eilisain

Screenprinting

2012-01-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

One of the studio courses I'm taking this semester is screen printing, and I'm very excited about the possibilities. Here is a sneak peak on my first design. What we're learning with our first project is making a screen (the frame and stretching the screen) - yes I made it....also with the help of a great and generous classmate!

I have plans to make greeting cards, jewelry displays, posters and maybe even tshirts. It's really refreshing to take a course in a medium other than metal and I respond well with paper and ink.

Thanks for reading!

Art Deadlines! aaaack

2012-01-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, I LOVE bread, butter and cheese but trying to cut back on those in this new year.

I just wanted to share with you a wonderful website that lists all the possible call for entries and deadlines you can think of, and it's all thanks to R.L. Gibson, who runs Art and Art Deadlines.com. The deadlines cross all media, photography, illustration, ceramics, metal/jewelry, wood etc.

And not only does she post deadlines but does featured artists, how to cope with rejection and photos of food that make me hungry!

It's a brilliant concept and I give thanks to my good friend Tara Locklear for sharing it with me, and the rest of the metals guild. She's very good about keeping us in the loop!

So get going, visit her site and sign up for her daily deadline announcements.

Raising Japanese style

2012-01-22T06:47:00.000-08:00

It's so fascinating to me how metalsmiths work in other countries, like Japan. Raising a silver vessel while sitting down seems so much more comfortable! Okay, so the video is in Japanese but once you get to the 5 min. mark things start to get very interesting. Watch it!
I snagged this video from Ford Hallam's blog. He studied traditional metalsmithing in Japan.

Song of the day: Kate Bush - Snowflake

2012-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Kate Bush is up their on my list of musical goddesses, she has the most ethereal lyrics.

And this is one of her songs from a small album, 50 words for Snow, she release in December. Enjoy.

The Crow claw

2012-01-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

New in the Hunted series - The Crow Claw

Finally got this beauty photographed. I just love how I got the claw to bend as loop to hold the chain.

Hope you're enjoying

3rd ECU Symposium is this weekend

2012-01-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

I'm really, really excited about the 3rd symposium the ECU metals department will be hosting this weekend. Every year it gets better and better. We have so many amazing presenters, workshops and exhibitions happening this weekend it's hard to know where to begin.

Friday the Art of Influence Exhibition will open with an amazing roster of artists and I'll be posting more about it next week but all I can say is it'll be great. Also the Adroit II show will be opening tomorrow night.

Some of the workshops I signed up for are David Huang's “Vessel Chasing and Micro Finishing Wax”

And I'm taking a workshop from the supper talented couple, Andrea Kennington and Les Bryant of NC Black Co.
Oh and did I mention Erin Gardner of the Opulent Project will be in town for a product packaging workshop, this evening, exclusively for the ECU metals department?!!!

Ack, it's going to be crazy awesome!

Stay tuned to my blog and Crafthaus as I'll be blogging on both or linking them so as not to cross post.

Thanks for reading!

New item in my Eilisain etsy shop

2012-01-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

I'm really in love with this black coral, the little ridges give it a very rough and seductive quality.

It took me quite a bit of time to bend the coral but it finally succumbed to my will! This shiny new cuff is now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop.

Cuff measures 7 inches around the wrist
(if pushed up on the arm rather then at the base of the hand).

Me modeling my new bracelet. It's going to be very hard to part with it when I sell it.

Blackest black

2012-01-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

My most prized Christmas present, black coral from my cousins that visited this holiday season from Panama.

Isn't it beautiful? My uncle has a friend in Panama that found it along the beaches of Panama. As much as I love the beauty of black coral, I've decided that this is the last piece of black coral I will work with as the implications of even removing it from the beaches still engenders the need for more...I love it but I love the ocean and it's survival more.

I've already made a cuff bracelet with it. I think I may cast the latice work of it...we'll see how that goes?!

Charm and chain

2012-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

Some lil' charms for good luck this year!

This pendant is delicate but strong at the same time. I never thought I'd love bronze so much but that high gold shine is irresistible!

Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop.

I also have the charm talons in sterling silver.

Charm can also be sold without the chain.

This is a great layering necklace, to go with any other lil' charms one has collected, like me!

Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

Discovery - Giselle Ganne

2012-01-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

Oh my, I'm quite taken with Gisele Ganne's jewelry; the brilliant gold skulls and talon and pearl necklaces.

Gisele has worked for some high profile UK jewelers, Stephen Webster and Cacharel. And she's had big name peeps wear her jewels, such as Lady Gaga.

Dances with Wolves ring and bracelets...I WANT!

La Gazza Ladra necklace.

Her stone settings are gorgeous too.

Just a tad envious Florence Welch is wearing her jewelry...maybe one day she'll wear mine? A jeweler can dream can't she?

Gisele has a pretty cool blog too, check her out.

style and fashion from jewelry design sisters

2012-01-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

Anndra Neen jewelry designers & sisters Phoebe & Annette Stephens discuss their inspiration, how the dress and what motivates them to make jewelry.

Phoebe & Annette Stephens Closet Interview with StyleLikeU.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.

Great statement on jewelry:

"We love the idea of a woman who is in a relationship with herself. She buys a ring, a necklace, a cuff as if she is romancing herself." Phoebe & Annette Stephens

History of Glitter

2012-01-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

This is a really interesting video on how glitter was invented.

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

Just goes to show that there are always new ways to invent and create small, shiny thangs.

Captured - Orthoceras brooch

2012-01-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

Just added one of my favorite brooches to my Eilisain Etsy site.

This is definitely one of those show pieces that I love.

Do as I say, not as I do

2012-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

Marlene Richey's book, Profiting by Design

Y'know the old saying, giving someone advice but not taking your own?

I feel a bit like that myself, when it comes to pricing and evaluating my work. I try to dispense the knowledge and advice from other makers yet, I tell myself I'm too busy to sit down and evaluate the time and costs it takes to make my jewelry. And for that reason I'm doing a complete overhaul and review of my work, pricing, logo, and general design.

I hope that you, my supporters and fans will be understanding when you see the changes; I've come to the realization that I've been undervaluing my work and my own time and energy spent on my pieces and it really isn't fair to me.

So here goes to the big leap and beyond!

P.S. Thinking I need to add another book on selling to my library, maybe Marlene's...

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T17:46:00.001-08:00

Hope you had a wonderful and safe New Year, mine was so good and fulfilling!

Thank you for visiting my blog this year and being a supporter of handmade goods, especially jewelry!

