WQ Designs

Thinking of Spring? Check out my Flower Power collection. These designs are so much fun that they will get your mind thinking of those warmer sunny days! And…you get free shipping!

Happy Friday! Do you remember Flower Power? I’m calling these my Flower Power collection. The Starry Night bracelet is made with beautiful blue Lapis Lazuli beads, bronze findings, a raw sapphire dangle with bronze moon and star. The other is Moon Flower with Dendrite agate beads, bronze findings and a red carnelian flower dangle. Both have a hand painted flower lobster clasp. You can see these and more at the Sip and Shop Event at Whites of Westport on Sunday, November 26 from 10-2. Sponsored by the New England Small Business Society (NESBS) SAVE THE DATE!

Happy Saturday! I’ll be designing more of these beautiful Flower Power bracelets just in time for holiday shopping! The designs will be created with other beautiful stones as well. You can see them in person at a Popup in November! WQ Designs will be at Kilburn Mills at Start at the Bottoms on Saturday November 18th.

Made this gorgeous design for a special client. Turquoise beads with a hand painted flower clasp. And keeping with the flower theme, there is a yellow citrine dangle that enhanced the bumblebee charm. Just a honey of a creation! (Pun intended!)

Created this gorgeous design as a request from a customer. It’s turquoise beads, hand painted flower clasp, and citrine dangle with bumblebee dangle. I absolutely love creating designs and working with my clients. I can create something special for you too!

Picked up this beauty at Langwater Farms in Easton today. It’s almost too pretty to eat!

My handsome Luke!

Made these beautiful hoop earrings using the shells and dangle from the "Be the Light" collection. You can find these on my Etsy page at WQDesignsbyDonna.

What a great Popup at Start at the Bottoms in the Kilburn Mills. Meeting such wonderful people and telling them the history behind the "Be the Light" collection. Will be back in November!

Adding to the Be the Light collection. WQDesignsbyDonna

“Be the Light” Bracelets. These beautiful bracelets are the embodiment of the 1847 New Bedford city seal motto “Lucem Diffundo,” “I spread the light.” At that time, the light was spread by the Palmer Island lighthouse, by the whale oil used for lighting the lamps, and by the people spreading the “inner light of Christ.” In honor of our beautiful city, I designed these stunning bracelets with shell beads representing our local shellfish industry and the bronze dangle charm which is stamped with the lighthouse and New Bedford MA text, which brings the history into the design. Using the colors of the new city logo of blue and green, I created blue lapis and green peridot dangles. I feel these bracelets are a true representation of New Bedford at its best!

Just added a couple of unique and interesting designs to my “Be the Light” collection. These shell beads are a little larger and make an impact. Using the solid bronze findings to go with the “Be the Light” design, I decided to try out one in copper as well. And now these are exclusive to New Bedford, MA as I have the city name next to the lighthouse on the charm. WQ Designs will be doing a pop-up at the Kilburn Mills on Saturday, September 16th, 10-4. You can find me at Start From the Bottoms shop on the first floor. I’ll be offering 10% off the “Be the Light “ bracelets.

I've been using solid bronze findings to go along with the "Be the Light" theme. I did create this unique design using copper. It retains the shell motif that represents the shellfish industry in New Bedford, the Palmer Island lighthouse, and the blue and green dangle for the city's modern logo.

The copper toggle clasp is by designer Patricia Healey and it pairs perfectly with these amazing shell beads.

Your official New Bedford, MA bracelet, which is part of the "Be the Light" collection. It represents the history and present of our beautiful city! You can find them in my Etsy shop at WQDesignsbyDonna.

WQ Designs will be doing a POP-UP at the Kilburn Mills on Saturday, September 16th from 10-4. I'll be showcasing my new collection at Start From the Bottoms shop on the first floor. Stop by and get 10% off your beautiful bracelet!

Introducing “Be the Light” bracelet collection. They embody the historical essence of New Bedford, MA, while maintaining a modern design. Read the complete history on my Etsy page at WQDesignsbyDonna.

See my new designs in my Etsy shop at WQDesignsByDonna including the new “Be the Light” bracelets!

See some new designs in my Etsy shop at WQDesignsbyDonna including my new "Be the Light" bracelets.

I’ll be posting this beautiful bracelet and more in my Etsy shop .

One of my best friends and I went to Martha's Vineyard for the day a couple of weeks ago. We loved the fast ferry ride and all the great shops and restaurants on the Vineyard. When shopping, we came across some beautiful bracelets which represents MV so well. This gave me a great idea...what could I create that would represent New Bedford? After researching the history, I designed this beautiful conch shell bracelet that I feel represents historic New Bedford, MA.

