Delisa Sage and I met over 20 years ago in a workshop about pursuing your dreams in life. Soon after that, Delisa brought her vast skills as an artist to the creation of Collage Gallery on Potrero Hill in San Francisco.

This treasure trove has been featuring my jewelry since I first started making jewelry and following my own creative dreams. The focus of the gallery is on honoring renewal and restoration, making something entirely new out of something old or rare.

Delisa is a collage artist in her own right, specializing in transforming objects, reworking everything from vintage cameras to furniture. She not only sells a lot of my work, she wears it. A true artist’s statement. She likes to describe how I transform vintage elements into modern collectibles, harvesting metal seed beads from 1920s purses and using Victorian and Edwardian buttons to clasp necklaces and bracelets.

Something else I’ve heard her say: “When you wear Leslie’s jewelry, you will get compliments.” Love that.

Delisa is featuring my jewelry in a 20^th anniversary holiday trunk show.

Collage Gallery

This Saturday, December 3^rd, 4 to 6 p.m.

1345 18^th Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

415/282-4401

Delisa is also one of my dearest friends. We walk and talk together every week, sometimes between the rain drops. I cherish her opinion and sense of beauty and love getting calls from her saying, “I just sold three of your pieces this weekend.” You should see her home. It’s a work of art, much like every aspect of her life. We’d both love to see you at this holiday event. It means a lot to us.

Season Opener. Next weekend.

Celebration of Craftswomen

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

November 11, 12^th & 13^th

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason

Buchanan at Marina Boulevard

San Francisco, CA 94123

Booth 415

This show is a Bay Area tradition and a clear sign that the holidays are now in full swing.

The Celebration serves as a fundraiser for The Women’s Building, a multi-cultural community center where women and girls achieve self-sufficiency and pursue their dreams. This is a dream of a show, featuring the work of emerging women artists.

We’ll be in booth 415, among fine artists, photographers, ceramicists, printmakers, leather workers, glass artists, furniture makers, fiber and clothing artists, and of course, jewelers.

Turning fundraising into an art form. The cost of your admission (and our booth fees) benefit The Women’s Building, founded in 1978 to offer free bilingual Spanish/English information and referral services, educational support for low-income adults, financial counseling, and community events that promote arts, culture, and discussion. The Women’s Building was the first women-owned community center in the U.S. and now houses ten diverse community groups and has helped launch more than 160 women’s programs and initiatives in San Francisco.

You’ll find beautiful work and truly special, thoughtful gifts at this remarkable show. And if you show up with a friend, we’ll give you both an extra 10% off everything on display.

For information and directions give me a call at 415/456-0930 or email: ll@leslielawton.com. Call 415/225-5553 during the show.

Healdsburg Arts Festival

Saturday, September 24

On the Square in Beautiful Downtown Healdsburg

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food and wine will be served.

The Cool Factor. I’m Against It, In Fashion. OK, I’ve read the September Vogue, cover-to-cover. And as always I’m keeping an eye on New York Fashion Week. More than ever, I simply can’t relate. I did not see one thing or read one word that made the world of fashion feel relevant to my life and work. The cool factor reigns. Standing out is all about distancing. You know what? I think standing out is about looking like someone you want to get to know. What do you think? You comments are welcome. 

On Another Note: We usually do the Artistry in Fashion show in the fall. This year, due to construction on the Canada College campus, the show is scheduled for September 24^th. Sigh. We wish we could clone ourselves, so we could be at both shows on the same day, but it’s just not possible. We’re hoping the show will return to its late October schedule next year.

Finally, the site is all spiffed up for fall. You’ll find new work in etched sterling here in the one-of-a-kind section.

]]> http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/the-cool-factor-i%e2%80%99m-for-it-in-healdsburg/feed/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/showing-up-where-have-i-been/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/showing-up-where-have-i-been/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:20:39 +0000 Leslie http://www.leslielawton.com/?p=507

I’ve been creating new work this summer. It’s a little involved, so here’s a picture.

As many of you know, my designs can be complex. That string of white pearls just doesn’t do it for me. This new work combines a number of visual themes and techniques: Etching ancient and historic ornamental patterns onto sterling. Then combining the etchings with found objects such as Victorian buttons. Some of the pieces also include “designs” found in nature, called patterned stones. The overall effect sets the work apart – and naturally the woman who wears it.

The summer just zoomed by in the process. And now the work is ready for prime time, on my web site.

