Jewelry Artist Statement

I've been absent... sorry! So busy, my life is these days. One thing I've been working on, with the help of a friend who is a great writer/editor is an artist statement to accompany my jewelry. So here's the final version:

Jewelry by Evelyn Taylor
Modern Earthy Wearables

My mother kept her jewelry collection in the middle drawer of her dresser, organized in egg crates and velvet boxes. I discovered it at a young age and visited often. The treasures I found in that drawer inspired me then, and continue to influence my jewelry and sculpture
designs.

My work has evolved out of practicality, a personal aesthetic, and a desire for originality. I began making my own jewelry at around the age of eight, taking apart tape recorders and using the gears and springs to make earrings. Even then I was planning outfits around accessories, and
to this day I tend to shop and dress based on what jewelry feels right. I’ve always received comments and compliments from co-workers and friends, and my colleagues at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Kimmel Center have become my most loyal customers. It's a pleasure to sit at meetings and see my work adorning the necks, earlobes, and fingers of those across the conference room table!

My woven necklaces were born in 2003, two nights before I was to attend a formal party for which I had the perfect dress, but lacked the perfect necklace. When I bought the dress, I envisioned woven silver threads draping around the scooped neckline. So I took an old mini loom that I’d used years before to weave copper wire—really just a wooden block with a hole in the middle and six headless nails—and found that it worked perfectly with silver embroidery thread. Hours later, I had a
necklace no one else would be wearing. I began selling them when people began asking me to make them. I'm still weaving with metallic embroidery threads of various hues and weights, and have since added other materials and tools, such as colorful Japanese cord and larger looms, to the mix.

Inspiration has come in many forms since my mother's jewelry drawer. Syracuse University is where I discovered clay, and the ancient Japanese Raku firing technique. A four-year stint as a production ceramist at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works brought carving, stamping and surface pattern into my work. The sculptures of Alexander Calder and the furniture of the Eames brothers influenced me to develop a sleek, modern vision. And my passion for the outdoors—especially lakes and woods—continues to keep things earthy and organic in terms of color and texture.

Moving to Collingswood in 2006 brought great changes in my life. Cooper River Park has become a haven of visual stimulation, as well as meditation and exercise. Perkins Center for the Arts has provided more than just studio space, introducing the rich, chocolate brown clay that has become the standard for my handmade beads as well as a social network of potters.

All of the beads are rolled in my hands, so each one is unique. Some are imprinted using pieces of jewelry from my mother's drawer. Some are made from molds or hand-carved. Found materials, such as Bakelite buttons, vintage earrings, and beach pottery shards have inspired a whimsical line of rings.

I usually design for myself, but seeing my work on others has helped to expand my vision of what works with a variety of styles, colors, proportions, and shapes. But it continues to be important that my collection is adaptable and wearable in all aspects of my life: with casual t-shirts or sundresses, with crisp white blouses and suit jackets at the office, and with dresses or gowns for evening events.

Can't resist Free Will

Ok, I promise not to reprint my horoscope EVERY week... but once you read this one, you'll see why I couldn't resist. It seems Rob is determined that this will be my best year ever. These predictions for the next two weeks are nothing short of inspiring, and are already starting to prove true with work changes, my first yoga class, production in the clay studio, and a new guy entering the picture!

ARIES (March 21-April 19): *The Onion* newspaper reported on a South Carolina man who was so grateful for what God had done in the previous week that he put an extra $5 in the collection plate at church on Sunday. Brad Thaden was especially pleased with the nice weather and how well his kids had behaved. I expect that by February 18, Aries, you too might feel the urge to give Supreme Being a tip, or do whatever the equivalent might be in your world. Among the extra perks you could be blessed with: a deeper connection with a resource you've wanted to be closer to; the heating up of a promising alliance; a social upgrade that will make you feel more at home in the world; and a vision of where to go next with your ambitions.

Sing it Bruce

To say my friend Poly is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan would be the understatement of the year. She's devoted, loyal, passionate, rabid. Yeah, that's more like it—rabid. Me, Ive always liked Bruce, but never quite dipped to devotion. When I rediscovered Asbury Park a few years ago, I was more than impressed, granted, but that's about as far as it went.

