Elva Fields Blog
-
Back in the Big Apple
My youngest was a year or so old the last time I was in New York for any length of time...and she'll be 8 this fall, so my city skills were rusty at best, but it was just as a friend of mine (from our mutual Manhattan-dwelling days in the early 2000s) says, "Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker." She was right on the money. As soon as my cab crossed the East River on its way into the city from LaGuardia, it all came flooding back to me: the hustle and bustle, buildings all piled in together on such a small island, horns honking, corner bodegas filled with flowers and cold drinks, people of all shapes, sizes, colors, fashion sensibilities, languages, and directions bringing such beauty to the urban landscape around them. "Ah, New York," I thought as it all passed by my taxi window, "I've missed you!"
The trip was an unexpected one, and I was thrilled to be along for the ride, having been asked by Louisville-based GE Appliances to help with the launch of their latest brand: Café, and its Matte Collection in black and white finishes with entirely customizable hardware in brushed bronze, stainless, copper, and black.
What in the world does jewelry have to do with refrigerators? One look, and you'll understand: the appliances are STUNNING and the elegant fittings are nothing short of jewelry-inspired with beautiful metal options.
My job while in the city with GE would be to create customizable jewelry for each guest at the brand launch parties, allowing editors, buyers, and freelance writers to select beads inspired by the metallic finishes of the appliances and design their own necklace, earrings, or bracelet, made especially for them while they waited.
I can't even begin to tell you how much fun this was - not just from a design challenge standpoint, but from a personal interaction and entirely enjoyable standpoint. I had the opportunity to work with the amazing team from GE, the AMAZING Louisville-based designers Natalie Officer and team and Gretchen Black, each tapped to create the most beautiful kitchen settings to showcase the appliances, great PR teams, I was able to chat with incredible women and men in the industry (and in media) and be in a beautiful space in Chelsea while doing it. (See my Instagram highlights here for a quick re-cap!)
Before the jewelry crafting kicked off, I took a minute to relax in Madison Square Park and ended up having one of the most moving experiences of my life, one I hope not to soon forget.
And, after the events were over, I even managed to get out and enjoy an evening in the city with a breathtaking view. Truly, I'm not sure I've ever been a gal who's found herself speechless, but this surprise spot left me without words.
From a quick walk of the High Line (which didn't even exist when I lived in Manhattan!) to a matinée performance of a provocative play by incredible actors in the first Broadway production by an Asian American female playwrite, New York certainly did not disappoint. I hope to head back soon (or at least sooner than 7 years from now!) Some time in the Big Apple did this Bluegrass gal just right. -
Save the Date : Instagram-Exclusive Sale
SAVE THE DATE
Our First-Ever Instagram-Only Sale
on The Elva Awesome
Tuesday, July 10th
9 p.m. EST
Okay, here's the story: we're moving the studio (!) so our photography set-up and jewelry inventory will be packed away for a bit, but we didn't want to spend the whole month of July keeping you waiting for new jewels...
So, we thought we'd try something new for our next update of necklaces, earrings, and fun finds (and maybe even some old favorites that we'll offer at great sale prices!) and share it all on The Elva Awesome on Instagram!
Here's how it'll work (if it goes according to plan - which is, as we all know, hilarious, because, well, life):
- We'll start posting items at 9 pm EST on July 10th on our Elva Awesome feed.
- Follow The Elva Awesome on Instagram to see what's for sale (you can turn on notifications for us if you're really ambitious!)
- The first to comment SOLD and DM their email address for each item will be the winner of that item.
- We'll send an invoice to the email provided. If the invoice isn't paid within 24 hours, the item will be offered to the next bidder in line for the item.
- We've never done this before, so bear with us...but we think this will be a fun and fresh way to enjoy Elva, and then we'll likely be back to more regular sharing on the site once the new studio is settled.
Definitely feel free to be in touch with any questions, and we'll look forward to the fun on the 10th! See you then!
-
Because We Are All Connected
We're all connected, one to another as humans in this life experience. Our love knot earrings symbolize our in-this-together-ness and will offer half of their retail price to help others in need, specifically young children separated from their families at the border. Through Together Rising, every $10 we donate will help reunite these families thanks to the tireless work of organizations like the Florence Project and KIND who navigate the legal system on behalf of immigrant children.
Based on a vintage design and being produced in small batches for us, we'll have a limited edition collection of 50 of each style (sterling silver over brass or 14 karat gold over brass) available to ship in mid-August. If we sell all of these earrings, we'll be able to make a contribution of $1000 toward making a difference in devastating circumstances, and these earrings may perhaps be a symbol of connectedness AND hope when we need it most.
Thank you for considering joining us in helping love others well. Together we can do great things, friends.
-
June in June
-
Reading List
We've started the summer on our front porch with stacks of library books; if you ask us, the perfect way to spend a sunny day. A few favorites lately:
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - I found myself cheering on the almost-8-year-old main character and laughing out loud at her clever, astute, and hilarious observations.
The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown - I'm a fan of anything with Paris in the title, and it only gets better if the heroine of the book finds her footing, courage, and herself along the way.
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav - Full disclosure: I'm super interested in different spiritual paths and learning about the soul, so this was definitely my jam...but I listened on audiobook and it is not lively or exciting in presentation. At all. Nor always comprehensible, and it kind of hurt my brain to consider some of the ideas, but it was fascinating. You know, if you're into that kind of thing. And Oprah is (she reads an introduction,) so there's that.
The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein - Another one I listened to as an audiobook, and I adored the reader, transporting me to the alluring countrysides of Scotland with her beautiful accent. A murder mystery with jewelry AND a strong female lead meant I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.
This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell - a love story that is equal parts complex, real, funny, and warm-hearted.
And, my 7-year-old's (pictured above) tried-and-true favorite will always be: The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, both by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers.
Happy reading!
