Queen of Soul

Oh she can mend a broken heart with her lovely tunes but also get ya groovin'!

Don't forget to listen me on the radio, for the Smooth Soul from 4-6pm on 91.3 WZMB.  We livestream and you can also listen to us on the Iphone app - Tune In Radio.
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Sharon Church

Oh man, I have a new woman crush.  I just love how open and honest Sharon is; she reveals so much of the conflicts a woman faces with career decisions.  She is honored by the American Craft Council as a Master.  I've thought many times of how it'd be to have a baby and raise her/him while making jewelry.  From what I've heard from my peers it's a balance, as is any worthwhile endeavor, but one that is SO fulfilling.

I think of my niece and my wonderfully amazing sister in law and how she's worked while with rearing Dottie; and she's doing it so well, and Dottie, my niece is so worth it. I even had the thought today, that having a child would truly be the most amazing creation of all (I know, very revolutionary! lol).  But really, I'm comforted and encouraged to see amazing women do it.

There are more masters videos from ACC, so check'em out.
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The Holidays are just around the corner...

A little preview of my letterpress card.  It looks decent now but...I've had the most frustrating time in that class.  So many factors are at play when trying to get a plate just right or the ink and the paper...I could go on an on.

However I do have some more happier news, I'm gearing up for the holiday madness that will come in December.  My senior show is scheduled for Saturday, December 1 (so mark your calendars!), and I'm also doing a trunk show the following weekend in Washington, D.C. at Redeem.  And during that same week there will be two holiday sales in the Greenville area sponsored by the ECU metals guild.  Whew...it'll be a bit cray-cray but I'm really very excited about it.  

I went to my printer yesterday to get specs on postcards.  I can't wait until they are done and I can show them in addition I will be making limited edition letterpress cards for my senior show.  The wheels are turning and there's no turning back now!  

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Guide to life

In my next life I plan on coming back as a cat.
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National Women's Small Owned Business Month

"Forty years ago, women owned just 5 percent of all small businesses. Today, women own 30 percent, which equals a total of 7.8 million companies generating $1.2 trillion a year in sales." - Karen Mills, SBA Adminstrator

How awesome and amazing is that? I love it that nowadays women don't even have to question the thought of whether or not they can dream of owning a business, because we can.  It's more of a question of financing one.  I'm on the email list from the SBA and I've found it so helpful and informative - business logic is not my forte so I really try to educate myself. 

Celebrate national women's small owned business month by purchasing or supporting small owned business' - it's the little steps, like buying tea from the local tea shop versus your usual latte from Starbucks (which is already rich) or buying a dress from a locally owned consignment shop. I did that just the other day, instead of buying a Coca-cola, I bought Honest Tea (not the biggest jump but closer).

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Bling 'n Things SALE

That's right, the ECU Metals Guild will be having a pre-holiday sale in two weeks, the studio is already buzzing with busy hands and flex shafts makin' jewelry purdy!

I'm really proud of the sale committee, Ellen Hinrichs, Samantha Clarke and Kate Lambeth for getting all the details taken care of - like a bangin' poster (designed by Erin Meekins) AND getting the library to loan us IPADS to process credit cards!!!

So yes, back to the details, the sale will be Wednesday & Thursday in the Wright Plaza from 9-2pm.  Hope to see you there!

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Eilisain now being sold at Equinox Gallery

I'm very happy and honored to announce that some of my jewelry will now be sold at Equinox Gallery, located in San Antonio, Texas.   The jewelry that Alejandro creates is quite beautiful and very, very well handcrafted; it's such a good feeling when your work is featured alongside other talented artisans and jewelers.

Below is The Hunted Crow Claw ring in ancient bronze with a black tourmaline - one of my recently popular rings.  I sent several of this and the pendant.  Just in time for the Autumn and Halloween season!

The Hunted Crow Claw ring.

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First Friday is Herrrrre!

With the gallery space up front, and studio in the back - it's all on track! ...fun rhyme.

It's First Friday in Greenville, which means the Uptown neighborhood business' will be hosting events and visiting artists with exhibiting work and demo's, as well as live music and free food (can't be that).  As I mentioned several b-posts ago; Art Avenue will be have The Ancients Made These show curated by Andy Denton.  The Ancients Made These exhibition is also in conjunction with the Tri-State Sculpture Symposium happening at ECU Jenkin's School of Art and Design Sculpture studio.  From what I read on the poster, there will be very interesting workshops - bending wood and discussion groups. 

Also Emerge will be hosting the annual Rebel student juried show, which is always excellently shown and curated.   I'm looking forward to walking around uptown and showing my parents all the great art, they'll be in town for the weekend! 

Anywho, if you're not in Greenville, I suggest you go out and support local art and culture in your town/city, it's good energy.  

thx for reading!

Attendees at Septembers' First Friday at Art Avenue.

And don't forget...if you..

Studio space ad

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Night in Day

Samhain is drawing near, the time of year when Pagans honor their ancestors and pay homage to the dark time of the year.

Samhain (pronounced Sa-ween) is the basis of Halloween, which is (from records shown) the second biggest holiday in American culture.  We love it. 

I especially love this time of year more for the meaning of Samhain and celebration.  Honoring my ancestors has become a bigger part of my life for me; as I've gotten older I see and have learned how much of their lives is part of my own.  For example my grandmother in Panama, she used to love tarot cards and reading the signs but then she became a reformed Catholic.  I myself enjoy tarot cards.  My paternal grandmother made up the silliest rhymes, I do that now whenever I greet my cats or my boyfriend!

Anywho, to commemorate this special time of year, I'm working on a greeting card in my letterpress class that welcomes an audience to Samhain with an owl flying with a moon in the background, a short snippet of a prayer will also be on the cover.  I'm really looking forward to the finished product.

Here is a beautiful poem a friend shared with me several years ago that has a wonderful way of describing Autumn and the impending winter:

The Night never wants to end,

   to give itself over to light

Even on summer solstice,

  the day of lights great triumph,

Where fields of sunflower

  guzzle in the sun -

We break open the watermelon

  and spit out black seeds,

Bits of night glistening on the grass.

-By Joseph Stroud

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Donating to good causes

Seems like silent auctions are popular right now.  ECU students and faculty were invited to contribute artwork to a local silent auction, the 4th Annual CWC (Carter Williams Carpreso)

Art Show and Silent Auction in Wilmington to be held at 621N4th Gallery.  There will be a live music, slam poetry.

Forty percent of the proceeds from each item sold will be given to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.  I'm very happy that I was able to send three pieces of jewelry to the show.  Below is a recent ring I finished with a beautiful green hiddenite gemstone. 

If you live in the Wilmington, NC area - go to this event, from the photos posted on the FB event there are some very beautiful pieces of art work up for the silent auction.  And you'll be supporting a wonderful cause, finding a cure for breast cancer!

Gold plated crow claw ring with hiddenite gem. 

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