Showing Up, From Another Angle. This article about Sheryl Sandberg in The New Yorker really caught my eye, and not just because Facebook’s COO is wearing a killer necklace. She’s obviously a woman who is comfortable in her own skin, brilliant, and fearless. The article had some surprises for me, though, big ones. I’ve been blithely going through life thinking women were making great progress in the corporate world. But Ken Auletta’s statistics don’t bear that out at all.

Every time I think about what I’m doing with this business, I realize how deeply I want to see more women shine. For me, that has always been about encouraging women to show up, in every sense of that expression. It’s not really about all of us becoming corporate icons, although many more women deserve to be in that pantheon. But I’m wondering… what is it about?

Please write a nice, juicy comment just below. I really want to hear from you.

]]> http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/showing-up-where-have-i-been/feed/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/marin-open-studios-appearing-at-avalon/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/marin-open-studios-appearing-at-avalon/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 18:36:11 +0000 Leslie http://www.leslielawton.com/?p=497 We’re participating at Marin Open Studios again this year. Starting this Saturday, May 7th - through Saturday, May 14th.  A great outing for Mother’s Day, right in the artistic heart of San Rafael, three blocks from the Marin Arts Council Gallery.  Here’s the scoop, in shorthand:

Marin Open Studios

Leslie Lawton jewelry design

Showing at Avalon

1016 B Street

San Rafael

Saturday, May 7^th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday (Mother’s Day), May 8^th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m

San Rafael Artwalk

Again at Avalon

Friday evening, May 13

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

And yet again

Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I’m grappling with using my Nikon digital something something pixel camera and realize I should have communed with the manual years ago.

A friend is helping me out. He’s reading the manual, and he’s going to tell me what buttons to push. Get the gender thing there? But it’s really not about boys and girls. It’s about time. It’s time to let that old math anxiety go and enjoy the ride, take the learning curves, slowly and patiently. It’s really about taking the time to stare down obscurity.  I don’t have time! I tell myself. The best excuse there is. At least in my world.

We have a saying around our house. “Sunday is the new Monday.” Which means our weekends tend to be occupied with chores, errands, groceries and catching up on unfinished work. The only way we can get rested and refreshed is to get out of the house. Sound familiar?

Here’s a refreshing idea: The Contemporary Crafts Market can turn your weekend into a feast for the eyes and the arts. Truly remarkable arts and crafts are on view in Fort Mason, March 12^th and 13^th. You can download a free pass to indoor fun right here:

The Contemporary Crafts Market

Saturday and Sunday March 12 and 13^th

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason

Buchanan at Marina Boulevard

San Francisco, CA 94123

Booth F715

Here are some things I’m trying.  Filling my heart with golden light. (No kidding. It works.) Filling my bathtub with the scent of Mrs. Meyers lavender dishwashing liquid. (The scent goes straight to your heart. Swear to God.) Filling my weekends with sunshine.  (Tall order when it’s raining or when I’m turning Sunday into the New Monday.) Filling my  evenings  with friends and laughter. (Cakewalk.) 

But let’s just say that Valentine’s Day could serve as a reminder to set aside some time to do what you love. And to be especially sweet to your self.

Your thoughts? I really really really want to know how you create love in your life, especially for yourself.

]]> http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/valentines-daylove-notes/feed/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/sustainable-jewelry-finding-the-beauty-in-what-i-have/ http://www.leslielawton.com/blog/sustainable-jewelry-finding-the-beauty-in-what-i-have/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:19:06 +0000 Leslie http://www.leslielawton.com/?p=429

First and foremost, I’m thankful for all of you, the customers who buy, collect and appreciate my work. I feel so fortunate to be able to create with precious metals, magnificent materials and time-honored treasures. Over the years, I’ve bought a lot of beautiful things that have caught my eye: precious gems, beautifully-hued pearls, sterling and vermeil components, ethnic pieces, Victorian and Edwardian buttons, vintage seed beads from 1920s purses, metals, tassels and trims. I’m working with a real treasure trove here.

So for two years now, I’ve vowed to work what I have. Well, that’s turning out to be a source of more creative expression than I ever could have imagined.  Digging through all my old materials has inspired new ideas. Especially since I’m weaving in new etched sterling pendants, bracelets and earrings. (Next year, you’ll see more etching work in gold tones. Promise. Probably some pins, too.)

So I hope that these re-creations will catch your eye. I’m just filling in here and there with the basics, like sterling sheet for etching, and a few stones I can’t resist.  Isn’t your closet like that? And your jewelry box? Sustainable style is all about recreating yourself with what you have and filling in with a short list that keeps you current and leaves room for your own sense of self-expression. It’s good for you. And good for all of us.