A Red, Red Rose

Who doesn't love roses? Speaking of which, I need to buy some soon.  I love having flowers around, it's just calming.  And I'm lucky that with our new house we have rose bushes by our front door entrance. 

Spring is just around the corner, and with that comes all the gorgeous blooming, freshness that we've come to expect.  And that also means Valentine's Day and Wedding season!! Yes, yes, valentine's day is VERY commercialized, I know, but in defense it's honestly fun to share love and appreciation for people you care about - not just partners. 

I just participated in my first bridal show last weekend, and it was SO much fun! It was an indie show meaning - alterna - not your typical bridal show (which I'll be honest I've never been to one, but I know it wasn't as cool and hip as this one).  The Bourbon Bridal show featured vendors that aren't your typical bridal fare, run of the mill.  Participating in the show makes me want to get married all over again!  And I'm happy to say, the organizers of the show will be doing it again - biannually.  

It did get me thinking about all the times I have made rings and jewelry for weddings over the years and it is such a special treat! My first was back in northern Virginia when I was just beginning my education in jewelry, i was commissioned to make earrings and necklaces for the bridesmaids of my coworkers.  I made delicate dangle earrings with grey and blue crystal beads almost mimicking grape vines. 

With that said, I want you to know that I'm here for you for your wedding and Valentine's day needs - but if you are planning to order jewelry please ORDER now, so we can get it to you in time!  And I do love doing custom orders, we can select a special stone, setting and finish for your piece. 

Take a minute and watch one of my favorite videos of the Brigid Bridal Collection - super romantic, dreamy and lovey-dovey (I'm a die hard romantic, can't you tell?)

The Brigid Collection is not just a bridal collection but jewelry that is for lovers and dreamers; these pieces are romantic and fulflill that part in all of us that believes in everlasting love. The collection is named after the Celtic Goddess Brigid, she is also known as the triune patron deity of healing, smiths and fertility and poetry.

Surrounding Yourself With Beautiful Objects

I'm in TOTAL NESTING mode - as ya'll know I'm pregnant (7 months to be specific) and my husband and I moved into our newly purchased home last year in August.  Since that time I've slowly decorated and painted several rooms in our house. 

I'd never been able to paint any of the rooms I lived in because I rented but now, I'm crazy about using colors (hence my previous post).  And not just colors but artwork that inspires me and makes me happy or serene.  I love looking at my walls and seeing artwork by other makers and people that are talented and create beauty in the world.  I consider it an investment in my happiness and gallery of objects.  I grew up this way, my parents traveled often due to my Dad being in the army and they purchased beautiful pieces of furniture, jewelry and objects from Japan, Taiwan, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Panama...the list goes on and on. 

Thus, I have a brief list of new artists I've discovered that I've either acquired pieces or plan to.

1.  Christina Mrozik - Absolutely stunning hand drawn artwork that reflects beauty in death and animal still life.  Her use of opposing colors (bright versus dark) and shading is exquisite.  I'm very excited that I'll be acquiring one of her pieces in the not too distant future!

EEEk! I'm getting this one soon!

2.  Yoann Lossel - Yoann's pieces reflect an ancient quality, one that seems as though the scenes he captured actually happened.  I find that I could create an entire story just looking at his prints.  I just receieved La Morrigan in the mail!!! I can't wait to frame it and hang it up.

I plan on purchasing this one soon!

3.  Silver Linings Ceramics by Katie Marks - This artist creates intricate crystal and gold leafed ceramics and when they are listed on her Etsy site, they are snapped in SECONDS, meaning you have to watch her like a hawk when her pieces are listed.  I doubt I'll ever get one but it's a dream to have her crystal mug - to not even drink out of it but just to behold it and own it!

4.  Tanel Veenre - I've long admired Tanel's dreamy pieces.  He's a poet too.  He writes as if speaking of other dimensions, which his jewelry pieces also reflect.  Tanel composes jewelry that are disparate but seemingly well paired and appropriate.  Being from Estonia, there is an ethereal quality to all his adornment.  I don't think I'll ever own one of his pieces, for now I am happy with one of his books. 

Globus Gruciger - My Kingdom 2011/12

I hope you enjoyed my post of beautiful things - we all need that in our life!

thanks for reading.

