Womanhood Enshrined Exhibition at the Art Room

A week ago today was International Woman's Day and Nelle owner of the Art Room Gallery in Greenville, NC invited selected artists to participate in an exhibition to celebrate the day, Womanhood Enshrined.   

The pieces touched upon the many ways a woman defines herself in society as well as the struggle to maintain so many roles; daughter, mother, wife, professional, goddess etc.   Below are some of my favorite pieces from the exhibition.

I loved this piece, all the delicate and symbolic treasures of a woman

Always loved this artist work.

And my piece, Lady of Life and Death, 2011

And me with my bestie, Paula Chrismon.  

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Philip Crangi

Great interview and honesty from a veteran jeweler.  I've always loved his work, especially the finer jewelry.

enjoy!

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Aequus Nox Exhibition

Many days this year, I've felt like I could pinch myself, such wonderful opportunities have come my way.

The Aequus Nox being one of them, Alejandro and his team at Equinox dream up the best shows - and I get to participate.  I'm honored to be among the talented artists in Aequus Nox exhibition.  

I was especially thrilled to participate as it gave me the opportunity to work with gold filled copper and my lapis lazuli stone that I've had for about 8 years.  I'd been saving it for just the right piece.  I wanted to use a golden metal (but not gold - SO expensive) to reflect the sun transitioning into the Spring equinox.   I'm very pleased with the outcome.  I hope you are too!

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A Very Merry Birthday to me, and you!

As I've done every year, since I first opened my Etsy shop, I'm having a birthday SALE!  

I feel extra generous around this time of year, because I love celebrating and I want to share it with you.

Use coupon code: BIRTH35 at checkout

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RAW Charlotte Awakening wrap up

Just a short post about the RAW Charlotte show I did last month.  It was alot of fun and the RAW team was so supportive and amazing.  From the event director, Heather McAlpine to the photography team.

Below are some of the great shots Rhett Bingham, the photographer took.  I have to say, it was great having someone there to shoot images 'cause I was so busy setting up and getting ready.

This is just a great shot of jewelry and my lookbook!

 

I felt so cheesy in the photo but I really like how it turned out.

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Going once, going now

I don't think I've ever sold a ring faster! I'd been planning this ring for awhile and finally made it.  Isn't it a gorgeous stone? I just love druzies.  So when I uploaded the photo to my personal and work Facebook, it was snatched up in a day! I'm not surprised though, the design and stone work so well together.  I really wanted to keep it for myself.  

Sterling silver and druzy marquis stone.

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Teach me how to make jewelry

It was a good time showing Natalie Sayewich and the team from Greenville local newspaper how to make a simple copper ring band.  Natalie was a quick learner!
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Casting in the studio at Art Avenue

It's so great having a casting buddy/Autumn Brown back in Greenville!  Autumn did a residency in Athens, Ga for several months, she's back now and has helped me and Art Avenue in reorganizing the metals and casting studio at Art Avenue.  I've learned so much from her.  Here we are casting together using a vacuum casting machine.  It's alot less stressful than centrifuge (I was having major issues with it).  

Photo by Aileen Devlin for Art Avenue.

Photo by Aileen Devlin for Art Avenue.

As usual, thanks for stoppin' by!

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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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RAW Natural Born Artists raffle winner!

Drum roll please....

And the names went in a handmade ceramic jar of course.

And the winner is Cat (whom bought two tickets!)

Cat won the Hunted bronze owl talon charm and Chain.  

I met Cat through a facebook group for jewelers and metalsmiths and she was so cool to purchase two tickets and come to the event! It was great meeting another jeweler and having the support.  I have to say that the metalsmith community really does support each other and I can't say how much it means to have a second family.   THANK YOU again CAT!  

and thank you for reading!

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Moving On Collective - Help them get to Milan Design Week

An exciting project my friend Sophie Main is a part of, I met Sophie at Penland last year and she is so talented and inquisitive.

Make a pledge and help them get to Milan Design week. 

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Artisan revival in North Carolina

 It's so encouraging to see projects such as the Makery and Mercury studio continue to evolve and become bigger.

This is a sweet video they created for their Kickstarter campaign. 



Thanks for reading/watching and hopefully you'll support their campaign.  
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Top 3 Reasons Why YOU should sign up for my email newsletter

I was thinking about this the past couple days; how beneficial it is to be 'on the list' of companies and people that give the insider tips.  Then a light went off above my head - I should tell YOU why it's important to be on the Eilisain Jewelry email list. 

1.  You find out about events and new projects I'm working on FIRST.

2.  You learn tips and insider secrets on how to care for your jewelry and new retailers that are carrying Eilisain Jewelry.