Crushin'

2011-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

on the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

I went to see the movie Christmas night; may not have been the best day to see it but whoa, was it good. Rooney Mara proves her acting chops in this movie. I'm loving the dark, goth and uber-coolness of the Lisbeth Salamander. Her black leather jacket, multiple piercings, tattoos and hairstyle. I could never pull off the complete look however I have elements of it...a black leather hooded jacket and mostly black wardrobe.

Here's a sexy Lisbeth inspired song, Nancy Sinatra's "Bang, Bang"

Local hardware

2011-12-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

At the Granite Falls hardware store with my Dad; can always find great studio goodies!

The Jewelers series

2011-12-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

I've been following Arcade 44 for awhile now and really enjoy their videos and emerging artists from the NYC/Brooklyn borough.

Check out this video of jewelry artist Jaclyn Mayer of Orly Genger jewelry.

Love her fabulous rope necklaces!

Casting lessons

2011-12-26T18:12:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Smith doing a water casting demo.

This year was such a milestone for me in terms of creative growth and learning.

I've found that I really love casting yet I have these mixed emotions; it's very time consuming and the equipment is expensive. So I've begun to create a business plan and idea for what I want in the future.

I'm very inspired and motivated to save for the future. I want so much to own my business and studio and I will. That is my goal for 2012 and beyond. I hope you too have goals and inspiration for the future.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Handmade Holidays

2011-12-21T20:33:00.000-08:00

A Lil Loopy baby cap

This season I really made the effort to buy handmade gifts, such as the baby cap above by Nikki Little of Lil Loopy. I can't wait to see my niece and sister in law in their handmade caps.

I bought handmade holiday cards, prints, jewelry and photography. Though sometimes it can be tough to weigh the cost of handmade with mass produced products when the prices are so drastically different; however the biggest draw for me is supporting other makers like me. Which is what I did at the ECU holiday sale.

I was fortunate this season to increase my sales through Etsy and local sales - I know that firsthand, the economy of buying handmade is really important and good for each other. So I hope this holiday season, you will buy handmade too.

Hope you have a Happy Holiday season!

Christmas Song

2011-12-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

It's great when contemporary bands either make their own, awesome Christmas song or remake one.

Being busy with school has kinda taken the Christmas spirit out of me, because I'm so busy several days up to Christmas but I with music like this I can get right back into it.

So here's a cool, crisp new holiday song from the saucy Ravonettes to get me in the mood, and maybe you too!

Unearthed - New series of jewelry

2011-12-16T06:01:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce a new jewelry series in my body of work and in my Eilisain Etsy Shop: Unearthed, jewelry featuring raw minerals and stones.

I'm very much attracted to stones that aren't perfect and beautifully organic.

I made these rings for my Casting II class and this series has opened me up to playing with stones in a clunky but elegant form, such as the faceted shank of this ring.

Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop.

The pyrite is gently cupped and supported with blackened silver forms.

I'm just really pleased with this ring. And though the shank is slim, the pyrite is quite stable once on the finger. I just can't help making giant rings!

Celestite purchased from Points of Light.
So happy the store caught my eye.

Celestite is such a beautiful gem, the name says it all!

Here's some more information on celestite from Bestcrystals.com

Chemical Composition: Celestite is strontium sulfate, sometimes with much Barium.

Hardness: 3 - 3 1/2

Occurrence: Sky-blue colored brittle clusters of crystals, orthorhombic in structure, transparent to translucent. In the U.S. celestite may be found in New York, Ohio, and California. Excellent specimens are currently found in Madagascar. Also called celestine.

Metaphysical Properties: Clarity of mind, clear communication skills, balances energies, calming, harmonious. Excellent for use in dream recall and astral travel. In healing, celestite replaces pain with loving light. This delicate and exquisite crystal is lovely to behold.

Corresponding Astrological Sign: Gemini

Mama said knock you out

2011-12-13T05:18:00.001-08:00

Five talon bronze and sterling silver cocktail ring.
This is one fierce ring!

On sale now at my Eilisain Etsy Shop.

Whoa, this ring is so crazy big and fun!

New addition to The Hunted family of talon pieces.

Points of Light

2011-12-12T04:37:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went to Asheville with my boyfriend, and it was SO nice to get out of town!

On our way to our friends house I spotted out of the corner of my eye this gem and mineral store, Points of Light, and of course, we had to stop. I ended up buying some pretty, shiny things...and plan on making some new pieces with them.

Points of Light has some amazing geods and rocks from all over the world. I wanted everything!

I'm so serious in front of this giant geod.

My boyfriend, Bobby summoning predictions of the future.

Fresh copper!

Pretty amethyst.

Display cases full of stones begging to be made into beautiful jewelry!

Thanks for reading!

Double talon hoop earrings

2011-12-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

Double talon earrings - as hoops!
Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop.

Almost resemble crescent moons.

And of course on my embossed paper.

I seriously can't get enough of these talons, I've got a lil' brooch in the works, a crazy-ass ring and much more, very excited.

I hope you like them and happy Friday!!

ECU Metals Symposium

2011-12-08T04:47:00.000-08:00

Symposium poster from 2010

ECU's Metals department and Guild is once again hosting our exciting and engaging symposium next month. I can't believe it's just around the corner!

Don't forget if you ARE coming to the symposium the deadline for entries is in 2 days!

Registration for this year’s symposium will close December 10th and all work sent to the exhibition must be postmarked by January 5th.

Please mail your registration packet to:

Attn: ECU Symposium,
Laritza Garcia & Leia Zumbro

2000 Jenkins Fine Art Building
Greenville, North Carolina 27858

This will be the third year we've done this and every year it gets better and better. Laura Wood was the one that created and administered the first symposium; passing the torch goes to Leia Zumbro and Laritza Garcia,. This year we've got some really, really talented and amazing presenters, speakers and workshops.

You can read more about them at the ECU Symposium blog.

I will also be running the charm swap at the Symposium and I'll be posting more information and details on my lil' blog. So stay tuned!

Thanks so much for reading!

Colored water drops

2011-12-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

Purple water drops is the way I'm describing my electroformed pieces. I used Montana gold purple spray paint to add color and a lil' fun to them.

Now on sale for only $30 in my Eilisain Etsy Shop!

Displayed on my signature embossed paper.

Finally getting some color in my work!

Window of Wearability - Heath Wagoner's senior show

2011-12-04T16:49:00.001-08:00

Heath's show was very much him - a young, vibrant senior show of his current body of work!

Many talons

2011-12-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

I already sold a pair of these at the ECU Holiday sale, but I've got more!

