Once upon a time, my work inspired my photoshoots, and the stories that followed. It was a linear process, like a one-way street. Over the years, as I’ve evolved as an artist, my jewelry and the photoshoots are part of the same story, equally influencing the other. As I visualize new pieces, the story unfolds, influencing the photoshoot. As the photoshoot takes shape, more inspiration flows into my new pieces. Everything is intertwined. One cannot exist without the other.

Photoshoots are more than just a necessary, technical part of my business.  They are just as creative as my bench work, as I infuse my natural artistic expression, pull back the curtain, and craft a new story. 

Besides making jewelry, directing my photoshoots is one of my favorite things to do in my business. In the studio, hovering over my bench, I call all the shots. On a photoshoot, I’m just one part of a creative team. This is what I love the most.

My models are my closest friends, with busy lives of their own, that do not revolve around mine. Every time they show up for me, I’m grateful. It’s rarely a cushy, cozy setting either. I’m usually dragging the team to some remote alley, a cold, frosty meadow, or a damp forest. Even when the weather is harsh, they stick with me and power through, until the job is done.

Sometimes the inspiration is very practical, when I just need beautiful photos of my jewelry being worn by an amazing human. Other times, it can be creatively fantastical, when I want to create a mood or a feeling, where the jewelry is part of a theme, a larger picture, and not necessarily the center of attention. My photographer is so much more than a technician. She is an artist, and a storyteller. She understands my creative language, and can interpret my vision in her imagery.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll take you on a journey, behind the scenes. You’ll meet Julie, who, dreamed about working with horses, from a very young age. Like Julie, I also shared this dream. I remember, there was something about the beauty and grace of a horse, that captured my heart. I even had a book titled A Love of Horses. Today, Julie is living out her dream, and I can’t wait to tell you her story…

Part II: Coming Soon

The love part…

Gemstones are amazing! Each with their own juicy, colorful goodness, plus so many shapes and sizes. I also love the symbolism of each stone, and I think about this when I’m in my creative zone. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you love your birthstone. I don’t happen to love Emeralds, my birthstone, and I’m pretty sure my hubby would never wear Pearls (giggle).

The ish part…

The meaning behind birthstones, has been somewhat randomly assigned by the commercial jewelry industry, to sell more jewelry. Sometimes there are many different interpretations for each stone, so this is kinda sketchy. So, what if you don’t love YOUR birthstone? Are you just S.O.L.? No way. If the meaning of another birthstone resonates with you, go for it. If you were born in July, but you love the rich golden color of Citrine, don’t listen to anyone’s stinkin’ rules. Buy the damn Citrine.

That said, I’ve set aside the ish part, and I’ve challenged myself to make small capsule collections of birthstone jewelry each month, in my own edgy, industrial signature style. On my bench right now, I’ve got some beautiful Opal and Pink Tourmaline for October, Citrine for November and Turquoise for December. Garnet, Amethyst and Aquamarine stones are gathering in their trays for the beginning of 2021. I think you’re gonna LOVE the combination of cut, fine stones, combined with gritty, mineral specimens and stone slices. 

Just for fun, I’ve compiled a list of traditional birthstones, and their meanings below. Several months have more than one birthstone. Keep in mind, gemstones often have more than one meaning or interpretation.

Before you go, make sure you sign up for my VIP Insiders List to get updates on these new monthly capsule collections. I’ll be sending updates the first Thursday of each month to show you the collection for that month. VIP's get to see it first, so don’t miss out!

Birthstones by Month:

January

• Garnet:  Believed to bring safety to the wearer during travel. Good health, wealth and happiness. 

February

• Amethyst:  Strengthens relationships and brings the wearer courage. Personal empowerment and inner strength.

March

• Aquamarine: Purity of spirit and soul.
• Bloodstone:  Brings health and strength

April

• Diamond: Everlasting love. Courage, clarity and strength.

May

• Emerald: Wisdom, growth and patience. 

June

• Pearls: Purity.
• Alexandrite: Good luck, fortune and love.
• Moonstone: Love, passion and fertility. 

July

• Ruby: Love, passion and youthful energy.

August

• Peridot: Strength, shielding from evil
• Spinel: Eases anger, promotes harmony
• Sardonyx: Courage, happiness and clear communication

September

• Sapphire: Purity and wisdom. Sincerity, truth and faithfulness

October

• Opal: Purity, hope and truth
• Pink Tourmaline: Artistic expression, compassion and love

November

• Topaz: Long life, beauty and intelligence
• Citrine: Soothe tempers, brings calmness 

December

• Turquoise: Health and good fortune
• Tanzanite: Transformation
• Zircon: Promotes sleep and scares off evil spirits

 
If you really wanna geek out on all the juicy details, you can read more about gemstones here on the GIA Website.

To say this is my happy place, is a total understatement. Imagine a lush birch forest with a little wetland bog, deer happily frolicking everywhere, raccoons, wild turkeys and sometimes pesky mosquitoes. Just steps away from home, my studio is literally 2 doors down from my house.

Inside it's quiet and super cozy, with a little pot belly stove burning in the corner for warmth. It’s practically a cliche, except it’s very real, and exactly what you’d expect for a little rural Montana art studio. 

There is no need for a shop front, with only occasional visits from a customer here and there, who comes in to pick something up.

I share the space with Tammy, a friend and fellow maker, and also Les, my step dad, who is a retired goldsmith. Often, you’ll find him inside, forging beautiful little copper vessels, but usually when Tammy and I aren’t working, because he makes a ton of noise. 