3.   One of the best reasons; on your birthday you get a very special discount off any Eilisain Jewelry.  

So there it is, the top three reasons you should be on my email list.  Of course your information is confidential and not shared with any third parties.   You can sign up right HERE. 

Vespa I and III rings.  

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Boticca shoppers love Eilisain Jewelry

It really reassuring that you are doing alright when you get reviews like the one below, and Boticca is SO great about championing their designers.  I feel so lucky to be a part of their designers!

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I Do, Do I? Exhibition at the Art Room

On to the next ECU Symposium 2014 posts; I apologize it's taking me awhile to get these going.

There were seriously so many amazing exhibitions the weekend of the symposium, and I loved visiting every one of them.

The concept behind I Do, Do I? Exhibition was a discussion and pieces on marriage and what it means to each artist.  Some were celebratory and others sad yet hopeful.  And some artists viewed marriage as also a marriage of themselves to the act of not marrying.  The exhibition was curated by fellow Nicole Jacquard as part of her One Night Stand traveling series exhibition. Some of the participating artists included: Andrew Kuebeck, Tina Lazzarine, Joshua Craig, Daniel Dicaprio, Marlene True, Randy Long and more. 

The displays for the rings were quite sensuous and imitated a ring shape.  Each exhibition piece accompanied an explanation of their submission.  

PS - I apologize for the grainy photos, taken with my iphone. 

Andrew Kuebecks copper ring.  Loved it!

Marlene True and her tin and silver rings. 

A description of David's ring...which I didn't capture.

Leather rings.

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Song of the Day "Stay" cover by 30 Second to Mars

I'm not the biggest Rihanna fan but I do love this song and this cover by 30 Second to Mars (aka HOT Jared Leto) is quite sweet.

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Art Avenue's 2nd Annual Prints Charming live screenprinting

Last year Art Avenue's first live screenprinting event was such a success that we knew we'd have to do it again!  People loved seeing how screenprinting is done and having a custom shirt made on the spot.  This event is a collaboration with the ECU Print Guild, this year we worked with the guild so that it would be a dual fundraiser for the guilds upcoming projects and Art Avenue's membership!

You can RSVP for the event here.   Art Avenue has already secured some wonderful items for the raffle (which will benefit Art Avenue's reconstruction and studio spaces).  Jeremy Fineman donated a beautiful drinking cup, Andy Denton's ceramic bowl, Eilisian Jewelry silver owl talon earrings and several other great items.  

It's really exciting to be a part of this event and others at Art Avenue; I'm a big believer that engaging the community and public in art events foster strong bonds and education for the field.  

Mike Smoot and Lauren Kinlaw working the table.  

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Valentine's Day SALE

I'm having a lovers day sale! I know some people aren't very fond of the whole, reminding-me-I'm-single-Day but I like to think that it is still a day to appreciate anyone you care about.

So in honor, I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop, 25% off all items.  Use coupon code: VDAY25 at check out.  I've got most of my items stocked so you'll get it in time for next week!

My gorgeous models, Sterling Lieske and Aaron (whom are dating).
Sterling is wearing the Hunted beaver  teeth earrings and triple crow claw ring.
Aaron is wearing the Keeper turtle spine ring.  

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Formed by Desire exhibition by Laritza Garcia

I did not realize my good friend Laritza Garcia had made a video! What a wonderful surprise, Lari and I traveled to Mexico three years ago and it was such an adventure.

Lari is incredibly talented and such a generous spirit.  I miss her being in Greenville, I hope you enjoy her video and visit her website. 
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Clever crows

I'm still amazed by how brilliantly smart crows are.  

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ECU Symposium Material Matters review; Part 1: Reliqury Redux Exhibition

Per usual I will do a review of the symposium; they will be short and sweet.  First I'm going to begin with one of my favorite exhibitions from the weekend, the Reliquary Redux which was curated by my good friend Danielle James, Kate Speranza and Zach Lechtenberg.  

I've always held a fascination with life and death and the morbid things in life, so it's no surprise this was my favorite exhibition.  What I loved most about this exhibition was the range in pieces; some where objects, jewelry, sculpture and prints.  And they all touched upon death and the memento of death and life in such diverse means.

Here are images (from my iphone..) that were my favorite.  Please excuse the photo quality, I'll never be a good one!  

For some reason i couldn't get the entire show title, but I really loved it.  Looked so great
next to the hanging piece

Lin Stanionis piece...AMAZING to see in person.  

If this were life size, I'd crawl into it!

My favorite of all the exhibition pieces.  So haunting.

My roomie from last year, Emma Olivia's exquisite pieces.

Luana Coonen's amazing pieces, I've long admired her work.

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RAW Awakening selected artist

Well here it is, I'm doing my first big show/sale of the year.  I'm really excited to be a part of the RAW events, I'd heard about them before through several other jeweler friends.  

