Queen of Soul

Oh she can mend a broken heart with her lovely tunes but also get ya groovin'!

Don't forget to listen me on the radio, for the Smooth Soul from 4-6pm on 91.3 WZMB.  We livestream and you can also listen to us on the Iphone app - Tune In Radio.
Pin It

Sharon Church

Oh man, I have a new woman crush.  I just love how open and honest Sharon is; she reveals so much of the conflicts a woman faces with career decisions.  She is honored by the American Craft Council as a Master.  I've thought many times of how it'd be to have a baby and raise her/him while making jewelry.  From what I've heard from my peers it's a balance, as is any worthwhile endeavor, but one that is SO fulfilling.

I think of my niece and my wonderfully amazing sister in law and how she's worked while with rearing Dottie; and she's doing it so well, and Dottie, my niece is so worth it. I even had the thought today, that having a child would truly be the most amazing creation of all (I know, very revolutionary! lol).  But really, I'm comforted and encouraged to see amazing women do it.

There are more masters videos from ACC, so check'em out.
Pin It

The Holidays are just around the corner...

A little preview of my letterpress card.  It looks decent now but...I've had the most frustrating time in that class.  So many factors are at play when trying to get a plate just right or the ink and the paper...I could go on an on.

However I do have some more happier news, I'm gearing up for the holiday madness that will come in December.  My senior show is scheduled for Saturday, December 1 (so mark your calendars!), and I'm also doing a trunk show the following weekend in Washington, D.C. at Redeem.  And during that same week there will be two holiday sales in the Greenville area sponsored by the ECU metals guild.  Whew...it'll be a bit cray-cray but I'm really very excited about it.  

I went to my printer yesterday to get specs on postcards.  I can't wait until they are done and I can show them in addition I will be making limited edition letterpress cards for my senior show.  The wheels are turning and there's no turning back now!  

Pin It

Guide to life

In my next life I plan on coming back as a cat.
Pin It

National Women's Small Owned Business Month

"Forty years ago, women owned just 5 percent of all small businesses. Today, women own 30 percent, which equals a total of 7.8 million companies generating $1.2 trillion a year in sales." - Karen Mills, SBA Adminstrator

How awesome and amazing is that? I love it that nowadays women don't even have to question the thought of whether or not they can dream of owning a business, because we can.  It's more of a question of financing one.  I'm on the email list from the SBA and I've found it so helpful and informative - business logic is not my forte so I really try to educate myself. 

Celebrate national women's small owned business month by purchasing or supporting small owned business' - it's the little steps, like buying tea from the local tea shop versus your usual latte from Starbucks (which is already rich) or buying a dress from a locally owned consignment shop. I did that just the other day, instead of buying a Coca-cola, I bought Honest Tea (not the biggest jump but closer).

Thank you for reading! Pin It

Bling 'n Things SALE

That's right, the ECU Metals Guild will be having a pre-holiday sale in two weeks, the studio is already buzzing with busy hands and flex shafts makin' jewelry purdy!

I'm really proud of the sale committee, Ellen Hinrichs, Samantha Clarke and Kate Lambeth for getting all the details taken care of - like a bangin' poster (designed by Erin Meekins) AND getting the library to loan us IPADS to process credit cards!!!

So yes, back to the details, the sale will be Wednesday & Thursday in the Wright Plaza from 9-2pm.  Hope to see you there!

Pin It

Eilisain now being sold at Equinox Gallery

I'm very happy and honored to announce that some of my jewelry will now be sold at Equinox Gallery, located in San Antonio, Texas.   The jewelry that Alejandro creates is quite beautiful and very, very well handcrafted; it's such a good feeling when your work is featured alongside other talented artisans and jewelers.

Below is The Hunted Crow Claw ring in ancient bronze with a black tourmaline - one of my recently popular rings.  I sent several of this and the pendant.  Just in time for the Autumn and Halloween season!

The Hunted Crow Claw ring.

Pin It

First Friday is Herrrrre!

With the gallery space up front, and studio in the back - it's all on track! ...fun rhyme.

It's First Friday in Greenville, which means the Uptown neighborhood business' will be hosting events and visiting artists with exhibiting work and demo's, as well as live music and free food (can't be that).  As I mentioned several b-posts ago; Art Avenue will be have The Ancients Made These show curated by Andy Denton.  The Ancients Made These exhibition is also in conjunction with the Tri-State Sculpture Symposium happening at ECU Jenkin's School of Art and Design Sculpture studio.  From what I read on the poster, there will be very interesting workshops - bending wood and discussion groups. 

Also Emerge will be hosting the annual Rebel student juried show, which is always excellently shown and curated.   I'm looking forward to walking around uptown and showing my parents all the great art, they'll be in town for the weekend! 

Anywho, if you're not in Greenville, I suggest you go out and support local art and culture in your town/city, it's good energy.  

thx for reading!

Attendees at Septembers' First Friday at Art Avenue.

