How to shop intentionally...for the greater good

I was thinking about this several weeks ago as I was preparing to shop for birthday gifts. And how it may benefit YOU on how I shop intentionally.

BENEFITS for you to shopping intentionally:

• You create a stronger bond with your community

• You create a story of where the gift came from

• You save money & time

Okay so WHAT IS shopping intentionally? It’s exactly that, shopping with presence & love. Before you even step outside of your home, create a list. I do this with my morning coffee, or as I’m planning my day. I create a list of what I need and how I can use my errands or work trips to maximize my time.

YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS - PLAN IT WISELY.

Grab a reusable shopping bag & your face mask, this saves you time, each other & the planet. Hit up your local weekly market or craft show. There are A TON of craft shows going on right now, especially as so many small businesses are ready to recoup lost sales from last year (I felt that hard).

Buying locally made products impacts your community on so many levels, but the biggest reason to support local is you tell your friend a story, where you got it, who made it. We really need this right now as the world has shown us through the pandemic how much we truly need each other.

Now I do understand many of you or some of you do not like big crowds, especially now, you can still shop VIRTUALLY, so many artists & entrepreneurs like myself are hosting virtual shopping experiences. Or just shop directly on their website..

I made a decision about two years ago to never shop on Amazon and it has been amazing and still SUPER EASY & CONVENTIENT for me to NOT support Amazon and their terrible working conditions.

Here’s the honest truth, we VOTE & support people with where we shop. For example refusing to purchase prodcuts with harmful ingredients, terrible working conditions enable us to be in control.

You have all the answers you need...with your Third Eye

Really vibing with the Third Eye large earrings

Our world would be in such a better place if we all took at the very least 15 minutes a day to meditate. We’d have time to allow our mind to process and sift thru the events of our life. Here’s an example, when I get quiet in the morning later in the day I’m able to harness that inner calm and compass to react to any last minute stress or anxiety.

With that said, it certainly does help to have a reminder to stop, think and process. That’s why when I created this design very organically I decided to keep it going. The evil eye motif has shown up in my life in the most subtle ways, from purchasing objects with the motif to all the inner work I’ve been doing over the past two years.

You see (get it?) signs have a way of repeating themselves, the universe wants us to achieve our goals and they will signal to us to listen…we just tend to ignore them!!

The Third Eye collection features a collection of jewels, from earrings to rings and bracelets and LOTS of necklaces. These jewels will aid you in remembering to get quiet, think about what’s going on in your life and ways you can progress or resolves issues.

The necklaces feature stones such as lapis lazuli, azurite and perhaps malachite. The Third Eye Collection will be released on the next New Moon Tuesday, May 11th.

There will be a PREORDER option on Tuesday May 4th, this will allow you to preorder before the sale goes live. Sign up at the link below to get the info.

Five Local Photographers You Should Know and Work With

In our day and age of consuming images and technology, a good photographer has never been more important. Not just that, the people behind the camera are even more important.

As a creative and jeweler I come in contact with many photographers and I have an impressive roster of super talented friends that know how to capture just the right image.

I’ve worked with the following individuals in different capacities, either for my jewelry brand or personally and they are each talented in a different way. Depending on the occasion, you want a photographer that knows how to set the scene or catch a certain pose and make sure you don’t have lipstick on your teeth!

1. Aileen Devlin - Ya’ll know she is my go-to woman for all my incredible up close jewelry shots. And this badass isn’t afraid to tell you how to switch up the look or smile etc. Aileen and I have worked together since the inception of my business and I trust her completely. Oh AND Aileen now shoots videos!

2. Sim Asher - We’ve also worked together since 2012, Sim has a great eye for scenic shots and infusing an image with additional moodiness. Sim also is creative in creating strange and dreamy shots.

3. Courtney Kerr - My fellow momboss shoots family and solo portraits and she is so good at making you feel comfortable and at ease. Courtney shot our family images and I was so pleased with the naturalness of our pictures, ones we will treasure for a long time.

4. Gigi Hoggard - This lady knows how to sprinkle magic dust on her shoots, she will make you into Snow White, a Viking or a Prince. Seriously, Gigi creates the most stunning and enchanting images with her editing skills. She is also ridiculously funny and entertaining. You will have a blast with her!