I'm also very excited it's going to be part of a bigger event, as in, so many other talented artists will be at this event as well.  With that said, I need to sell tickets! 

If you live in or around the Charlotte, NC area, I would love to see you at the event, you can purchase tickets here.  The tickets are only $15, which I think is a great deal for a show.  And see my profile here. 

And for anyone that purchases a ticket to the event, will be entered into a raffle to WIN a Hunted bronze owl talon charm & chain.  

If you can't attend the event, I completely understand but you can still support it! If I don't sell all 20 tickets, they come out of my pockets...which are quite small.  Thank you in advance and thank you for your constant support!

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Taxidermy and jewelry

I've always admired Julia's gorgeous jewelry, but didn't know she was a taxidermist.  I love this video of her slowly working on a baby chick for a future exhibition.  

I've seriously considered taking taxidermy courses and learning the craft.  Julia inspires me, especially with her ethical stance on animals.  

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Boticca Designer spotlight

Beside myself over this gorgeous inspiration board/interview Boticca did on my jewelry.

Here's the full interview.  Boticca really is amazing at the type of exposure they give to independent designers.  I feel so lucky to be part of their website and company!

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Renovations and new studio spaces at Art Avenue

 So it's been awhile since I've given you an update on Art Avenue.  Not sure if I even posted it, but Art Avenue did receive a city revitalization grant of $15,000 - woohoo! Which is what led us to move forward with renovating the back studio space; creating four new spaces for rent.  

First the floors were stripped of the very ugly tiles that have been there for ages, then we hired several guys (Jeremy Fineman and Andy Denton being two of them) to build wall space and floor boards to designate the new studio spaces.  We are beyond thrilled at how this will benefit the arts community in Greenville.  

And all of this will be semi-ready for the ECU Metals Symposium happening this coming weekend.  We've been literally busting our buns (from painting and squatting) to get this all done in time.   Some may not realize it but everyone that 'works' at Art Avenue is a volunteer; none of us are paid but we do it for the love of our art community and to make it bigger and better. 

Below are photos, taken by our resident photographer, Aileen Devlin of the all out paint/renovations we've had.   There are even more photos on the Art Avenue Facebook page. 

Sarah Setzco and Autumn paint the doors.

Andy bein' his usual silly self.

Our awesome construction/builder guys BJ and Mike.

Holly, a resident ceramicist came to help with her husband! We're so grateful!

There I am in the window on the other side of one of the new studio spaces.

And Jeremy Fineman bein' a clown! 

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50/50 Exhibition

Following my previous post, here is the poster for the exhibition I'm participating in that will also be part of the ECU Symposium.  I was a bit speechless when I saw the list of participating artists, how did I manage to get invited to this stellar exhibition????

When Tara first sent me the invitation, I didn't realize it was 50 artist invited...and that I'd be among such talented and veteran artists.  I really can not wait to see the pieces in the exhibition, but I"m also a bit nervous that my piece won't hold a candle to the other works displayed.  

Nonetheless I am beyond honored to participate and feel immense gratitude for the invitation.  

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5th Annual ECU Metals Symposium: Image and Meaning

As I was typing this post I couldn't believe that it's been five years since the first symposium!!!

It gets better and better with each year.  I always look forward to the symposium because it's a reunion of sorts, with alumni visiting the school as well as Art Avenue and catching up with old friends and making new ones.  

With that I'll do a very short review of some of the events that will be happening in conjunction.  

The poster with a list of the presenters and workshops.  The ECU Metals guild does such an
awesome job of making everyone welcomed at ECU and Greenville. 

Of course Art Avenue is participating in the fun; we'll be hosting the exhibition curated by Mariah Ross, Nick Heyl and Samantha Clarke.  

And I'm especially excited to view the Reliquary Redux exhibition.  Reliquaries have such special meaning, it'll be interesting to see the many interpretations.  
The Reliquary Redux is curated by Danielle James, Kate Speranza and Zach Lechtenberg.

Psst. for first ECU Symposium post on my blog, click HERE and second click here. 

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Boys & Girls

When I first began my Hunted line of jewelry or for that matter most of my jewelry, I never really considered if it was meant to be worn by a man or woman.  And when I think upon the subject, I am certain that jewelry should be genderless  (not that I don't believe a jeweler can have the intention for which gender it is meant for) .  So with that said, I love it that my jewelry is so unisex; it goes beyond what gender the wearer is and becomes a talisman of sorts. 

Jodie Bakker wearing her new Hunted bronze double badger claw necklace.

NIkki wearing the same necklace and his owl talon ring. 

I really am so lucky to be friends with quite a few of my customers and that they take the time to send me photos of them wearing it - thank you Jodie and Nikki!!

And thank YOU for reading. 

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