Aurora Palesca's Design Blog

A Custom Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:38:00 +0000

What better way to say "I Love You" than custom designing a holiday gift for your sweetheart? Last year, a client came to me looking for a special bracelet for his wife's gift. I obviously couldn't post about it then, but now that I'm feeling this year's holiday spirit abound, I thought that it was a good time to share.

The inspiration for the project was grapes. His wife is a huge fan of them. So he provided a few pictures of items that he thought would fit her taste, and we passed ideas back and forth for several emails.

We finally decided on a clustered yet lacey look using various sizes of purple pearls and twisted silver. Here's the finished product:

Unfortunately I couldn't be there on Christmas morning to see the treasure unwrapped, but I heard through the grapevine that the custom created bracelet was her favorite present of the year. ...and her husband came back this year to complete the set (what a huge compliment!) Maybe I'll be able to post about that project next holiday season!

JP Open Studios at the Mall

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:45:00 +0000

This past week-end, I joined roughly 40 other local artists at the Mall at Chestnut Hill for a unique art show. We filled the entire ground floor with our various talents, and had a great time admiring each others' work whenever we found a spare moment. Below is a slideshow of the event via my flickr photostream. Enjoy!

You can also view the event's listing on aurorapalesca.com

100 Hearts of Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 02:43:00 +0000

You may have heard that a little Aurora Palesca surprise will be handed out at the doors of the Chicago Bridal Bliss Expo. The event is coming up on May 2, and is free with pre-registration (be sure to register by May 1!). The first 100 brides to arrive will receive a complimentary gift bag full of goodies... among which, a delicate heart charm handcrafted by yours truly.

Since I am terrible at keeping secrets, I snapped a few pictures of my 100 tiny submissions before sending them off early in the week. Perhaps it ruins the surprise... or maybe it gives those attending something to look forward to. In either case, here are the pictures:

If you are interested in attending, please visit bridalblisschicago.doattend.com to register. Happy wedding planning!

Introducing Our New Jewelry Model

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:26:00 +0000

You may have noticed a new model popping up around my website. Perhaps she looks familiar? Well, let me introduce you to... myself!

I hesitated for almost a year about using my own face as a spokesmodel for my jewelry designs. Being extremely shy and very modest, I prefer to stay behind the camera. However, after studying countless professional jewelry websites and blogs, I was convinced that I had to grit my teeth and let my husband snap a few (about 400!) full portrait pictures. ...and I'm so glad that I did. The difference is remarkable!

Hopefully in the future I will be able to draft a few lovely ladies to replace my face on www.aurorapalesca.com. Then I can continue to live out my lifelong dream of being a reclusive artist. For the moment, though, find my picture posted all over the world wide web sporting handcrafted eco chic jewelry by Aurora Palesca (a.k.a. me).

Giving Back

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:25:00 +0000

I love philanthropy. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So when I discovered that the Starlight Children's Foundation was accepting donations for an upcoming silent auction, I of course offered some of my jewelry to aid in their fund raising efforts.

To quote directly from their website, "Starlight New England is dedicated to bringing happiness, hope and an improved quality of life to seriously ill children and their families in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. With your help, we can continue to brighten the lives of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries."

They established Purses & Pearls as an annual event to both benefit their organization, and to give children a first-hand experience of philanthropy at its finest. Set within one of the Four Seasons' Traditional Afternoon Tea Hours, children will partake in cupcake decorating, magicians, and dancing by Mass Motion Dance Academy. Everyone will have the chance to create spring crafts to be sent to hospitalized children.It is an afternoon filled with good will, and truly an affair to remember.

I decided to donate not only because I recognize the importance of giving back, but also because this foundation strikes a chord close to my own heart. Illness descended upon my family several years ago when a cousin was born with down's syndrome and a congenital heart defect. He unfortunately passed away shortly after his first year of life, and I watched as his immediate family struggled through hospital transfers, surgeries, and bleak prognoses. I cannot stress enough how much the brief moments of happiness meant to them during this very painful time.