Another addition to my Hunted series: Double talon earrings. I'm really digging these, and I hope you do too!

Oh and I also made mini silver talon earrings.

On my Eilisain embossed paper.

Thanks for stoppin' by, hope you have a great weekend!

Noche del Broche - So many brooches!

2011-12-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

You can view, some of the most amazing and intricate brooches I've ever seen on the Equinox Gallery website, here.

I truly am honored to be among such talented metalsmiths!

And this is the brooch I submitted.
Quite brooch happy!

ECU Metals Guild Holiday Sale

2011-12-02T04:12:00.000-08:00

Our fancy display cases and Axe to Grind Designs necklaces (I love these!)

Joshua Craig and Elizabeth Smith working the booth.

We have so much amazing jewelry on sale,

I've already been planning what I want for myself, to trade and buy.

If you're in Greenville you should come by today (Leo Jenkins Fine Arts Building, 9am-9pm) to see all the fantastic, handmade work made by ECU art students - it's a great way to support artists and the community.

Shake it out

2011-11-29T14:53:00.001-08:00

This is just the song I need for today.

What stays in the electroformer?

2011-11-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

A strange creature with a thick spiny body!

I left a piece in the bath for 4 days and this is what came out, uh oh...but it's good, a happy accident.

Holiday Sale at ECU School of Art and Design

2011-11-27T18:28:00.000-08:00

Holiday Sale is coming up this week!!

Hope you can make it to the fabulous show of handmade art
by students of the ECU School of Art and Design holiday sale in the
Gray Gallery of the Leo Jenkins Fine Arts building.

Thursday through Friday, Dec. 1 & 2nd from 9am-9pm
AND Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 9am-2pm

The ECU Metals Guild will be participating
selling some pretty sparkly thangs!

Talons in my Eilisain Etsy shop

2011-11-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Rawr!

These bronze cast owl talons are quite fierce and bad-ass!
Loving them. Get them at my Eilisain Etsy shop.

Milagros

2011-11-24T07:41:00.001-08:00

Milagros from Mexico = miracles from this year!

So much to be thankful for this year, family, friends and the joy of making art. I try to never take for granted to the opportunities I've been given to be creative and have the time to do it. There have been so many people in my life that have made that possible for me. Especially people like you, that read and view my work.

Thank you and gracias (para mis amigos latinos/hispanos) for all your support!

La Noche del Broche

2011-11-23T04:10:00.000-08:00

Participating Artists:

Abigail Heuss

Alejandro Sifuentes

Amy Tavern

Andrew Kuebeck

Angela Bubash

Anne Fiala

Annie Pennington

Ashley Buchanan

Atsuko Taniguchi

Autumn Brown

Beverly Penn

Billie J Theide

Bob Ebendorf

Caroline Gore

Claudia Rush

Corey Ackelmire

Courtney Starrett

Cydney Romano

Linda Kay Darty

Dejan Jovanovic

Elizabeth Crandall

Emily Marquis

Galatea Kontos

Gary Schott

George Schroeder

Hannah Stein

Jacob Martin

James Thurman

Jason Stein

Jason Polasek

Jenn Wells

Jillian Palone

Justin Klocke

Kat Cole

Kate Codsen

Kathleen Janvier

Kelly Robinson

Ken Bova

Krista Coleman-Silvers

Laritza Garcia

Laura Wood

Leia Zumbro

Lin Stanionis

Lindsay Hendricks

Lisa Johnson

Lisette Fee

Liz Steiner

Louise Oppenheiner

Lydia Tjioe

Lynette Andreasen

Margot Wolf

Margit Morawietz

Marissa Saneholtz

Marjorie Schick

Marlene True

Mary Hallam Pearse

Masako Onodera

Melanie Smith

Melissa Walter

Mi-Sook Hur

Michael Dale Bernard

Michael Gayk

Micheal Parrett

Nathan Dube

Nicole DesChamps-Benke

Pat Gavin

Paulette Myers

Rachel Shimpock

Renee Settle-Sterling

Robert Diaz de Leon

Robert G Jackson

Robert Longyear

Sandra Zilker

Sara Brown

Sarah Holden

Sarah Roberts

Sarah West

Shalena White

Stephanie Voegele

Sun Kim

Sung Yeoul Lee

Tara Locklear

Tim Lazure

Tina Lazzarine

Tova Lund

As I'd mentioned in a previous post, I'm very honored to be a part of this exhibition with so many talented artists. It is a night to celebrate the brooch at Equinox Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. Such a great idea for an exhibition!

Laura Wood and Alejandro Sifuentes, owner of Equinox Gallery have been working hard to ensure a successful show - they will have live models wearing the brooches on the night of the show, December 2. If you live in the San Antonio area, you should go! I wish I could.

Visit to Jewelerswerk Galerie

2011-11-22T04:05:00.000-08:00

The lovely Tanja, she has the softest and prettiest German accent.

Wearing an Iris Bodemer necklace. So envious!

Lisa Walker pieces on the wall.

It's like being in a candy store.

Lust, lust, and LUSTING for all of these pieces.

Would love to own a Darcy Miro cuff.

My friend Eva tried on an Iris Bodemer ring.
Quite wearable.

Delicious rings, I want that oxidized one with the mauve stone.

Bettina Dittlmann brooches (enamel on steel).

Since I was going to be visiting good friends in DC last weekend, I figured I might as well pop into Jewelerswerk Galerie (owner is Ellen Reiben) and see the new work they're exhibiting.

When I lived in DC two years ago I would always try and make it to the artist exhibits and attempt to talk to them, despite my nervousness. It's rare to have that treat of meeting the artist and learning their methods. I recall when Svenja John visited and I was truly amazed at how she came up with the concept for her pieces and getting them to fit seamlessly.

Tanja, the Galerie assistant was so kind to let me photograph the jewelry and ask her questions about her experience as a jeweler. I learned that in the Netherlands a citizen can actually request funding from the government to buy art - meaning, you don't have to pay for it, the government does!?! Seems like an extraordinary idea but wow, talk about supporting the arts. But Taina said that the program may possibly be cut, which would be terrible for the Galleries.

I left the Galerie with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.

Hope you enjoyed this post and thank you for visiting my blog.

Bob's World

2011-11-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

I had never seen this video till yesterday, wonderful. Bob is such a treasure to know. It's great to see how Bob was in his younger days!

There are several ECU grads, Kat Cole and Marissa Saneholtz, represent!

Thanks Lorena Angulo for posting on FB!

