Art Avenue Cinco de Mayo member social

Art Avenue is hosting it's 2nd Annual Membership Social.  Last year was such a success for the gallery and studio space that it was inevitable that we do it again.  It's our way of thanking our current supporters and members and also raising funds to maintain the studio space and gallery.  

We are at a definite cross roads at Art Avenue; on the cusp of truly being a business but not fully, we've gone through growing pains and now is that time to move it into the next phase.  

The membership social is next Monday, May 5th from 6-9pm.  There will be live music, food, drinks and of course the infamous Jalapeno beer! (I really loved it).  You can RSVP for the event on FB. 

The infamous jalapeno beer.  Freshly brewed.

Art Avenue's wonderful supporters!

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Voluspa rings and the Valkyrie Collection

The pre-release sale for the Valkyrie Colleciton is here, for anyone on my email list or that follows my blog, you receive a special link to purchase these one of a kind & limited edition pieces before they go public next week.

 This limited edition collection is inspired by the Norse mythology and their Valkyrie's, Chooser of the Slain, considered lovers and heroes and daughters of royalty.   Bones are the main content of this collection as they are remnants of the deceased yet reborn in gothic yet romantic necklaces, rings and earrings.  All stones are one of a kind and limited edition.  I've handpicked each stone to create a timeless and powerfully divine piece of jewelry.

Over the next week I'll be adding several new pieces.  As well as over the summer.  I'm really pleased that this will be a limited edition collection as it gives me an excuse to use some beautiful rare stones I've been collecting, or should I say, hoarding!

Shield Necklace, ooak druzy stone and sterling silver cast bird bones.

I hope you love the new collection as much as I do, and thanks for reading!

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Some things you may not know

There are days when I'm so wrapped up in my little studio world, that I forget to either share with you or I don't consider.  So here are some things you may not know about Eilisain Jewelry and myself.

First, Eilisain is pronounced: I-LI-SEAN.

yes, yes it is a strange name but that is what I love most about it.  It's Lisette translated in Gaelic and was told it means consecrated to god.

Initially I wanted to be a fashion designer.  Back in the early '90's I devoured shows like Fashion File and House of Style wanting to be the next Anna Sui.  Alas, jewelry was my calling.

I've been making jewelry for over 10 years, maybe longer if you count making barrettes and earrings out of fimo clay when I was 9 years old.

All of my jewelry that is made from animal parts are ethically sourced.  I try to reiterate this as I understand you want to know this as well as the ethics of my company.

Most of my pieces of jewelry, even the cast owl talon rings and crow claws are made one of a kind, meaning I use my original mold of the talon or claw and make each ring individually.

A donation is made once a year to the Center of Biological Diversity to support efforts in protection and preservation of animal wildlife. 

I think for now those are some interesting and edifying facts for you.  I'll leave you with this heartwarming image from Asher Svidensky of a young Kazakh eagle hunter, the first female eagle hunter.  How extraordinary is that? Here is the link to the full story. 

Asher Svidensky photo of Mongolian girl with her eagle. 

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A couple of exciting events happened these past two weeks.   I received the UK Glamour May issue featuring The Hunted bronze owl talon ring in their shop section; which was really exciting, I've loved Glamour magazine since I was in my early teens. 

The Hunted owl talon ring! So exciting to see it in Glamour

And the silver owl talon ring featured in the NJAL Origin FB promo page.

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Happy Ostara/Eaostre/Easter

Gentle Lady, unfurling spring.
Tender green...new life bring.
Hares spiralling, fertility dance
Eostre casts Her magic glance!
The gift of life softly given
Within the hare's egg...sacred, hidden.
-Wendy Andrew

Painting by Wendy Andrew

Spring is my favorite season; earth is awakened from it's slumber, birds are singing, flowers are bursting forth and everything is green.  I know, I sound so corny but I'm a romantic at heart and the energy at Spring time is wonderful.  I hope you have a wonderful Easter Sunday!

