American Craft Council

I've finally been accepted into an American Craft Council show! Well the Hip Pop show, I had applied last year and wasn't accepted and this year that changed.  I'll be participating in the Atlanta show in March.

When I first began working and learning about the jewelry field back in 2004 when I lived outside of Washington, D.C. I worked at the American Craft Council show for several jewelry artists, such as Valerie Hector and Biba Schutz.  It was such an invaluable experience, learning the behind the scenes hard work of doing such large shows.  I recall telling myself that I wouldn't participate in them due to the immense about of preparation and how draining it can often be, as you can imagine my mind has changed a bit.

The ACC shows are the top tier of craft shows, they only select the best artists in the country, so it is essentially a stamp of approval when an artist participates.  Granted, I will say that when I worked at the previous shows (roughly 8 years ago!), the clientele is a bit older and not necessarily my demographic.  That has changed, ACC has done such an amazing job reworking their image and inviting a younger audience to the shows as well as engaging emerging artists.  The Hip Pop shows allow emerging artists like myself to participate and show our work without breaking the bank.  I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and so looking forward to meeting the other artists as well as established ones.

Hopefully I will see you there in Hot-lanta!
Thanks for reading.
Lisette
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Here's to a prosperous 2015

This year was full of so many wonderful and amazing memories.  It was also a year of incredible growth for me, professionally and artistically.

It's ironic though that I've somewhat put off writing this post, mainly because I've wanted to enjoy a bit of downtime and give myself time to just relax and process everything.   But I can't put it off any longer, as in the back of my mind I know that it's time to move forward and plan for 2016.

So with that said I'll go over my top 5 highlights of the 2015.

1.  The Brigid Collection rang in the new year with a wonderful burst of fertile energy.  And honestly, Brigid (my patron deity - the smith, healer and mother goddess) could not have been a more appropriate name. 

We shot the collection in a cemetery with a beautiful couple, Ashleigh Bowden and Christopher Johnson.  And I teamed up with some amazingly talented people, Aileen Devlin (ya'll know her by now!), Amanda Adkins of the Lucky Owl Shop, Meagan Wilson of Meagan Wilson Makeup and Ryan Shackleford (videographer). 

I'm incredibly proud of this collection and the beautiful lookbook.  It's probably one of my favorites.

Brigid lookbook, Photo by Aileen Devlin.

2.  The Bast Collection

Another collection and lookbook that I just loved.  It was so perfect and appropriate.  I'm a bit nervous that I won't be able to top it but I'll definitely try! 

Bast OOAK necklace, photo by Tara Locklear.

 3.  I participated in more shows than I ever thought I would and I received some great press for it.  Like the feature below in the Washington City Paper article.  Crafty Bastards is one of my best shows and I was incredibly happy to be accepted in my old 'home' city. 

Indie Craft Experience show in Atlanta.

 4.  I received some amazing custom jewelry requests that challenged me.
I'm just so blessed, I thank my angels and lucky stars for the wonderful people that believe in me and my creativity.  Caroline Hedgepeth commissioned me to make a very sentimental momento mori piece for her father.  Which is probably one of the most special pieces I've ever made.  Pictured below.

Another commissioned piece with a faux sapphire held in place with silver crow claws. 

 5.  I have my first official assistant/intern, Ashton Neibel. 
Ashton contacted me in mid August regarding an internship, which I can't say how time appropriate this was, I needed her help and assistance more than ever before.  Ashton is super talented and dedicated to the craft of jewelry and I'm just so grateful for her.

There is probably so much more I could review and write about but honestly these are the best parts of what happened this year. 

As always, thank you for reading!

Stay lovely and have a happy new year!!

xoxo

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Holiday Show schedule

This month I'm gearing up for all the shows next month, it's going to be nonstop!

Here's a sweet preview of them in a fancy postcard design I just put together.

These will be going out in the mail soon - once I get them ordered!

