Working Knowledge #4 Rosa Murillo July 02 2020, 0 Comments

Join me as I chat with Rosa Murillo of Muro Jewelry about her creative process, innovative ways to connect and the joy of creating jewelry.

Working Knowledge #4 - episode link

Rosa's song- "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell

Working Knowledge Playlist on Spotify

Find Rosa @murojewelry on Instagram and Twitter or at her website www.murojewelry.com

Working Knowledge #3 Tavia Brown June 26 2020, 0 Comments

Listen as Tavia and I talk about studio dynamics, internal ( and external) struggles with validity and parenting while solo-entreprenuering. 

Working Knowledge #3- episode links (hahaha, we like to talk) Part 1 and Part 2

Tavia's Song- "Bambi" by Hippo Campus

Working Knowledge Playlist on Spotify

Find Tavia @taviametal on Instagram and Facebook or on her website at www.taviametal.com

Working Knowledge #2 Willie Daugherty June 26 2020, 0 Comments

Willie Daugherty- The Neighborhood Chef

Listen as Willie and I discuss food, music, legacy and trying to see light in the darkness.

Working Knowledge #2- episode link

Willie's Song- "Power Freaks" by Jean Dawson

Working Knowledge Playlist on Spotify

You can find Willie @the_neighborhood_chef on Instagram or by email at theneighborhoodchef.tn@gmail.com

Working Knowledge #1 with Annie Grimes Williams June 26 2020, 0 Comments

Listen as Annie and I talk about enamel, pivoting and the crazy choices we all make when starting our business'. 

Working Knowledge #1- episode link

Annie's Song-"Shake It Out" by Florence+The Machine

Working Knowledge Playlist on Spotify

You can find Annie @coppertide on IG or on her website at www.coppertide.net 

 

Working Knowledge June 25 2020, 0 Comments

“Working Knowledge” is a set of questions and answers…...a quick interview show amongst friends (who just happen to be solo entrepreneurs/creatives/makers/artists/chefs and visionaries). I love people’s stories, especially those that formed the way they work, what they do, or what they love. I want to spend a little time asking my brilliant friends some pretty simple questions and I know that they will have something to say that we all might like or need to hear, so I am sharing these conversations with you. 

You can find all of my interviews on my IGTV channel Working Knowledge

As as part of the interview process I ask each guest to share one song to add to our Working Knowledge playlist. Music is so important to me and I am loving getting the opportunity to learn about and listen to new music and some old favorites. Click below for a link to the playlist on Spotify.

Spotify Playlist

 

 

Donation= Free Earrings June 11 2020, 0 Comments

Donate $30 or more to a cause that elevates the lives(life) of people of color and I will send you a FREE pair of Arch earrings. Donations are just a small part of the work that needs to be done, but it is something that we can do right now and it is a good FIRST step. 

Please know that in addition to using my hands and resources to raise money for Black Lives, I am also on a journey of education, awareness and action. I encourage you to do the same. 

If you’re unsure who to donate to, check out some of the organizations listed below, they are all doing really good things.

1. Crafting the Future, www.craftingthefuture.org 

“Crafting the Future is a collective of artists concerned about the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the fields of craft, art, and design. We started this organization because we were tired of feeling helpless. Alone we can not make change, but together we can. Working together and combining our resources, we support the careers of young, underrepresented artists by connecting them to opportunities that will help them thrive.”

1. The Loveland Foundation, www.thelovelandfoundation.org 

“The Loveland Foundation is the official continuation of this effort to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls. Through fellowships, residency programs, listening tours, and more, ultimately we hope to contribute to both the empowerment and the liberation of the communities we serve.”

1. Black Visions Collective, www.blackvisionsmn.org 

“Black Visions Collective envisions a world in which ALL Black Lives Matter. We use the guidance and brilliance of our ancestors as well as the teachings of our own experiences to pursue our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. We are determined in our pursuit of dignity and equity for all.” 

1. Campaign Zero, www.joincampaignzero.org 

“A comprehensive package of urgent policy solutions - informed by data, research and human rights principles - can change the way police serve our communities.”

1. BOLD, www.boldorganizing.org 

“BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity) is a non-profit organization that facilitates social transformation and improves the living conditions of Black people by (re)building the social justice infrastructure required to organize Black communities.”

1. People’s Advocacy Institute, www.peoplesadvocacyinstitute.com 

“The People's Advocacy Institute is a community resource and training incubator for transformation justice in the global south. Through community lead initiatives we inspire self-determination and community-driven solutions to crime creating a more just system and a more effective way to prevent, respond and heal from physical and systematic harm.”

