How to Create a Meditative Space

As I've told you in a previous blog post, this year I'm trying to meditate and take more quiet times throughout the day and week to pray and be quiet.  It's harder than you think, everyday I tell myself I'm going to meditate the first thing I do when I wake up and I have yet to do that!

However, i do much better at night, when I need to play out the scenes of the day.  I've also read that you don't need to be in a defined space to meditate or let your mind relax and wander.  You can do it at the park, on your lunch break, at your desk or even in your car.  The point is to allow your mind to 'rest'. 

It does help though to have a space carved out to meditate and relax.  It could be a corner in your room or living room.  But adding a few touches can truly help.

Buddha and a rosemary wreath my friends gifted me. 

1.  Setting the scene with ritual.  It could be lighting a candle or incense, pulling out your favorite blanket or pillow.  Rubbing scented oils on your pulse points.  Whatever it is, do one (or several) thing to put you in a meditative mood.  Ritual is very powerful when it comes to habits and a sense of serenity.

2.  Unplug completely.  Put your phone on vibrate, or do not disturb and put it in another room.  This is really essential to letting your mind and body rest.

3.  Make it completely comfortable.  Put on your pjs or leave them on, wear warm socks, or keep the air cool.  Surround yourself with lots of pillows.  You want to feel relaxed and sedated.

My 'grandma' chair and handmade pillow get me comfy and cozy for a tarot reading.

4.  Add special momentos in your space. It could be a photo of a beloved ancestor, or a rock you found on a hike.  Anything that brings back peaceful and happy memories is perfect for your meditative space.  I keep a photo of my me and my niece on my wedding day on the bookshelf next to my chair.  It fills me with happiness and joy just looking at it.

5.  Tell your partner or loved ones you need quiet and space to meditate.  This goes along with unplugging.  close the door or move cats, children and spouses out of your zone.  So that you can completely unwind. 

And one last word of advice, even if your mind wanders in the beginning, don't worry about it.  Often times our mind needs a moment to 'come down' for the activity of the day, to slowly allow the mind to shake off all the thoughts.  Then you can begin a ritual of connecting your body to the earth and the sky (my best way of getting into the meditative state).  Visualization really helps with this. 

I hope these tips help you to move into a state of peacefulness - meditation is like stretching, the more you do it the easier it becomes. 

thanks for reading!

For Your Galentine

I'm a big believer in female friendships; sounds corny to say but I love quality time with my girlfriends.  We can talk, and talk and talk and get complete understanding from each other when we may not get that from our boyfriends, husbands or significant others.  And it's not just that but it's more that understanding of what it's like to be a woman.

Cate, myself and Caroline, two of my favorite Galentine's!

So I propose that we show the love and appreciation for our girlfriends just as we would to our male counterparts.  Even if it's just a card, why not let them simply know that you love their friendship?  I grew up watching my Mom send thank you cards, little gifts and momentos to her own friends and family.  She made it a point to remember peoples birthdays.  And it has rubbed off on me.  And nowadays with the written word dwindling in favor of electronic correspondence it means even more to get that piece of snail mail.  I LOVE getting an envelope from a friend of family - because it's the first thing I open other than another bill!

Okay so to the point of this post, I have some suggestions of small yet memorable gifts to give the best babes in your life and the best part? They're all $20 and under!  So here they are:

1.  Cat claw earrings - This one is a no brainer, most of my girlfriends are cat lovers and these are super affordable and sweet. 

2.  Smudging Kit - Aroma and scents are very powerful, and what woman doesn't need a good cleansing of the spirit and home? These are only $10 and smell so earthy and good!

3.  A beautiful print - Just as much as I love a good scent, I also adore hand drawn prints.  It's calming to soak in an image of a powerful animal.  And Nest and Burrow prints have gorgeous detail.   I really love the Quietus of Munin crow print. 