The Effect Color Has On Us

I've been thinking alot about colors, mainly because I'm shopping for new stones for the Ursula Collection (release mid March) and also picking out paint for our bedroom.

A hand selected azurite stone.  I had to purchase for the gorgeous colors!

I definitely tend to go for the same colors over the years - mainly purple, green and blues but honestly I love all the colors of the rainbow in varying intensities and shades.  And I've actively been trying to use new stones and colors in my jewelry because it's fun and I know often times you want a deep blood red or a vibrant blue.  Even tho my hand will automatically reach for the brilliant purple!

I also think often of color when I want to convey a message or exude an attitude.  One time I was feeling insecure at one of my old jobs, and I decided that day I'd wear my red cinnabar carved dragon pendant.  The red for power and confidence and also because it's a super cool pendant.  Or my favorite badass outfit is all black - black leather jacket, boots and black jeans. 

One of my favorite images from the Valkyrie Collection, SS14.  Isn't the moss green agate beautiful? And her red hair?!

Maybe you don't consciously think about color but on a deeper level color chooses us - we are subconsciously affected by deep greens and blues when we're out in nature and the woods.  It's no wonder green has a calming affect on our psyche.  I just recently watched a video on how woods and nature is necessary for humans to declutter our minds.  

As you probably noticed, I love shooting outside with gorgeous pops of green!

So if you don't think about color often, try using it when you need a certain type of energy in your day.  Orange for happiness and vitality, yellow for friendliness or brown to ground you.  Especially think of color on a permanent level, such as your house! I chose a beautiful lavender/plum color for my future daughters room because I wanted both her and I to feel calm and serenity - especially for the days when she is screaming or crying!

As always - thank you for reading!

The Third Element

If you live on the upper/mid east coast or midwest you probably got snow this past weekend, and wasn't it lovely?  We don't get much snow in eastern North Carolina or NC for that matter but when we do we celebrate and worry about it endlessly.  I took this time to begin planning, planning and more planning for the next couple of months and the year ahead. 

At Art Avenue in Uptown Greenville four years ago. 

That's what I love about this time of year, I used to not be such a planner but over the years I've come to relish reviewing my goals and dreams and putting them into perspective.   We can start over again, in a sense and have a clean slate.  I'll admit it can be overwhelming but if you take goals and break them down into pieces, it's much more digestible. 

I experienced many changes last year, moving my studio into my new home and participating in new shows.  Some were worthwhile and others perhaps not.

With that said, I want to take this opportunity to let you in on my goals and changes for Eilisain this year. 

1.  Less craft shows with emphasis on local events and shows. 
As you can imagine with a baby coming this year I'll be hunkering down at home, but I'd still like to have local and statewide visibility.  I began cutting back on shows last year, as much as I loved traveling up the east coast, it simply was not feasible. 

2.  More of an insiders experience online. 
With less exposure out in the show circuit, I still want to give you an experience of what it's like wearing and feeling Eilisain Jewelry.  I'll provide videos and ways for you to wear Eilisain.  Along with more feedback and reviews of pieces and collections.

3.  Prices will go up. 
This will probably catch your attention; as with everything in our economy and life, prices of our jewelry will go up but not significantly.  With some of my most popular pieces, specifically the owl talon pieces I've held those prices in places for the past four years.   Changes in price will occur in mid February, after our Valentines day sale.  So take advantage now until then!

4.  Finally, a new collection release!
I was quite bad about this last year, I just couldn't get a new one together but this year my goal is to continue with two new collections with dreamy photos and video.  It's not the easiest feat to get them done but I know you love it and so do I! I'm already in the stages of working on the Spring/Summer 2017 collection.

5.  Meditation and dreamtime
I wrote about this in my previous posts; and I imagine it'll be even more of a challenge with a baby around, however I really want to increase and devote more time to meditation, reading and listening to my inner teacher and voice.  This not only helps me personally but also with Eilisain.  Both are directly connected, Eilisain is a vision of my dreams and hopes. 

After reading all of this, you're probably thinking, umm okay but what does the 'third element have to do with goal setting'?  I like to think of it as an overarching theme,  three is a powerful number and for this it means to me several - body, mind and spirit, a baby making our family three, my three cats (I kid), holy trinity, the three planes of existence, etc. 

So stay with me in reading the Eilisain blog and I'll take you on this journey!

And thank you for reading.