So, in honor of my little cousin Jacob, I will be offering one of the following two sets (I haven't been able to decide just yet):

Dripping Necklace and Earrings

Exotic Majesty Bracelet and Earrings

I value your input here. Which one do you think would garner the most attention at auction? ...or is there another item that you think would be more appropriate, such as pearls?

You can learn more about Purses & Pearls on my website at www.aurorapalesca.com

and purchase tickets on the Starlight Foundation's page at www.starlight.org

A Perfect Fit

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:06:00 +0000

During this past holiday season, I had a customer purchase a necklace and bracelet for his wife. It was the perfect sale. He came, he purchased, he walked away positive that he had chosen the perfect gift. There was only one small catch-- he wasn't sure about the fit.

Having an item fitted ahead of time is something that many people overlook. When a woman opens a gift, there is nothing that feels better than to put it on and admire how lovely it looks on her. If it doesn't fit (especially if it is too small), something in that special moment is lost.

I remember when my husband proposed, we ran into this very issue. He bought the ring abroad, and the smaller sizes were out of stock. So he settled for the larger size, and figured that we could always have it fitted later. It is a gorgeous ring, and I was so determined to wear it right away that I wrapped a huge chunky ribbon around the back. I refused to take it to a jeweler for months, because I didn't want to take it off!

Of course, every woman is different, so finding the right size is not always an easy task ...but a little bit of effort and forethought can go a long way. Here are a few tips that will get you a little bit closer to a perfect fit:

1. Measure another similar item in her jewelry chest, making sure that the style of the fit is similar. For example, a wrap bracelet will have a snug fit around the wrist, while a chain bracelet usually hangs loosely on the hand.

2. If you can't measure, watch how she wears other jewelry. Does she prefer a longer, looser necklace, or a shorter one?

3. Communicate her body type to the jeweler. Most of the time he/she will be able to at least make an educated guess about the appropriate size.

4. Find a friend with a similar body type, and bring her along for a fitting.

5. When in doubt, always buy a larger size. It is much easier to adjust to a smaller size than a larger one...and at least she will be able to wear it in the interim.

As for my client, we made an educated guess about the size, knowing that his wife would be back to perfect the fit later. I'll save the details of her visit for a later post. For now, suffice to say that it was a happy holiday for all of us.

I hope that this will help to ease your gifting stress for the next big day on your calendar. Of course, and as always, please feel free to contact me at info@aurorapalesca.com if you need any help, advice, or friendly jewelry conversation. I would love to hear from you!

Black Beauties

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

I LOVE black pearls. They are dramatic, deep, and fantastically luminescent. I recently was asked to make a custom bracelet using these beauties, based on the design of my Hanging Hoop Bracelet. I couldn't have been more thrilled!

The finished bracelet was just intoxicating. Not only did I want to keep the bracelet for myself (I did not), but my customer also wanted to hold on to it (she did). She had originally purchased the piece as a gift, but decided that she just couldn't part with it!

Once I have the neccessary materials, I will be adding a Hanging Hoop Bracelet in Black Pearls to my online store. It's just too beautiful not to share!

Raw Ribbons

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0000

The other day, I received the supplies for my latest jewelry design impulse, among which were yards of the most exquisite silk sari ribbon. I purchased it from designtalentedone on Etsy, an independent artisan who shares the same penchant for recycled materials and multimedia designing that I do. Hand cut out of silk saris that had past their time, this textile maintains all of their former opulence. I just fell in love with the luxurious texture, the rough edges, the rich color tonalities. It's difficult to not make something beautiful out of this ribbon!

It was not long before I brought my new ribbon to the design table, and started to let it work its magic.

Here are the first two creations that emerged. They are the introductory pieces to my new Raw Ribbons series of handcrafted adornments. Sumptuous yet rugged jewelry for the cultivated woman. Visit them in my online shop at www.aurorapalesca.com

Sustainable Sterling? How Does that Work?

