Hello friend
I have some big ol' exciting news to share with you:
I've got a job!
Like, a “real” job. It's something I'm really excited about, and an interest that came up abruptly and unexpectedly after I got my very first prescription for progressive glasses. Starting in August, I'll be working at an optometrist's office as an optical technician and optician apprentice!
(Also, peep that new necklace! That's GOLD!)
This is both exciting and of course, as any change is, rather terrifying.
I’m not sure yet exactly what it means for elm harris. I’m certainly not planning to stop making jewelry or leave my incredible studio at The Clothespin Factory, but my time at the bench is going to be reduced.
I'll still have 2-3 days at the week in the studio, but I am going to need to be mindful of how I use that time.
I'm also taking a step back from doing shows, and this will be the first time in 5 years that I won't be at Paradise City Arts Festival!
Change is hard and scary. But ultimately, I'm really excited for this next chapter in helping people see better, and feel confident in their lunettes!
Limited Time-
Literally, my bench time has become limited.
But I also have a "limited time offer" on the ready made pieces on my site. It's not a sale, per se, but I STILL haven't updated my prices to reflect the current price of metal. (You may remember previous emails where I shared that metal prices soared to unprecedented levels this year. Most jewelers I know repriced their work to factor in replacement costs. Well, not this gal! As an example: this Wild Rose with Rust Red Diamond locket would be priced at $1,085 at today's metal cost.)
Current prices and pieces will be available until August 14th.
After that, whatever's left comes off the site, and those pieces will only be available in person at my remaining shows this summer.
Going forward, new work will be released in small batch collections. If all goes to plan, the first will come out in early November. (Crossing my fingers and toes-and eyes, that I can balance a new job, optician training and creating new work!)
I'm still taking custom projects, because I absolutely love doing them, but I can only take 4 per month now (down from my usual average of 10). If you have something in mind for the holidays, get your request in early!
Custom work has included luna lockets with a special photo inside, reliquaries with hair from a beloved pet or fabric from your favorite person's favorite shirt. I've done kinetic flowers with a hidden compartment for precious remains, and flowers etched with your loved one's handwriting.
Pieces to celebrate births, memorialize a loved one after death, and to celebrate major accomplishments- like this custom book celebrating the completion of a medical degree!
And I'm still keeping space open for the Guided Experiences Making (GEM)
GEM is in-person custom jewelry. Participants come into my studio for a day or two, depending on the scope of the piece and how involved you want to be in making it. The above mentioned custom projects can be commissioned to be completed by me, OR you can participate in making it WITH me.
I recently had another beautiful Guided Experience with Sara. We've created such meaningful pieces together, and this one was no different. This time, her son Elliott took part too.
After his dad died, Sara bought a certified star in his name, and Elliott keeps the star map with its coordinates in his room. An avid space fan, he wanted to make something inspired by his interests that his mom could wear, so he designed a galaxy pendant in his dad's honor. He envisioned it being kinetic too :)
They both participated in making the piece by hand
In Sara's words:
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Elliot on a project that holds significant personal value for both of us. The experience at Erin’s new studio was truly exceptional. I highly recommend exploring her work; she is an outstanding artist, educator, and individual. I was delighted to work with her again, and I appreciate her accommodating Elliott’s participation."
Come see me!
There are a few opportunities to come visit it in person if you’re local.
Friday, October 2nd is the Art Walk in Montpelier, and I will be open from 4-8.
And then Saturday October 3rd and Sunday October 4th is Open Studio Weekend in VT, and the studio will be open both days from 10-5.
Not only that, but my dear friend and amazing painter Margaret Shipman will be joining me, and will have a collection of her stunning paintings available (I happen to have 5 of them myself :)
A final note.
If you've been here for a little bit, you'll remember that I created the Pretti Good Whistles as a response to the murders by ICE since the start of this year. So many of you were deeply affected by this, and it has felt important and gratifying to raise money for the ACLU through the sale of these.
In light of two more shootings, of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero, I'm releasing another small flock.
