Memento Exhibition

Equinox Gallery consistently has well curated and meaningful exhibitions and I love participating in them.  My favorite exhibition to participate is during the Dia de los Muertos events.  

Below is the postcard for the exhibition events happening in a week.  I'm honored to be among such talented artists and friends like Avery Lucas and Lorena Angulo.  

You can view more of the artists exhibiting at Equinox here. 

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The importance of small boutiques and galleries

Over the past two years I've been working hard to establish my jewelry line and get it out to the public.  One of the most essential parts of doing that is working with independent and small galleries such as Equinox Gallery in San Antonio and Ghost Gallery in Seattle (and the many other places, including online).  I've come to realize how important they are and many other independent retailers.  

It's a very symbiotic relationship, without jewelers and makers like myself these galleries wouldn't have the fresh talent to show their customers and without galleries like them I wouldn't expose my work to new customers.  In that sense I'm so grateful for them.  I also understand more of what it takes to run a gallery, studio and events since co-opting at Art Avenue.  

The hard part is getting the community to understand just how crucial to people and the community small business' are to the economy.  I try to stress this with my friends and family that aren't as into the handmade community as I am, but it's hard when you've got the Family Dollar down the road.  

So here's my soapbox message for today, think hard about every purchase you make because there is a history to it.  Such as the on trend blouse you get at the mall that was manufactured in China, that supports the big business and yet doesn't give much to the poor people that made it.  However, when you drop say $25 or $50 on that ceramic mug your local artisan made it goes to an artist that pays his rent, shops locally and puts that same money back into the community.  

*many ECU alumni are represented by this Equniox Gallery

Laurie Kearney, owner of Ghost Gallery has a super keen eye for artwork

My beaver teeth earrings (ethically sourced - no animals harmed) now being sold at Equinox Gallery.
Image by Equinox Gallery

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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 couple of things

So as you can imagine, with the holidays coming up...these next several months are going to be insanely busy.  But I don't mind, it's great to have a challenge and work towards finishing projects.

Not only am I getting ready for holiday sales but also some great exhibition opportunities.  I've been invited to participate in Kathleen Sommers 5th annual bracelet show, SO psyched about this opportunity and I just discovered that my Maybe Sparrow necklace was featured on the exhibition postcard for the Dia de Los Muertos event at Equinox Gallery!

I'm also preparing work to send off to several new galleries, Twilight Gallery in Seattle and Michele Tuegel Contemporary Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida.  I have been seriously blessed this year.  

Photo taken by Ken Bova.  Maybe Sparrow necklace, 2013.

Thank you for reading and for YOUR support!
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Dia de Los Muertos exhibition

The post card for the exhibition I'm participating in, I'm in very good company! As you saw in an earlier post, my Maybe Sparrow necklace is part of the exhibition.  I wish I could be in San Antonio to see the exhibition in person.  

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Maybe Sparrow

 I love it when I'm offered/invited to participate in an exhibition because it gives me the opportunity and excuse to create a one of a kind piece that deviates a bit from what I normally make.  In essence, I get to play and that is always fun!

Every year Equinox Gallery in San Antonio, TX  participates and hosts a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition.  This year, I wanted my piece to not be the traditional Catrina (mistress of the dead) or something so identifiable.  I also wanted to use the bird bones and skull that my future mother in law gifted me (she always finds some cool dead animal on their property).

I incorporated my signature Vespa shape, the pentagon, to highlight the skull.  I named this piece Maybe Sparrow after one of my favorite Neko Case songs; I'm just so pleased with this piece.  I hope you like it too!

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 cast bird bones in sterling silver and bird skull in bronze.
Photo by Lisette Fee, all rights reserved. 

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 

Maybe Sparrow, 2013 

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Keep it in the Can

*Video taken by Lorena Angulo

Several months ago, Laura Wood of Equinox Gallery contacted a group of artists to submit pins for a special surprise for Bob Ebendorf, whom would be presenting an exhibition & workshop at Equinox, Keep it in the Can, just last weekend.  The above video is Bob's reaction to the surprise.

