Gender Norms Don't Apply

I've said it numerous times, Eilisain Jewelry is unisex and can be worn so well on our male counterparts.  Granted, it takes the right kind of swagger and style to carry it. 

Thus I loved seeing these fantastic shots by photographer Seth Farmer of musician Sam Ryder wearing several of the Hunted pieces.  If I do say so myself, Sam Ryder looks quite attractive and irresistible modeling them.

Photo by Seth Farmer, model Sam Ryder, styled by Amber Chapman.

Photo by Seth Farmer, model Sam Ryder, styled by Amber Chapman.

How awesome is it that you can share some of your favorite Eilisain pieces with your parther? I have several customers that do just that.  And when you really think of it, much of fashion is turning this way, a universal look interchangable and genderless.  There have been times where my own husband wants to wear my yoga pants!

Photo by Seth Farmer, model Sam Ryder, styled by Amber Chapman.

Photo by Seth Farmer, model Sam Ryder, styled by Amber Chapman.

I won't lie, men with long hair, tattoos and wearing jewelry is inherently sexy.  And Sam made the perfect model. 

I'm very fortunate to know people like Amber Chapman who use my jewelry in her shoots with her friends and artistic contacts.  Amber has been a fantastic stylist to work with, she's been doing it for awhile now.  She's worked with the likes of Reese Witherspoon and more.  Amber is based out of Nashville, and has roots with the great musicians there.  Check out her page, she's immensely talented!

Photo by Seth Farmer, model Sam Ryder, styled by Amber Chapman.

One last alluring shot! Hope you enjoyed this post. And if you’d like to keep up with more posts sign up for my email list below.

Erebus Pop Up Shop in London

One of my online stockists and a very posh one to say the least is having a fabulous holiday pop up shop in London beginning today and ending on November 18th! Erebus is known for it's avant-garde and slow fashion movement and I'm truly honored to be one of the featured artists.

The Ondine double ring in sterling silver.

I sent a small yet edited collection of pieces for visitors to touch and try on at the pop up shop, I really wish I could be there in person for the event.  It's been so long since I've been to London.  The energy and style of the Brit city is amazing. 

So if you're in London this weekend or in the next two weeks, stop by the pop up shop and check out the amazing and talented designers hand selected for this event!

All Souls Day and Samhain

Happy Samhain! It is still considered 'Halloween' by many Celts and Pagans.  As the day officially began when the sun sets.  There is a sense of intensity of life and the passage of death.  One of the aspects I most appreciate about the Celtic belief system is the way they honor death and believe it is part of the cycle we all must go through.  Death is one stage in our grand journey, and was more celebrated than mourned.  As it meant the soul was moving to a stage where they no longer worry about hunger, sickness or the other ills of life. 

Perhaps that is why death and the Otherworld hold such a fascination to me.  I'm a true believer in the afterlife, in karma and many other parallel worlds that exist while we are in this plane of existence.  I also feel it is why certain objects can possess the energy of the departed. When I studied cultural anthropology, the thread of commonality through several large civilizations in guiding their dead through through the afterlife with weapons and jewelry as well as clay earthenware is profound. 

I've often said that when I pass to the next world, I want to be put on a boat and set sail aflame as the Vikings once did.  Death is not easy for those who are left living but if we change our perception of what it means, perhaps we can let go off our loved ones more easily.

Song of the Weekend

It's been awhile since I posted a song on the ole' blog.  

For me nothing conjures up better theme songs than Halloween, there are so many great spooky, eery and haunted songs for this time of year!

Several years ago, one of my good friends Jett Harrell created several discs with Halloween theme and he really went with it, and of course this is one of the songs on the disc.  The tempo, the lyrics and theme are perfect for this weekend - roughly one week before HALLOWEEN!!!  I present Bauhaus "Bela Lugosi's Dead"

As many of you know, I used to DJ for the college radio station at ECU and I really loved it.  About 5 years ago, I was all about discovering weird and good music, I've lost my edge but that doesn't mean I don't love a jewel of a song. 

Being a child of the 80's I also have a soft spot for electronic, grunge and really all types of music.  So stay tuned because this will be a continuing theme as I'll share more gem finds (get the jewelry references?) over the next couple months.