And don't forget...if you..

Studio space ad

Pin It

Night in Day

Samhain is drawing near, the time of year when Pagans honor their ancestors and pay homage to the dark time of the year.

Samhain (pronounced Sa-ween) is the basis of Halloween, which is (from records shown) the second biggest holiday in American culture.  We love it. 

I especially love this time of year more for the meaning of Samhain and celebration.  Honoring my ancestors has become a bigger part of my life for me; as I've gotten older I see and have learned how much of their lives is part of my own.  For example my grandmother in Panama, she used to love tarot cards and reading the signs but then she became a reformed Catholic.  I myself enjoy tarot cards.  My paternal grandmother made up the silliest rhymes, I do that now whenever I greet my cats or my boyfriend!

Anywho, to commemorate this special time of year, I'm working on a greeting card in my letterpress class that welcomes an audience to Samhain with an owl flying with a moon in the background, a short snippet of a prayer will also be on the cover.  I'm really looking forward to the finished product.

Here is a beautiful poem a friend shared with me several years ago that has a wonderful way of describing Autumn and the impending winter:

The Night never wants to end,

   to give itself over to light

Even on summer solstice,

  the day of lights great triumph,

Where fields of sunflower

  guzzle in the sun -

We break open the watermelon

  and spit out black seeds,

Bits of night glistening on the grass.

-By Joseph Stroud

Pin It

Donating to good causes

Seems like silent auctions are popular right now.  ECU students and faculty were invited to contribute artwork to a local silent auction, the 4th Annual CWC (Carter Williams Carpreso)

Art Show and Silent Auction in Wilmington to be held at 621N4th Gallery.  There will be a live music, slam poetry.

Forty percent of the proceeds from each item sold will be given to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.  I'm very happy that I was able to send three pieces of jewelry to the show.  Below is a recent ring I finished with a beautiful green hiddenite gemstone. 

If you live in the Wilmington, NC area - go to this event, from the photos posted on the FB event there are some very beautiful pieces of art work up for the silent auction.  And you'll be supporting a wonderful cause, finding a cure for breast cancer!

Gold plated crow claw ring with hiddenite gem. 

Pin It

It's almost here - The Keeper

Tomorrow is the release for my new collection, The Keeper, cast from the shell of a turtle. 

Don't worry, no turtles were harmed in the process of making these pieces, my Dad found the turtle shell on his property, almost a year ago and I'd been saving it for a mold.  I'm very pleased with the simplicity yet detailed form of the turtle spine. 

I'm still working on additions to the collection, so this isn't all of it.  

Whenever I begin working on a new collection, especially when it is based upon the parts of an animal, I become fascinated with the history of the animal.  In the Celtic history and lore the turtle is known as the keeper to the doors of the faerie realm; thus I chose The Keeper.  Turtles sense vibrations through water and through their skin and shell, they are amazing survivors; with very good hearing and sense of smell.    In the Far East the shell of a turtle is the symbol of heaven and the square underside a symbol of earth.  The turtle is also one of the oldest reptiles and has one of the most ancient mythologies.  

From my Animal Speak book by Ted Andrews he writes "If turtle has shown up, it is time to get connected to your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed.  It is time to recognize that there is an abundance out there for you." 

The Keeper cuff

The Keeper earrlings - cast in Ancient bronze

 

The Keeper hoop earrings.

Pin It

Protecting wild and endangered species

I've been donating to The Center for Biological Diversity for several years and it's been even more important for me to support them and other environmental protection groups since incorporating animal remains in my jewelry.   The CBD works through science, law and creative media to ensure a future for all species, big or small. 

I don't think most people realize how interconnected humans are to animals and how just a small change in their environment can greatly affect our future.  I try everyday to do small things myself, recycling, reusing and bringing my lunch in a reusable container.  I hope you do too and maybe, if you can make a small donation to the CBD or any environmental protection organization. 

And thanks for reading!
Pin It

Talk the talk, walk the walk

I can't believe it's been almost 3.5 years since I moved to Greenville and also left Washington, DC and my old job at the Human Rights Campaign.  Sometimes it feels like 10 years ago!

Working at the Human Rights Campaign taught me so much and I feel so lucky to have worked there and with the amazing individuals that work tirelessly to further LGBT rights. 

With that said, every year I gift a piece of Eilisain Jewelry to the silent auction for their annual national dinner, held at the convention center in DC.  The National dinner is, how shall I say this, a big deal.  I'll never forget the first time I worked, I was starstruck, not just by the big names (Sarah Jessica Parker, Obama, Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Tim Gunn, to name a few) but by how exciting it was to celebrate all the hard work we'd done and also look to the future.

I decided the badger claw pendant would be a perfect gift, it represents a tough animal. 