Then I heard "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" from his new CD Magic. At first I didn't even realize it was Bruce. Magic? Oh, it's magic, alright. It's dreamy, wistful, romantic and lovely, while simultaneously evoking the gritty sights, tastes and smells of the Jersey boardwalk in July. His voice is throaty and full like I haven't heard before. It dips and swells with the surf breeze. It's the stuff swoons are made of.

Now maybe this perfect song won't turn me into a Poly-approved devotee, but I dare say Bruce could sing that song over and over, any day of the year and I'd hang on every note.

> Here's a link to the video on youtube

She went away
She cut me like a knife
Hello beautiful thing
Maybe you could save my life
With just a glance
Down here on Magic Street
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by, pass me by

Leading lady material

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" starring Kate Winslet? It's pure fluff, but I love it. I've seen it about six times, and every time it comes on cable, I get sucked in again. Buried deep in all the fluff is this one really poignant moment when Kate's character is weeping to her octogenarian friend Arthur about her cad ex-boyfriend for whom she desperately pines. Arthur says, "In every movie there's a leading lady and a best friend. You're leading lady material, but your acting like the best friend!"

Kate suddenly sees the light, and replies, "I should at least be the leading lady of my OWN LIFE!" Damn straight, Kate.

There are lots of us women out there who have let ourselves be treated over and over again like the best friend. I know I have. I could rattle off half a dozen guys who I fell for hard, who never intended to be in a committed relationship with me, but kept me around (flirted, called, hugged, maybe even swapped spit) because I was a devoted, loyal friend who made them feel handsome/sexy/desirable.

They're not all cads. Some of them truly mean well, but they just don't know how to resist letting a woman pine for them -- it's too flattering! And we help by letting them -- and probably by believing that "best friend" is all we deserve anyway.

Turn the tides, girls! Take back the star on your dressing room door, and think of those men as fans of YOURS instead of the other way around. They need you way more than you need them anyway! The man who appreciates your generosity properly will make you the priority you deserve to be.

Good Shopping Karma

How often do you put a store's sale on your calendar? And how often do you make a list of things to look for at that sale? And further, how often do you actually go to the sale, with your list and find everything on it? Dare I say, it's as rare as the Eagles in the Superbowl?

Yesterday was REI's member garage sale. I got there around 11am, though there had been people camped out overnight waiting for the doors to open (maybe I'll consider that someday when I can actually buy a kayak and other larger equipment). It was jammed. The line was long, but moving quickly. I felt a flush come over me as I considered the possibility that they would be all out of the stuff I was looking for.

But after a brief, yet worthwhile detour through the shoe section (where I scored two pairs of Keens for about 75% off), I found what I was looking for in the climbing section. I got the shoes and harness that were on my list, and they were both on sale!

I went prepared to spend $100 on the climbing shoes alone. Instead, I spent a little more than $100 on EVERYTHING!

So in two weeks when I go back to the rock climbing gym, I'll have my very own gear to break in... which excites me to no end! I guess the moral of the story is, sometimes it really pays to mark your calendar and make a list. At the same time, don't be so overly focused that you miss out on the detours!

Laws of Attraction

A friend recently encouraged me to read the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I was reluctant. It's been on Oprah, and it's on the best seller's list, and it's new-agey and I was sure it would be cheesy.

Turns out it is sort of cheesy, but once you get past the cheese, there's so much meat! The premise is that life's key (the secret) is the law of attraction. You attract your life with your thoughts and energy. So if you're constantly thinking about what can go wrong, you'll attract the bad stuff. But if you set your sites on what you really want, you'll attract it into your life.

Hardly a new concept, the secret. It's been around for eons, and the book talks about that. I remember exploring this concept in the early '90s when I was going to semi-regular meditation group. But if it's new to you, or if you're only just now ready to embrace the concept, its age is irrelevant. Now is what matters.

One of my favorite lines in the book is "the most important thing for you to know is that it's impossible to feel bad and at the same time be having good thoughts." I've been walking around with that in my head all week, and I've received more compliments and had more attention paid to me this week than I can remember in awhile! This stuff flows out of your pores.

I also like that it's inspiring me to truly envision the life I want. And further, to actually imagine what it would FEEL like to have that life. Try to imagine that you have it NOW and feel it. I was brought to tears the first time I tried it.

