Year in review

Traditionally I celebrate the new year on Samhain however with calendar goes I still review the year in December/January.  This has been a year full of so many successes, memories, achievements and lessons.  I've learned so much and I've challenged myself much more this year to go beyond my own expectations.  I think it's important to measure my success by my standards and not so much by comparison, it's less stressful and more fulfilling.

So here is a lil' recap of some of the memories and events I'm most proud of:

1.  Helped in rebuilding Art Avenue's gallery and studios.  
Working with the generous, hard working individuals (Claire Edwards, Sarah Seztco, Autumn Brown, Andy Denton, Jeremy Fineman, Sim Asher, Aileen Devlin, Holly Lyco and more) of Art Avenue has made me respect and care more from the Greenville artist community.  If I didn't have AA as a studio and space to work...well let's just say it'd be so much harder to run my business!

Painting the doors of the back studios at Art Avenue

 2.  Worked with some amazing photographers, models, videographers and graphic designers
Creating a brand and business does not just consist of the work I do but of the work of other talented people.  And my group of friends are seriously talented.  Like this image of Claire Fletcher (model) by Aileen Devlin for the Valkyrie Collection SS14.  I've worked with Aileen twice and it's been a dream.  She works hard to get just the right image.  And I have to say this is one of my favorite images this year. 

Loving this gorgeous image by Aileen Devlin from the Valkyrie Collection S/S 2014

And this badassery right here!

Origins NJAL (Not Just a Label) Italy

With my husband in Vicenza Italy

3.  Participating in all kinds of shows

This one is a mixed bag. I took several risks participating in shows, some that were not so successful and some that were.  All in all though, every time I go out and introduce my jewelry to new people I'm making   connections and contacts and that is important. Of course the most exciting show was in Italy for the Origins: Passion and Beliefs fair.  I'm still amazed that I was invited, to be amongst such talented artisans was truly awesome!

4.  Hired help
This year I invested in a good accountant, photographer, graphic designer and assistant.  It's just too hard trying to do it all myself, and if I tried, I'd f***k it up! It was money well spent and it's shown in my business.  Next year I plan to refine this part of my business and maybe even hire a book keeper.  

5.  Challenging my skills
I really wanted to learn more stone setting this year and taking in commissions.  I learned how to prong set emerald cut stones as well as other tricky settings.  I definitely couldn't have learned stone setting without my mentor and boss, Ellis Cutrell (aka the Jewelry Doctor).  He's been patient and willing to show me his secrets. In addition, I refined my casting skills with the help of Autumn Brown.  Casting can be unpredictable and at any stage something could go wrong.  I've kept a notebook of each casting with notes on what went right and what went very wrong.  

As you can tell with this post, this year was a growing period and in that I grew with the help of my talented friends, colleagues whom were willing to teach me and show me how to do things the right way.  

And of course with your help and support.  I hope you had a successful and prosperous year as well - and as always, thank you for ready! 
xoxo
Lisette
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Rachel Entwistle

Rachel's story sounds so similar to mine; working for NGO's and having a background in cultural studies.  I love how her shop is designed and I also quite enjoy Rachel's jewelry.  Rachel was another wonderful designer at the Origins Fair in Italy.  I didn't get a chance to talk with her but I did see her work as well as her wonderful catalog.  

Hope you enjoy this sweet video!

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Origins Passion and Beliefs post deux

This is the second installment of my Origins Passion and Beliefs Fair posts.  And can only begin with this awesome video my new Norwegian friend Kim Jayasena created.  Kim came to the fair with his girlfriend Iselin one of the duo designers behind Dreams of Norway.

Enjoy!

IN LOVE with this dress, of course I forgot the designers name...grr.

Her work was amazing as well, she graduated from Central St. Martins in London

And my new friend Johan Ku, I splurged and purchased on of his pieces, which I'll write a complete post about later!

Nino Sepo, another amazing and sweet designer!

The roundtable discussion at the end of Origins, no words.  SO AMAZING!!!

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Origins Passion and Beliefs Fair was unbelievable

My apologies for my lack of recent blog posts, I've been recovering from our trip to Italy and the Origins Passion and Beliefs Fair.  As my blog title says, it was unbelievable that the NJAL team along with Fiera de Vicenza got 100 designers to Italy and organized such a beautiful and awesome fair.  This really was the first of it's kind, bridging the digital world of exposing emerging designers to press, buyers, bloggers and the public.

I'll tell you that I was extremely nervous and worried that I would be out of my league and that the other designers would be aloof and a bit snooty, however it was completely the opposite.  I met the most warm, open and sweet people and made life long friends.  At the end of the 4 days, NJAL organized a roundtable and each designer expressed some words and we all laughed and cried and felt that it was a camp of sorts.  

I feel so blessed and lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in the fair, I made some great contacts, made some good press (got featured on Vogue Accessory FB page) and acquired some one of a kind fashion and jewelry! Okay, I splurged but it was SO worth it!

Below are just some of the photos I snapped on my phone (reason for the low quality).  I'll be posting more images next week.  

The NJAL team on the first day giving us details.

My good friend Ioana Ciolacu's booth, really obsessed with her pieces.  

Jojo Marguerite from New Zealand, her pieces were intricately beautiful. 

Mareunrol's maquette is just as exquisite as their work.

The most bright and colorful booth at the Origins Fair

Just some of the amazing layout of the fair, it was so modern and chic!

Part of my booth.  Fiera de Vicenza provided all of the furniture/displays in our booths,
with the exception of added pieces.

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Valkyrie Collection SS14 coming soon

These past several days have been so busy; I'm prepping final pieces for a photoshoot for the debut of the Valkyrie Collection, May 5th.  The photoshoot is this weekend, so I need to get as many pieces done as possible.  Without having an assistant, you can imagine my stress level, somedays I feel completely overwhelmed and other days I'm so proud of how I do it all! 

There are several pieces of inspiration for this new collection, I wanted it to reflect the overall aesthetic of Eilisain Jewelry, inspiration and mythology, but also one of hope and renewal of the spring and summer months.  I can't say that my recent obsession with History channel tv show Vikings hasn't come in to play, but the final decision for the collections name came from a Goddess card deck that I always go to for wisdom and advice.  The Valkyrie is the Goddess of the afterlife, she guides the dead to the underworld.   Though many would associate death with the end of life, I've felt that is is a new beginning, one that is shrouded in mystery as really we do not know what happens afterwards.  

With this collection I'm also using faceted gemstones, forged sterling silver and gold filled copper.  I wanted a mix of materials that represent this ideal of renewal and growth.  I hope you like this sneak peak of it, I'll keep you posted over the next month, as it will be debuting in Italy for the Origins fair.  

As always, thank you for reading! 

Valkyrie ring, sterling silver and faceted amethyst.  Photo by Lisette Fee, 2014

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Origins - Passion and Beliefs

I can't keep it in any longer, I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I've been selected to participate in ORIGINS - Passion and Beliefs in Veneto, Italy this May!

This opportunity came through a partnership between Not Just a Label and Fiera di Vicenza in the Veneto region of Italy.   Just typing that made me feel breathless, it has been over 10 years since I've been to Europe and the fact that I'm doing this for work (not really work to me as I love making jewelry)?!

Here is a brief video on the concept of the event and people involved. 

ORIGIN PASSION AND BELIEFS from Fiera di Vicenza S.p.A. on Vimeo.

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Modern Jewelry from the 60's

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.
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