Washington DC City Paper featured the Brigid Bridal Collection

I have to say I've been quite fortunate to receive press lately, especially from participating in local craft shows.  Prior to the Crafty Bastards show in DC several weeks ago, I was contacted by the City Paper for images of my work to be included in the insert of their weekly publication.

And I simply love the way they paired Eilisain Jewelry with Heart of Gold headpieces, they look perfect together! And on the front page of the vendor sneak peek, it really made me happy.  

Brigid Collection rings, photo by Tara Locklear.

The awesome photo Tara Locklear took of the Brigid Rings

One other way I've been very fortunate is to have a fantastic photographer! Tara does such a great job of not only photographing my pieces in groups like the image above but she also edits them very well.   It's been such a relief to trust someone to know how to photograph my pieces just right and Tara get's it.  So if you ever need a person to photograph your work I highly recommend Tara Locklear!

As always, thanks for reading and stay beautiful!
xoxo
Lisette
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Fall Art Star Craft Bazaar

This year has been the year of shows, I've never done this many and it was a choice I made to get out more in the public and introduce my jewelry to people who normally wouldn't see it online or at my stockists.

And the hard working individuals that put these shows together are super awesome to work with.  Thus I'm happy to announce I was accepted to be a vendor at my second Art Star show in Philadelphia!  I had such a great time in May participating int the spring show that I definitely decided I had to do another one, especially for the holiday season.

Art Star Craft Bazaar poster (isn't it a great design?)

The event will be held at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153
$3 Door Fee to enter both the bazaar + the museum
(please note the museum normally charges a $12 admission fee,  but for our bazaar you will be able to get in for the discounted rate of $3. This includes admission to the bazaar AND the museum!)
Street Parking (free) or $5 to park all day in the Museum’s Parking Lot
Rain, Snow or Shine!

The Bast one of a kind necklace, $600.  Photo by Tara Locklear.

So if you live in Philly or know people there, please share this event and support the handmade movement!

Stay lovely ya'll,
Lisette
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ECU Metals symposium presenter lineup

Wow I can't believe it's October and I also can't believe that we're already seeing posts for the annual ECU Symposium 2016.

As usual I'm super excited for the symposium and seeing all my old friends/classmates as well as participating in all the great workshops.  Every year the metals grad students and undergrads do a killer job of presenting thoughtful discussions and selecting fantastic presenters.  The symposium is completely student run and I'm always amazed at how they cover every detail and make the school welcoming to so many attendees. 

I'm even more excited about the symposium as I'll be curating an exhibition in conjunction with the symposium that will be held at Art Avenue, of course?! I haven't curated an exhibition since Preyed Upon, which was back in 2012.

The Afterlife exhibition will display works/objects that give new life to the bones of the departed.  Bone art has existed for as long as humans have been alive and the significance to bones is deeply rooted in many cultures.  Over the past several years I've come across some amazing artists that use bone in such fascinating ways.  We will be releasing the call for entries soon, in the meantime I wanted to drop a lil hint.

Afterlife Exhibition print design by Kayla Staigvil

Sarah West represented at the Jewelry Edition pop up at the ECU Symposium 2015

As always, thanks for reading and stay lovely!
xoxo
Lisette
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Monsters Under the Bed exhibition opening tonight

The title for this exhibition is just too perfect for the Halloween season.  I'm happy to announce the Bast one of a kind necklace was accepted into this show.

Granted cats aren't monsters under the bed however ghosts do linger and perhaps even ghosts of animals? The First Friday Artwalk is this evening in Uptown Greenville and Monsters Under the Bed will be exhibiting at Art Avenue, you can RSVP for the event here. 

As I've written previously, Bast is the patron deity of cats in Egyptian culture and this cat specifically was the remains of my husbands family cat.  I'm paying her homage by having her next life be as a necklace.  But really what I felt was appropriate for the exhibition is that skulls and skeletons are spooky, they're hollow and bereft of life.  

If you're out and about tonight, please do stop by Art Avenue to see this very well curated exhibition; I already got a peak at some of the pieces and some are super haunting and a bit scary!

Bast necklace, 2015. Photo by Tara Locklear

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A day in the life series: Leslie Tharp, blacksmith

Welcome to my new monthly blog feature, a day in the life of an artist.  I want this feature to go into detail and elucidate what a day is like in our life, as one that makes art or creates for part of their income.  

Many of you are my friends, and or acquaintances and I know that we all juggle various roles and jobs.  So this series will give the public the real deal of what we go through on a daily basis to make art or handmade objects.  

My first guest is Leslie Tharp, blacksmith and part time singer (I kid, but it's really how we bonded at Penland).  You may recognize the name as I've mentioned Leslie several times on my blog.  I have a bit of a crush on her, she's just SO amazing! Okay so here goes, I'll get to the meat of the interview. 

Photo taken by Tukufu Imagery on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail in Atlanta, GA.

Artist name: Leslie Tharp       

Medium: Forged and Fabricated Metalwork 

Website: LeslieTharp.com

A simple yet pleasing design of a dinnertime chime.

1. Give us an idea of how a typical day begins for you?

WITH COFFEE. So much coffee. I’m a total morning person, so I like to do all my decision making and emailing first thing in the morning, jacked up on caffeine. Once I get good and twitchy I’ll grab some snacks and head to the shop.

2. Do you have a personal studio space or area in your home where you work?

I have an office space and painting area in my house, and a separate metal shop I work in about 15 minutes away.

3. What are some personal rituals or habits you maintain to keep the creative juices flowing?

I try to make time for at least one all-day outdoor activity a week. Getting out to the water helps me stayed balanced. Other than canoeing and fishing, I enjoy mixing up my tasks throughout the week so things don’t get too redundant. I’ll work on one project one day and then a totally different project the next, unless I’m on deadline than it’s time to push everything to the side and werk.

4. Who/what are your sources of inspiration?

Adventuring outdoors, attending low budget performances and music shows, obsessively watching blacksmithing YouTube videos, and carving out time to play in the shop – especially with artist friends who challenge my skill level- all this helps me to push myself and explore new ideas.

5. Which artists do you admire and aspire to be like?

Oh man, all of them. I see craftsmanship that I aspire to in the work of so many. I see a creative understanding of resources in the field and how to attain them to support your making practice by so many successful artists who really know how to make their practice work for them. And at the same time I take lessons from those who prefer to separate the headache of funding and making their art, and just create, whether it’s bought or not.

6. What is your favorite studio snack?

Bananas with peanut butter on top.

7. Whose studio space do you envy?

Any metalsmith with a studio larger than mine, and especially if they have cranes and stuff. I want cranes and stuff. Oh and if it’s on a big ol plot of land. I want that too!

8. What is your favorite time of the day to work?

Mornings!

LOVE this piece, it'd looks so lovely at my future home.

Another beautiful installation created by Leslie.

Thanks so much for reading and stay lovely!

xoxo

Lisette

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