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Waitsfield Farmers Market and Summer Schedule
Hello friends
I'll be at the Waitsfield Farmers Market tomorrow from 9-1 with a set up that looks something like the above! I did my FIRST farmers market last weekend as a fill-in at Stowe and despite the rain, I had a great time! Lets hope for dry skies tomorrow (the forecast is lookin good)
Here's where you can find me the rest of the summer (and of course I welcome you to come see me at the Clothespin Factory as well! Email me at erin@elmharris.com to set up a time to see the new digs.)
May 16 Waitsfield Farmers Market
May 23-25 Paradise City Arts Festival, Northampton MA
May 30 Waitsfield Farmers Market
June 5 Montpelier Art Walk (studio open 4-8)
June 13 Waitsfield Farmers Market
June 30 Waitsfield Farmers Market
Aug 22 Waitsfield Farmers Market
Aug 29. Waitsfield Farmers Market
Sept 5 Waitsfield Farmers Market
Sept 12-13 Laudholm Art Fest, Wells ME
Sept 19 Waitsfield Farmers Market
Oct 2 Montpelier Art Walk (Studio open 4-8 pm)
Oct 3-4 VT Open Studio Weekend
Oct 17 Waitsfield Farmers Market
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Montpelier Art Walk and Open Studio Tomorrow!
A quick note to let you know that tomorrow, April 3 is the Montpelier Art Walk. Held the first Friday of every-other month, this is an opportunity to see artists in their studios and get a sense of the vibrant arts scene in Montpelier!
The walk is from 4-8pm. If you're local, please come visit and see my new studio! It's at 3 Granite St, suite 203 (the building next to the Co-op on the corner of Granite St and Stone Cutters Way)
Whistle Warriors
I've been busy for the past few weeks making whistles for all my "whistle warriors" (IYKYK!) They are all shipping out this week. But while I was working on the bird whistles, I got a custom request for a shell whistle!
I would LOVE to make another shell whistle, so if you're interested in having one, go ahead and hit reply and I'll get you in the books.
And I'm still making bird whistles.
So far, $900 has been donated to the ACLU, thanks to a Whistle Warrior who matched my donation from my first batch of whistles. She happened to make her matched donation during a 2x event so her donation was doubled!
I'll be making another donation from the second round of whistles, and I am still deciding the best place to donate to make the biggest impact.
That's all for today. I hope if you're local you will come see me tomorrow!
xoxox
erin
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The whistles are coming.
I finished up two more rounds of whistles, and they will be winging their way to you this week!
Like little warriors lined up for battle. Something that was born out of pain, anger and frustration, though a joy to make. I hope they bring you a little joy to receive.
Now, about the boxes.
As I was digging through a desk drawer, I found a little paper house my crafty mom made for me a few years ago, probably when my obsession with miniatures was rekindled. But as soon as I saw it, it sparked an idea:
What followed was a creative back and forth between mother and daughter.
I scanned the house into my computer and created an outline. Removed the windows and added a single opening.
I cut and scored it on my laser engraver:
It worked decently well, but I couldn't make it any bigger than this:
I sent the file to my mom and she did her magic to make it suitable to use in her Silhouette cutting device, and scale it up:
Then she cut a bunch of them, and then excitedly asked me two or three days in a row if they'd arrived in the mail yet. When they did, I was as excited as she was!
So, I spent the ENTIRE day today folding up little birhouses, selecting the perfect bird for each of you, and nesting them into their custom boxes.
You should all be receiving them shortly!!
(And I did make a few extras, if the box is what puts you over the top towards wanting one of your own!)
Thank you for following along on this journey, my Whistle Warriors! You are all my favorites :)
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I'm starting the email with an upsetting photo and headline, I know. But it's kinda why we're all here.
The man in the blue sweatshirt is a "federal agent".
Please take a good look at him.
When I think of a federal agent, a police officer, or a member of the military, I think about the presentation of authority. A crisp uniform. A distinct, trim haircut. Shirts tucked in, shoes shined. Even their hats, if the uniform includes them, look sharp.
I don't think of...this.
Not some dude with ill fitting glasses and his hands tucked into his tactical vest.
When I first saw this photo (as the news was breaking) I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I actually kind of did both.
He looks like a punchline to a terrible joke being played on all of us.