As always, thank you for reading.
xoxo
Lisette
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Fall Art Star Craft Bazaar

This year has been the year of shows, I've never done this many and it was a choice I made to get out more in the public and introduce my jewelry to people who normally wouldn't see it online or at my stockists.

And the hard working individuals that put these shows together are super awesome to work with.  Thus I'm happy to announce I was accepted to be a vendor at my second Art Star show in Philadelphia!  I had such a great time in May participating int the spring show that I definitely decided I had to do another one, especially for the holiday season.

Art Star Craft Bazaar poster (isn't it a great design?)

The event will be held at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153
$3 Door Fee to enter both the bazaar + the museum
(please note the museum normally charges a $12 admission fee,  but for our bazaar you will be able to get in for the discounted rate of $3. This includes admission to the bazaar AND the museum!)
Street Parking (free) or $5 to park all day in the Museum’s Parking Lot
Rain, Snow or Shine!

The Bast one of a kind necklace, $600.  Photo by Tara Locklear.

So if you live in Philly or know people there, please share this event and support the handmade movement!

Stay lovely ya'll,
Lisette
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More holiday show line ups

It's only the middle of August but for jewelers and other small business owners this is the time to prepare for the holidays and I'm lining up my show list and already mentally preparing for the onslaught of orders.

I'm excited and I feel so much more prepared this year than I was last year.  With that said I wanted to let you know early on where Eilisain Jewelry will be headed.

Just got word last night that we will be participating in Crafty Feast in Columbia, SC.  I've never been to Columbia and this time my husband will join me and we will get to know a new city!

In October I'll be headed to Atlanta for the Candler Fall Fest.  It's going to be a very fall/winter season but I"m so ready for it! And if you're in these cities please visit, I'd love to meet you and talk jewelry!

some of the new rings I'll be selling at these shows....and some are from the Bast Collection!

As always thank you for reading!
stay lovely,
Lisette

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More upcoming shows and The Bast Collection

Somedays I feel like I'm in a time warp.  I try to focus on the here and now but then I'm constantly planning for the future.  It's a good thing I like to juggle several projects at once! However I've read several studies that say it isn't always a good thing to multi-task. 

Annnnywho, this random thought leads me to the blog post about upcoming events and my very much anticipated Bast Collection! As I was preparing and sketching for my Fall/Winter Collection, these bones (aka cat spine bone) and pieces were coming together and really much as led me to the Bast Collection....CATS.

If you follow me on social media, y'know I really do love cats and the craze has increased with every year that I have my own cats.    With the Brigid Collection I used tiny cat claws and I feel that it has led me in this direction.

Painting by Susan Seddon Boulet

Bast is one of the Egyptian Goddess' and has domain over several aspects, protectiveness, playfulness and many other characteristics of cats.  You can learn more about Bast, or Bastet here.

And in other news, I will once again be participating in the fun Durham Patchwork mini-market this coming Saturday at Fullsteam Brewery.  I had a great time earlier this month when I first participated and I'm really looking forward to doing it again! We will be there 12-4pm and lemme tell ya, the Brew is seriously tasty!

The Brigid Collection will be on sale at the event this Saturday!

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The Laurel of Asheville Big Crafty event review

It's almost the holiday weekend and I couldn't be more excited as I've got some great events coming up and I just got this news that Eilisain Jewelry was featured in local magazine, The Laurel of Asheville reviewing the Big Crafty event next weekend at the Asheville Art Museum.

I'm super excited for The Big Crafty show for a number of reasons, I love Asheville and the people there AND I get to spend time with my Mom as she is going to be helping me at my booth.  Pretty great combo if you ask me. 

 If you live in the Western NC area I hope to see you at the show, and as always thank you for reading!
xoxo
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Eide magazine feature interview

Before I left for Atlanta for the ICE (Indie Craft Experience) show I contacted Eide magazine.  As you may recall two years ago they did featured my jewelry on the cover of their magazine (ummm huge deal!) and I really wanted to meet some of their staff and invite them to the show.

