Etsy Metal Charm Swap 9: All done!

Yay! I completed my charms today! I veered from the original plan just a bit and let the stripes go every which way based on a suggestion from a fellow swapper... I'm not gunna lie though, trying to get those lines straight on 22 charms was TEDIOUS. I was more than happy to let them do their own thing.

 

All that's left now is to get them packaged up and shipped off. And then the waiting begins. I can't wait to receive the whole collection! For the latest update on the Etsy Metal Charm Swap 9 check out the EM blog!

The Passage, by Justin Cronin

This month the Etsy Metal book club is finishing up and creating pieces based on Justin Cronin's "The Passage".

My ring is for Cronin's character Sara. As I was reading the book I wasn't aware of what an impact her character was making on me, but when I think back on the story now, I think about Sara a good deal. This ring is meant to be a sort of reminder that although her reality is one of monsters and teeth, fear and survival, there is still room to hope for more, just as she did as a child.

The passage that inspired my piece:

Teacher sealed the door behind them. A curious and premature pause; Sara had expected more. Where was she going? she asked Teacher. Would it be a long journey? Was someone coming for her? How long was she to wait here, in this room? But Teacher seamed not to hear these questions. She crouched before her, positioning her large, soft face close to Sara's. Little Sara, she asked, what do you suppose is out there, outside this building, beyond the rooms where you live? And what of the men you sometimes see, the ones who come and go at night, watching over you? Teacher was smiling, but there was something different about this smile, thought Sara, something that made her afraid. She didn't want to answer, but Teacher was looking straight at her, her face expectant. Sara thought of her mother's eyes, the night she asked her where she slept. A castle? she said, for in her sudden nervousness that was the only thing she could think of. A castle, with a moat? A castle, Teacher said. I see. And what else little Sara? The smile was suddenly gone. I don't know, said Sara. Well, Teacher said, and cleared her throat. It's not a castle.

Featured Artist: Esther Eve of E²

One of the perks of being a member of Etsy Metal is the instant social circle of talented, motivated, and supportive artists. When one of us discovered Pinterest, a large number of us were there with in a week. I quickly learned that many of us have much in common. And now I know that Esther Eve and I would have no trouble deciding on a place to do lunch. Judging from her playlist below, we would have no trouble agreeing on the music to listen to on the way there either. 

Esther Eve's work in gorgeous. Her work is both bold, with its often larger scale, and organic with a tactile nature that begs to be touched.

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E²

 Esther Eve Metalsmith

 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I had an obsession with seed beads and Indian loom-woven jewelry when I was a young girl, so I guess you could say that I've had the 'bug' for jewelry most of my life. In late 2007 I began my love affair with metal working, and the rest is history. I intend for my work to have a very armor-like and ancient whimsy, as I am obsessed with medieval and old-world style and culture. I intentionally antique and distress each piece for a timeless rustic feel, and use sterling silver, copper, brass, and natural stones for my medium. Aside from using traditional silversmith techniques, I love to create organic designs incorporating crafts such as etching, electroforming, enameling, and various patina concepts. Each piece is entirely hand-made in my small home-based studio, currently residing on the Emerald Coast of Florida.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?
My father taught me that honesty is the key to a peaceful heart, and a happy life.  This has proven incredibly true, and I treasure this invaluable training that he gave me when I was young.

What do you listen to in the studio?
Discovering new music is a great passion of mine.  I'm a child of the 90's era music, so much of what I love was created in that decade, but I love earlier and some recent music just as well.  Usually in the studio I tend to listen to more mellow and soulful artists, but I love my heavy metal just the same ;o)

I'll just list a few here that I've recently added to my playlist:

Adele, Arcade Fire, Cowboy Junkies, Dangermouse (the new album with Jack White and Norah Jones), Das Racist, Deftones (always a huge fan!), Florence & The Machine, Mazzy Starr, Johnny Cash, Lissie, Lykke Li, Metallica, Minnie Driver, Morcheeba, Mumford & Sons, Neko Case, Nina Simone, Portishead, Shakira (I'm terrible at booty-shakin, but sometimes need to spice things up in the studio and get a little crazy!), Smashing Pumpkins, The Ravenonettes, Thievery Corporation, Zach Brown Band, Zola Jesus.

What is your most prized possession? 
My mothers tiny gold mirror, that is engraved with her name and fits perfectly in those little pockets inside most purses.  I'm so scared I'll lose it, so I never actually put it in my purse...it usually stays in my jewelry box where I can still see it daily.  She passed when I was 14, and I will always treasure the memory when I would admire the mirror when I was a child and she would let me play in her purse.

Where can we see your work? (shops, blogs, upcoming events, installations, etc)

You can find my work in my Etsy Shop, My blog, and my Flickr.  

www.evemmetalsmith.etsy.com

www.evemmetalsmith.blogspot.com

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If you would like to learn more about Esther Eve and her work, including the tool at the top of her wishlist and her favorite objects to collect, you can read the full interview at the Etsy Metal Blog.

My Favorite Piece in the E² shop:

You can also follow the official Etsy Metal Pinterest Board to see more work from Esther Eve and other Etsy Metal members.