Meditative Guide to Find Your Spirit Animal

Bast OOAK necklace, skull from a cat found in the wild.  Photo by Aileen Devlin.

Finding your spirit animal and learning about their strengths and weaknesses can help guide you in your life.  It has in my own, the beaver is the builder of dreams and has helped me build my own career and business.  The owl has deep insight and immense hearing, the cat is curious and patiently awaits to pounce. 

Here is a simple meditative guide I've used to find my spirit animal:

1. Find a quiet place to be alone, you'll need about 10-15 minutes to yourself.  Turn off any distractions.

2. Sit in a comfortable position or lay down. 

3. Center your mind, or quiet your mind.  Let go of your days worries and cares.  If a thought enters your mind, honor it then let it go.

4. Now picture a clearing in the woods, with a large tree.  It is an old tree and at it's base there is a dark opening, near the tree trunks.  Continue to focus on the tree and the stillness of the forest. 

5. When your spirit animal is ready, it will come from out of the dark opening of the tree.  Many times your animal will surprise you, it can be unexpected.  And also it can be your spirit animal for what you are going through in this time of your life.  Honor that animal and research it's qualities - positive and negative. 

Once you've found your spirit animal, obtain talismans or create ones that embody your totem.  So that you can call upon them when you need guidance, strength or any of the other amazing qualities of that animal. 

One of my totem animals, the Crow which I ran into quite often in the Pacific NW. 

You'll notice that once you open yourself up to your third eye (your inner teacher and guide) you become more centered, aware and cautious in your decisions.  You begin to listen to the cues. 

I hope this blog post and guide helps you in your life.  It's amazing what the effects of meditation and quiet time can do for your energy and soul.

Stay lovely -
Lisette

My Favorite Fall Rituals

I'm quite certain that many people love the fall because it's our entrance to our favorite holidays and our love of deep rooted rituals. 

The air is cooler, the leaves change to magnificent colors (if you're on the east coast) and we have the closing to the official end of the year - Samhain, the pagan holiday and truly what is now Halloween. 

The cauldron of brunswick stew.  My husbands families tradition of marking the fall season.

With that said I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Fall rituals.  Some are cliche and others are what I personally do to mark this season:

1.  Watch all of these movies, possibly several times: Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, Beetlejuice, Coraline, Pan's Labyrinth, Legend, Nightmare before Christmas, Willow, Witches, Clue, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire and of course the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  Can you tell I love fantasy movies?

2.  Decorate my entire house inside and out with not only Halloween themed decorations but Autumn colored items and fabrics.  I add additional candles to the living room, bedroom, kitchen...um everywhere!

3.  Make squash soup, spaghetti squash 'pasta', pumpkin cookies, pumpkin everything! It's the season of hearty meals. 

A housewarming gift to consecrate our new home, some of which I will use to mark Lammas/Lughnasadh.

4.  Perform a sabbath ritual, provide offerings and prayers to my gods as well as my ancestors.  Many religions perform seasonal rituals and it has been this way for ages; especially for people that live in agricultural communities.  From burning of the crops to provide fertilization of the next season to offering gifts to ancestors at churches. 

5.  And finally, holding a bonfire and roasting s'mores.  when my husband and I finally purchased a fire pit I was SO excited to sit outside by the fire and warm my hands and drink a beer or mulled wine. 

I hope you celebrate the season in your own way and enjoy the changes and joy of how our earth regenerates; could you imagine if it didn't?

'Ghouls' Just Wanna Have Fun

Is there ever a more appropriate time to bust out talon and crow claw jewelry?! Than the Autumn/Halloween season!

I've already got my decorations out and I'm unpacking my most sinister and daring jewelry as well.  Though many of you wear Eilisain Jewelry year round, some of you love to really deck it out this time of year.  It seems more and more people are reveling in the joy of the dark and magical aspects of autumn.  I do think it's because we keep it stashed throughout the year and there is something about the colors and fun of Halloween. 

So I wanted to share with you some of the best combinations I've seen bloggers and the media share of Eilisain Jewelry and their 'ghoulish' inspired posts.