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:27:00 +0000

I received that very question from a woman who was browsing my jewelry designs the other week. Immediately, I clarified that the silver in my jewelry cannot qualify as sustainable in of itself, and began to explain the social and ethical concerns that my silver addresses instead. However, the production processes that go into my silver components can be considered eco-conscientious. I mentioned in an earlier blog post that I often have to make trade-offs in terms of fair trade vs. eco-friendly materials based on market availability. Although the inquisitive woman seemed satisfied by my response, I walked away feeling very frustrated. I, of course, want my silver to be BOTH fair trade and green.

my Plunging Necklace in Sterling Silver and Grey Pearl is handcrafted out of handmade fair trade sterling silver chain and cultured pearls (which have not been shown to have any effect on the environment)

The conversation didn't end there. It continued on in my thoughts for the next several weeks. Then it began to play out on discussion boards, blogs, and news articles. Finally, it rested on government websites and geological surveys. What I found is that actually silver jewelry is not quite as "un-sustainable" as one might think.

I've read mixed reports, but the over-arching theme is that recycling silver is a practice that goes back to ancient times, and much of the current supply is a mix of both new and recycled content. I even found a jewelry artist whose professor taught her that over 90% of the current supply is derived from recycled materials, although I couldn't find any info to back up that claim. In addition, according to the Silver Institute, at least 20% of the annual silver supply comes from recycled sources. The U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 1196–N states that "Overall, recycling accounts for more than half of the U.S. metal supply by weight and roughly 40 percent by value." Well, more than half is a good start, although the other half leaves much to be desired.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't believe that a high percentage of recycled content in silver can compensate for the waste and ecological destruction caused by "dirty" mining. However, I wanted to point out that silver is a much kinder metal than it has the reputation for being.

So, where does that leave us? If forced to choose, which is more important: social responsibility, or sustainability?

Right now, I purchase my silver components through two major suppliers. One provides primarily handmade Thai Hill Tribe silver jewelry parts, and "is fair trade approved and an active member of the Fair Trade Federation and Co-op America. " The other offers handcrafted Bali silver beads, and though it does not hold a certification, "has been practicing fair trade since long before there was a term for it." I believe in the integrity of both of these companies, and enjoy working with them very much. I love their perspective on the world and their support of its artists, artisans and skilled craftspeople. I don't believe that their silversmiths, who live and work in remote villages, would have the same opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive without their support. So, in the case of superb artisan made silver beads, pins, and clasps, I will continue to shop the same lines without remorse.

On the flip side, there are some items that I have decided to craft on my own out of 100% recycled silver wire. Yes, it exists! I discovered a wholesaler that not only provides recycled precious metals, but also champions green practices throughout their facility. Their website states that "all company decisions are based on ethical and responsible choices that will positively impact the world." So, once I work through my current supply of wire, all of my wrapping will be done with sustainable sterling silver. I will also be fashioning my own earring hooks/closures out of this guilt-free metal. Be prepared for some exciting innovations, Aurora Palesca style!

So, although I can't get everything in one shot, for the moment, social and environmental responsibility will co-exist in my jewelry.

Oh, and one more thing. I just put in an order for several incredible eco-friendly hand-dyed silk cords and recycled sari ribbons. In the coming weeks, I will be designing a new line of fashion jewelry that cuts back on the precious metals period.

Stay tuned for more! In the meantime, you can learn more about Aurora Palesca Designs, and browse my current lines of jewelry, cards, and books at www.aurorapalesca.com

Success! Aurora Palesca at the Emerging Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:18:00 +0000

One week of ordering, 3 days of display creation, 2 weeks of jewelry making, one month of late nights, one day of packing, and one stressful morning later, the night of the 2009 Emerging Trends arrived! I've spent the entire past week recovering...