Alas, they couldn't attend however the Eide team was so gracious to interview me about the show and supporting locally sourced handmade goods.  Eide's correspondent intern, Hannah Lenore Gray, had some great questions.  My main point was to stress how much local economy benefits from supporting handmade.  It boils down to putting money in your neighbors pocket, which in turn supports your local coffee shop to your neighborhood restaurant.  It all comes full circle.

 

Still can't get over this rad image and The Hunted double owl talons on the cover!

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Showstopper

I mentioned it's show season right? Ha, yes and I've received word of several more shows I'm participating in.

One that I'm super psyched about is The Big Crafty, in Asheville at the Asheville Art Museum on July 12th.  It works out even better as I'll be in Western NC with my husband and inlaws for the NC Highland Games (aka Celtic/scottish festival)!!  I'm so gonna nerd out that weekend.

It'll be great to do a local show and especially in Asheville, I love that city.  And the best part will be having my Mom assist me!  She's great with people and I've never had her with me at a show. 

Well and even before the Big Crafty show, I'll be in Durham for the Patchwork Mini-Market at Fullsteam Brewery on July 4th.  Talk about celebrating an American holiday - I think one of the best ways to celebrate this holiday is to support the handmade movement. 

 

And here is a beautiful shot (by Ms. Tara Locklear) of the Brigid Bridesmaid rings...of course I'll have them on sale a both events.  Hopefully I'll see you at one of the many shows I'll be participating in this summer! 

The Brigid Bridesmaid ring...can't get over this gorgeous design.

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The summer shows are coming!

Next week it'll be June and I think it'll really hit that it's summer.  And next weekend I'll be in Atlanta for the Indie Craft Experience (ICE) at the Georgia Freight Depot.

I'm super excited, I am really enjoying doing shows.  I get to meet new people and travel while promoting and selling my jewelry.   And this time I'll be traveling with another local handmade business,  The Lucky Owl Shop.  It's going to make the trip that much better, as over the past year I've discovered that it's really hard to set up shows by yourself.  Having a partner to talk with, take breaks and just ease the burden of carrying tables and chairs makes it much easier!

We will be at booth #39 for those of you that may be in the Atlanta area or want to share this with your fellow Atlanta friends!

Here are some of the print/online materials for the show. 

Isn't this a pretty postcard? I love the vintage feel of it.

A handy map to help guide you to the show!

Such an awesome logo. (click on the image to visit her website)

Thank you for reading and I hope you have a lovely Friday!

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What to write about....

I'll admit I have this thought on a daily basis for my blog, sometimes though a lightbulb will go off and I think, oh yeah right, I'll write about that...duh?! But not today.

We're creeping toward the high and beautifully long days of summer which I love.  It also feels like a time for me to seriously edit, meditate and prepare for fall and winter.  I've got some grand ideas brewing for a new line, I just need some free time from orders and studio to sketch. 

And thus also summer means outdoor festivals and shows.  Last year I did two summer shows and they were great but my setup and display was SO embarrassingly unprepared and messy at best.  This year I'm upping my game and I invested in two lovely tables from Ikea and chairs along with a new tent...I have yet to purchase. 

It's amazing how much money can go into such endeavors but I do feel it's worth it, as well as participating in shows.  It can be a gamble, not knowing if I'll make my money back from the festival fee but once I meet customers and fans I understand that showing my jewelry in person and having people see it is essential sharing my work.  And hearing what people like and don't like about my jewelry. 

Stay tuned for more posts about new shows I'm doing and my summer schedule! Thanks for reading.
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Upcoming events - oh my!

We're on the cusp of the holidays, actually probably in the middle of it!

And I'm happy to announce I'm participating in several shows.  Below is the information for the Bust Holiday sale.  I'm SO excited to be heading to NYC for a weekend, it's been a long time, especially to Brooklyn.

Below is also an image of new work I'll be debuting at a trunk show that I'm doing at Redeem, in Washington DC on Thursday, December 4th.  It'll be so great to debut this line at the first boutique to carry my jewelry when I first got started. 

 

As usual, thank you for reading!

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