Just ol' Joe Shmoe with a tactical vest and a gun. It's actually terrifying
I won't go into the details of the day, because the headline sums it up pretty succinctly. Suffice to say it was a long one, culminating with injustice being carried out. Again. And this time, the local PD and Vermont State Police participated (with ICE) which is so disheartening.
So I make whistles.
And I make them for you. I want these whistles to make you feel powerful, connected, supported and brave.
As I mentioned in the previous email, I use a different medium for these, Precious Metal Clay. It is so hands-on, in a way that my traditional metal smithing work isn’t.
My typical pieces involve hard metal, sawing with jagged blades, filing with coarse files, using a flame to force the metal where I want it to go.
Hammer blows to move metal. Piercing with a drill bit and filling the studio with the sounds of a dental office, a high pitched whining whir.
Rigid work.
And you might think this sounds like a great way to get rid of frustration
A way to channel rage.
But working in the metal clay- it’s flexible, yielding. Soft and responsive.
The pieces start in a rough egg shape (or, more accurately, a chocolate covered almond!) Then get finely sanded using just an emery board and sanding sponges.
A drop of water smooths things, removes imperfections.
When I sculpt the head, a subtle pinch to make a beak, the gentlest touch creates such personality in the little emerging bird.
My fingers get covered in a layer of fine silver dust. A swipe at an invisible itch leaves a mark like flour on the cheek of a grandmother baking cookies
Everything about making these whistles feels…gentle.
Calm, and soothing.
Isn’t that a juxtaposition?
I'm making a warning. Something meant to attract attention, to make noise. To give a voice to the scared and silenced.
But I make it in quietude.
There are no loud hammers, no buzz of the flex shaft.
It’s just me, my hands, music in my ear, creating voices.
There is something so feminine about the process.
Women create. We support. We nourish and nurture. We bake. We bend in compromise. We break.
But we build.
We build up with our soothing hands and big warm hearts and brilliant minds. And that’s the energy we need right now. Furious women blowing whistles, knitting hats, painting posters, calling sentators, baking cookies for protestors.
There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish- Michelle Obama
I'm expecting to have whistles shipping out as early as next week! Those who selected the "choose your whistle" option will be emailed with a photo of the line up to select yours, and then they will be shipped out in the order they were received. Each bird has its own little personality, as unique as you, and I intend for them to bring you both delight and determination to keep going. Build, persist, hope.
I'll be sending out one more email update to tell you a little about the packaging- it's SO CUTE, it deserves it's own update, so stay tuned for that.
(And if you haven't gotten a whistle, but want one, I'm still making them!)
Happy Women's History Month, Whistle Warrorios!
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So the thing I was most worried about happening when I sent that last email?…
(You know, the one where I drew the line in the sand, and said Fuck Ice?)
Well…it happened.
“Shame on you. Ignorant as possible”
That’s all she said, before unsubscribing.
My heart dropped into my stomach, and nauseous, I started panic-checking my email, dreading more missives like hers.
Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
One of my least favorite feelings.
But here’s the thing-
She couldn’t be more wrong.
“I think this was my favorite email from you…I loved the Desmond Tutu quote (I'm also a quote collector). But the part I loved the best? . . . you finding your voice…But beyond that, and more important, you used your voice . . to convey something significant that unites so many of us in our collective grief over these past 47 - now 58 - days. And, you gave us your expression through your art. So, I would love to receive one of your Pretti Good Whistles. And I will match your donation to the ACLU, as well.”
And you know how I feel?
I feel proud.
I feel hopeful, because not only did the whistles sell in under an hour, but, I received more messages than I have EVER received from an email, and with the exception of that single message shaming me, the rest were all messages of support, love, and hope.
I’ve got a list of close to 50 people who want a whistle.
"I would love to have one, and I stand with you 100%."
"H Erin - I love this email so much and it’s just what I needed to read today. Thank you for standing up and using your voice and your incredible talent to put good into this world!"
"You are on the right side of humanity. As artists, its our job to shine light…"
"Thank you for your email-you so elegantly voiced exactly how I feel."