The city's motto on the city seal in 1847 was "Lucem Diffundo" which translates to "I Diffuse Light" or "I Spread the Light." "Lucem Diffundo" is an allusion to New Bedford's leading role in the whale oil trade, however, the motto has at least two other meanings. "Lucem Diffundo" is a personification of the Palmer Island Lighthouse which still stands today and is depicted in the center of the city seal. It's as if the lighthouse is saying "I am diffusing the light." Followers of the religious teachings of George Fox, the Quakers referred to themselves as the "Children of the Light." Their spiritual mission in life was to spread (diffuse) the "Inner Light of Christ" to all they encountered. So here they were the "Children of the Light", employed in the lighting industry, supplying whale oil to the entire world for lighting. In addition, New Bedford held all the federal contracts which supplied whale oil for the system of lighthouses. Imagine the significance of "Luceum Diffundo" to them as they spread spiritual and physical light to all they met. The Palmer Island lighthouse was a spiritual and physical beacon to all who arrived in this world port built by light.

The new modern logo is "Lighting the Way." In honor of our beautiful city, I designed this stunning bracelet which I call "Be the Light." By using shell beads which represent our local shell fish industry and the bronze dangle charm which is stamped with a lighthouse and "Be the Light;" and by using the colors of the new city logo of blue and green in which I used blue lapis and green peridot dangle, I feel this is a true representation of New Bedford at it's best. Let's "Be the Light" to others!

One of my best friends and I went to Martha's Vineyard for the day a couple of weeks ago. We loved the fast ferry ride and all the great shops and restaurants on the Vineyard. When shopping, we came across some beautiful bracelets which represents MV so well. This gave me a great idea...what could I create that would represent New Bedford? After researching the history, I designed this beautiful conch shell bracelet that I feel represents historic New Bedford, MA.

The city's motto on the city seal in 1847 was "Lucem Diffundo" which translates to "I Diffuse Light" or "I Spread the Light." "Lucem Diffundo" is an allusion to New Bedford's leading role in the whale oil trade, however, the motto has at least two other meanings. "Lucem Diffundo" is a personification of the Palmer Island Lighthouse which still stands today and is depicted in the center of the city seal. It's as if the lighthouse is saying "I am diffusing the light." Followers of the religious teachings of George Fox, the Quakers referred to themselves as the "Children of the Light." Their spiritual mission in life was to spread (diffuse) the "Inner Light of Christ" to all they encountered. So here they were the "Children of the Light", employed in the lighting industry, supplying whale oil to the entire world for lighting. In addition, New Bedford held all the federal contracts which supplied whale oil for the system of lighthouses. Imagine the significance of "Luceum Diffundo" to them as they spread spiritual and physical light to all they met. The Palmer Island lighthouse was a spiritual and physical beacon to all who arrived in this world port built by light.

The new modern logo is "Lighting the Way." In honor of our beautiful city, I designed this stunning bracelet which I call "Be the Light." By using shell beads which represent our local shell fish industry and the bronze dangle charm which is stamped with a lighthouse and "Be the Light;" and by using the colors of the new city logo of blue and green in which I used blue lapis and green peridot dangle, I feel this is a true representation of New Bedford at it's best. Let's "Be the Light" to others!

Fun fact: Did you know that New Bedford was the wealthiest city in North America per capita? In its heyday, New Bedford's whaling industry influenced its shoreside industry, fashion, architecture, and culture.

I’m honor of summertime, I’ve created some cute ankle bracelets. Sterling silver and hematite with a freshwater pearl dangle and the other is green agate with mother of pearl beads with a bronze dragonfly dangle. I’ll have them in my Etsy shop this week along with some new pieces.

These are a couple of pieces that I'll have at the Pop-up.

"Meet me at the Mill!"

I will be at the Kilburn Mill at Clarks Cove, 127 West Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, selling some new creations from WQ Designs. Check out the wonderful shops in the mill especially Start at the Bottoms, where you can meet owner, Eileen Brennan. She is celebrating her one year anniversary of her grand opening. She has graciously invited me to showcase some of my jewelry in her beautiful shop! I'll be there from 12-4, but the festivities will start at 10:00am. Stop in to check out all the organic and eco friendly products Eileen carries in Start at the Bottoms! You can also enjoy some tea time and conversation with us! Looking forward to seeing you all there!

We will never forget the great times we had at Main Street Manor! We miss you guys!

My wonderful friend gave me this beautiful metal dragonfly art piece. So Steve and I worked with it and crated wall art for our bedroom. It’s the focal point of the whole room!

Luke love!

Luke goes everywhere with his Gumby!