Details about how to receive your free earrings can be found on Instagram or Facebook.

Artist Spotlight at Mora Collection... so exciting!!! September 01 2017, 0 Comments

 

Winter Residency January 12 2017, 0 Comments

I just spend an amazing, abundant, inspiring 7 days doing the Winter Residency at Penland School of Crafts in the mountains of NC. I honestly cannot think of a better way to start my year than 15 hour days spent in a studio surrounded by really great tools and incredibly dedicated artists- experimenting, pushing boundaries, failing and succeeding. I want to put in words what makes that experience so powerful- I don’t know that I can do it justice.

I seem to be into lists lately so I will go at it that way:

Dedicated, intentional time

Well-equipped space

Beautiful landscape

Shared drive

Amazing people

Long uninterrupted days

Set intentions

Openness to experimentation and failure

Conversations with tears, laughter, beautiful nerdiness, the obsessions of makers…

The history of that place and seeing the work of creative hands everywhere

Snow falling

Early morning silence so thick that the wind sounds like a train

Hot Gingerade

Meeting Elizabeth Brim

Having a family that supports me wholly.

 While at Penland an article was shared with me about stress reduction and happiness by a fellow artist Laura Fortune. I really enjoyed the article and was truly struck by the segment on gratitude. The basic idea is that being grateful, even just wondering what we might be grateful for, releases dopamine and serotonin in our brains helping to focus on the happier things. Gratitude is my guiding force these days- just can’t help but feel and be abundantly grateful for the opportunities, experiences and people in my life.

Snow Days/Studio Days January 11 2017, 0 Comments

 

Lila and I in the studio on a snow day....... I can't say I got all that much accomplished but I sure did enjoy watching those little hands emulate mine.

A belly full of gratitude January 10 2017, 0 Comments

I ate many meals while at Penland that were prepared for me by women in my life, women, who had invited me to their homes in the days before I departed for dinners and celebrations. And as we said our farewells kindly boxed me up delicious food to take on my adventure. Women I am grateful for and inspired by. Makers and Mamas who work tirelessly with their hands to create things that change the landscape.

I grew up in a family of warm and loving women who feed you from their hearts and the labor of their hands and always send you home with leftovers. That expression of love is so deeply ingrained in me.

I wanted to share a delicious cold weather soup recipe from my friend Lara Nguyen

Apple, Carrot, Pumpkin and Coconut Soup

Carmelize One Thinly Sliced Onion in Olive Oil and Sea Salt - Remove to cool
Saute 4 Chopped Carrots Still Soft and 2 Green Apples till Warmed - Add Back the Onions

Add 1 heaping tsp. of Yellow Curry Powder and 1 minced garlic clove till fragrant

Add 1 can of coconut cream or milk (I did cream from Trader Joes)

Turn off Heat - Pour mixture in a blender and blend till smooth.

Return mixture to pot

Add 1 can of pumpkin puree

Add 4-5 cups of mushroom or vegetable broth stir and add 2-3 bay leaves.

Heat on Medium to a boil - Season to taste with salt, pepper, brown sugar… and I usually stir in a tablespoon of olive oil after I turn off the heat.

2015 December 28 2015, 0 Comments

As 2015 draws to an end I just wanted to send out a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the wonderful people that make it possible for me to live a makers life.

Joyful Holidays and a Happy New Year from my family to yours!

                                                                             warm regards,

                                                                             

Holding on the the past August 31 2015, 0 Comments

One of the things I enjoy about blogging (though I don't do it nearly enough) is the chronological record of events that it leaves behind. It is fun looking back in time, like rummaging through old sketchbooks. I am adding a link to my old blog to keep the story connected. ericastankwytchbailey.blogspot.com

New Website May 22 2013, 0 Comments

                                                                     

I am so incredibly excited to launch my new website . For the first time ever all of my online endeavors (site, shop, blog,class listing, etc.) will be in one place. This e-commerce site is so long overdue. I have had so many conversations with customers , artists, and other professionals in which we all agree that in today's market you must have an online store. I have great hopes that this new site will make things easier for my buyers, my customers and myself.

I am definitely looking for and open to feedback about the site, it can only be great if you guys let me know what works and what doesn't. Thanks in advance for looking through the site. I hope you enjoy it, I have had a great and challenging time putting it together.