A gift

2011-11-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

A gift for a very good and dear friend I'll be visiting this weekend in D.C., she is one of my biggest cheerleaders, so she must be outfitted with some new bling.

I purchased the stone at the ECU Geology fraternity sale, I know, a geology fraternity? weird but I go crazy buying all sorts of awesome gems and geodes.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Inside Jim Cotter's studio

2011-11-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a great video of Jim Cotter in his Colorado studio? Jim Cotter was a visiting artist almost two years ago at ECU and I missed his workshop....I could really kick myself! I'm hoping he'll come back one day...soon. For now I'll enjoy this video of all the amazing jewelry and art he's creating.

check it out...

Jim kinda reminds me of Bob Ebendorf, and ironically they happen to be good friends.

some lil' charms...

2011-11-15T06:16:00.001-08:00

Will be on sale tomorrow at the ECU Metals Guild charm sale!

New in The Hunted jewelry series

2011-11-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Hunted - purple resin with crushed

green quartz and brass owl talon.

Love the aggressive quality of these.

Some more fun experimentation with resin and the owl talons. New in my Eilisain Etsy shop!

It's gettin' cray-cray (crazy) up in the studio, but I guess that's a good thing.

Jewelry All Day!

2011-11-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is quite possibly the cutest video of a jeweler working away in the studio.

nabbed fro Ms. Sassy Silver Smith.

There's a sea Creature in my Etsy shop!

2011-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

Ammonite and black coral -
purchased on my visit to Taxco, Mexico.

Deep Sea creature!

I love it when jewelry and art pieces resemble funny lil' creatures. This pin came together beautifully, I made it awhile ago but finally uploaded it to my Eilisain Etsy Shop.

Would certainly make a lovely Holiday gift, no? Hope you like.

Charm sale!

2011-11-12T07:02:00.001-08:00

Next Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm the ECU metals guild is hosting our 2nd Annual Charm Sale. Last year it was a great success and this year we want to continue that success, 1/2 of the proceeds from the sale will go to the metals guild and the ECU symposium. The Guild has some major plans to fund scholarships, field trips and visiting artists.

We've been working hard on getting the word out about the sale, and if you're in the area next week, I highly suggest you visit, purchase and lust after the amazing charms (some by our professors too, Ken Bova and Bob Ebendorf) on sale.

Oh and uh...Charms will be price $5 and up!!!

Spray can fun

2011-11-11T03:41:00.000-08:00

This weekend Uptown Art Supply & Gallery is hosting another fun live spray can event but this time there will be BMX riders and contestants will receive 6 cans of Montana gold spray paint.

If you're in town this Saturday from 11-9pm, come and check it out - should be a blast!! The live spray event will be from 1-5pm. I just might enter to create some cool wall art.

Photogrpahy tips

2011-11-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

These are great tips!

Great Product Photos from Etsy Inc. on Vimeo.

Finishing my cube

2011-11-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah!

Pioneers

2011-11-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

First women of the Bauhaus school in Weimar.

Ilse Fehling

1896-1982

Ilse Fehling

Abstract sculpture

1922

Marguerite Friedlaender-Wildenhain

Model of an airplane cup

1932

Marguerite Friedlaender-Wildenhain

At the wheel at Pond Farm.

1950

Lilly Reich

1885-1947

Lilly Reich

Thonet chair

1936

Before I even signed up for my courses this fall I'd bought the book, Bauhaus Women by Ulrike Muller, intrigued by how women studied at the school, in such male dominated fields: wood, metal, photography, ceramics and even textiles (as a whole regarded as a 'woman's field). It's not surprise I decided to write my paper (due next week -ack!) on the same subject.

I'm very intrigued at how the world was back in the early 19th century for these pioneer women. Despite the extreme sexism, even with the shroud of 'equality between the sexes' stated by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, these women became successful and unconsciously made a crack in the glass ceiling for female artists.

So here is another post on Bauhaus and putting faces and incredible work with the pioneers of that time and place.

First Friday Art Walk

2011-11-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Tonight, November 4th - Downtown Greenville 6-9pm!

Come out and support local artists, shop for handmade goods, drink in amazing art work AND enjoy tasty drinks at Christy's Euro Pub (aka the Cheers of Greenville)

And don't forget to visit DirtyLamb studios.

Lady of Life and Death

2011-11-03T03:25:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to post photos of a new brooch I completed for an upcoming exhibition at Equinox Gallery, where my good friend and ECU metals MFA alumni, Laura Wood works at.

Lady of Life and Death brooch, 2011

Chased and repoussed coppper, powder coated copper,

spray paint, plexiglass, hand drawing of Catrina.

(Images not to be reproduced without consent of artist).

Lady of Life and Death brooch, 2011 - sideview.

Up close shot

Back of brooch, the roughness of the back

is in correspondence with death and decay of

what La Catrina represents.

Lady of Life and Death brooch was inspired by my trip to Mexico and the devotion and amusement of Mexicans for the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe and La Catrina (a symbol of death during the celebration of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead).

Traveling through Mexico there is a church on almost every corner and the Virgin Mary charm or prayer hanging from almost every cab dashboard. When I researched references for my brooch I came upon a quote by Octavio Paz (Mexican thinker, writer and Nobel prize recipient) that had a lasting impression on me "When Mexicans no longer believe in anything, they will hold fast to their belief in two things: the National Lottery and the Virgin of Guadalupe. In this I think they will do well. For both have been known to work, even for those of us who believe in nothing."

I'll be shipping my brooch off soon - here is a brief description of the exhibition and idea behind it:

“The inspiration for La Noche del Broche came from an idea of having one night to commemorate the brooch and its art form in a festive atmosphere where Spanish Music and Dancers would collaborate to create an atmosphere of Celebration!!! Models would be colorful and adorned with brooches celebrating the human spirit. This exhibition is an opportunity for artists to honor and celebrate the art form of the brooch. For this vision to be appropriately achieved, we would need a large collective of brooches each one expressing the multiplicity and individuality of the creative essence. Equinox Gallery serves as a meeting place to showcase Jewelry and metalwork in San Antonio. Our Mission is to exhibit and educate the community by providing a Platform for the diversity in the field of Metalsmithing.” -Alejandro Sifuentes

Welding

2011-11-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

As I said in my previous post, I'm really enjoying my sculpture class. I'm going to go ahead and say it, I feel like such a bad ass welding! It's almost like soldering but you don't have flux the piece of metal (copper or silver) nor do you have to find the solder and ball it up - all the precision. With mig welding though you do want a straight line and good flow and most importantly your two pieces of steel need to be touching.