5. Carley Page Summers - Carley is a triple threat, she styles, shoots and shops for your home and photos. Technically I didn’t work with Carley on a photoshoot BUT she styled one of my trunk shows and honestly, I don’t need to work with her to know this woman has MAD design and photo skills. You will be taken to a serene and calm world with Carley!

It’s hard to decide my favorite Aileen Devlin image but this is in the top ten.

Aileen Devlin takes immense care in setting up a shot. A mega skill of good photographers.

Love this dreamy shot of Ashleigh in the woods by Sim Asher.

Sim works his best in the outdoors, he makes any outdoors scene otherwordly.

I am IN LOVE with the shots Courtney Kerr took of us. Look at how happy we are?!

Courtney Kerr is such a pro, she helps relax a family by shooting in their habitat.

Summoning all the magic with Gigi Hoggard, how wicked is this shot?

Gigi is one of those people that will get down and dirty to capture the essence of her subjects. And she sprinkles that magic dust to make the shot GLOW!

See the gorgeous blankets, plants and vibe? That’s Carley, literally in the background.

As soon as I met Carley I felt all this stylish, elegance and fun vibes from her, and so will you.

So that wraps this post on my favorite LOCAL Eastern North Carolina based photographers. There is so much talent in our region, which is why I post about it so much. Take this opportunity and book one of these awesome individuals because their calendars fill up fast!

Flashback to the Time I Co-produced a Fashion Show - Aurelian Nights

Confession time - I fancy myself fashion designing. When I was in early middle school, about twelve years old I dreamed of being on MTV House of Style or Fashion File - the big fashion shows on television. I would dream up weird yet artistic outfits. Once I sketched a harlequin ensemble! It was super cheesy but interesting.

Local college students, business owners and more were models for the event. We even had them walk down the street to promote the event.

So it’s no surprise that I finally lived out part of that dream in working on a jewelry and fashion show with my good friend Paula Chrismon. At the time, five years ago Paula owned a consignment boutique in Uptown Greenville and I had my studio at Art Avenue. And I loved the idea of merging the two, consignment fashion with art jewelry. Paula provided the clothing and shoes, while I worked with some of my art jeweler friends to provide the mega jewels. And all of the clothing and jewelry would be black and gold. Hence the name Aurelian (translates to Golden).

We worked it out that we secured sponsorships from local business’ at three monetary levels, $50, $75 and $100 this was able to pay for our lookbook, video, food and signage. It was probably one of the most ambitious and gratifying projects I’ve ever worked on. We were able to generate so much interest and attendance in the show that we were bursting at the seems, and mind you we didn’t charge an entrance fee for the event.

We even made a video, for which I’m so proud and happy we did. The video combined our love of fashion and production. You can watch it below.

Me with my friend Gabi. The show was the talk of the town.

Danielle James necklace - how amazing and cool is the way she created a brick window into a necklace?

I enlisted my friends to sell and promote the jewelry.

When I recall this amazing event Paula and I put together I’m struck by how much I loved working with my friends and community in showcasing local talent. Granted it was alot of work however the fashion show elevated the status of consignment fashion and art jewelry. I think it’s so important to remove the curtain in a sense of art, to show it as everyday.

I’m hoping that I can work with other talented individuals in my new town of Farmville. What I’ve learned over the years is that when I work with others it makes a project not only more fun and enjoyable but also it creates alliances and new relationships that didn’t exist previously and those relationships carry over into future collaborations.

As always, thank you for reading and you can learn more about my projects and events below.

Introducing My Wedding Jewelry Page

It’s about time I dedicated one spot on my website for you to shop my ‘wedding’ jewelry. I put that in quotes because if you want, ANY of my jewelry could be wedding jewelry. But honestly, if it makes it easier for you to shop specifically wedding styles then, duh? why not?!!!

I also wanted to highlight some of the custom wedding pieces I’ve created over the years. As you’ve read here before I truly enjoy the process of creating special ritual jewelry - and probably the biggest ritual of our lives will be a wedding!

The earrings below were created as a set for a client who had a perfect set of london blue topaz stones for earrings, a ring and a necklace. These were cast in 18kt karat yellow gold. Aren’t they stunning? I’ll be honest I was a nervous wreck setting them!

“Nontraditional wedding jewelry truly gives you so much more meaning and when YOU are involved in the design process it adds even more intention and joy. ”

— Lisette Fee

Here are the London Blue topaz talon and crow claw bridal set.

