Elva Fields: Jewels from a Small-Town Studio

Fun finds from a few of our favorite vendors at...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:35:50 -0400

Fun finds from a few of our favorite vendors at yesterday’s flea market adventures…

Last Mother’s Day, I found myself next to my own sweet...

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:38:29 -0400

Last Mother’s Day, I found myself next to my own sweet mama at a concert for which Marc Cohn was the opening act. I had been running late, caught at home after a diaper disaster and a toddler tantrum, changing clothes at the last minute because of both…and I made it to my seat just as the lights darkened. My mom sat, waiting with a knowing smile and a glass of wine extended, and I knew there was no need for a long-winded explanation I might have felt obligated to offer anyone else.

A few minutes into his performance, he played this song, dedicated to all of the mothers in the audience, and I think I stopped breathing altogether. My mom and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes, and I wept quietly for the entire song.

Nearly every day I think about the intricacies of who we are, why we are…how we ended up where we did, doing what we do, choosing certain paths in life. How much of it is owed to those who came before us and how much of it might be of our own making.

I named this business after my great-grandmother with every intention of honoring the wonderful woman she was, and each of our three collections is named for the generations ahead of me, because they are literally and metaphorically the reason I am here. I am grateful for the blessings handed down from these women—a passion for the creative process, a love of style and fashion (though you might not immediately sense that from the circa 1982 photo above), a taste for delicious food (still working on the cooking part of it), a sense of adventure, a dedication to philanthropy, and a strength I’m still hoping to realize—just to name a few traits I’m immeasurably happy to have (hopefully) inherited. Truthfully, there are a few things I wish had skipped generations—varicose veins, a fiercely stubborn independence bordering on recklessness, and not-so-great fingernails—but these pale in comparison to the gifts I’ve been given and am often not sure I deserve or understand completely.

My daughters are named for their great-grandmothers, and I’d be thrilled beyond measure to think that they’ll one day embody characteristics of the lovely ladies who first carried their monikers. As their mother, I am hopeful—and sometimes hesitant—about what I am handing down to them. It’s a bit too soon to tell, but I would love to try my hardest to pass along even the tiniest bits of kindness, patience, boundless joy, strength of spirit, and a resilience to carry them through. It is a pleasure and privilege beyond words to have the opportunity to be part of their journey in this adventure of life—I’ll attempt to remember that amidst the next diaper disaster and tantrum. Ultimately, I’d like to think I’ll be the patient mother waiting with a glass of wine, a smile, and a moment of understanding when they need it most down the road. Maybe that didn’t skip a generation. Thank you, Mimi, Nana, and Mom for the things you handed down.

I read something at some point along the line that explained a...

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:47:49 -0400

I read something at some point along the line that explained a particular place as being a salve, a place that heals and mends. I believe this is true, that there are certain spots—actual, physical places in our lives—that restore, refresh, and bring us back from whatever wound-inflicting difficulties we may be facing. There are a handful of these places for me on this earth, but one that seems to serve most often as my retreat, my haven, a salve, is pictured above.

Just a snippet to give you a glimpse, and it actually captures so much of what I love about this place. It is always saturated in color (even on the grayest of days, of which there are few) and it never fails to bring warmth and an inkling of all that is carefree and happy (despite however much you may be lacking of either in your heart and mind at the time.)

I’ve just come home from there and am on the mend and looking toward brighter days. A soothing salve of a place to be sure, captured in photograph until I can return again soon.

As I was pulling out of our driveway one day at the end of last...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:08:58 -0400

As I was pulling out of our driveway one day at the end of last week, I realized the car had a flat tire. We were on time and in good spirits this particular morning, and the me of a few months ago might have had a meltdown behind the wheel, realizing our (my) perfectly-calculated schedule was going entirely and completely awry. The me of last Thursday got out of the car, stood beside the tire, staring at it, trying to formulate a new plan of action while my older daughter looked on in curiosity.

“Mom, what are you doing?” she asked through her open window.

“I’m coming up with a game plan,” I responded, continuing to stare at the tire.

