Hey lovelies! It's giveaway time again, and I'm stoked to introduce this amazing jewelry shop on etsy called Esther Eve Metalsmith! This shop features armor-like old-world style jewelry crafted by the sweet Esther Eve. Esther's pieces are edgy and eye-catching to say the least. Esther uses traditional silversmith techniques to give each piece an antique look. She uses copper, sterling silver, brass, and natural stones to create her organic designs. If you're a fan of stand-out rustic jewelry, then this shop is for you!
Q&A with Esther Eve (Designer & Shop Owner)
1.) Tell us a little about E² - Esther Eve Etsy shop.
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 typical 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.
2.) How long have you been creating jewelry?
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 metalworking, and the rest is history.
3.) What inspires you to create your pieces?
Finding beauty in the imperfect, literature, Sci-fi, and as you can tell I am a bit of a geek, ancient and medieval armor and jewelry really get me going. Series like HBO's Camelot, and Game of Thrones, are big inspirations due to the marvelous and giant jewelry pieces. I sketch until I have something unique, that I can call my own, and then I move to my workbench to make it a reality. On my journey to discover the perfect combination of medium, inspiration and technique, I am eternally grateful for the ability to use my hands to create original works of art.
4.) I know that you use many different silversmith techniques in creating your jewelry, what is "etching" and "electroforming?"
Etching is pretty much my favorite technique right now, and you can see it in much of my work. In a nutshell, a design is drawn or transferred to a piece of metal using some sort of resist material, then submerged in a chemical solution or a salt-water bath that is powered by a battery of sorts. The chemical/salt-water will eat away at any part of the metal that has not been covered with the resist, and some truly beautiful designs can come from this unique technique. (I totally just rhymed!). I have always hand-drawn my designs because I love the organic texture in the results, but many designers use a graphically created design to achieve more detailed work.
Electroforming is a process of coating an object permanently with a layer of copper, and is typically used to preserve delicate and organic bits of nature such as leaves or insects. The process involves sealing, then painting the object with a conductive paint, submerging it in a chemical solution along with a plain piece of copper (cathode), and connecting it to a rectifier. This transfers the copper from the cathode at a molecular level to the paint covered object. It is fascinating to watch the bits of copper float through the solution, and adhering to the object, drawn by an unseen magnetism. I don't currently have an example of electroforming in my Etsy Shop, as this is something that I am still experimenting with until I achieve a result that I feel comfortable introducing to my customers.
5.) What is your fave metal to work with and why?
Gosh. I will say silver, because it has a certain quality to it that takes my breath away, and the black oxidization that it will take on, to me is gorgeous.
6.) Which piece is your favorite in your shop?
Currently, I would have to say my Warriors Shield Etched Brass Cross Knuckle Ring (no longer available see similar style HERE), as it is quite fabulous to wear, and receives many compliments that make me blush.
7.) How do you describe your own personal style?
Rustic and Earthy, Bold and Bohemian, Ancient and Medieval.
8.) If you had to leave the house wearing only one piece of jewelry, which piece would it be?
A ring, give me a ring, any ring! (Can you tell I'm obsessed!)
Here are some of my faves from Esther's shop:
Sterling Silver Ring - The Champagne Twist 001
OOAK Sterling Silver Cocktail Ring - Ailette 018
OOAK Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - Asymmetrical Citrine Beauty
SUPER SHOP SALE - Cocktail Ring - Ailette 011 - Hammerhead
Warriors Shield - Etched Brass Navajo Ring
Aromatherapy Scent Locket Necklace- Etched Copper Cross
Desert Feather - Jasper Sterling Silver and Etched Brass Ring
SUPER SHOP Sale - OOAK Mookaite and Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace
OOAK Sterling Silver Cocktail Ring - Hammerhead with Piranha Agate
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
1.) Leave a comment telling us which item is your fave from the Esther Eve Metalsmith shop.
2.) Like Esther Eve Metalsmith on Facebook.
3.) Follow Belle de Couture on Blog Lovin'.
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2.) Like Belle de Couture on Facebook.
3.) Follow Esther Eve Metalsmith's blog on google.
4.) Follow Esther Eve Metalsmith on Twitter.
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7.) Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook! (don't forget to leave a link in your comment)
8.) Follow/Stalk Belle de Couture via CurrentlyObsessed.Me.
Giveaway ends February 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM EST! The winner will be chosen at random by the use of random.org. Good luck everyone!