Creamstyle blog post of a Maleficent inspired outfit featuring the Hunted Crow Claw Ring in sterling silver with amethyst.

The Resurrection Beetle Ring featured in a Ghost editorial spread.

Now, these outfit inspirations should really get YOU in the spooky mood - add a bit of ferocity and magic to your outfit - SHOP our jewelry today!

The Hunted Crow Claw Ring in sterling silver AND on SALE $175.

The Hunted II Double Owl Talon Arch Ring in bronze, $90.

Boutique Love - Emerge Pitt County Council of the Arts

This will be a new series, for as many boutiques and galleries that carry Eilisain, that highlight the amazingness of small business' and art galleries.

As you well know by now, I'm a BIG big supporter of shopping local and handmade as it's a key part of my business as well.   I've been working with, and for, Emerge PCCA for almost ten years now, since I moved to Greenville.  Emerge is one of the big champions of the arts in Greenville. They provide grants, classes and exposure for the up and coming artists that graduate from East Carolina University as well as artists in the Eastern Carolina region.

So when I left Art Avenue this summer, I needed a new space to carry Eilisain in Greenville.  I was very happy to have a select grouping of jewelry featured in the gallery space at Emerge.  They carry amazing art - most of which I want in my own home! Ceramics, paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. 

I also teach metal for beginners at Emerge, every Tuesday night and I love it! I love working with adults on how to manipulate metal and carry their skills in jewelry and metals further.  Most of my current students are also my friends.  We have great time, releasing the stress and everyday work burdens in making something with our hands. 

You can register for the next session of my class here.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Stay lovely friends!
xoxo
Lisette

My New Favorite Podcasts!

I've written about podcasts before, on my old blog.  And that was ages ago so I felt it time to give you an update on some of my new favorite podcasts to listen to in the studio or when I'm cooking.

I got into podcasts about a year ago and they are such a great alternative to music when I'm spending time in the studio, working on waxes or finishing jewelry.  So here goes - my new FAVORITE podcasts:

1.  Bitch Sesh - If you are a Real Housewives fan then you MUST, I repeat MUST LISTEN to Casey Shepard and Danielle Schneider's raucous review of the shows.  And even if you aren't a fan of RH you will still laugh at their hilarious antics and day-to-day life commentary.

2.  Thrive by Design - If you're in the jewelry biz or even an entrepreneur then you definitely want to subscribe to Tracey Matthews’ awesome podcast that provides super great advice and tips to running a creative business. I've learned SO MUCH from this podcast.  I mean, it's helped make me money!

3.  Girlboss radio with Sophia Amoruso - Sophia has become one of my go to shero's for mirroring how to run a small business, I mean, she came up with Nasty Gal and it's huge.  Sophia interviews all sorts of girl bosses - from Charlize Theron to Best Coast lead singer, Bethany Consentino.  It's super light-hearted and fun!

4.  The Read - I got a tip from my friend and fellow jeweler, Tara Locklear, to listen to the Read. It's SO refreshing and REAL.  Kid Fury and Crissle are so hilarious, they analyze and breakdown pop culture, hip hop and more. 

5.  Creative Pep Talk - Some days I really do need a pep talk: someone to tell me that the small business and creative life is worth it! And Creative Pep Talk truly gives me new insight into who I am as an artist and maker.  Andy J. Miller covers everything from therapy to breaking down the barriers when you're stuck in a rut.

xoxo
Lisette

For every season, turn, turn, turn...

Even though it isn't officially Autumn, it seems that just the fact that it's September feels like a shift in color, clothing and feelings.

Many changes are happening and it seems like it really hit just within the past several weeks.  My studio is now in my home, my schedule has changed AND my beloved intern is moving onto a new city and opportunity.  I'm quite sad, yet very happy for Ashton.  She has only been with me for a year but I've come to love having her in the studio helping me.  Honestly it wasn't just that she was helping me crank out work but that we felt like a team, that there was someone else there to share ideas and thoughts with. 

As you may gather, being a jeweler and a small business owner, it can get a bit lonely at times, and me being the social butterfly that I am - I love to flutter my wings and commiserate with others. 

