Kathleen Sommers Annual Bracelet Show 2014

I participated in this show last year and I really loved it; specifically because bracelets are such a wonderful way to incorporate new techniques in a stylish way.

And ironically enough this season I made quite a few bracelets.  The Black Abyss, a fan favorite and the Asteria bracelet which uses cast oyster shells.  

If you live in San Antonio, TX it's a great place to see one of a kind art.  The show will be on Thursday, December 4th.  Hope you can make it!

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Shopping small can be big!

Shop Small in a Big Way from Old Town Boutique District on Vimeo.

I used to work in Old Town several years ago and I loved the feel of walking through a tight knit neighborhood where much of the business' are locally owned.

You can do that this Saturday where ever you go; your gifts are more meaningful and you get to know the people that make up the community.

Greenville has that same feeling as Old Town, you walk through the shops and visit people and they want to give you something special.  
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Eilisain Jewelry official show schedule

So it's officially here, the schedule for my fall shows (excluding the DC craft Beer festival which is this weekend).  

I'm beyond (into the netherspace) excited about the Hunted II Collection as well as the beautiful photos from my newest lookbook.  I feel that they are my most well edited and styled photos, and the pieces are seriously killer and modern at the same time.   

I hope to see you at one of these events!

Photography by Becky Parker, model Megan Kennedy
Photo of bracelet and graphic design by Tara Locklear

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Into the Wild interview by The Futurist

The Futurist - Paola De Luca Group is a trend forecasting company and they were at Origins 2014 in Italy earlier this year and picked up my postcards and we kept in touch.   The questions they asked me for this feature interview were really thought provoking and helped me to better understand my own direction and future of Eilisain Jewelry.

I feel so lucky to get this kind of earned press, it's not easy and it definitely takes some continued relationship building to get there, but it is so worth it.  

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Beer and Jewelry, always a happy combination

This will definitely be a fun event to work at, the DC Craft Beer Festival, next Saturday on November 22, 2014 at the Washington DC Convention Center.  We were approached to be a vendor and after mulling it over, I thought it'd be a great time and since I have friends and family in the DC area why not make a trip of it! 

I'll have pieces from all of our popular collections, the Hunted, Vespa, Valkyrie and Asteria Collection.  I do love the variety and ability to provide a wide collection of pieces that suit any person, male or female.

So I hope to see you there!

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Being Ethical...an Ethical Metalsmith

     I was recently called on the other day by Christina Miller, Executive Director of Ethical Metalsmiths to check in on my studio practice and inquire anything she could do to facilitate a better, and more ethical studio.  It was very refreshing to receive this phone call as well as inspiring.

I feel guilty saying this, but I hadn't really thought about it.  Yes I do try to use recycled metals and try to be as ethical as possible but then it got me thinking, what exactly is ethical in my studio practice?   It really is a hard place to be in, I love making jewelry and need metals to make it yet  I'm so removed from the entire process of how the metal actually gets to my door! 

I do know that there has been proposed mining in Alaska for copper and other metals and I've opposed this mining by contacting my senators and legislators.  And I take any opportunity I take to make my voice heard against the destruction of more wildlife is very, very important to me and my practice.  However, when it comes to where the silver and bronze comes from....I'm not as clued in.

So here goes, I'm going to make a goal and statement of becoming more involved and vocal about where I source my materials, specifically metal.  For any of you jewelers out there that would like a listing of ethical suppliers you can look here.

Below I list some of my current ethical practices.

Bronze castings fresh from the kiln.

 Current Ethics of Eilisain Jewelry are as follows:

• All deer antler, bones, and talons have been found, not killed or hunted.
• A twice yearly contribution is made to the Center for Biological Diversity, Nature Conservancy and Ethical Metalsmiths
• Some metals are recycled and reused.

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Fierce and fresh - Hunted II Collection Debuts December 4th

Last night I received the lookbook images for the Hunted II Collection and I'm just too excited about them not to share a tiny morsel.  Here is Megan Kennedy, model, makeup artist and former bandmate of the Ethnographers.  Doesn't she look killer? 

Megan, Becky and I had a great time on this shoot.  Megan came prepared with all sorts of sexy and cool outfits.  She brought the energy and just the right attitude for the shoot. 

So yes the Hunted II Collection is debuting Thursday, December 4th - so mark your calendars! 

Eilisain Jewelry, Model: Megan Kennedy, Photography by Becky Parker

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