"I am so proud of you!! It is so hard to know what to do or know what to say in this awful space we are in! Fuck ICE and fuck any one who unfollows for what you said or what you have to say. Good riddance!! I MEAN THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID. it was not ugly to anyone except the lawless hate and murder. They had whistles. 🙁
"I love these and your post was terrific. Even for people on the other side. It wasn’t confrontational, it was perfect"
"Wow, Erin, these are just beautiful. I have no words for what's happening in this crazy world, either. It's senseless. I love that you pour yourself into these stunning objects you create. The little gold one….❤️
Erin, Thank you for having the courage to say what needs to be said. This brought me to tears, I am actually crying right now. Yah...FUCK ice. The whistles, just OH MY!!!! I recently taught myself to knit and am making "melt the ice" hats.… Onwards and upwards my friend!
Yes, sis. Yes. I love this so much and appreciate your honesty, your work, your sentiments…you.
This really did make my heart happy to read.
Thank you for doing this -- your work and the hard work of stepping into that scary non-neutral space.
Beautiful words! Thank you! Yes, I would like a whistle please! Thank you for making such beautiful pieces and again for the thoughtful and brave post and email!
Hello Erin.. Omg… what an incredible email you have composed… I had to read it in pieces… not all at once. Thank you so much for writing that and sharing it. You have such incredible artistic talent in writing/composing this as well… overwhelming but with such strength and power and honor for these souls.
Your email today certainly hit the spot for me. [your words] were strong and powerful and for those few followers you lost, at least they were exposed to your words, and might unconsciously think about what you said even though they won't come right out and say so...rather than stay in their own bubble of comfort and ignorance, and not hear them at all.
“This is so eloquently written Erin. Sometimes I find , women especially conflate “confrontation “ with just honoring your personal boundaries….confrontation is when you enter, ready for a fight. Or if you express a boundary, the other person responds by putting up their dukes , which turns things into a confrontation….and then we have the choice to engage at the same time even, or simply walk away…In the end the only thing that matters is how we feel about ourselves in these interactions…"
So, I'm not done making whistles.
I’m going to keep making them, and I’m going to keep sending a portion as a donation, not only to the ACLU, but I've found other organizations as well, thanks for a reader who lives in MN and gave me the names of a few more groups who could use our support.
The fight is just beginning.
We are Whistle Warriors.
If you’d like to get one, I’ve opened up two listings for pre-orders.
One options is “artists choice”. If you're not particular about what your bird looks like, I will select one for you and ship it once it is complete.
If you’d prefer to be able to pick out your whistle, I have a listing for that as well.
Once I’ve made another group of 10 whistles, I will send you a photo of the group and you will be able to select the one you’d like.
You will be notified in the order the purchase comes through, so if you are the first to put an order in for this, you will be the first who gets to select)
Each whistle is hand sculpted by me in .950 sterling silver (also called “enriched” silver) so while they will look similar, each one will have their own little personality.
Wait, erin, "sculpted" in sterling? What do you mean?
If you're not familiar with this material, it is silver, but instead of coming as sheet or rigid metal, it is a clay-consistency. Tiny particles of silver are mixed with water and a starch binder. As I work with the material, the water evaporates. Then I fire it in a kiln, and the starch burns away, leaving only the little particles of silver, which fuse into solid metal! As close to alchemy (and magic) as I've ever seen.
(This enriched silver takes 24k gold beautifully, so if you are interested in a whistle with some gold on it (I know the 22k gold whistle is a little spendy) that can be an option. Please email me erin@elmharris.com and we can talk about that option.)
In conclusion. Thanks for being you.
You truly made me feel so seen and supported, and filled me with hope at a time where things are feeling more and more hopeless.
We HAVE to remember, we are the helpers.
(And there are more of us than the shamers.)
As promised
here are those MN specific organizations if you'd like to make a donation.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, which provides free legal assistance to immigrants & refugees
Immigrant Rapid Release Fund, a pooled philanthropic fund from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota which directs donations to where they’re needed most
My Pitbull is Family / North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center This is an INCREDIBLE organization, helping all pets get the food & veterinary care they need. They help arrange short-term foster care for pets when families need. They also provide groceries for pets’ humans too.
https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/mutualaid
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I hate confrontation.
