I won the Makery Competition

Thank you to everyone that voted for me.  Its such a warm fuzzy feeling when your friends and family support you and take a little time out of their day to vote, thank you again!

Next week I'll be featured on The Makery website and possibly sell my jewelry.  The concept is wonderful, to support North Carolina artisans and celebrate how they make their work.  North Carolina has a very rich history of craft and I'm honored to become a part of that fabric.   

I'll keep you posted on my interaction with the Makery.

In other news, I finally photographed this sweet little pendant I finished several weeks ago.  I bought the gorgeous rudilated quartz crystal at Points of Light and found it perfect with the original beetle I cast last year.  

Since last year I've seemed to acquire even more bugs! My future mother in law found a beautiful dragonfly and a lizard....hmmm, the question is should I make them into jewelry? I'm contemplating it.

For now, this pretty baby is on sale! 

Now on sale on my website and etsy!

Thank you for reading and happy Friday!!

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Art Avenue update

I haven't written about the really great progress we've made at Art Avenue (where I run my jewelry business and studio) in awhile, so here is a brief update.  We recently we hosted a Cinco de Mayo member social to celebrate our biggest supporters in the eastern North Carolina region.

The idea came about from Claire Edwards, the Director of Art Avenue, to share with the community how the studio space and gallery has improved over the past year.  We also wanted to tell people about the studio rentals and how much this benefits artists from the School of Art and Design at ECU and at Pitt Community College.  

Below are some of the photos from the event.  We were able to raise a good amount from memberships that will go to making small renovations in the studio space to allow for more renters and future exhibitions.  

Thanks for reading!

A member admiring Jeremy Fineman's Bullfrog Ceramics. Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Me, talking about how important community support is.  Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Andy Denton singing his praises, literally!  Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Jalapeno beer!! I really loved it, generously donated by these young men.  Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Our awesome interns, aka Pitt Community college students.   Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Guests and supporters having fun.  Photo by Aileen Devlin.

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How Animals Grieve

This morning as I was perusing posts on FB I saw one that caught my eye, a brief interview on NPR about this wonderful book by anthropologist Barbara J. King, How Animals Grieve. 

The research and King's statements on the many and various ways that animals can have emotions is very interesting to me.  Animals can experience pain, just as humans can but I think when it comes to grief, happiness and jealousy it can be trickier to discern.  I've always felt that you must have very large respect and caution with animals because as much as we'd like to think we are communicating with them, they are also instinctual and do not have the thought capacity that we do.

This post could go on and I probably wouldn't make much sense (since I'm not the best at writing philosophically); nonetheless it is fascinating to muse and think about.  I plan on buying the book soon, and hopefully read at the beach this summer.  I hope that this post gives you pause for thought and thank you for reading!

Cover of King's book. 

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The Maker

The Makery is a project started by a group of individuals and that want to celebrate and promote North Carolina crafters and makers.  

They recently created a competition to promote a 'new maker'.  I'm very excited to announce that I'm one of the three finalists; the way to win is with votes.  

So I'm going to beg of you to vote for me! I'm falling behind and I'm determined to win. 

The Makery competition.

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Oppose the Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay

Ethical Metalsmiths sent me an email several days ago to contact the EPA and urge them to oppose the proposed Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay in Alaska.  I hope you will too.  

Bristol Bay's salmon run provide 14,000 jobs to Alaskans, food and sustenance to the people and wildlife of Bristol Bay; building a mine would pollute the water and atmosphere.   It's so simple and powerful to send a message to the EPA and make your voice heard!

As jewelers and metalsmiths I think it is very important to be aware of where the materials we use come from and to be ethical.  It's hard to but it's the little steps that add up.  Like keeping your bench and floor sweeps for cleaning and reusing.  Or finding scrap metal to make jewelry (it's actually more fun in my opinion!).  And more importantly being aware and educated on where your materials come from.

Bristol bay

Thanks for reading and taking action!

PS - Join Ethical Metalsmiths, I did and I know it'll be put to good use!

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I've been gone so long!

wow, I haven't posted this long in awhile.  Things have been a bit busy, with getting ready for the Momentary Myth exhibition and trying to get my jewelry in new boutiques I haven't had as much time for blogging or other projects.  

Plus I've been enjoying this month, I love May and the spring when the weather is warmer and I can be outside more often.  I've been playing tennis and running, trying to get more fit and healthy.  

What else have I been up to? Reading! 

The cover and title of Lapham's recent issue, Animals, of course drew me in! And the Lark book, Vintage Jewelry Design and price was too good to resist.  I consider this reading research for my project this summer, preparing for a fashion show I'm organizing!!!

Yes you heard it first here, I'm planning a fashion show, showcasing jewelry and clothing inspired by golden nights, or as the title I've created: Aurelian Nights.  for now it's a bit of a secret but I can't wait to have the first planning meeting with my time.

Steal like an artist is great for anyone, suggestions and advice on how to nurture creativity and lessons from experienced artists.  From Kleon's book, I'm going to take away the advice to be inspired and also blog more about what excites me and has me thinking grand ideas.  

thanks for reading!

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Keep it in the Can

*Video taken by Lorena Angulo

Several months ago, Laura Wood of Equinox Gallery contacted a group of artists to submit pins for a special surprise for Bob Ebendorf, whom would be presenting an exhibition & workshop at Equinox, Keep it in the Can, just last weekend.  The above video is Bob's reaction to the surprise.

Bob is beloved by so many in the metals community, he has such a wonderful way of connecting with people and making you feel wonderful and curious about the world.

I was very honored to be able to give him a gift of gratitude.  Below is the pin I made, with the Resurrection beetle and an amethyst point.  I felt it was so appropriate to use the beetle in the pin as Bob has resurrected his career many times throughout his life, and I wanted it to signify that.

The pin I made for Bob Ebendorf.

There is a wonderful catalog that Equinox created with images of all the pins made for Bob, you can order one from Equinox by emailing them: equinoxexhibitions@gmail.com.  The catalogs are only $10! I am ordering one today and can't wait to see all the beautiful pins made in honor of Bob Ebendorf.

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New outlets

As you know I've been keeping some news to myself, waiting for the appropriate time to release the news.  All in due time! 

My jewelry will be sold in several new locations, Overland Gallery in Kinston will be selling my Poseidon Collection along with select items from the Hunted Collection.  Overland is owned by the most lovely couple,   Cynthia and Michael Dunn.  They are so supportive of the arts community in eastern NC, and represent several of my friends.

A nice shot of my jewelry at Overland Gallery.  Photo taken by Ellen Hinrichs.

Next week I'll be sending off jewelry to Phoenix in downtown Richmond, Virginia.   The clothes, shoes and accessories in Phoenix are seriously unique and stylish.

My biggest news is that I'll be a featured artist and sell my work on the beautifully curated online website, Craft and Culture.  I'm not really sure how I found Craft and Culture but I'm so happy I did.  Hana Ryan and her partner Jason Parker have the most excellent taste in designers and I feel so lucky and honored that I'll be featured...not sure when, but soon! 

Thank you for reading and I look forward to sharing more good news with you!

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Momentary Myth the video

Momentary Myth from Eilisain on Vimeo.

So I finally did it, I had a video made of my jewelry.  I really wanted to wait until a week before the exhibition with Sim Asher, but I just couldn't wait any longer.  I've been holding onto the video for about a month, and I have the hardest time keeping secrets! 

Spike Hoban directed and made the video and he is really talented.  I'm so lucky I got to have him work on it; Spike also directed Kat Cole and Dejan Jovanic's videos and well, if you've seen them you'll know what I'm talking about!

I hope you enjoy it!

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