Valkyrie Collection SS14 coming soon

These past several days have been so busy; I'm prepping final pieces for a photoshoot for the debut of the Valkyrie Collection, May 5th.  The photoshoot is this weekend, so I need to get as many pieces done as possible.  Without having an assistant, you can imagine my stress level, somedays I feel completely overwhelmed and other days I'm so proud of how I do it all! 

There are several pieces of inspiration for this new collection, I wanted it to reflect the overall aesthetic of Eilisain Jewelry, inspiration and mythology, but also one of hope and renewal of the spring and summer months.  I can't say that my recent obsession with History channel tv show Vikings hasn't come in to play, but the final decision for the collections name came from a Goddess card deck that I always go to for wisdom and advice.  The Valkyrie is the Goddess of the afterlife, she guides the dead to the underworld.   Though many would associate death with the end of life, I've felt that is is a new beginning, one that is shrouded in mystery as really we do not know what happens afterwards.  

With this collection I'm also using faceted gemstones, forged sterling silver and gold filled copper.  I wanted a mix of materials that represent this ideal of renewal and growth.  I hope you like this sneak peak of it, I'll keep you posted over the next month, as it will be debuting in Italy for the Origins fair.  

As always, thank you for reading! 

Valkyrie ring, sterling silver and faceted amethyst.  Photo by Lisette Fee, 2014

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Cement + Jewelry = very cool

Jim Cotter is quite a rebel in the art jewelry field; he does alot of experimentation and loves working with uncommon materials, such as cement.  

I received word that my good friend Tara Locklear is assisting Jim this summer, and of course had to share it with you.  From what I've heard, Haystack Mountain School of Craft is a beautiful retreat to work in.  Check it out and sign up for this awesome class!

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featured in French Elle magazine

Yesterday I received  exciting news, The Hunted Crow Claw ring was featured in the January 2014 issue of French Elle magazine! This is the first, major publication feature for Eilisain Jewelry and I could not be happier that it'd be in the pages of Elle, one of my favorite fashion mags.  

Below is the clip of the feature.  This comes from the wonderful partnership with Boticca, they have a showroom in Paris and invited fashion and accessory editors to view jewelry from their designers, and I was one of them!

The Hunted sterling silver crow claw ring with amethyst.  

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Well hello there

A photo Art Avenue intern Ryan snapped of me.  Just hangin' out in front of the jewelry.

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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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