wax on, wax off

I can't tell you how excited I am about the future of this ring! It finally occurred to me to make a ring with the crow, and within it will be a lovely crystal.  I'm so excited about it, I want to be in the studio now, unfortunately I have to work my day job at the law firm, boo.

Hope you are having a wonderful (and cool) Friday, yay for the weekend!

Crow claw ring in the making...

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Mobile Gallery

I'm so impressed with how jewelry artists and galleries are creating new ways to share their exhibitions in innovative ways. 
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Ural Owls of Estonia

National Geographic has always been a wonderful resource of inspiration for me and I'm so happy my parents got me a subscription.

Last month there was an insightful article and stunning photographs on the Ural owls in the mountains of Estonia.  Sven Začek reported that it is never easy to get so close to the owls and that he received more than a few beatings to the head from the mother owl he photographed.  Sven goes on to say that after his beatings he was 'allowed' to photograph her doing her thing.  

Owls are truly amazing creatures, they are able to fly without making any sound due to their specialized feathers and their heart shaped head provides the perfect way to zone in on prey.  I think it'd be very special to see them in the wild.  Lucky Sven!

The magnificent owl in flight.

 A mother nurturing her baby owl.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed the photographs and article.

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Deep Sea shell and coral earrings

This was such a fun pair of earrings to make and reminded me of my trip to Mexico last year, I bought the shells in the high mountainous city of Taxco.  It was so hard on that trip not to buy everything!

I chose to set the shells in oxidized sterling silver to allow the shells to 'breathe' and not be conformed by a bezel setting, plus the shells are somewhat delicate.  And the twisted black coral from Panama adds such a great contrast and sea-like creature quality to them.

Now on sale in my Eilisain Esty shop!

Curvy black coral and red shells from Mexico.

Lil' sea creatures hung from your ears!

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Rock Solid - Pieces of Eight Gallery interview

Rock Solid - An Interview with Meredith Turnbull from George Kats on Vimeo.


One day I will visit Pieces of Eight Gallery in Australia, I've been following them for awhile and I just love how supportive they are of craft jewelry.  
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And the Giveaway winner is...

This morning I tossed in all twelve names for my first giveaway in honor of Mid Summer.  The lucky winner will receive The Hunted Crow claw charm and chain.

Thank you everyone who left a comment, my heart is full of all the wonderful compliments!   And the lucky winner is....

All twelve names (in a beautiful bowl a friend gifted to me).

Oh the anticipation!

Suzanne! My old high school friend.

And don't fret for those of you that entered - I will do another giveaway towards the end of the year and  special promotions, so stay tuned.  Thank you again!

P.S. Suzanne will you message me your address?
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The Crow - Giveaway ends tonight!

The crow is such an amazingly intelligent and tricky bird.  Here is some lore about them: Their ability for watching has given them a reputation for thievery. Crows and all corvines are easily imprinted with the image of their keeper. In Roman mythology raven and crows used to be as white as swans. In fact a white crow watched over Apollo's pregnant lover at Delphos. One day the crow brought bad news to Apollo and was turned black.

Crows were also used to carry messages far and wide during medieval times.

In honor of the first day of summer, June 20th, I'm doing a giveaway.  This is my first giveaway and I'm very happy to do it, I've had so many wonderful supporters of my jewelry and this is my way of thanking them and you - for cheering me on.  

To enter leave a message on my blog.  Tonight I will put all the names in a hat/bowl/bucket and randomly draw a name.  I'll announce the winner tomorrow and you will receive the Hunted Crow Claw charm and chain!

Crow (Corvis)

Ancient bronze crow claw pendant and oxidized sterling silver chain (28")

Thank you for visiting and reading. 

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Giveaway: Ancient bronze crow claw

I finally decided to go black with the sterling silver chain and I think it really works with the golden color of the ancient bronze.  Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop!

Stay tuned in the next several days as I'm going to do a give away in honor of the beginning of summer!

Leave a comment to be entered.

Close up of the claw. 

On my lovely crystal.

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40 under 40: Melanie Bilenker

The Renwick Gallery in DC has posted some videos of the artists participating in their 40 Under 40 Exhibition.  Pretty cool.
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Screenprinted totem cards

I finally had a full day in the screenprint studio this past weekend and I made more totem cards to go with the corresponding jewelry.   

Each totem card can come in purple or green lace.  Most of these cards measure 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 and make wonderful personal cards for friends, family and loved ones that may need strength and guidance during troubled times.  Many cultures and religions around the world call upon specific animals (and often regard them as deities) to be their personal totem so that they may gain their special qualities and protection.  

One of my totem animals was a beaver, initially I was surprised; I never guessed it would be a beaver but the beaver came to me because I was building my dream to become a metalsmith and jeweler, slowly preparing my portfolio to apply to art school.  Beavers are diligent and wonderful at creating a home, and make hardy planners and work tirelessly until their goal is achieved.  The beaver was with me until I was accepted to ECU. 

