe, we are raising money to gift supplies to these very women in the Hayward and Fruitvale areas. And for that, we would like to send you a big THANK YOU in advance! See below for more on what has been said on some of our work with non-profits:

FUND OUR CLASSES WITH NON-PROFITS

Dragonfly Designs was founded on the basis of consciousness and expressing individuality. Recognizing the need for arts education for all children, artist Stacee Gillelen launched Dragonfly Designs in 2005. Our goals are to encourage the art of jewelry making, teach financial literacy and entreprneurial skills, encourage creativity, and provide sense of accomplishment to children of all socio-economic circumstances so that 

When birthday season rolls around (you know that date on the calendar colored in with pink), it's better not to send your child's 25 closest friends home with a goodie bag packed with sguar-laden candies and stale bags of pretzels.  Why not give them something they and their parents (moms especially!) will really love?

Dragonfly Designs’ Jewelry Making Birthday Parties are a no-fuss, completely customizable way to ensure that your child (and you!) has the best party possible.  Each guest is sent home with 3-4 beautiful, homemade jewelry pieces to wear or give as gifts. No cleanup (for you!), no hours spent trying to perfect the art of animal-balloon making, just lots of fun, oh and tons of awesome sparkly (only high-quality!) beads. Feeling a little jealous? Don’t worry we do parties and events for grownups too.

 

Listen to what one mom had to say about our instructor Carlos after a recent party:

 

I wanted to send you a special thank you for all your creativity at Cate's party yesterday!  Cate loved the doggie you made for her (see attached photo of you both with her doggie charm on her necklace).  The girls all enjoyed making dragonflies and necklaces.  It all went surprisingly smoothly and it was nice to meet Kim as well!

 

Keep in touch about possible animal beading classes.  

 

Thanks again,

Michelle

 

Still not convinced? Check our array of party options.  One is sure to make your child’s birthday one they remember for years to come!

 

Beaded Birthday - 15 participants
• Perfect for kids ages 5 & up
• Whimsical party invitations
• Top quality beads and crystals, clasps, accents and charms
• Precious party favor pouches to contain their handmade treasures¨
• 2 expertly trained party hosts to instruct and assist during the 2-hour party
Party packages for 15 starting at $385.00; only $25.00 per guest!

 

Bling Fling - 10 participants
• Perfect for kids ages 5 & up

• Fresh and inviting party invitations
• Top quality beads and crystals, clasps, accents and charms
• Cool party favor pouches to contain their handmade jewelry
• 2 expertly trained party hosts to instruct and assist during the 2-hour party
Party packages starting at just $300.00!

 

Deluxe Party Packages - 10 or 15 participants
• Whimsical party invitations
• Top quality beads and crystals, clasps, accents and charms
• Precious party favor pouches to contain their handmade treasures
• A handmade stamped personalized sterling bracelet for each participant
• 2 expertly trained party hosts to instruct and assist during the 2-hour party
With our deluxe packages the birthday child and each of their friends will go home with a personalized sterling gift starting at $33.00 per guest!

 

One Hour Birthday - 8 participants:

• Perfect for kids ages 5 & up
• Whimsical party invitations
• Top quality beads, fresh water pearls & clasps, plus special accents and charms
• Wearable party favors 
• Precious party favor pouches to contain their handmade treasures
• 1 expertly trained party hosts to instruct and assist during the 1-hour party
Party packages starting at just $250.00!  

 

Birthday Party Kit To Go -15 Participants:
Now you can host your own Beaded Birthday Party at home for your child and their friends!  Specially designed for people outside of our service area.

Meet one of our new North Bay Dragonfly Designs Instructor: Julia Anthony! Based out of Petaluma, read her responses to get to know this Flygirl better.

Meet the Instructor will be a new regular blog feature.  Stay tuned to learn more about the fabulous instructors in your area!

Q: What inspires you?

A: I guess I’m really inspired by different kinds of treasures that I see.  I like to take parts of jewelry and repurpose them into new jewelry.  I’m inspired by old things, rusty things, and like most people, nature, as well as the buildings and architecture around me. 

 

Q: What is your favorite aspect of teaching?

 

A: It really amazes me the way the children sit down and get so involved once they get their beads. They seem very interested in it and able to focus.  With kids, a lot of times their minds are all over the place, but in jewelry making, they are really proud of what they are doing.  That is really inspiring to watch. 

 

Q:  How do you think jewelry making affects the students that take our classes?

 

A: It gives them confidence, helps with their attention span and focus and helps their fine-motor skills.  It helps build self-esteem because they may not know they can do something and then they do it and it comes out great.

Q: What do you do when you're not working with Dragonfly Designs?

A: I make a lot of jewelry and sell it at different trunk shows and parties and different events and fairs.  I have a lot of people that come to my house to buy jewelry that are regular customers and friends. I love being outside, I love hiking, I love the water and the beach. I love being with my kids, but one just turned 15 and one just turned 11 so they aren’t really interested right now in the things I am. But I love talking to them.  And I love live music. 

 

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

A: I wish I could go out and listen to music ever night.  My other guilty pleasure is watching Project Runway.   My kids watch it too but its inspiring and good for the kids to watch as well because its not like a reality show where there is just fighting the whole time.  They have to be really creative and industrious.