Bob is beloved by so many in the metals community, he has such a wonderful way of connecting with people and making you feel wonderful and curious about the world.

I was very honored to be able to give him a gift of gratitude.  Below is the pin I made, with the Resurrection beetle and an amethyst point.  I felt it was so appropriate to use the beetle in the pin as Bob has resurrected his career many times throughout his life, and I wanted it to signify that.

The pin I made for Bob Ebendorf.

There is a wonderful catalog that Equinox created with images of all the pins made for Bob, you can order one from Equinox by emailing them: equinoxexhibitions@gmail.com.  The catalogs are only $10! I am ordering one today and can't wait to see all the beautiful pins made in honor of Bob Ebendorf.

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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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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. 
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The owl talon ring gets around

Laura Wood wearing her new owl talon ring with a green apphylite stone.  We're trading rings and I'm so happy she loves it.  Her words: "Woot WHOOT! love my new bling to match my sexy earrings!"

Gettin' sassy in front of the camera.  Miss her spirit in the Gville 'hood

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Yet another awesome show/sale at Equinox Gallery. This is the first time I'll have my production jewelry sold at a Gallery/Boutique. I'm very excited and honored to be selling with such talented artists.

I'll be selling my Hunted line of jewelry, with my most popular item - owl talon earrings.

All jewelry sold will be under $100 - a great deal especially since it's all hand made!
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Noche del Broche - So many brooches!

You can view, some of the most amazing and intricate brooches I've ever seen on the Equinox Gallery website, here.

I truly am honored to be among such talented metalsmiths!

And this is the brooch I submitted.
Quite brooch happy!

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La Noche del Broche

Participating Artists:

Abigail Heuss

Alejandro Sifuentes

Amy Tavern

Andrew Kuebeck

Angela Bubash

Anne Fiala

Annie Pennington

Ashley Buchanan

Atsuko Taniguchi

Autumn Brown

Beverly Penn

Billie J Theide

Bob Ebendorf

Caroline Gore

Claudia Rush

Corey Ackelmire

Courtney Starrett

Cydney Romano

Linda Kay Darty

Dejan Jovanovic

Elizabeth Crandall

Emily Marquis

Galatea Kontos

Gary Schott

George Schroeder

Hannah Stein

Jacob Martin

James Thurman

Jason Stein

Jason Polasek

Jenn Wells

Jillian Palone

Justin Klocke

Kat Cole

Kate Codsen

Kathleen Janvier

Kelly Robinson

Ken Bova

Krista Coleman-Silvers

Laritza Garcia

Laura Wood

Leia Zumbro

Lin Stanionis

Lindsay Hendricks

Lisa Johnson

Lisette Fee

Liz Steiner

Louise Oppenheiner

Lydia Tjioe

Lynette Andreasen

Margot Wolf

Margit Morawietz

Marissa Saneholtz

Marjorie Schick

Marlene True

Mary Hallam Pearse

Masako Onodera

Melanie Smith

Melissa Walter

Mi-Sook Hur

Michael Dale Bernard

Michael Gayk

Micheal Parrett

Nathan Dube

Nicole DesChamps-Benke

Pat Gavin

Paulette Myers

Rachel Shimpock

Renee Settle-Sterling

Robert Diaz de Leon

Robert G Jackson

Robert Longyear

Sandra Zilker

Sara Brown

Sarah Holden

Sarah Roberts

Sarah West

Shalena White

Stephanie Voegele

Sun Kim

Sung Yeoul Lee

Tara Locklear

Tim Lazure

Tina Lazzarine

Tova Lund

As I'd mentioned in a previous post, I'm very honored to be a part of this exhibition with so many talented artists. It is a night to celebrate the brooch at Equinox Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. Such a great idea for an exhibition!

Laura Wood and Alejandro Sifuentes, owner of Equinox Gallery have been working hard to ensure a successful show - they will have live models wearing the brooches on the night of the show, December 2. If you live in the San Antonio area, you should go! I wish I could.

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