How to care for your jewelry

18kt gold plated crow claw ring and amethyst.

I've been thinking this over the past couple days, how frustrating it can be when people come to the Jewelry Dr. (where I work as a repair assistant part time) and are baffled that their jewelry broke or why a stone came loose, etc.   Then it got me thinking, well no wonder they don't know why their jewelry broke...because, maybe no one told them how to take care of it!

Most jewelry doesn't come with 'how to' instructions, but they really should.  For example, plated jewelry (gold and silver plating) must be removed from the body before coming in contact with soap or water, because if you don't the plating will come off.

So here are some simple steps on how to care for Eilisain Jewelry as well as any other jewelry.

1.  Remove your jewelry before washing your hands or any contact with water IF it is gold or silver plated AND if there is a sensitive stone/gem.

2.  Store your jewelry in a jewelry box or a bag with chalk (especially if it is silver, chalk prevents tarnishing).

3.  Check your jewelry and look at it closely from time to time (say once a month, if you wear it often).  The way I check for loose stones and diamonds at the jewelry dr. is I run my fingernail along the edge of the stone, if the stone moves...well then it needs to be tightened.

4.  Also remove your jewelry if it has been epoxyed, aka glued.  Some of my stones are additionally set with epoxy.  Epoxy is a very strong adhesive for metal objects - most jewelry out there has epoxy in it, even fancy (aka expensive) and commercial jewelry.

5.  And even if you've checked your jewelry yourself, take your most prized jewelry once or twice a year to a jeweler to have them inspect it professionally.  Most of the time this is free, unless it needs repair.

6.  POLISHing:  There are several methods to polishing your jewelry.  One is to buy the soapy liquid at the store...those never seem to work! A polishing cloth is great, you can usually buy one at a fancy jewelry shop or maybe at Michaels.  Sometimes just an old soft tshirt does the job. Dish soap works just as well, use your hands and gently clean your jewelry with just a teeny bit of soap.  Then dry with a soft cloth.

I hope that these tips help you in caring for your jewelry.  I know I do it myself because, I LOVE my jewelry and I don't want to lose it or have it damaged!

Thanks for reading.
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Deep blue azurite and flourite

Oh Thanksgiving break was too good to me, I ate way too much but also got some good work time in.  I gave myself two days off and in between I was able to finish up some pieces with new stones I got in the mail from a fellow Etsy seller, Instant Karma.

I am just in LOVE with the deep blue of the azurite stone, which fits perfectly into the claws of a crow!  Just listed on my Etsy shop and will be available for sale at the ECU Holiday sale and Brody School of Medicine sale. 

Also used a new faceted flourite stone for the crow claw pendant below.  Next week is going to be really crazy but I'm ready for it! And excited. 

Thanks for reading and I hope all of you had a happy Thanksgiving!

The Hunted Triple Crow Claw ring in sterling silver.

The Hunted Crow claw pendant in sterling silver, with the makers mark stamp.

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Black Friday SALE

 

It's here: BLACK FRIDAY!

And I'm joining in on all the sales and offering the biggest discount - 30% off

Use coupon code: BLK30 for today ONLY.

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ECU School of Art and Design HOLIDAY SALE

 

It's coming...SALES! Ha, I almost feel like it's a monster, in a good/crazy/busy way. 

Hope you can make it to our infamous sale, I always end up spending half of my sale money on 

pieces of art work at the sale too!

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Alabama Shakin'it

Ya'll know the dealio, I'll be DJing sweet smooth tunes like this today, from 4-6pm on ECU's college radio station, WZMB 91.3, don't fret you can listen online - we livestream!
 
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The Forgotten

'Lo olvidado', Joyas Sensacionales // Lalabeyou from Laura González on Vimeo.

I really enjoyed the way the necklaces were displayed on the table in the room, and of course the interviews!
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Numen: Divine Will or Power

I got all my postcard & poster proofs yesterday and they're off to the printers!  It's all happening within a matter of weeks.  Above is my schedule for holiday sales and events.  I'm very excited but overwhelmed, there is still so much to do!

And my Senior Exhibition postcard.  Timothy Weaver did a great job designing the cards and poster for me.

Thanks for reading!

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One Of A Kind

Such a brilliant concept, I've been tracking this site for awhile now...maybe I can get a limited edition piece on their site? 
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Eilisain Jewelry Newsletter!

Subscribe to the Eilisain Jewelry newsletter

Just created an account with Mailchimp...has taken me about 3+ hours to set it up.

If you'd like to receive exclusive offers on my jewelry - sign up today!
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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.
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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.
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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!  

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Guide to life

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

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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!

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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.

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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

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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

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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. 

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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.

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