I hope you like my cards as much as I like them!

Barn owl print with purple lace background.  This card comes with all owl talon jewelry.

Stag print with green lace.  Comes with any deer antler jewelry.

Raven/Crow print on purple lace.  Comes with raven jewelry.

Bear print on green lace.  This print comes with any bear charm purchase.

And last but not least, the badger.  This print comes with the badger pendant. 

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New listings in my Etsy shop

Some beautiful new jewels in my Etsy shop, but with a different kind of bronze, ancient bronze!  I had a custom order from a gentleman in the Netherlands and he wanted his double owl talon pendant a warmer, rosier color so I suggested ancient bronze.  I hadn't worked with ancient bronze before and I'm really loving it and the rosy hue.  I hope you do too!

Manganese bronze five talon and blue stone ring.

 

Ancient bronze double owl talon earrings.

Ancient bronze small owl talon earrings. 

 Thanks for visiting and Happy TGIF!

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Song of the Day: "I'm not Gonna Cry" by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

It doesn't get more funky & soul filled than Sharon Jones, she can work a crowd like magic!



I saw her several years ago and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to, got me dancing and stompin' the whole night. 

And I'll get you there too, today I'll be on the airwaves this afternoon, 4-6pm on ECU's radio station, WZMB 91.3 FM - livestreamin'!.
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Casting studio

I can't believe I have never done a post about the actual casting station area at ECU! Lately I've been casting almost every weekend, so why not?

I really love casting because you get to manipulate metal and watch it in it's liquid form, it's entrancing and I also enjoy it because you get to share the experience with a partner.  While one person is heating the metal, the other person needs to remove the hot flask from the kiln and place it in the carrier before it's released and the molten metal is shot into the flask. 

Old wax injections and splattered wax...kinda looks like blood.

The dusty centrifuge casting area. I can't wait to one day have my own.

Look at all that splattered metal...lil' mishap.

And the kiln area where we refine metal or do vacuum casting.

 Thanks for reading!

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Watery pathways

I found Michael Cina via Design Sponge and his paintings are quite haunting, almost as if it's a ghost or apparition of some otherworldly thing.

Michael Cina painting.

I could imagine swimming in this.

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Song of the Day: Tell me Something Good

Oh yeahhhhh, that's what I like.  Listen to me, DJ Lestat, later today, 4-6pm on ECU's Pirate radio, WZMB 91.3. Live streamin' ya'll!
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Poseidon's Pride - new addition to Deep Sea jewelry

Mated for life seahorse pendant, the texture on them is so beautiful.  Did you know that they are among the only animal species in which the male bears the young? If only science could develop a way for men to give birth! Poseidon is said to be the tamer of horses, and as a totem animal they are supposed to bring protection and romance.

I love anything ocean related and tiny creatures, so this was a joy to make.   Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy Shop!

Deep Sea - Poseidon's Pride pendant.  Cast in sterling silver

3.5mm cz stones set as eyes!

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Madonna's crown

 This is just an insane but such an amazing opportunity to make a crown for Madonna to wear! whoa, and I just love watching, in speed motion, how she put it together.

very cool, big ups to Angelina, she is ridiculously talented!


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Geod talon Ring - New in my Eilisain Etsy shop

Just finished polishing and setting the geod in this fierce owl talon ring.  The talons make a great way to capture a stone. 

This ring is a size 8 and made of manganese bronze and the shank is sterling silver. 

Geod captured in owl talons. 

Now on sale in my Etsy shop - get it before it's too late, the talon rings are my best seller.

Side shot.

Thanks for visiting, hope you had a great weekend

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Precious Connections by Dejan Jovanovic

Dejan just graduated from the ECU MFA metals program.  He is going on to work at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria VA; the place where I got my start for Poppishop.

I am going to miss his grand laughter, random shoulder massages and especially his great advice on casting and stone setting.  Enjoy his video.
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Lookin' fierce

Finally got a photo of Ashely rockin' two pieces of my jewelry; the double owl talon earrings (we traded) and a black coral charm I made years ago.

I think I may need to call upon Ashely to model more of my jewelry, she is the perfect muse. 

Thanks Ashely!

Ashley Thompson lookin' fierce and sexy with my jewelry.

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First Friday in Greenville

Lots of great things going on tonight in the great G-Vegas. Here's a snippet of what I'll be checking out:

Art Avenue will be hosting Bringing the Heat exhibition, as posted in the FB event: First Friday Art Walk Extravaganza: Art installations by Laritza Garcia and Autumn Brown, featured work by Mike McAteer, Andy Denton and Jeremy Fineman. This showcase will include sculptural work, ceramics and jewelry. Come feast your eyes and salute the summer night.

Uptown Art is hosting an Encaustics Demo with Charity Valentine (ECU Alumni).  For which I'm very psyched about since I've never tried encaustics and it looks like fun!

Soooo, if you are in the Eastern NC area come out and see great artwork, music and demonstrations!

Art Avenue Gallery and Studios

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