Overall, the night was a success. We made some sales, gathered several names for our mailing list, and garnered quite a bit of attention. I personally would have liked a higher traffic location, but being in the VIP section, I certainly can't complain. I walked away having learned so much, and made several exciting new contacts.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the night, taken by my fabulous photographer who moonlights as my husband.

Designers, models, cast, and crew were running around the castle the entire afternoon of the event. Many of them managed to find a few minutes stop by my table just before the doors opened. That's me on the right.

A close-up of the bracelet display.

The jewelry tree.

A close-up of the jewelry tree. I tied earrings on with bows of hemp cord.

A close-up of the necklace displays.

I also talked about my display in my last post, "Preview! Aurora Palesca Display for The Emerging Trends Fashion Show"

Preview! Aurora Palesca Display for The Emerging Trends Fashion Show

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:27:00 +0000

The Emerging Trends is only a few days away now. I can't believe it! Preparing my booth over the past month has been both a unique challenge, and a lot of fun. I wanted my space to be completely original, and to really reflect who I am and what I represent as a business. Natural, sustainable, luxurious, and functional were the keywords surrounding my vision--not your typical combination. So, instead of scouring supply catalogs for for inspiration, I decided to design and create everything on my own.

Here is a photo that I shot quickly while I was doing a test setup the other night. It is a bit dark, I apologize, because I also needed to play with my spot lights during this trial. It is by no means a complete representation of what will be at the show, but I've been dying to give you a little sneak peek of what to expect!

I made the earring tree, which is the centerpiece of the display, out of actual fallen tree branches that I collected from our local park. With a layer of papier mache, and a few vellum leaves (all cut from paper scraps, of course), I gave it a designer look.

The standing box displays and trays are all created from spare boxes & box tops that I have collected from my various gem & finding suppliers. Ok, there are a few shoe boxes in there as well. I covered them first with a layer of neutral packing paper to hide any colors or text. Then I used remnants of a raw silk fabric that I had leftover from my own wedding to finish the look. The jewelry looks great against its textured, shimmering surface.

The necklace cone is my favorite. I used a piece of cardboard covered in the same raw silk, and tied it at the back to secure it.

The picture frame in the back will house my company's sign, since no large banners are allowed at this show. I also have a frame in the front that is not visible in this photo. It will showcase the promotion that I am running for the night--a chance to win my exotic majesty earrings to everyone who visits my space and signs up for the Aurora Palesca Designs mailing list. I will also be offering discounts for future online orders.

Stop by the show, look for the Aurora Palesca booth, and enjoy the delights of Boston fashion week. Hope to see you there!

2009 Emerging Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:44:00 +0000

On October 2, The SYNERGY Events will be hosting Emerging Trends , an upscale fashion event to showcase up and coming designers in Boston and beyond. I am proud to announce that I will be setting up a booth in the VIP area!

Please stop by the event to enjoy a night of high fashion, live entertainment, and exclusive trunk shows. I would love to meet you in person to show off some of my latest jewelry designs!

A peek into my Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:06:00 +0000

In honor of several upcoming open studios in the Boston area, as well as the feature of my own studio on the blog Hooks of Hope next Friday, I've decided to open the (virtual) doors to my studio this week. Thanks for stopping by!

I run Aurora Palesca Designs out of my home, and I love having everything that I need right at my fingertips! However, it has taken quite a bit of creativity and organization to make the situation work. I live in the city, so my space is limited. Add to that an amazingly curious two-year-old running around for most of the day. Things at Aurora Palesca Designs can get a little hectic!

This is my space. If you say that it looks like a living room, you are exactly right! I have created an entirely collapse-able studio. I set up and break down as much as is neccessary (sometimes several times a day!)

Open a few doors, and take off some table tops, and the room starts to look a little bit more like a studio. I keep everything extremely organized so that I can easily find and grab anything that I need. The coffee table houses all of my jewelry components inside of a re-purposed hardware organizer. Those red boxes in the corner double as a side table and storage for paper goods, pencils, and calligraphy pens and inks. I also have one of them set up to separate my finished cards into neat little sections. The entertainment center is just one massive supply container. Spare ribbons, paper scraps, more jewelry supplies, sewing supplies, fabrics, and everything else that needs a home finds one there.