Some badger totem info: The power of the Badger totem is its aggressiveness and the willingness to fight for what it wants.This aggression can also be turned to healing - for Badger is the keeper of Earth's healing herbs. Badger people are quick to express their feelings  without concern for the consequences. They are often healers who have the courage to use unconventional methods. Badger has the ability to persist to find a cure. Badger people are often leaders and bosses, the one who will get the job done. 

Ancient bronze badger claw pendant.

Pin It

Southwest School of Art

Southwest School of Art Success Stories from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

 Southwest School of Art sounds like a wonderful place, I've been wanting visit for awhile to also catch up my friend Laura Wood and meet Alejandro.  I've heard so much about the school and several other artists that teach and work at SSA such as Lorena Angulo, Jillian Palone and many more.

It's wonderful to hear the personal stories of artists that work at SSA and how vital the school is to the community.   I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 
Pin It

The Ancients Made These

My good friend Andy Denton (ECU MFA sculpture alumni and former WZMB DJ) curated this exhibition, The Ancients Made These which will be shown at Art Avenue next month and will be opening on First Friday.  I'm really looking forward to the show, Andy has excellent taste in art work, as well as installing exhibitions.

Andy has been one of the driving forces behind Art Avenue's movement towards a shared studio space as well as gallery.  After I graduate I'll have studio space at Art Avenue, and I'm so grateful for all the hard work Andy and all the other amazing people that have put time and energy into Art Avenue.

So, without further ado, I command you (if you live in the G-Vegas area) GO TO THIS SHOW, you won't regret it.

Thanks for reading!

Pin It

Purple lace

I have to say, I miss screenprinting.  I really enjoyed the class, so I've continued, on my own to do some printing, mainly for my jewelry and displaying it on these lovely little cards.  They were supposed to be boxes but it's just too much work constructing them!

These sweet lil' cards will be prefect for putting my earrings and having them for sales and such.

I have however, moved on from screenprinting to letterpress, which I'm taking this semester.  It's somewhat similar to screenprinting however it requires much more precise coordination and using magnesium plates which are used to mechanically transfer a jpeg image - almost like etching onto a plate.  I haven't started on my first project...of course I"m waiting until the last minute.  Anywho, I'm excited.

Also, I just listed my screenprinted totem cards, 4 for $6 in my Eilisain Etsy shop...check'em out!

Pin It

Don't forget...I'm having a SALE!

It's the middle of the month and also only two weeks away until my Autumn SALE ends! oh no, but there is still time to receive the 12 % off all my jewelry in my Etsy shop.  

I'm making room for new inventory I will be releasing in October, which I'm very excited about.  My Hunted line of jewelry has been quite successful but it's time to move on to new work - it's just as morbid but just as fascinating!

The Hunted bronze owl talon earrings, normally $125 but with 12% off it's $110!

Pin It

preview...anticipation

Just a little preview of what I've been working on in the studio.

I haven't written much about school or the fact that I'm graduating this December...I'm excited, sad and anxious all at the same time.  When I think about my skill level three years ago, I'm very proud of how far I've come and how much better I am at finishing jewelry, my integrity and design level.  That's not to say I still have so much to learn but I'm very happy with where I am now.

I've also reconciled what kind of artist and jeweler I want to be.  I think in our profession, especially coming from an art school perspective, there is the mindset of becoming that you must either be an art jeweler or a production jeweler however I want to be both.  I love creating multiples of my casting and varying them yet I truly enjoy making weird, funny and quirky pieces. 

So on to the preview...I'm not telling what this wax model came from but I will say that these creatures walk very slow and are one of the oldest in the world.  I can't wait to see how the castings come out and the reaction of my customers. 

Wax model of my SS 2013 line...still haven't come up with a name yet.

Pin It

Cat Eyes

An homage to my fur babies, Squints and Stevie, I present my Cat Eye brooch.  Lately, over the past three years since finding Stevie, I've become cat crazy.  I love my cats and anything with cats on it...yes I'm sure one day I'll be an old cat lady. 

I made this brooch over the summer in an independent study course with Bob Ebendorf.  I was so excited about making this brooch because I got to use several techniques I love - enamel decals, powder coating and stone setting.  However it was challenging and definitely out of my comfort zone.

I will openly admit, I'm not the best at layering pieces nor blind rivets but I think that's the beauty of it, tackling new approaches and techniques.

Can you guess what kind of paint the black is?? I'm not telling...

Oh and I decided to submit this brooch to the ECU Metals Symposium Tongue in Cheek Exhibition. Only 4 more days to apply...

2012, Cat Eye Brooch, front. Squints is the cat on the left
and Stevie is the cat on the right, though not caramel colored.

Cat Eye brooch, back.  I used a tin that had a cute kitty on it!

Pin It

Song of the Day: "Livin' in the Jungle"

I've had a lil' crush on these guys for awhile, they seriously know how to jam out!

Speaking of jammin' I'll be on the radio this afternoon, my usual 4-6pm over at WZMB 91.3, with the Smooth Soul set.  I'm on air every Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time.

I guarantee it'll be a good time!
Pin It