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Origins Passion and Beliefs Artists Announced by Not Just a Label

   With Origins: Passion and Beliefs Fair roughly two weeks ago, the press and hype is building up; within my studio and with NJAL.

Below is the press release and image corresponding with Stone, aka the jewelry section of the fair.  The Fair divided the artists by industry; textiles, technology, metal and leather.  I'm still astounded that somehow I was selected to participate and nonetheless the only artist not from New York City.  I'm truly proud that I will be representing North Carolina as well as a alumni of East Carolina University School of Art and Design.

 

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Reality Check

I've been mulling over the last few days on writing a post that is transparent and up front.  I'm the type of person that likes to stay up beat and positive.  Yup, a big but is coming...but there are days where I get sad, conflicted, anxious and so worried about the future and if I'm cut out for doing this long term.  I recently wrote in my business journal some of my fears and then realized, that I couldn't imagine myself working in any other profession otherwise I wouldn't work so damn hard!

It's especially conflicting because I've put so much into my business, it's my baby and I'd hate to see it grow up into a failure.  Don't get me wrong, failing is part of the process, I know, but I want so passionately to make my dream become a prosperous (aka profitable) business.  I'm only two years in starting my business and from what I've read it does take more than several years to see a return on investment, so all I need to do is be patient, right?

In a field that is filled to the brim of talented artists, it is quite easy to play the comparison game, however what I've tried to do is mentally change the 'comparing game' to, "What did she do to get that" or "what is her strategy".  In this way, I use other successful business owners as a model of what to do right.   But still, I will admit there is that tiny moment where I am filled with envy then helplessness.

 There are daily reminders though that I'm making progress, every sale, every positive feedback from customers and friends encourages me to keep on track and that I must be doing something right.  So with that I will end on a positive note/image.

Thank you for reading my mini-vent session. 

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Now selling on Local Eclectic

Some more wonderful unexpected news and places Eilisain Jewelry is now being carried.

Local Eclectic is a wonderful online shop that supports independent artists and makers.  The community of companies with this ethos is rapidly growing, and I'm more than happy to be a part of it.  I was so excited to see Local Eclectic use one of the fantastic photos by Aileen Devlin as their website and FB page.

You can read my personal interview with Alexis of Local Eclectic on their website.  

 The Vespa Collection is just one of the lines Local Eclectic is carrying.  So I had to share some fun photos of the pieces.

This Vespa druzy ring looks like candy!

Per usual, thx for stoppin by!

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Woman crush, Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked

New song and album from Lykke, she is so talented.  I saw her years ago at the Black Cat in DC (many memories made there).  I can't wait to purchase her new album. 

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Epona revisited

Several weeks ago, I did a mini photo shoot with my photographer Aileen Devlin.  We were shooting my new collection Valkyrie, however the overall images didn't come out as I'd planned.  We will reshoot the collection, however I snuck in the Epona necklace, I made way back in 2011.  I'm so glad I did, Madison, my model rocks it!

The necklace has made somewhat of a resurgence, interest by press has surfaced and I've now been commissioned to make a second necklace.  It's got me thinking that I need to make several more statement pieces; especially in preparation for my trip to Italy for the Origins fair.   I will keep you posted on these pieces.  Now, all I need to do is find the time to make them!

Epona Necklace, 2011, owned by Nan Lapata.  Sterling silver, steer antler and steel.

Photo by Aileen Devlin. Model Madison Schiller

As always, thank you for reading.  

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Uptown Greenville ArtWalk

I'm really thrilled at how much Uptown Greenville has been working to support the arts & culture in Greenville.  Hopefully, it'll only get better!
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Faces of Local

Since sending my work to Michele, I've been impressed with how supportive she is of independent artists and realized how essential gallerist like her are to the handmade community.   Thank you Michele (and you) for your constant support of shopping local and supporting handmade artisans!

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Ethereal photography

Katerina Plotnikova's images are so beautiful, ethereal and romantic, I want to live in them.

The image with the bear is a bit scary but still gorgeous.  You can see more of her gorgeous photos here.  Enjoy and get lost in the magic.

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