The coffee is hot, strong and plentiful. The snacks are naughty and decadent, but necessary. Most days you’ll find music, or a juicy audio book playing in the background. It’s comfy, and it feels like home, but without distraction. So much creativity bubbles out of this space, too big to be fully contained.

Some days I go there, by myself, to sit and just be. Quietly replenishing my mind, my body and my creative flow.

On any given day, you’ll find Tammy, Les and me, gathered around a bench, solving huge design challenges together. Pencils, sketchbooks and stones strewn everywhere, as we work through a design hurdle for one of us. An outsider might see chaos, but this is our happy place.

Sometimes I'm in there using loud equipment with my headphones on, listening to an epic fantasy fiction novel, like the Queen of the Tearling trilogy. Time flies in my happy place. At times, you’ll find me sprawled on the floor, doing the stretches prescribed by my physical therapist, to keep me safe and comfortable during my long hours at the bench. This work takes a toll on my body.

My studio. My happy place. But it’s so much more than that. I never know what will consume me there each day. Some days I have a clear plan, and I carry it out seamlessly. Other days the plan unfolds before me, sprinkling in a few surprises and challenges here and there. More than just a happy place, my studio is a place of peace, healing, creativity, excitement, problem solving and, of course, endless snacking.

Slip into your fuzzy slippers, flip flops or cozy socks. We’re about to get really comfy and intimate with one another.  

Up until recently, (literally like 3 or 4 ish weeks ago) Allison Kallaway Jewelry was primarily a road show. I traveled far and wide to my live events, where you and I would meet in person… some for the first time, and others year-after-year. This where we connected and shared a laugh. This is where I helped you style your jewelry, answered questions about stones, how to safely store your new pieces or how to care for your investments. Well friends, life has thrown us all a curve ball.   

Do. Not. Panic. We can figure this out. Either we dodge the ball and hope for the best, or we grab it and run! I’ll promise you one thing, I’m not going to leave you hanging, all alone at home plate. This is an opportunity for growth, and a chance to regroup, reset and move in a new direction. Maybe we’ll call this the Allison Kallaway Jewelry 2020 Shakeup! Everything I once did in person, I’ll now be doing in my private Facebook Group. Trust me, this is gonna be FUN!

I’ll have even more behind-the-scenes footage and opportunities to connect with you in the Facebook Group…

• Every week, (sometimes daily) I will take you inside my studio for exclusive sneak peeks of what I’m working on.
• From time-to-time I’ll go LIVE so you can look over my shoulder in real time, and watch a piece in progress. 
• I'll talk with you about stones, fabrication and the artistic process. The vibe will be light, funny (hopefully) and entertaining, or at the very least, informative. (Sorry, you'll have to go elsewhere for doom and gloom) 
• I will create videos about how to care for your jewelry, the metal, the stones, and how to store your pieces.
• The group will be an intimate space, chock full of value for you, and where we can interact and become better friends. 
• We will get to know one another and help to build a special Facebook community.
• The action starts right away, so JOIN the private Facebook Group right this minute! You don’t want to miss any juicy goodness. 

It's super easy to join! Go to my Facebook business page, Allison Kallaway Jewelry, click "like", then send a message to me, letting me know you would like to be added to the group...and Boom! You're in!

One crucial step in pivoting my business to full-service online is to get to know you better. This will help me to bring YOU more of what you LOVE and to serve you better. Please help me out, and take this brief survey so you and I can become better acquainted. Click HERE to start the survey now. 

I’m putting the “personal” back into Personal Shopping! 

The one thing you feel may be missing is that one-on-one time we used to share at shows. No worries, I am not going into hiding. Quite the opposite. I am available by appointment to meet with you for a video shopping call. You can schedule a private shopping experience with me right HERE on Calendly. Just answer a couple questions when booking the appointment so I can prepare for our call. It’s really that easy.

One day, VIP, I think we’ll all look back on these uncertain times and marvel at how we powered through. We’ll realize we are stronger than we gave ourselves credit for. We are smart, savvy, problem solvers. We’re in this together VIP, you and me against the world. Together we’ll figure it out!

I remember when Valentine’s Day was sweet. Simple and innocent. Think all the way back to grade school and those hand crafted “mail boxes” made from tissue-paper-covered shoeboxes, to collect all of our valentines. Or the construction paper cards with “Be Mine” inscribed in crayon and a heart-shaped sugary treat taped inside. Remember those? Ahh the good ‘old days. Nowadays Valentine’s Day has become over-commercialized. For some it’s offensive, and for many they might be missing the point.

At one time, I might have even been put off by the swelling Hallmark holiday.

Maybe because I was a “late bloomer” of sorts, single until 38-years old, or maybe I’m just a cynic. But the simplicity of Valentine’s Day that I remember as a child, got lost somewhere along the way.. It’s about chocolate-covered strawberries and romantic little tokens of love.

Ok, I confess. Maybe I’ve softened a little about the “holiday of love”. And maybe we really can get back to the sweet innocence I remember from childhood. If you have a sweetie (sisters, moms and BFFs included) and are looking for that perfect expression of love, I’ve got you covered. On January 30th I’m launching my Valentine’s collection. 14 beautiful, one-of-a-kind tokens of love.

To be sure you don’t miss a thing, sign up for my VIP email list to get a reminder about all collection launches, and get first exclusive access to view and shop the collection.

 

When designing a color-themed collection, I typically bypass the sketchbook and start with the stones themselves. The beautiful hues and tones delight my imagination and inspire my work.