Our class assignment is to make a near perfect cube with 90 degree sides...which is much harder to do than you might think. The trick is getting two perfect size squares of steel to meet at the edges.

Me in my welding outfit

My welding station

My class mates gettin' down and dirty

My steel cube

Thank you for reading and visiting my blog!

ECU Iron Pour

2011-11-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

Twice a year the sculpture department at ECU hosts an iron pour. The autumn weather is perfect for a pour, providing a wonderful setting to watch hot iron cast into molds! It's the best to celebrate the cooler weather and make some awesome large scale pieces.

I really enjoy watching the process because it's amazing to witness the properties of liquid metal poured and shaped into new objects. This semester I'm taking a sculpture class and to my surprise, I'm really enjoying it. I thought I'd have hard time with it but I love welding (mig welding specifically) and learning how to creatively think on a bigger scale.

Chris Wooten's giant pumpkin - ready for the iron!

HOT iron - watch out!

My friend Sam Woitovich

doing the iron dance to please the metal gods.

Several sand molds absorbing the iron.

And here is short video I took of the pour (*ignore my bad commentary!)

Enjoy and hope you had a Happy Halloween!!!

Bench test

2011-10-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

In my Casting II class Tim gave us a bench test with specific requests, giving the band texture, a bevel, sizing it down and now gypsy setting four 2mm cz stones. I actually enjoyed it but def found myself getting frustrated and challenged to meet the specs.

Drilling the pilot hole with a #50 drill bit.

*You want to drill the pilot hole 10 percent smaller than the stone

This is per Tim's demo.

Did I mention I also have a brooch due today - better get to the studio!

Epona earrings - new in my Etsy shop

2011-10-24T05:30:00.001-07:00

Check'em out in my Etsy shop!

Epona Earrings

Black coral and deer antler tip earrings, these are great for the crisp Fall weather.

Jewelry Doctor

2011-10-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Three days a week I work at the Jewelry Doctor, a jewelry repair shop here in Greenville. I assist Ellis in cleaning up jewelry and it's a pretty sweet experience, not only do I learn corny jokes but great repair tricks and methods to get the job done right and fast!

Ellis only hires students in the metals programs at ECU and I was fortunate to land this job through Miss Sarah West who used to work for Ellis, aka the Jewelry Doctor. And it certainly isn't easy finding a job likes this or talented Goldsmiths like Ellis.

Which brings me to another point - supporting local business' and their trade; it really is a rarity to have crafts people the way it used to be but part of me likes and hopes to believe that it is a profession that will always be alive.

So, support local craft workers and local business' it's good for you and the economy.

thanks for reading!

shot of my bench and clean up work

on a gold hoop and ring.

Ellis doing his thing - working magic on jewelry!

Entrance of the repair shop.

For some reason I love the sign and the blinging diamond.

A trade

2011-10-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Another awesome pin! This one is from Philip Ambrose, we have sculpture class together...and he plans on studying metals, what a happy coincidence! Check out his blog, and you can see more of his pins.

A gift

2011-10-16T19:53:00.001-07:00

Bob gifted me this brooch, it was a lovely lil' surprise waiting on my bench. I had given Bob the bone to play with...and play he did!

That's So Ebendorf

2011-10-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

Bob Ebendorf, Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor in the Department of Art at East Carolina, has an exhibition currently up at Gallery Loupe in Montclair, NJ.

The title says it all; Bob has such an impact on his students and especially on the field. You can see his influence on so many of his talented former students: Autumn Brown, Jesse Bert, Sharon Massey, Daniel Dicaprio, Marian Sak, Jennifer Wells, Laura Wood....I could go on and on.

Bob is so beloved at ECU; I have the utmost enjoyment of being one of his students. I love it when I get a Bob moment, of sharing methods, ideas and enjoying the moment of creating.

Hope you enjoy viewing his work on my blog and if you're in the Montclair area you should see his work in person!

Song of the Day: Caught a Long Wind by Feist

2011-10-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

oh Feist, how you strike me with your deep lyrics.

Feist - Caught The Long Wind from eve on Vimeo.

Is it no coincidence her album title is Metals?

The Hunted - Buried brooch

2011-10-12T05:05:00.001-07:00

Sterling silver claws from my talon mold.

Fossilized stone embedded in resin,with my secret ingredient.

Another addition to my Hunted series, though this brooch is not for sale yet. I love how you can see through the back. Resin and acrylic are fun to play with!

dragonfly

2011-10-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Found this big one at Atlantic Beach, NC. I've never seen a dragonfly's body upclose like this. It's so delicate and translucent - you can see through it's skin to the stomach and at the end there is a stinger of sorts.

If I weren't a jeweler I'd be a taxidermist, dead things are easier to handle versus when they're alive.

I had such an indulgent and studio-free weekend....now I need to get back to the studio and finish some projects!

Song of the Day: Our Deal by Best Coast

2011-10-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

Oh so tragic....

this is a dreamy song.

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast, Best Coast, Music, More Music Videos

I'd be a night creeper, so badass.

Usual day in the studio

2011-10-09T06:09:00.001-07:00

Emilie Shapiro does a nice lil' video on the jewelers task of cleaning up castings...feels like a usual day in the studio for me.

The Hunted continued

2011-10-06T06:03:00.001-07:00

Polished and ready to be worn. I'm so very excited about this new series of work - I hope you are too! More details on my Etsy site.

Oxidized brass and sterling silver. Get it here!

The pendant top is also made from a talon.

The Hunted - New Earrings in my Etsy shop

2011-10-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

I've been grinding away in the studio lately - early morning hours are when I'm most productive and it's been wonderful - to creatively expand and float on with new materials....like resin!

Resin making has been on my mind since last semester, when I created two brooches, one using resin. This time I used a special ingredient in addition to using my new molds - talons!!!

I'm loving the aggressive and edgy look of talons. I've got more work coming but for now you can purchase these lovelies on my Eilisain Etsy site.

White resin, black onyx, manganese bronze
and brass earrings.

White HOT!

Thank you for reading!

Repulsively fascinating

2011-10-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Demoiselles d'Avignon, Pablo Picasso 1907.

This fall semester I'm taking Modern Art History and I find the evolution of where 'modern' art came from quite enthralling.

Pablo Picasso (one of the initiators of cubism) is high up on the list of my favorite artists; his skills were insane!

Demoiselles d'Avignon was such a provocative and repulsive artwork at the time.

What do you think of this painting?