Now when it comes to custom orders I always want to err on the caution of enough time, so please do make sure when you are thinking about a custom order that you plan about 3-4 months buffer time. This gives me time to sketch and design, consult with you and then create the pieces.

Nontraditional wedding jewelry truly gives you so much more meaning and when YOU are involved in the design process it adds even more intention and joy.

I also want to add that I’ve created jewelry pieces for the bridal party. One of my clients loves amethyst so I used a small yet sizable amethyst around a simple design piece so that each member of the party felt the appreciation of the bride. I’m more than happy to work around your budget and style - as long as it’s within the realm of Eilisain jewelry.

How cute is this couple?! They got engaged two years ago over the holidays.

Longtime Eilisain Jewelry customers Zach and Maggie got engaged a year ago and Zach had begun the custom order process well in advance to prepare for his proposal. I was so very honored to create the Brigid bridal ring that has cat claws clutching a herkimer diamond. There they are above celebrating. Somedays I honestly can’t believe I get to create jewelry for couples in love!

Wedding season is just around the corner, and I’m here for your BADASS jewelry needs! I’m available for in person consultations, phone calls or emails. Here is a handy form to help you in the process.

Hibernation Recharging Mode

Are ya'll done with winter yet? I bet many of you are but I can't help but feel grateful for this time that keeps us all inside!

A print of a bear on lace, I did this for my screenprinting class at ECU in 2011.

Just as a grizzly bear goes into 'torpor' sleeping through the winter, many of us use this dark and cold time to work on projects and inner self.  I've been studying tarot again (I initially began tarot over 15 years ago), working on home projects such as purging and cleaning up my studio and eating healthy.  It's been good to get myself organized and back on a schedule.

It's what we can learn from a totem animal such as a bear.  it amazes me that such a large animal is a fast runner?! It's one of those characteristics and strengths of a bear that we can use for ourselves.  Storing up our energy, and preparing for the spring and summer.   Other animals that utilize the wintertime are snakes.  They also hibernate and go underground. 

My first photoshoot shot by Sim Asher. 

The bear claw charm that I cast is a smaller bear claw that came from one found in eastern North Carolina.  I find it comforting and symbolic of winter. 

So take ease, enjoy this time and think on the bear when you feel fed up with winter!

The Holiday Gift Guide is Here!

I'm seriously baffled at how quickly the holidays arrived....AND that it's time to get those holiday gifts.

I put together a short and sweet guide of some of my best sellers and new pieces to add to your holiday gift inventory. 

Some other very important dates to remember this upcoming Thanksgiving week:

Black Friday - November 24th - ONE DAY ONLY - 40% off EVERYTHING.  But you've got to be on my email list to get the code.
Small Business Saturday or CATurday - FREE pair of bronze cat claw earrings with any purchase over $100.  These make purrrfect stocking stuffers.
Cyber Monday - FREE Eilisain Jewelry stamped polishing cloth with any online order (trust me, you'll want a polishing cloth for all your jewelry)

One last thing - THANK YOU for shopping handmade and local this holiday season, you are pretty much helping your neighbor and community.  More revenue goes back into your hometown with dollars that are spent on local business. 

Five Holiday Tips for Purchasing Jewelry as a Gift

Can you believe it, the holidays are nearly here, in my head they are already here! I'm in holiday show prep mode but I'm also thinking - I've got to get my holiday gifts in order.

With that said, I'm sure you're also planning gifts and we all need a bit of help and advice when it comes to jewelry especially as a gift.  So here are my tips for purchasing for a loved one.

1.  When in doubt, buy a necklace - Why? Because you don't need any sort of measurements (except for maybe chain length) but really a necklace is super easy and one that most people love.

2.  Observe what kind of metal they like - Some people are strictly gold or silver and some love both.  Pay attention to what they wear on a daily basis then pick your metal.

3.   Order three to four weeks ahead of the holidays - As you know we're all in prep mode so it can take a bit longer to get your orders out the door and in your loved ones hands.

4.   Gems catch the eye - Who doesn't love bling? If you can purchase a piece with some stones or ones that are their birthstone, this is usually a big hit with women.

5.    Know the gift receipts and exchange policies - Most jewelers do not offer returns, especially small business BUT you can usually get a gift receipt or exchange receipt just in case your recipient isn't completely happy.

I hope these tips help you this holiday season and if you have any questions or additional tips - let me know!

And here's your chance to get some holiday shopping done now - click the button below.