It all comes back to water

I'm a true Pisces sign, I love the water, I can be a bit emotional at times and all the other qualities that go with being a water sign.  With that said, throughout the past several years the theme of water and ocean resurface in my collections.  As you may have noticed with the Ondine collection, it's based on a nymph. 

Well, I was going back through old photos of my first collection when I moved into my studio at Art Avenue, this was back in the spring of 2012.  I loved this collection as I used old coral from my trip to Panama and it was a challenge in how to put these pieces together.  Also I'd never used brass, it's a beautiful golden color but no fun to solder!

Aragonite stones with brass and sterling silver, 2012. 

Aragonite, copper and sterling silver. 2012

Black coral electroformed and spray painted, brass. 2012

Black coral, electroformed and spray painted, sterling silver and brass. 2012

Sometimes going through old photos like these get's my creative juices flowing and also reminds me of the variety of pieces I've made.  As much as I love working with the talons, I enjoy breaking away and trying a different approach.  Most of these pieces have sold and aren't listed on my website or on Etsy.

I hope you enjoyed viewing them and as always thank you for reading!
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Vespa Triple Goddess Necklace

Every couple of months I get an itch to sort through my unique stones and make a one of kind piece.

I've had these beautiful faceted citrines for awhile, since designing the Vespa collection I had a limited supply of them so thus making this beauty.

I'm naming it after Brigit the Celtic triple Goddess, she represents the Muse, Healer and Smith.  

Now listed exclusively on my website, $360.

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Valkyrie Collection photo outtakes

I've posted these beautiful images on several of my social media sites but not here.  Aileen Devlin is such a stellar photographer and always works to get the best shot.  I like how we grouped them and played with how they were laid out, along with mixing in the Vespa Collection. 

I was so pleased at how well the collection has been received; several sold in the first day of releasing the collection.  However there are still several left.  You can shop today!

Love, love LOVE purple.  So I just went nuts in this collection.

And I believe this is my favorite necklace, the stone just worked so well with the design.

Such an awesome shot of the rings together.

And My new packaging.  Looks fancy!

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Solid silver

I finally cast a solid sterling silver owl talon ring.  Silver is still pricey and since I'd been doing so many castings with bronze, I just didn't get to it. In addition I usually keep the shank/band simple but I had a special order from a Redeem customer, and I'm quite happy with how it came out.

And I'm also happy with the photos.  I used Photoshop and WOW, what a difference.  This ring is also available for custom orders on my Etsy shop!

Sterling silver four owl talon ring. 

Great view of the top.

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Dying, simply dying

..over this ring.  I know I sound dramatic but I'm really in love with how the crow claw holds the tourmaline so perfectly and looks SO killer, so badass!!!

It's a 6.5 and could possibly fit a size 7 ring finger as the additional space under one of the claws provides more room.  I wish I could wear it but it's too big, which is good...cause I'd have an even harder time selling it!

Sterling silver crow claw with a rough tourmaline stone.

Now up for sale in my Eilisain Etsy shop!

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Poseidon's Pride - new addition to Deep Sea jewelry

Mated for life seahorse pendant, the texture on them is so beautiful.  Did you know that they are among the only animal species in which the male bears the young? If only science could develop a way for men to give birth! Poseidon is said to be the tamer of horses, and as a totem animal they are supposed to bring protection and romance.

I love anything ocean related and tiny creatures, so this was a joy to make.   Now on sale in my Eilisain Etsy Shop!

Deep Sea - Poseidon's Pride pendant.  Cast in sterling silver

3.5mm cz stones set as eyes!

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somewhat new item in Eilisain shop

Displayed on a deer antler I decorated.

Most of my jewelry, specifically the Hunted line can be made in most metals (silver, bronze, brass and even gold) but I primarily cast it in manganese bronze first because it's been popular.

So here they are The Hunted owl talon earrings in silver, the longer version.

Gearing up for the Charms, Rings and Thing sale!
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the power of the bear

A single bear claw charm has a quiet yet powerful elegance to it, and also holds some of the mystery and potential of the bear.

Both cast in sterling silver and the rich manganese bronze. I like wearing them with several other charms on a long 20" inch chain.

On sale in my Eilisain Etsy Shop, $50 without the chain.

My jewelry just photographs so much better with the white quartz crystal.

Thanks for visiting and happy Friday!


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Casting lessons

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!
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Unearthed - New series of jewelry

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

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A gift

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!
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The Hunted - Buried brooch

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!

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The Hunted continued

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.
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Sweetness to my ears

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!
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Swept away

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!

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trunk show goodies and trinkets

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!

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