Modern Jewelry from the 60's

2011-09-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not usually into modern looking jewelry, as you can tell by the jewelry I make, which is very organic. However, there is a wonderful simplicity and attractiveness to "modern" jewelry.

Jesus' earrings have an awesome disco vibe. And Gio's necklace below is very sexy. The black and white shots are great too...may have to do that myself.

Gio Pomodoro

"A Rhodium Treated Silver Necklace"

1967

Jesus Raphael Soto

Venezuela artist

"A Pair of Parcel-Gilt Silver and Gold Earrings"

1967

Lucio Fontana

"A Gold Bbracelet"

1967

Snagged photos from Mondoblogo.

Song of the Day: Tin Man by Future Islands

2011-09-29T02:30:00.000-07:00

Greenville represent! Future Islands singer is from G-Vegas.

Future Islands have such a danceable vibe, puts me in a good mood.

Sweetness to my ears

2011-09-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

Brand-spankin' new earrings and
displayed on a chased copper bowl I made earlier this year.

Finished this sweet pair of earrings today, though I had a little battle with those prongs, I won! Petrified wood and oxidized sterling silver make a lovely combination.

Now on sale in my etsy shop - check'em out!

Metal God

2011-09-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

A good friend gave this prayer to me years ago, I keep it above my bench to get the day started off right.

Ring a Day video

2011-09-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is such an awesome, very well-edited video.

Such a fun and crazy-idea challenge! Maria Apostolou uploaded this video on vimeo. She also has a fun website and blog.

Mexico Post part 3

2011-09-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

My posts about my Mexico trip are still coming in, there was so much beautiful and rich art to drink in - I couldn't help take photos of everything!

The second day Laritza and I were in Mexico we visited several museums, one of them had a very extensive exhibit on the history of Mexican art, from all mediums - textiles, clay, metalwork, sculptural and murals. The artwork spanned decades of traditional mexican art, such as masks (the ones you see here), murals, ceramic wear, textiles, jewelry - much of the work is around the fascinating and evolving religion. I've always been drawn to how humans and cultures manifest their belief system in art work - essentially cultural anthropology (my first degree).

The mixture of indigenous groups, such as Mayans with Spanish and European influences is so visually appealing. My main love affair is with the intense love affair with the Dead and spirit world. I could go on and on but here I will allow the photos to explain themselves.

Enjoy - and have a great weekend!

A ceramic Catrina doll. Craft is ridiculous!

Virgin Mary Catrina.

beautiful, the hand has such a morbid but cool aesthetic.

Mermaid skeleton - love it!

Lil' old Abuelita (Grandma)
dead and still smoking - kinda like the secretary in Beetlejuice!

Flying devil/trickster.
The interpretation of nighmares and evil spirits into
the devil and his faeries - not so uncommon around the world.

My brother would love these masks (he collects them).

Laritza absorbing this beautifully painted mural.

Gorgeously repoussed silver crown and cups.

These pendants remind me of replicas my Abuelita has.

what's to come

2011-09-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

A mold for new work....very exciting!!!

metalsmiths are worthy too!

2011-09-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

I completely agree, history is the foundation.

Coppersmiths of Santa Clara del Cobre

2011-09-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of my trip to Mexico was visiting Santa Clara del Cobre, a small town just outside of Patzcuaro in the state of Michoacan. The town centers around the coppersmiths that create beautiful and magnificent copper bowls and all sorts of other objects.

What is most impressive about these smiths is that they use the most basic, bare-bones tools and yet they create such impeccable and almost flawless objects.

Some of the basic tools the coppersmiths use.

One of our new friends showing us how he uses the spinning lathe
to create little pear and apple vessels.

A hardworking copper smith

Spinning copper on a lathe.

One of the shops with many beautifully chased jars.
It takes roughly 2 days from the copper block to polishing a jar.
That is quite impressive!

whoever made this jar has some killer skills!

When Laritza Garcia and I arrived in Santa Clara we wandered around and visited several of the shops and studios where the coppersmiths display their work, the town is somewhat similar to Taxco in that there are shops on every block that feature copper work. But lucky us, we came across the most generous and humble shop owners, Juan Jose and Rosi that own Cobre el Porton. Lari and I went directly to the back of the shop where two coppersmiths were working on a bowl and they gave us a demo on how they take block of copper and slowly hammer it out into a disk and then a bowl - I was very, very impressed...because here in the states, we just order a copper disk from Rio but not these guys!

A copper disk after a round of forging.

See that steam rising up - that's how HOT it gets

Here's a video Lari shot of the coppersmiths bangin' away...pretty awesome!

So to finish the story, as Lari and I were walking out of El Porton, we were greeted by Juan Jose, the owner of El Porton, and he told us how the coppersmiths of Santa Clara did not learn the trade from visiting Spaniards (back long ago) but that it is a passed on tradition that originated in Santa Clara. Our conversation led us to tell Juan about our school and studies - next thing you know we're having dinner with his wife and daughter. We made life long friends that day. It was such an amazing trip and education on artists from another country.

Hope you enjoyed this post.

new photos!

2011-09-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Some goodies I have been storing and finally took some quality photos.

Black coral and ammonite set in sterling silver.

Pyrite and animal claw with jet set in fine silver
with sterling silver ear wire.

and showcased on a turtle shell my Dad found on his property.

Analcite stone set in a sterling silver cuttlefish casting.

Hope you like! And of course these can be purchased on my Etsy site.

Vote for the Trifecta Trunk Show Crafthaus grant project

2011-09-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

We are so close but we still need more votes to win - please take the time to quickly and easily vote for our project, #10 on the list.

Crafthaus is offering a grant for a project that promotes art jewelry and educates the public about what we do. So our plan is to do another trunk show in Brooklyn and we've submitted a proposal to Crafthaus for the grant.

If you have already voted, thank you SO much. But if you haven't - you can still help us by voting today!

Penland Update Part 2

2011-09-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

Leslie with her Giving Tree model.

The Giving Tree model - be careful it's hot!

Adrian Lesoing, Leslie Tharp and my dorky self.
We had fun being silly.

Leslie Tharp (aka badass sculptor)

One of the things I really loved about being at Penland was visiting the other workshops and meeting artists in different mediums and from diverse backgrounds.

It's no surprise that there were more women than men at Penland - we dominate the craft field! And I met so many amazing, talented and driven women. Leslie Tharp is one of them. She is a sculptor from Gainesville, Florida (an alumni of University of Florida - a fellow Gator!). Leslie has this infectious and happy spirit, I really enjoyed hanging out with her - especially watching her in sculptor action.

