Studio Tour Weekend at ECU

First and foremost, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I don't know what it is about this year but for some reason, I'm so much more in the Autumn/Halloween/festive mood.  I went a bit nuts decorating my apartment and I'll be SO sad to take them down.

Okay, now on to more serious business.  This weekend is the annual artist studio tour hosted by the Friends of ECU School of Art and Design.  Proceeds from the ticket sales go to scholarships for current art students.  And I feel so lucky to be a part of this year's tour.  It's a really fabulous idea considering there are quite a few studios in Greenville and the school is promoting this to the community.  

Jeremy Fineman, ceramicist and co-resident artist, will also be participating with me as we represent Art Avenue.  

Photo by Aileen Devlin. 

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Joya Barcelona

One day I'm going to this awesome event.

Enjoy the vid!

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A couple of things

So as you can imagine, with the holidays coming up...these next several months are going to be insanely busy.  But I don't mind, it's great to have a challenge and work towards finishing projects.

Not only am I getting ready for holiday sales but also some great exhibition opportunities.  I've been invited to participate in Kathleen Sommers 5th annual bracelet show, SO psyched about this opportunity and I just discovered that my Maybe Sparrow necklace was featured on the exhibition postcard for the Dia de Los Muertos event at Equinox Gallery!

I'm also preparing work to send off to several new galleries, Twilight Gallery in Seattle and Michele Tuegel Contemporary Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida.  I have been seriously blessed this year.  

Photo taken by Ken Bova.  Maybe Sparrow necklace, 2013.

Thank you for reading and for YOUR support!
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Dia de Los Muertos exhibition

The post card for the exhibition I'm participating in, I'm in very good company! As you saw in an earlier post, my Maybe Sparrow necklace is part of the exhibition.  I wish I could be in San Antonio to see the exhibition in person.  

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final Penlandia post

So I know I've been super behind on blog posts and my last Penland post.  What can I say the holidays are right around the corner and things are about to get cray-cray!!

But nonetheless I'd like to share the last of the Penland posts, with photos taken from the studio visit, and this one below of the River Arts District in Asheville.  

Everytime I go to Asheville there is a new place to visit!

the gorgeous moths (and other bugs) collected at Penland.

Penland Resident Artists studio visits with Dustin Farnsworth (wood) and Micah Evans (Glass)

Creepy cool,  Dustin sculpts the faces from wood!

Micah's glass is just ridiculous, so imaginative and fragile.

And Micah at work, so badass!

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how to display your jewelry

Nikki Lee's bronze owl talon ring, displayed on a deer antler.
LOVE IT!

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Maybe Sparrow

 I love it when I'm offered/invited to participate in an exhibition because it gives me the opportunity and excuse to create a one of a kind piece that deviates a bit from what I normally make.  In essence, I get to play and that is always fun!

Every year Equinox Gallery in San Antonio, TX  participates and hosts a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition.  This year, I wanted my piece to not be the traditional Catrina (mistress of the dead) or something so identifiable.  I also wanted to use the bird bones and skull that my future mother in law gifted me (she always finds some cool dead animal on their property).

I incorporated my signature Vespa shape, the pentagon, to highlight the skull.  I named this piece Maybe Sparrow after one of my favorite Neko Case songs; I'm just so pleased with this piece.  I hope you like it too!

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 cast bird bones in sterling silver and bird skull in bronze.
Photo by Lisette Fee, all rights reserved. 

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 

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Amir Friedman Dalmatian Collection

Ok so I have been posting several videos in a row, but sometimes that just happens when you keep finding great vids!

I'm really excited to share Amir Friedman's video for his Dalmatian Collection.  It's pretty awesome, right? He looks like he could seriously f'up someone in the video while he's hammering on the anvil.

Amir Friedman ID 2013 from Snow R. Shai on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoyed it!

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Casting Ant structures

Way beyond cool to me; watch this video to see an FSU professor cast an ant hill!

Ants really are amazing architects!

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I am SNAG

SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) is an organization for metalsmiths, vendors, gallerists, makers etc. in the field and connects us at the annual conference and many other ways, online and through mentorships.  Bob Ebendorf was one of the founding members.  

This is a sweet video (made by Jen Townsend) was created to promote the organization and membership, quite a few familiar faces (aka ECU alumni and students) in it.  

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New places carrying Eilisain Jewelry

So it's been awhile since I've posted on here the new places that are carrying my jewelry.  I've been a busy bee these past several months preparing the jewelry to go out.

I'm really happy to say that the spaces carrying my jewelry are on the West coast, as well as the 'dirty' south!

Tempest Couture
1305 S. 900 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
 
Ghost Gallery
504 Denny Way at Olive St.
Seattle, WA 98112
 
Resurrect Boutique
4135 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611


Young Blood Boutique
636 N. Highland Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

All four of these boutiques/galleries are owned by women, which is something I've noticed as of late the number of women run business' has truly grown and it makes me proud to be in such great company.

If you happen to travel in these areas, definitely pop in.  They carry a wide range of independent designers and artists.

The Hunted bronze small double owl talon pendant (and my awesome makers mark!)

The Hunted sterling silver owl talon ring.

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More reasons and facts for shopping local

I just got a GREAT email from The Old Town Boutique District (in Alexandria, VA, where I used to work at LDM) and there were some great facts and reasons that I didn't know about shopping local, so I thought I'd share them with you:

***These same reasons are good to keep in mind anywhere you visit with a downtown or local shopping district - aka, Uptown Greenville***

1. Keep more dollars in the local economy.
   For every $100 spent in a local store, $68 will stay in the community. But, spend $100 at a chain store and only $43 stays in the community.
2. Create more local jobs.
   That extra money is spent on hiring more people in the community, who buy their own products and services and pay taxes.
3. Attract tourism and visitors.
   It’s old Town’s independently owned businesses that make it a unique destination for tourists and residents of the washington, D.C. area.
4. Get better service.
   Local businesses take more time to get to know you and the products they’re selling.
5. Help local causes.
   Studies have shown that local businesses provide 350% more support to community causes than national chains.
6. Enjoy a diverse range of product choices.
   Small businesses choose products based on what their customers love and need — not a national sales plan.
7. Help the environment.
   By shopping in a central business district, you discourage sprawl. Plus, purchases by independent businesses typically require less transportation. And our easy Metro access and King Street Trolleys reduce congestion and pollution.
8. Invest in the community.
   Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here, and are more invested in our future.
9. Invest in entrepreneurship.
   Local entrepreneurs work hard to grow their businesses. As they expand, they create more wealth for the local economy.
10. Put your taxes to good use.
    Shopping in old Town requires less public infrastructure, less maintenance and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested right here in Alexandria.

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ECU Symposium 2014 Presenters announced

Once again, it's that time of year to begin preparing for the 

ECU Metals Symposium, this year's title is: Image & Meaning.  

I think that title is appropriate and really great.  As well as the presenters, every year it gets better and better! I have to say that for several reasons, the symposium is near and dear to my heart.  I was here (in Greenville, still am!) when it was conceived by Laura Wood, it's small and intimate and also...I don't have to travel and it isn't expensive! (I know I'm a bit lazy).  

This years presenters are seriously good, Arthur Hash, Avery Lucas, Teresa Faris, Christine Clark...and MANY MORE!!! 

From the first symposium part at Tipsy Teapot (sorry for the bad quality image)

And did I mention that we have the coolest tshirts and pin swap?! Registration will open October 11th, so mark you calendars! 

If you'd like to read about the past symposiums, please scroll through my old posts here. 

Thanks for reading!

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