Holiday

Happy Holidays from the Parrish Relics Studio!

Didn't get as much accomplished this season, still a bit behind due to the move and  relearning how to work in a new space. Organization is so important when in a smaller studio! Lots of arranging and sorting, keeping in mind the wonderful quote from William Morris:  “If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” 

Much inspiration and enthusiasm for the coming year, the sunlit peace of my new home I believe will make for a productive 2012. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported Parrish Relics on our journey so far, hope you all have a lovely end of the year and lots of holiday magic.

Rebirth of a Studio

After a long moving process, my new studio is finally starting to become home.

 I will try to get back to making jewelry this week after nearly a month of upheaval and restructuring my life. Looking forward to doing what I love again...

Bright & sunny, although the original yellow will be painted over in the Spring.

more views on my flickr page

A deep and sincere thank you to everyone who supported my sudden moving sale, my Etsy shop has never been so empty! 

Here is a sneak peek at what I will be working on. I found some amazing labradorite on a trip to North Carolina to see a soul sister last month, I am really looking forward to working with more of the treasures found there.

soon

Re-Launch of Lyra Parrish

A year ago I launched Lyra Parrish, a line of wedding or special occasion jewelry. I thought that I would be able to balance two separate lines on Etsy, but found that I just didn't have the capacity to focus on both.

Will still be creating Lyra pieces inspired by the beauty surrounding me in New England, but all will be listed in the Parrish Relics Etsy Shop under the Lyra Parrish section.

To re-launch the line I am adding the three necklaces already created to the shop and will feature them at 10% off the original pricing. This will happen on Monday Sept. 12, along with one brand new piece that I am really excited to share with you!

I have always been fascinated with Luckenbooth jewelry, a Scottish symbol of love featuring two intertwined hearts topped with a crown. Usually seen as a pin, I have created my own version as a  necklace with opalescent Stained Glass, antiqued filigree beads, and moonstone.

As with each Lyra necklace, I travel to one of the many beautiful natural or Architectural gems in New England to photograph the necklace on my model form, symbolizing Lyra's adventures.

Today I visited Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Sanctuary. It was a perfect day~ so many beautiful birds and long winding paths through gorgeous peaceful surroundings.

A little woodpecker (I believe, I am still working on my bird indentification!) even landed on a branch for our shoot. Love!

Here are a few images taken today in this tranquil sanctuary. 

Snow, Glass, Apples

Have been working hard on this project for the past few weeks, so sorry for the silence! Back to Etsy updates very soon, looking forward to adding some recent work to the shop.

...and Hey!

Tickets are on sale for Snow, Glass, Apples!

I had so much fun creating jewelry for the three main characters.

Inspired by the incredible short story by Neil Gaiman 

& theatrical script interpretation by Lisa Stock.

Looking forward to seeing them on the beautiful & talented cast, look for photos coming soon!

a behind the scenes rehearsal video

The Abbey by the Sea...

My weekend was gladly spent sitting in a castle chapel, gothic windows open to the sea, musicians with hurdy gurdies, psalteries and tribal drums, spellbinding bellydancers, wonderful conversations and beautiful costumes, a jewelry booth in one of my favorite settings ever. Oh, and a chambord brownie. Yum!

In my downtime, I took many photos of the inspirational architecture and the museum's collection of artifacts both real and replica. These images were taken only in my small area if you can believe it, you just have to visit yourself to see the rest of the magic :) John and Rich, the "keepers of the castle" are great folks too, and I was really happy to see them again after too many years. 

Many more images on my flickr page here...

Sadly I have to mention my grievance with the prevalence of fur tails at festivals lately.

I find it a very sad "trend" and do not feel any better by being told that they are "humanely harvested" or gathered from roadkill (are there really that many animals killed on the road with undamaged fur to support that amount of business?)

Finny where he was happiest, at the ocean's shoreline

All it looks like to me is the tail of my beautiful dog Finny, may he rest in peace, chopped off and stuck on someone's behind. In my mind, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and rabbits are no different than the cats and dogs that bring so much joy and love into our home. I do not believe in PETA style confrontation or shaming, that tends to create the "I wear it to spite them" mentality, instead of having a thoughtful, empathetic dialogue about the realities of the industry. Just hoping that this trend goes away doesn't feel like a good enough option for me, but I really don't know what else to do but speak my mind on this controversial subject. 