Leslie has a commission for the city of Gainesville to create a sculpture for the Senior Recreation Center. Her sculpture is called the Giving Tree. It is quite beautiful and elegant. I was really excited to see her model and designs for the bench.

Not only is Leslie busy working on her commissions she also has a brilliant side project called The After School Project. It's a group of emerging artists, recently graduated from fine art schools, from all kinds of mediums that meet to help each other develop in the field, share practices and create a community that fosters growth and knowledge. The concept and idea is wonderful because when you graduate you lose a bit of that community that art school provides. Hopefully I can find a group like hers when I graduate - or maybe even form my own!

I have a feeling I'll be seeing Leslie soon, the group of women I bonded with at Penland made a pack to have a reunion, at Penland or inbetween states.

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for reading!

Swept away

2011-09-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

When I was in Taxco, Mexico, as you can imagine, there was so much to buy and on I limited budget, I had carefully choose what to buy and I had a hard time making up my mind! Of course I gravitated towards the earthy/watery materials...like black coral and this awesome ammonite.

I decided to combine both and make this mini-brooch. It looks like a small squid, with the coral being it's tentacles.

What do you think?

Petrified ammonite set in sterling silver prongs.

A giant seashell my grandparents gave me.

The squids tentacles.

Stamped and ready to be worn!

Starting up a business

2011-09-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

Ms. Laura Wood (friend and ECU metals alumni) has an awesome post on her new experience of officially and legally starting a business.

check it out!

P.S. I'm already purchasing this book.

2nd Update on Jessica Calderwood Penland workshop

2011-09-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Here is another update on the workshop I attended this past week at Penland School of Crafts, NC. For the second half of the workshop Jessica showed us how she incorporates ceramic decals and photo transfer paper to add images on enamel. It was really, really cool and many of us were excited by the possibilities of it's use.

The last day of our class we also had a 'sharing is caring' moment of displaying all our hardwork and discussing how we could take the techniques she showed us even further. It was alot of fun and also great to meet other people (that aren't university students) who are just as interested in jewelry processes.

I'll be posting more Penland updates, so stay tuned!

Jessica Calderwood with some of the students in class.

Fiona Mork's meticulous painted and drawn enamel wall piece.

Avery Luca's drawn hands. I love how it blends with her hands.

My ceramic and photo transfer decals.

Another shot of my bench.

VOTE for the Trifecta Project Grant on Crafthaus

2011-09-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Trifecta Trunk show has big plans to hit Brooklyn next year but we need your help!

Crafthaus is offering a grant for a project that promotes art jewelry and educates the public about what we do. So our plan is to do another trunk show in Brooklyn and we've submitted a proposal to Crafthaus for the grant.

It only takes 2 seconds of your time to vote. Please vote today for the Trifecta Trunk show!

Thank you!!!

Jessica Calderwood Penland workshop

2011-08-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

This week has been quite amazing, it's like a wrinkle in time, where you get lost in the moment and several minutes later realize the magic of it. Do I sound cheesy or what? But it really is like that.

Here is one of my first posts on Penland...there will be more, I guarantee it!

Just one of the beautiful views at Penland

The view from my bench. Pretty sweet.

Our class getting ready for a demo from
Jessica Calderwood on painting with enamels.

One of Jessica's larger pieces. It's electroformed
as well as drawn, painted and decaled enamels.

Jessica's awesome double sided enameled brooch and other pieces.

Just many of Jessica's sample pieces.

Larger enameled vessels.

My drawn and then painted enamel earrings and pendant set.

My Lady Cat Cat piece that didn't fire well.
This was pre-fire...I'm bummed 'cause it's so cute and corny!

I'm still in the studio here, working on more samples. For now I give you this post, it's been so wonderful and good for my artistic soul to be in space that nurtures experimentation and play. And not having to stress about a grade or a critique.

Not only am I learning so much about enameling but all the other mediums, printmaking, rglass, fiber, sculpture and ceramics. I want to try it all!

Anywho, hope you enjoyed reading.

Old world Mexican jewelry

2011-08-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

The first full day Laritza Garcia and I had in Mexico we spent most of the day visiting museums, the Franz Mayer museum and the National Art Museum, where we saw the old world jewelry below.

It's quite detailed and beautiful. During my entire trip through Mexico all I could think was - how the artists were able to craft such amazing pieces out of very basic yet multi-use tools whereas nowadays we have tools for very basic things...we are so spoiled!

I apologize I don't have names/dates for the jewelry, there was so much to drink in but I hope you like what you see as much as I did!

Thanks for visiting.

Off to Penland

2011-08-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

Craft house at Penland

I'm finally going to Penland! Almost felt like I wasn't going because it came at the tail end of the summer.

I'm really looking forward to next week, learning from famed enamelist Jessica Calderwood.

I'll be posting while I'm there so not to worry! Hope you have a great weekend and survive Hurricane Irene...I doubt it'll be bad.

New item in my Eilisain Etsy Shop

2011-08-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

My cuttlefish earrings were a big success at the Trifecta Trunk Show so I decided to make more - this time using red coral dangling from the edges.

I plan on making a pair for my cousin in Panama, I think she'll like it.

Deep Sea earrings in my Etsy shop!

Backs of earrings. These are quite light and attractive on the ear.

Hope you like.

Romero Gurman Glass studio

2011-08-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

Finally, a Mexico post! ha, I know I said I was going to and going to and never got around to it until today! When I arrived in Mexico City, Jesse Bert met me at the airport and we checked into the hotel near the Zocalo (town square). It was an overcast day but the weather was wonderful, cool and breezey (very unlike Greenville, NC).

Jesse and I had time to kill before meeting Lari at the airport (her plane was massively delayed) so we visited Romero Gurman glass studio just on the outskirks of Mexico City.

Gurman and Romero business teamand Jesse Bert
having a good laugh with their adorable son.

Jesse getting a closer look at
Romero Gurman brass set glass production work.

Design process of mixing the glass pieces.

Production closet. I love Deborah Gurman's organization!

Storage bins for the different glass/colors.

A cutting machine, just place your original on the left side
and cut out an exact replica on the right.

A bezel set glass piece in sterling silver.
Gurman fabrics them himself.

Glass beadworking station.

Debora Gurman and Marco Romero are a wonderfully charming and talented husband/wife business team. They teach classes and sell their work in Mexico and internationally. They were so generous in giving me a tour of their studio and soon-to-be workshop space.