4.  Wine profile card set - I got this for one of my girlfriends for Xmas and she loved it.  Most of my lady friends are wino's and it's fun and sweet.  Plus it passes on the point of sending out cards.  You could even use these to send to your galentine!

5.  Gem and Honey infused bath salts - I just bought these on my last visit to Everyday Magic and I love them! I'm a big bath person, it's my self care ritual and most women enjoy a good soak, with a glass of wine of course!  Your galentine needs that self care too. 

It's not too late too order any of these items and get them to your bestie - show her you appreciate all the times she listened to you and gave you advice or rescued you from a bad date!

Stone Cold Love

I recently had one of my friends solicit advice for warding off anxiety and stress.  Luckily I had my handy Gem and Stone book by Jen Altman.  Labradorite seemed like a perfect stone to aid her in calming her nerves and keeping her safe from negativity. 

One of a kind pendant with one of the prettiest labs I've worked with. 

And it had me thinking how could I help you and my other friends with their own ailments or everyday worries.  So I recreated a chart from Jen's book on stones for every zodiac sign. This can be a good reference for you when thinking about your own personal attachment to certain stones or researching them. 

I'm a Pisces and it makes total sense that I've always been attracted to amethyst, I love that purple color!!

I hope you enjoy and use this reference guide, and research more about your stones and how they can aid you.  I think right now, many of us can use that self care and inner reflection. 

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.

The Future is Now

This holiday season I was gifted a beautiful tarot deck, The Fountain Tarot and it came at the perfect time.  Many years ago I had begun my study of tarot and divination and I really loved it but I also found it intimidating.  One main reason why is that the reader must trust her own instincts.  Funny but most of us trust our own instincts on a daily basis without ever realizing it however when it comes to dissecting and breaking down signs, we struggle.  

Several Yule gifts, the Fountain Tarot deck, a beautiful print and a one of a kind pendant I made for my friend Amy.

So this year I'm making it a goal to study tarot more and divination.  You may think, oh that's for witches or 'hocus pocus' but divination has been a source of fantastic council and guidance for a very, very long time. 

And right now the tarot community has exploded! There are so many beautifully made decks and books that help guide you to a better understanding of what is happening in your life.  Think of tarot as a map that shows signs of where you're headed in your life but also a way to prevent toxic behavior or continue along the path of where you're going.  My favorite spread is the past/present/future, I find it gives me a brief snapshot of current situation. 

Very cool skull from Everyday Magic.

I'm super excited that towards the end of this month I'll be visiting my favorite esoteric shop, Everyday Magic with my friends.  And Bakara stocks an incredible array of tarot decks!  She also provides tarot readings and classes.  I wish I lived closer to Durham so I could participate.  Luckily I've met like minded people that share my love of tarot and we're planning to study together. 

I hope you take time out of your day to meditate and reflect on the signs and clues in your life that may not be so obvious; we all need a little bit of reflection and solitude to guide us. 

Dream a Little Dream

Now that most of us are recovering from Christmas and most of the holiday events, it's time to take a moment to appreciate our dreams.

Valkeryie Collection photo by Aileen Devlin.

I got some inspiration last night reading a new book and I got to a part where the author stresses the importance and meaning of dream time.  Intentional dreaming and the kind we have every night.  It got me thinking about the repeated dreams I have of rooms and houses and secret passageways.  It's a very recurrent theme in my dreams. 

Do you have recurrent symbols or images in your dreams? And then what are the actual things that you 'dream' of, such as traveling, ideas, objects etc? One very key part of dreaming is to write the good ones down, maybe even the bad ones.  It's part of how we remember them and also achieve our dreams. 

Over the years I've discovered that much of what I do on a day to day basis, in terms of achieving my dreams is writing them down and taking them in bite size attainable goals.  Back in 2006 when I was working a full time advocacy job in Washington, DC and taking evening jewelry classes I made a very concentrated effort achieve my dream of being a jeweler.  And I'm not sure I consciously thought that in ten years I would be here today running my own business but that was the end goal.  I began looking for part time jobs in the jewelry field, continued taking classes and within three years going to school to study jewelry and metalsmithing.  All the while I kept a 'dream journal' I wrote down these goals, I verbalized them and I dreamt and dreamt up possibilities. 