Thus, this month I'll cherish every minute having her in the studio with me and give her a special send off.  Ashton will be moving to the grand city of Chicago to begin working with another talented jeweler.  I'll keep you posted and share with you of my studio happenings - SO STAY TUNED AND STAY LOVELY!

xoxo
Lisette

How a Custom Order Works at Eilisain

Custom orders are one of my favorite processes/parts of being a jeweler.  It's intimate and refreshing.  I get challenged and I get to make very special people happy with their very own custom designed piece of jewelry.

So how does the process go? Well, the first stage is really up to you, the client.  What do you envision? The color and type of stone, if you want a stone at all. And what metal?

Once I receive an email with the inquiry/request, I begin the process of asking these questions, along with providing a timeline.  Then when we set parameters, I provide a sketch or we’ll meet and discuss various versions of the final piece if the client is local. 

Many times I have clients come to me with a stone that they've had in their possession or inherited from a family member.  To me, this creates a sacred part of the jewelry.  To work around their special object is an honor for me. 

Throughout the entire process of working on their custom jewelry, I provide in progress photos and ask for their input.  I want to ensure that, when finished, they are completely satisfied with their custom jewelry order.

And if at any point throughout the design process my client isn't pleased OR I feel that our aesthetics don’t align, I am always happy to refer them to one of my many fellow friends/jewelers that can better assist their needs. 

I hope this post provides you with further insight into the custom jewelry design process as well as how I work with clients.  Perhaps in the future, you may want a piece designed.  Just shoot me an email, or call me!

Stay lovely dear friends!
Lisette

Moving Along

Gosh it's been a hot minute since I've blogged hasn't it? I can explain....I'm in the throes of moving my home and studio!

It's exciting but as you can imagine, a bit stressful and overwhelming.  Yet I could not be happier about this move.  My husband and I are purchasing our first home! And what's even better is my studio will be there as well. 

With that said, I am sad that I've moved out of Art Avenue in Uptown Greenville.  There have been so many amazing moments and memories in that studio.  I had my first exhibition there, my first fashion show...so many firsts!  But it's time to move on.  I've always been resistant to moving, as I did so much while growing up as an Army brat. Thus in my later years I like to stay put for longer periods of time. 

Next week on Monday, we will sign the papers and MOVE! Ahh, I'm dreading it but looking forward to it, if that makes sense.  Finally, no pesky neighbors, our own back yard, our own home! I do feel this is the final stage in adulting.  haha. 

So stay tuned, I'll be posting photos on social media of the new studio and digs. 

Stay lovely friends!
xoxo
Lisette

New Stocklist: EVERYDAY MAGIC

It's quite magical and fortuitous when you stumble upon a boutique that matches your aesthetic so perfectly.  Everyday Magic is a shop that not only carries wonderful and amazing products but also provides a space to learn the unknown.  Bakara Wintner reads tarot cards and provides workshops on tarot and divination.  I love that she combines her love of magic with providing wonderful products, such as crystals, prints, essential oils, terrariums and so much more!

Thus, Eilisain Jewelry is now sold in her spacious shop! And even better it’s in downtown Durham, North Carolina.  If you haven't been to Durham, you should visit, there’s so much culture and delicious food to take in. 

As always, thank you for reading!
xo - Lisette

History of Crows

Do you notice how often you spot a crow? I do, and lately it's been a lot! When I was in Canada last week, we stopped off on the side of the road to get a gorgeous view of the inlet and mountains near Squamish.  After we parked the car and walked around a bit, I noticed a very large crow in the parking lot, I was blown away by how huge and relaxed it was.  It couldn’t have been a crow.  Either way, I’m still not able get over the beauty of this black bird.

The natives of the Pacific Northwest revered the crow, as do many cultures.  They are prominent in the totem poles and mythology of the Squamish natives. 

Perhaps one of the most amazing qualities of the crow family of birds is how incredibly intelligent they are, and I do believe this is the major reason why they figure prominently in mythology.  Crows remember and connect with us, such as the little girl that kept bringing a crow food so that in return it would bring her gifts.  They can carry messages across long distances - even as far as death. 

What has your interaction been with the crow? Has it been positive or negative? Or do you simply revere it's intelligence and beauty?

As always, thank you for reading!
xo - Lisette