Marco is not only a highly skilled glass worker but also in metalsmithing. He has a ridiculous amount of machinery (I was SO envious). I'd estimate about 10 glass kilns, and several soldering stations.

*Side note, their adorable 4 year old son was busy running around playing with the machines.

Not only did the successful couple have an awesome studio, they also are very organized with their production work. Debora was really proud of the way she had the glass jewelry categorized.

And here is a Youtube video of their work:

Hope you enjoy this post!

Night

2011-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

whoa...Zola Jesus is the new Kate Bush. I'm speechless watching this video.

This video reminds me of The Hunger, very moody and otherworldly.

New items in my Eilisain Etsy Shop

2011-08-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

Another edition to my Epona series of jewelry; Epona the patron deity of horses and wild animals. I can see her wearing this necklace and myself!

This necklace was on sale at the trunk show but is still available. I've grown attached to it but would love to see it worn on a happy customer.

And I'm still working on those Mexico updates...just need to get the photos from Laritza Garcia.

Epona necklace - on a giant seashell.

Hope you had a good week and Happy Friday!

jewelry branch

2011-08-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

I may just have to do this.

snagged from because im addicted.

Alexander Calder

2011-08-18T10:15:00.001-07:00

Images from the book "The Intimate World of Alexander Calder"

I've always loved his work and the fact that he played in the jewelry sandbox.

Let's shake on it

2011-08-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Kool video on a cool project. Che-che-check it out:

I always enjoy that Kiwie accent. One day I'll visit there!

The Trifecta Reigns supreme

2011-08-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

The Grand Trifecta: Tara Locklear, Sarah West, Lisette Fee

Our awesome gift bags.
We are such a great team, Sarah bought the tissue paper and bags and
Tara and Sarah did the labels!

Dorky jewelry gals, myself, Sarah West,
Sarah Watkins (owner of Caramel boutique) and
Tara Locklear in front of our display table.

A lil' display table of our jewelry at Caramel boutique

Two of my favorite people in D.C.,
my bestie Eva Henninger (on my left) and Summer Simpson (on my right).

Folks taking in the awesomeness of the Trifecta Trunk show
at Marvin's (hip and too-cool bar/restaurant)

Models getting excited and dressed up in
Philissa's clothing line, Thembe Fashions.

Thembe Fashions sassy dress and
Sarah West Designs record jewelry.

Another fabulous dress (I really want one!) by Thembe Fashions
of Philissa Williams. And of course, concrete necklace by Tara Locklear.

Beautiful and very funny Jilian sporting my
deer antler necklace and ring for the fashion show.

Jillian looking quite radiant and beautiful in Thembe Fashions
and Eilisain Jewelry.

I don't know where to begin about this past weekend's Trifecta Trunk show with Sarah West and Tara Locklear. I had so much fun, worked my ass off and learned so much about putting on a trunk show. Sarah and Tara and I are learning so much and I feel so lucky to work with them on this show and on future shows. We work very well together, being very efficient and organized.

So many of my friends and family came out in support and it meant the world to me. Not only that but strangers and fellow artists came to the shows to see our latest work and have fun! And last but not least, all the free publicity from fellow artists and designers. It feels wonderful - I had the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face all day at Marvin's!

The fashion show at Marvin's organized by the very multi-talented Philissa Williams of Thembe Fashions was so bangin' and HAWT! Philissa is an independent and self taught fashion designer whom Tara serendibitously met through a friend of a friend. Philissa arranged for the fashion show and complimentary bloody mary drinks at Marvin's to showcase our jewelry.

The fashion show was so exciting to me because it fulfilled a childhood fantasy of mine - I always wanted to be a fashion designer, so this was just perfect. Not only that, the music, by DJ Sludge was off the hook. It was the perfect way to end the weekend.

So now I want to thank all who came to the show, that posted the show on your blog and news outlets!! THANK YOU!

Success at the first Trifect Trunk Show

2011-08-13T06:32:00.001-07:00

Here is Mrs. Figley aka Marty Rhodes Figley (talented and wonderful writer - also my sister in law's Mother) wearing an Epona piece, deer antler with a deer antler casting with an Alexandrite stone casting.

Last nights Trifecta Show Trunk was a success and wonderful to see old and new friends. I have so much more to tell but I gotta get back to work and prep for tonight's show.

Thank you for reading.

It's almost here: Trifecta Trunk Show!!!

2011-08-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

Gah, it's this weekend and we're almost ready for the show. Earlier this evening Sarah, Tara and I met to finalize details. We are very excited and can't wait to show off our hard work.

We hope to see you there, it's going to be alot of fun!

Mexican dream

2011-08-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I feel like I was gone years, my trip to Mexico was beautiful and amazing. I have never met more generous, humble, industrious and talented people. I feel so blessed to have had the experience to visit.

There is so much to process and meditate on, I'm not yet ready to post all the photos. But here is one, especially for the metalsmiths. Photo was taken just outside our hotel in Taxco, Mexico.

Colonial Mexico

2011-07-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, it is finally vacation time for Ms. Lisette Fee!!!

I'm very excited and ready to travel and explore a new place. I'm traveling with fellow metalsmith student, Laritza Garcia to visit our friend and also metalsmith and ECU alumni Jesse Bert.

We're planning a tour de art/metals in Southern Mexico; Taxco (famed for it's excellent crafted silver), Santa Clara del Cobre (famed for large chased/repoussed copper) and then San Miguel de Allende where Jesse resides to work in his studio.

It'll be such a great experience to see the work of traditional metalsmithery in Mexico and be inspired to make new work when I return.

Beautiful church in Taxco.

Look at all that silver!!! Only in Taxco, Mexico

Coppersmiths from Santa Clara del Cobre (of copper)

Beautiful copper handcrafted in Santa Clara del Cobre

I won't be posting for about 10 or so days, after my trip to Mexico I'll be back in G-Vegas for 2 days and then it's off to DC/VA for the Trifecta Trunk Show...no rest for the weary they say.

Hope you're having a great summer too!

trunk show goodies and trinkets

2011-07-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

These are among the last projects I finished this week for the Trifecta trunk show before I leave for Mexico. It's been a busy, busy month but also the most productive for me.

Last night I finished these lovely cuttlefish cast black coral earrings. And then I decided to finally do something with the spray painted seashells I collected at Wrightsville beach. These will be good gifts for my friends when I visit them during the trunk show.

Cuttlefish cast sterling silver with black branch coral

On my Eilisain embossed paper

Used my Montana gold spray paint on the seashells
and on my name cards.

Thank you for reading and hope you like my new goodies!