I share this with you because dreams are VERY powerful, only when they are set in motion.   And the main ethos of Eilisain Jewelry is the Powerfully Divine.  So I would love for you too the have the essence and try to live it on a daily basis.   You can achieve the wildest dream ever, if you work to make it happen.  If you believe and continue to dream. 

Thus, I suggest to you to take some time before or in the beginning of the new year and dream, big and small.  Let your mind wander and visualize a limitless future.  And even if you don't write them down, I'll bet you feel energized and rejuvenated. 

It's Party Time!

I'll admit it, I've always loved dressing up and playing in my mothers closet and in her jewelry box.   Since I was young my favorite part of going to church and the holidays was the excuse to dress up - I know it's vain but it's who I am.

A great New years eve outfit or even a holiday party. Via Fashion Rooftop.

And I think many people partly love the holidays for that reason, we get to switch it up and have an excuse to bring out the finery.  Mind you, there were days, I guess mainly for the upper class that dressed up everyday - aka Downtown Abbey.  But now we have a very casual culture, people often wear jeans to the office!

This blog post is all about that - ways to style your jewelry and outfit ideas.  Most of these I can't even take credit for, they've been blogged or released by magazines but hey - I won't argue with that!

enough said - DC parties are the best!

So are you prepared for all the holiday festivities? I hope so, and if you aren't a party person, at least dressing up your home is one way to celebrate.  I get so sad at the end of the year when I have to put away the decorations.  They do make me happy!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Giving Tuesday and Everyday

As some of you may have noticed, the last weekend in November - aka post Thanksgiving - is a MAJOR shopping weekend for the holidays.  It's major not only for small business' like mine and makers but also for people like you that love to shop!

With all that said, our culture has become a bit, obsessed if you will, with buying and purchasing.  And just as much as I LOVE shopping.  I also love GIVING. 

So this year I wanted to give BIG back to a cause that has truly gained much traction and focus, not from our crappy media but from people all over the world that have sided with the Native Americans the are speaking for mother earth.   Stopping the Dakota Access Pipeline is huge, not sure for the residents of North Dakota and the surrounding region but for many average Americans that live in the four states that it would cross.

Thus, I decided that 25% (which is a big chunk of money) from my sales would go to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.  Honestly I've never donated such a large amount and it felt amazing - that YOU helped in that cause and that deep down I feel that they will stop the evil and greedy companies that want to desecrate the land.  

Today is known as Giving Tuesday, if you weren't able to shop with me these past several days, I hope that you will take a moment and donate what you can to your favorite charity.  IT really is a big day for nonprofit organizations that work so hard everyday to speak for the unspoken, to help those in need. 

Because this time of year is all about love and celebrating new life. 

London Calling

The first time, and only time, I've been to London was roughly 14 years ago.  Just typing that makes me feel old! And it was such an awesome experience, as you would expect of visiting such a cosmopolitan and renowned city.  I long to visit again, however in the meantime I'll make do with having my jewelry there for a short visit.

Outside the location of the Pop Up shop. 

As I had blogged about in my previous post about the Erebus Pop Up Shop, Eilisain would be making it's debut.  And I'm so grateful for the opportunity.  You see, for handmade products such as mine and many others in the slow fashion and small business' the chance to expose your brand to a wider audience takes work as well as the collaboration with individuals that want to champion your brand.  Thus, having someone like Chris Tull Williams, Managing Director of Erebus create an event to promote the handmade movement and appreciation for well made clothing and accessories is a huge benefit to my business as well as the slow fashion community. 

Chris Tull Williams, center.