My work table is in the same room. Of course, it has a second identity as a dining table. It is right by a sunny group of windows, and I have a desk lamp on hand for late nights (Late nights are not uncommon in my studio). It can also expand/contract to suit the projects that I am working on. Paper products generally require a lot of space for cutting, writing, and allowing inks to dry. Jewelry-making (at least for me) works better in a condensed space, with everything within arm's reach.

Be sure to check out Hooks of Hope next Friday, September 11, to read the feature about Aurora Palesca Designs. Hooks of Hope is run by a mother-daughter crochet team who together create a variety of products that they call hooks. 15% of their profits are donated to charity. I can't wait to see the feature and am so glad to have collaborated with Katie!

Featured Jewelry Item

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:39:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I added the Ultra Ring Necklace in Sterling Silver and Blue Apatite to my store. I love it because blue apatite is "one of few minerals that are produced and used by biological micro-environmental systems". Its deep color has a beautiful translucent quality in natural light. When the single stone dangles on your back, you get a playful reminder that you are wearing something naturally elegant.

View it in my online store at www.aurorapalesca.com

It's not easy being green (or ethical for that matter)

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:25:00 +0000

A little bit over a year ago, when Aurora Palesca Designs was still a glimmer in my mind's eye, I was reading the green book. It is a wonderful starting point for anyone who is interested in joining the environmentalist movement. It's focus is not on how to be "less bad", but rather on the little things that each of us can do in order to collectively make a huge difference.

When I started my company, I held this book's teachings close to my heart. I wanted to make every effort to run as eco-friendly a business as possible. In addition, having traveled to and worked in developing countries, I also prioritized fair trade and ethical manufacturing very high on my list. My company, I told myself, was not going to add to the problems of waste, unfair treatment of employees, and child labor.

Of course this all sounds simple in theory. The reality of the situation is that there are still very few manufactures and wholesalers who live up to both principles, and making everything from scratch was just not a possibility for me. I cannot mine my own silver, or grow my own sustainable Himalayan bushes, for example. I spent months searching for providers that I felt complied with my mission. In the end, of course, some compromises had to be made. In some cases, I had to choose companies that supported fair trade artisan crafts, but not completely green behavior, or vice versa.

However, (don't get disappointed just yet!) what I have learned is that every little effort is one big step in the right direction. Choosing a fair trade co-operative over cheap labor stimulates the demand for more suppliers that practice ethical business. Buying artisan parts over mass-produced ones reduces pollution and provides a sustainable living for impoverished workers. Working with organizations that give back to their workers and communities encourages more outreach programs. There will always be more that can be done, but the point is to take one step forward at a time, and hopefully many more in the future. Maybe the world can't be saved overnight, but I would like to see it make steady progress over time.

On this note, I've compiled two lists. One is of what I am already doing to support social & environmental responsibility. The other is my list of goals for the future. I hope to look back on this post in ten years with a smile, knowing that I started out with a strong foundation, and that I ended up with a fully fleshed out movement.

What I am already doing (by no means a complete list):
1. Purchasing fair trade handmade sustainable books and papers.
2. Purchasing fair trade handmade silver components.
3. Purchasing beads from a non-profit that donates a good portion of its profits to humanitarian organizations
4. Purchasing fair trade artisan beads from a family-run business that provides financial support to struggling families. They also "never travel without 100-150lbs of donated used clothing, shoes and backpacks, plus school supplies and other useful items."
5. Reusing scrap materials from my various projects, and recycling those that cannot be reused.
6. Making my own boxes out of recycled garden papers.
7. Wrapping items in reused tissue paper (my daughter gets many presents, so there is a constant supply of it around my home.)
8. Having my business cards and other promotional materials printed on recycled, chlorine-free paper. The company is carbon-neutral and uses soy ink.
9. Offering calligraphy services, which cuts down on the need for printed materials.
10. Making everything by hand in my studio using rudimentary tools and methods! I love the way that this back to basics approach involves me in the creative process.

