About
Designer Jewelry For An Active Life
This unique line of handcrafted jewelry is built to stand up to your life! I know what it’s like to play hard, so everything comes with a lifetime guarantee. This is jewelry that is meant to be worn, and loved.
I design and create everything by hand in my home studio in Palatine, IL (way out in the Chicago suburbs). I use solid sterling silver and copper to create my jewelry line. I even mine all of the stones used in my work with my husband, lapidary artist, Thano Ellis. These one of a kind, hand-cut stones add yet another unique aspect to my work. My Eco-friendly jewelry making process includes using a natural pickle solution to clean my metals. Most jewelers use a mild acid, I use vinegar. My flux (the chemical that helps solder flow) is borax, a natural alternative. I save and recycle all of my metal scraps and purchase recycled metals whenever I can. My husband and I gather our stones without the use of mechanical tools making sure to leave no trace. I do everything in my power to keep my jewelry making process as natural and chemical free as I can. Everything is also created while using the vibration of Reiki. Reiki brings unconditional love from the universe to your jewelry.
After spending many years in the sierras, next to Lake Tahoe, I recently relocated closer to family so they can help with my ongoing health issues. My heart is still in the mountains, and that is heavily reflected in my work.I am a Jewelry Designer, Jewelry Artist, Photographer, and Reiki Master Teacher.
I am also a PiXiE, aka a person living with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (www.pxe.org). This genetic mutation has given me a unique appreciation for life, art, and music that is felt in my work. I put a piece of my soul into everything I make. My passion for my art pushes me to try new and creative ways of showing you the world through my eyes! This work is truly inspired by my life!
Fear of losing my vision (due to pxe) prevented me from pushing my art; for over a decade I had a "just in case" career, as a clinical massage therapist, a career I could perform blind. I am no longer living in FEAR! I am ready to share my art with the world!
I have been a silversmith for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to have a jewelry program at my high school, so at my first chance I signed up. I was able to take classes for over 3 years, learning everything from casting to stone setting. By graduation, in 1995, I had more than enough skills to start my own jewelry line. Now not only do I make everything by hand, but I also mine all of my gemstones with my husband, lapidary artist, Thano Ellis. Together we send Reiki to the Earth while looking for and gathering stones. We also use Reiki to clear negative energy out of all our materials, while raising the vibration of all of our work.
I started shooting pictures at a very young age, but I didn’t get any formal training until 1996. I have always loved shooting people, although recently I've been fascinated by Nature Photography. I have worked as a freelance photographer since 1998. I’ve worked on everything from band albums, live concerts, skateboarding & snowboarding, weddings & events, family portraits, animal portraits, live DJ sets & everything in-between.
My unique perspective gives an interesting spark to my designs. All of my jewelry pieces are one of a kind and infused with Reiki. I even have a unique line of pendants combining my photography with my jewelry! I have a wide variety of sterling silver and copper designs, including handmade chains!
We are happiest outside! Summers are for rock-hounding (aka looking for gemstones), and my husband and I spend our winters on the mountain, snowboarding as much as we can! The rest of our time we are passionate about creating art! We share our home with the best dog in the world! Life is great!
**** Find out more about me in this interview with Shred Betties! http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/erin_donnelly_ellis_jewelry_for_an_active_lifestyle/ *********
Thano Ellis:
"Every piece I make is different, no two are identical. I don't add any extra finishes; only what was applied to the wood prior to my collecting. Most finishes are toxic and I'm not about adding to that future. Beware: There WILL be irregularities with reclaimed & upcycled wood... bug holes, scratches, warping, bowing, rough surfaces, sun bleaching, burn marks, etc... but I believe those qualities only makes each piece that much more unique and special. You can't beat natures beauty - reclaiming allows me to re-share the beauty that nature gave us, via my art." - Thano
I design and create everything by hand in my home studio in Palatine, IL (way out in the Chicago suburbs). I use solid sterling silver and copper to create my jewelry line. I even mine all of the stones used in my work with my husband, lapidary artist, Thano Ellis. These one of a kind, hand-cut stones add yet another unique aspect to my work. My Eco-friendly jewelry making process includes using a natural pickle solution to clean my metals. Most jewelers use a mild acid, I use vinegar. My flux (the chemical that helps solder flow) is borax, a natural alternative. I save and recycle all of my metal scraps and purchase recycled metals whenever I can. My husband and I gather our stones without the use of mechanical tools making sure to leave no trace. I do everything in my power to keep my jewelry making process as natural and chemical free as I can. Everything is also created while using the vibration of Reiki. Reiki brings unconditional love from the universe to your jewelry.
After spending many years in the sierras, next to Lake Tahoe, I recently relocated closer to family so they can help with my ongoing health issues. My heart is still in the mountains, and that is heavily reflected in my work.I am a Jewelry Designer, Jewelry Artist, Photographer, and Reiki Master Teacher.
I am also a PiXiE, aka a person living with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (www.pxe.org). This genetic mutation has given me a unique appreciation for life, art, and music that is felt in my work. I put a piece of my soul into everything I make. My passion for my art pushes me to try new and creative ways of showing you the world through my eyes! This work is truly inspired by my life!
Fear of losing my vision (due to pxe) prevented me from pushing my art; for over a decade I had a "just in case" career, as a clinical massage therapist, a career I could perform blind. I am no longer living in FEAR! I am ready to share my art with the world!
I have been a silversmith for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to have a jewelry program at my high school, so at my first chance I signed up. I was able to take classes for over 3 years, learning everything from casting to stone setting. By graduation, in 1995, I had more than enough skills to start my own jewelry line. Now not only do I make everything by hand, but I also mine all of my gemstones with my husband, lapidary artist, Thano Ellis. Together we send Reiki to the Earth while looking for and gathering stones. We also use Reiki to clear negative energy out of all our materials, while raising the vibration of all of our work.
I started shooting pictures at a very young age, but I didn’t get any formal training until 1996. I have always loved shooting people, although recently I've been fascinated by Nature Photography. I have worked as a freelance photographer since 1998. I’ve worked on everything from band albums, live concerts, skateboarding & snowboarding, weddings & events, family portraits, animal portraits, live DJ sets & everything in-between.
My unique perspective gives an interesting spark to my designs. All of my jewelry pieces are one of a kind and infused with Reiki. I even have a unique line of pendants combining my photography with my jewelry! I have a wide variety of sterling silver and copper designs, including handmade chains!
We are happiest outside! Summers are for rock-hounding (aka looking for gemstones), and my husband and I spend our winters on the mountain, snowboarding as much as we can! The rest of our time we are passionate about creating art! We share our home with the best dog in the world! Life is great!
**** Find out more about me in this interview with Shred Betties! http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/erin_donnelly_ellis_jewelry_for_an_active_lifestyle/ *********
Thano Ellis:
"Every piece I make is different, no two are identical. I don't add any extra finishes; only what was applied to the wood prior to my collecting. Most finishes are toxic and I'm not about adding to that future. Beware: There WILL be irregularities with reclaimed & upcycled wood... bug holes, scratches, warping, bowing, rough surfaces, sun bleaching, burn marks, etc... but I believe those qualities only makes each piece that much more unique and special. You can't beat natures beauty - reclaiming allows me to re-share the beauty that nature gave us, via my art." - Thano