Here are some fantastic photos from the successful event.  I'm loving the gorgeous pieces by Clon8 and futuristic leather pieces by Aumorfia.  These are not just clothing and accessories but objects of art and ones to be cherished.  

A selection of pieces I sent over for the event.

Flora jacket by Clon8 - I'm lusting over this exquisite piece!

As you can imagine, with online shops it's trickier for customers to get a sense of the feel and made of clothing and accessories, and for that reason pop up shops are a wonderful opportunity to try them out and put them on. 

I hope you enjoy these photos and take a moment to look through all the other talented and amazing designers over at Erebus. 

5 Easy Holiday Handmade Gifts You Can Make

Several years ago, when I first moved to North Carolina, I started school and didn't have much money for extravagant gifts.  I also wanted to make gifts that were personal and usable.

Thus began my foray in homemade/handmade holiday gifts.  And to be honest, I do think they were quite appreciated!

So here is a quick and easy list of items you can make to give as gifts, small gestures of thanks this season:

1.  Terrarium - This is my favorite one! And it lasts all year round.  You can easily purchase or reuse glass bottles, gather moss, small momentos to put in it (faux flowers or cranberries).  It makes a great addition to a work space or bathroom.

2.  Scented sachets - This is another super easy and special way to bring fragrance and warmth in a home.  Use old rose petals, lavender and other herbs and scented and dried flowers and put them in a handsewn or pre-made baggie.  Tie it with a ribbon and you're done!

Lavender sachet - so pretty and calming!

3.  Baked goods - Of course this is an easy and very popular one for the holidays.  I love gifting homemade cookies and bread to the people that service me every year - the mailperson, the post office workers, UPS delivery people, bus drivers etc.  This was instilled in me from a young age by my mom.  If you treat others with gratitude it will return ten fold.

4.  Spiced orange pomander balls - Can you tell I love fragrant objects? Ha! So use a corner of the citrus zester to make a few designs in the skin of the orange. Poke a row of holes in the orange with a tooth pick and push the cloves into the pre-made holes. .You can really make any design you like on the oranges.

5.  Mini-tool box from Altoid tins- I saved the best for last, this is such a cool and great idea! Here is the direct link to the instructions.  You'll have fun and it's something everyone could use.

Oil Is Good For You

Okay not as in the oil in the ground kind (cause that's bad), but natural vegetable type oils.  Over the past year I'd say I've become a big fan of using oils instead of lotions for my body and my food.

It first started with one of my cousins in Panama telling me she uses olive oil as a body moisturizer, which I liked the idea because I love olive oil on almost everything.  Then I found a lovely coconut oil serum for my face which felt decadent! Thus began my obsession.  Just yesterday I purchased a new oil for my collection, this one is an amaranth body oil, it's so pretty with floating flowers in it.  And not just with oils but honestly most of the bath products I use are homemade/handmade (other than my shampoo and conditioner). 

This also leads me to highlight one of my favorite small business and handmade organics for skin, body and hair.  Priya means Love,  I met the owner, Priya Narasimhan two years ago at the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia.  For some reason I got a terrible sinus infection the first day of the show and I could not stop blowing my nose, it was awful as I had to also interact and talk to customers.  Lucky for me, Priya was there were her amazing sinus vapor balm that helped calm my sinus'! There wasn't much medicine that helped that day other than her product.   Ironically enough, just one month ago I did another show in DC and Priya was my neighbor!! I was so excited because I honestly love her products, and she's also a lovely person - gorgeous might I add, I'm envious of her beautiful hair and skin! 

The last day of the show, we traded products (amazing perk of working craft shows) and I'm in love with her Deep Radiance Face cream, once again, I feel like a goddess when I use natural and handmade products.  It's a lovely scent and glides on my skin.  Seriously I can't rave about her products enough!

I even gave one her gift sets to one of my friends and she loves it too.  So if you're like me and you love natural body products AND supporting small business - I highly recommend Priya Means Love products.

Gorgeous gift set - perfect for the holidays!