Luckily, I am not alone in speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Please view the below links if you are so inclined, but please be advised that some may contain upsetting images and information. Sadly for some it needs to be seen, to learn the truth.

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 The Discerning Brute: Tail between the Legs: blog 1 & blog 2

an eyeopening article from the Guardian: Happy Animals: a shared capacity for feeling demands a radical shift in our relationship with the animal world 

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I also like these quotes by the wonderful Tim Gunn:

"Wearing fur is like wearing a big sign reading, 'I'm in favor of inflicting cruelty and pain on animals as a fashion statement.' Unspeakable torture is inflicted on dogs, cats, bunnies, raccoons, foxes, minks, and myriad trapped, helpless creatures in the name of fashion—yes, dogs and cats."

 Tim Gunn talks fur 

"I would say if you're going to use fur, you have a responsibility to know its origins. "

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and finally: Meet Gidget & Gadget . Warning: they will steal your heart away!

Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend time at Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary.

From what I had heard, I was already going to love this place. Rescued animals, beautiful grounds, and for the weekend: a Renaissance Festival with musicians, performers and other vendors all creating a little village within this peaceful setting.

I had no idea what I was in store for.

The grounds alone are worth visiting for~ twisting paths and barns with Gothic windows, elaborate hutches surrounded by beautiful old trees of many kinds, sunlit areas that felt like a lifetime away from work, worries, cars and the stark reality that brought these creatures here.

Donna White is now my personal hero. She built this sanctuary after saving up the money to create her dream, a place where abused and abandoned animals could live out their life and hopefully learn to trust people once again.

As I walked the grounds and read the many horror stories, tears welling up all while these abused animals ~ now so safe and happy ~ greeted me as I walked through their enclosure.

I knew immediately that wanted to help in some way.

Being a self employed artist, I don't have loads of money or time to offer. But I can try to raise some much needed funds by donating 10% of each sale from my Etsy shop from now on and for as long as I can afford to ~ and by telling everyone I know to please visit and support this magical place. (They have Sanctuary tours daily except for Tuesdays, birthday parties, film nights and many fairs and festivals throughout the year! Something for everyone and every family.)

As I was working within my booth most of the time, I didn't even begin to meet all of the beautiful creatures that reside there. Already plotting and planning my next visit as soon as I can manage! I cannot wait to go back and sit quietly on one of the many benches and wait for one of the many wandering goats, ducks, peacocks, cats, donkeys, geese, chickens, roosters, lambs, llamas, pigs, pheasants, rabbits and dogs to come over and win my heart like Stardust, Luna, Inky, Edmund, Jezebel and Waterford already have. (Not to mention the snowshoe siamese cats that reminded me of my beloved Athena...)

Can't wait to go back.

~   many more photos at my Flickr page  ~

Treasures of Heaven introductory video

The British Museum just posted an incredibly exciting video previewing the upcoming Exhibition that is opening in just a few weeks!

 My jewelry arrived safely for the gift shop thankfully after a bit of a stressful wait, will show more of the designs made specifically for this exhibition very soon. Really wish I could see this dream of a collection! Can't wait to hear all about it from my UK friends.

preview of work for the British Museum Gift Shop

Etsy Birthday!

It is my two year anniversary on Etsy today
 and to celebrate I am offering

free shipping starting now until the end of the month~! 

Just use the coupon code "2YEAR" while checking out on Etsy...

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Having so much fun utilizing the quartz crystals that I have had for ages but now started playing with again after rearranging my studio.

 Glad to find you like them too, there will be many more to come

~ as you can see I have quite a collection!

Show Updates

Really excited about the events coming up in June & July~ 

The first is a show that combines two of my favorite things...Renaissance costumes & helping animals! Second, returning to the beautiful Hammond Castle...

INSLOWSHIRE FESTIVAL

June 25 & 26, 2011

A Renaissance Festival to Benefit the Animals of Winslow Farm

Norton, MA

 facebook event page 

BBADIA MARE
~ The Abbey by the Sea~

July 23 & 24, 2011

Hammond Castle ~ Gloucester, MA

 facebook event page 

and the third show...

Happy to announce that I am now 

a new member of Boston Handmade!

 My first event with the group will be:

BOSTON HANDMADE MARKETPLACE

Saturday July 30th, 2011

3-7 pm in Union Square, Somerville, MA

(rain date: Sunday, July 31st)

 facebook group page