I avoid confrontation to a pathological degree. I don't even like to return things. I've been known to quietly remove a stray hair from a sandwich and once, when I found a dead moth under a piece of lettuce on my plate at a restaurant, I just politely put the lettuce back on top.
I've been hesitating on sending this email for weeks.
But if you've been here for a while, you know I love to collect quotes, and I read this one recently
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”. Desmond Tutu
So, this is that email. The one where I cross the line from showing you my work and talking about the weather, to expressing my utter and complete disgust, devastation and heartbreak over what is happening in my country.
I posted this on Instagram 2 days ago and the response has been overwhelming and positive. I lost 4 followers. I gained 27.
So if you're not on the 'gram, here it is, in it's entirety.
Pretti Good Whistles
I’m trying to find the words
But I don’t know what to say
(Its not that I’m speechless,
I’m sputtering with rage)
“We had whistles. They had guns”
I’ve written this post so many times since Renee Good was killed. I didn’t know how to articulate just how angry and helpless I felt.
I couldn’t stop thinking of what her widow, Becca, said: “we had whistles, they had guns”
Whistles vs guns
A dystopian David vs Goliath.
So I turned to silver, and made a whistle to honor her.
And I made it a bird, something cheerful and sweet
as Renee was described to be.
Before I could even draw breath to blow into this tiny act of resistance,
Alex Pretti.
So I made another whistle.
Each one, a different sound.
Every piercing note a reminder.
And I kept making them.
When I finished the last one (in gold, because if ever there was a time for something precious, it is now) I learned 7 more names:
Keith Porter.
Geraldo Lunas Campos
Luis Gustavo Núñez Caceres
Luis Beltrán Yanez-Cruz
Parady La
Heber Sánchez Domínguez
Victor Manuel Díaz
Nine people killed since New Years Eve.
And now another voice, silenced,
another whistle to be made for Linda Davis.
Ten lives in 47 days.
47.
How ironic
I found words.
I’m finding my voice:
F u c k. I c e.
I will officially be posting these whistles this Thursday, March 5th, but they are live on the site now, hidden. If you feel strongly that you would like to have one, please hit reply and I will give you the link.
If you want to take your chances (I have a feeling they will go quickly) set a reminder for 6:00PM EST on Thursday, March 5th.
(I still need to make 3 more, so if you miss them on Thursday, there are three more coming.)
I will donate a portion of the sale of these to the ACLU.
If you're still here,
Thank you. I know it's dark right now, and difficult to find the light. So what do I do when I begin to lose hope? Here are some suggestions.
Get outside. Take a walk someplace beautiful. If you’ve got a bike path, a lake, an ocean or a mountain path near you, go for a walk. Do it without input- no podcast, no music, no friends (or if you bring a friend, no talking). Just observe and breathe.
Dark showers. If you can do this safely, take a shower (or a bath) in the dark or semi-dark. I’ve been doing this when I feel overwhelmed, and it’s blissful.(If safety is a concern, light a candle or put on a nightlight- the idea is to remove as much outside “noise” as possible. If you’re not looking at how dirty the tile is, it’s one less thing to occupy your brain or add to your stress)
Write. In your journal, or just take out a blank plain piece of paper and brain dump. Write down your fears, what is scaring you or bothering you. It doesn’t matter what you do with this paper later. You might even burn it. The point is to dump those stressors from your brain to paper.
Make something. Make without expectations, without agenda or expectation. Do you have some watercolors laying around? Crayons or markers? Just put marks on paper- blend colors, paint rainbows. Don’t worry about making something beautiful. Just make something.
Call someone you love. Not to complain or share your distress, but in the words of Stevie Wonder, "to say I love you".
Boycott where you can. It may not seem like it makes a big difference, but it does. You will also feel better knowing you aren’t lining the pockets of greedy billionaires. Support local businesses as much as possible. Yes, I know Amazon is convenient, but your local stores are struggling to survive. https://www.boycottcitizens.org/ice
And above all else, take care of yourself. That’s so important right now.
Take breaks.
Take a walk.
Scream.
Drink water.
Take a breath.
Blow a whistle.
Blow it loud.
Resist.
Rest.
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