Ok, now I'm sounding new-agey. But that's ok. My feet are still planted firmly on the ground... but why not let my mind float a little? It feels good to feel good.

This is the Year of Pinpoint Aim

I get the Free Will Astrology e-newsletter by Rob Brezsny every week. It's not like me, because I've never really been a horoscope reader. But week after week (even year after year), it's amazing how spot-on it is. Rob seems to know what's on my mind, and his predictions and assignments speak to my personal journey! This week's was so stunning, I had to share it... partly so I can keep re-reading it. It's incredibly inspirational and hits the bullseye of what I want for myself this year. Thanks Rob!!

Aries Horoscope for week of January 17, 2008

I urge you to spend 2008 turning all of your pretty good but half-developed
notions into a few brilliant, fully formed ideas. While you're at it, melt down
your hundreds of wishy-washy wishes and recast them into three driving desires.
This is the Year of Pinpoint Aim, Aries, also known as the Year of Lasering Your
Focus and the Year of Seeing with Fierce Clarity. Psyche yourself up for a major
campaign to cut the crap so the essence can shine.

My new friend the WindStopper

I recently splurged on the Women's WindStopper SYNC Jacket by EMS that has turned out to be one of the best clothing purchases I've ever made! EMS emailed me an invitation to review it, so I figured I'd reprint it here:

Unexpected Features Make it Even Better

I live near the Cooper River in NJ, and there's a terrific 4 mile loop around it that I walk several times a week. It gets pretty windy in the fall/winter, so buying this jacket was the end of my "it's too windy" excuse for braving the colder months!
And what's even better are the little unexpected details:

-- The underarm zipper vents allow me to cool down if I get sweaty without unzipping the front, exposing my chest.

-- The zippered arm pocket which is perfect for my iPod.

-- The little zippered pocket inside the hip pocket so I can secure my keys without closing the whole pocket.

-- The extra sleeve length tucks easily into my gloves.

This is a GREAT jacket and I have been raving about ever since it arrived.

Waiting for the Eagles to fly

The Philadelphia Eagles' season only ended a week and a half ago, and I'm already anxiously awaiting the 2008 season. This year was painfully ... painful. But next year could be amazing. Seriously.

As long as McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy, that's at least half the battle. The other half has many parts, including acquiring some new offensive weapons, remaking the special teams and more consistently aggressive play calling.

It was so frustrating to see the team play better than their record suggested week after week after week. Their stats were generally good, but somehow the boys just lacked the focus to win. A few points here and there, and we'd still be fighting in the post-season.

I'm partial to Donovan McNabb. He's the biggest reason I love the team so much. So the main reason I'd like to see us go all the way is so he can retire with one of those coveted rings on his hand! He truly deserves one. It would look good on him!

There's no doubt in my mind those Birds will at least go to the playoffs next year. As for the you-know-what, we'll have to wait and see.

2007's Bests & Favorites

In my opinion:

Best New TV: Man vs. Wild (favorite episode is the one where Bear catches a salmon in a stream, and takes a raw bite while it's still wriggling in his hands -- now THAT's sushi!)
Best Reality TV: Survivor (it never gets old)
Best Drama TV: ER (ok, maybe it's old, but I still LOVE it)
Best Comedy TV: The Office (I've never been so delighted to cringe, and that Steve Carell is swoon-a-rific)

Best Movie(s): Once (heartbreaking romance and music); La Vie en Rose (I cried from how beautifully acted it was); Juno (refreshing and lovely and inspiring)
Best Netflix: Big Love, season 1 (Mormon fundamentalists on TV? Righteous!)

Most satisfying album: Raising Sand by Alison Kraus & Robert Palmer
(download "Gone Gone Gone")
Dirtiest single (in a good way): Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Coolest new discoveries: Dr. Dog (download "Worst Trip"); and Lily Allen (download "Smile")

Jewelry trend: huge rings (bigger is definitely better)

Favorite dessert: Tres Leches cake at Casona in Collingswood
Favorite entree: Pulled pork with peanut bbq sauce at Tortilla Press in Collingswood

Best concert: Soweto Gospel Choir in Verizon Hall (they come back next year, and I can't suggest strongly enough that you DON'T MISS IT)
Best theater: Wicked at the Academy of Music (gotta love a good prequel)