Goals for the future (also will grow with time):
1. Finding more environmentally-friendly companies to supply my stones and beads. Although I do LOVE those that I am currently using...
2. Harnessing wind power for my studio.
3. Initiating a program to promote the arts of women in developing countries. Meaning - providing them with the necessary education to succeed in their craft, and helping to promote their work by carrying it in my own store.
4. I discovered Bead for Life a while ago. As a short term goal, I would like to start using some of their beads in my designs.
5. Purchasing fair trade and/or environmentally friendly storage solutions and tools. I have been able to re-use some of my childhood art bins, and have been able to re-purpose used boxes, but i would love to have some bins made out of bamboo in the future. I am a strong supporter of bamboo.
6. Selling jewelry in a handmade pouch (of course made out of a sustainable material). Think the Tiffany's pouch without the harsh dyes. Customers could use the pouch to store their purchase in forever, rather than receiving their item wrapped in tissue in a box. Both of which they will inevitably discard. This one is already in the works.
7. Offsetting my carbon imprint. I currently ship most of my orders through USPS in order to cut out the extra trip that another company would have to make to my house. I'd like to take it to the next level.
8. Donating a larger portion of my profits to development and environmental initiatives.

If you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears!

You can read more about social and environmental responsibility at Aurora Palesca Designs on my company website
http://www.aurorapalesca.com/learn_responsibility.html

as well as in my latest press release
Aurora Palesca Designs Announces a Luxury Handcrafted Line That Allows You to Indulge in Guilt-Free Pleasures

featured jewelry item of the week

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:23:00 +0000

I am crazy about my Garnet Gemstone Bubble Bangle Bracelet. I love the sparkle, the unclear lines, the way that the stones dangle on my wrist. Whenever I wear it, I feel like a Princess from an exotic land.

Practicing Yoga in Style

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:34:00 +0000

I recently had a friend ask if I could design a custom piece for her. She was looking for a bracelet that she had visualized in her yoga practice, and that she could wear every day in a variety of situations.

I came up with a few ideas that would be sturdy, comfortable, and "pretty". Below are a few of the (very!) rough sketches.

This design incorporates both the word strength, and the root chakra. It should be very easy to put on, and the most comfortable to wear. I see it with a colored or black cord (I like red). The idea is to use the square chakra bead in leiu of a traditional closure so that you can slip the bracelet on, pull the cord to tighten, and then tie a knot for security. The bead pictures are near actual size.

This is a simpler version of the first design. It uses the same idea for the closure, but with a single cord rather than the double.

A very simple design. This one would wrap around your wrist twice and close with the same bead and knot system . The word strength is written on both sides of the tag. A cord would probably work best with this because it is so simple.

You can view more samples of my custom work at http://www.aurorapalesca.com/portfolio.html

Let's Start with Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora Palesca) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:17:00 +0000

Since this is my first post, I thought I would start with a topic touched on by the title of my blog--Inspiration. I hear that many people can find it in the halls of a museum or a beautiful spot in nature. Others say that it comes from spiritual cleansing or meditation. For me, it is much simpler.

I find inspiration from the materials that I work with. Some days I just sit staring at, turning over, touching a bead or a piece of paper, and imagining what it could become. I start to associate my materials with the way that they make me feel or a theme that they might convey. When I snuggle into bed at night, I visualize the materials arranging themselves into the designs that they might become. I don't do this as an exercise to get my creative juices flowing. It just happens. Designing is a part of who I am.

That is what I love about my work. I don't have to spend hours brainstorming about what to do next. The ideas just come...and when I sit staring at my beads and nothing happens...well, that's when I know it's time to call it quits for the day.