“Don’t worry,” she said to her little sister in the car seat next to her, “Mom’s got a plan.”

And with that, they continued reading their books. Clearly, they believed I was in charge. No questions asked. Scary and reassuring all at once.

A few seconds later, internally decided on next steps, I let them out of their seats, helped them into their boots, and we marched down to the creek that runs just behind our house, waiting for AAA to arrive and swap out the flat tire.

For the next hour, two toddlers were water fairies with British accents, splashed playfully, grabbed at swimming tadpoles, climbed their rock palace, and scooped moss and sticks in their nets…no preschool, no conference calls, no sitter drop-off, no frantic high-speed trek cross-county to make it on time anywhere at all. And it was completely fine. Happy, actually.

An hour (and two dry sets of clothes) later, we pulled out of the driveway again—and I hope I’ll be the me of last Thursday the next time life gets in the way of whatever schedule I’m keeping.

These hundred-year-old beauties arrived in the studio today and...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:52:05 -0400

These hundred-year-old beauties arrived in the studio today and I cannot stop staring at them. They are breathtaking. Proof yet again (not that I needed it, nor should you) that things do truly get better with age.

"For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you..."

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:10:16 -0400

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

I stepped out of the studio this week for my daughter’s...

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:28:46 -0400

I stepped out of the studio this week for my daughter’s Easter party at pre-school. Yes, it was a busy week. Yes, I had plenty of other things I could have been doing with the hour or so it would take me to get there, stay for the party, and then drive back. Yes, I considered ditching it.

Here’s why I didn’t:

1. My guilty conscience is set to full throttle at all times, and I knew I’d feel like a horrible mother for NOT going…especially if my only excuse was work. Don’t get me wrong, my little ladies love jewelry and love visiting the studio (they even play pretend “studio” and make earrings and necklaces for fun…it’s equally amazing and scary) but it’s not a valid excuse for missing an event in the eyes of a four-year-old.

2. As we were leaving the house that morning, aforementioned four-year-old said, “Wait just ONE minute, Mom. I have to go get something.” A few minutes later (pushing our very narrow window of time to make the car-rider drop-off line) she descended the stairs with a purple satin princess purse over her arm, filled with a packet of tissues and a deck of cards. (Honestly, it’s like she’s my grandmother going to Bridge with the ladies.) Perched on her head were two decorated headbands. ”Sweetpea, you know you have two headbands on, right?” I asked. ”Yes, Mom. I wanted to be EXTRA fancy since we’re having a party today. Let’s go.” If the party is fancy enough to merit double decoration, then I should probably be there.

3. While there are lots of drawbacks to owning your own business, being able to leave when YOU decide to is a legitimate perk. So off I went.

It was, perhaps, the bright spot in my week. (And this week definitely needed one.) Not only did she squeal with delight when I arrived (which never fails to make you feel like a million bucks) she was in her double-headband element—delighting at hopping like a bunny for a relay race, giggling with pure joy at discovering hidden eggs in the lawn, and beyond giddy about the plastic frog and lizard inside one of them. She cheered for her friends, laughed easily, and smiled all the way. I was proud and contented just to be part of her fun.

I am certain I overcomplicate my life, and though the complexity and chaos can’t be always be avoided, stepping back from the swirling schedule and often-maddening to-do lists (not to mention the crazy mess running through my mind most days,) I found a bit of calm and joy in a few minutes at a preschool party, and that is worth more than all the necklaces in this studio.

Thought this was perfect for today’s “Small-Town...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:23:15 -0400

Thought this was perfect for today’s “Small-Town Springtime” Collection launch…kindness is always the way to go.

Popped in one of my favorite shops today (another unexpected...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:00:47 -0400

Popped in one of my favorite shops today (another unexpected trip into “town” to run errands…) and spied this gorgeous, fun pattern on a pair of silk pants by Milly. Literally stopped in my tracks, crossed the store, and fell head over heels for a pair of pants. I left them hanging on the rack, but don’t think I didn’t gaze back over my shoulder more than twice on my way out. And take a picture.

The best rainy afternoon last week: lunch at a favorite spot...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:30:56 -0400

The best rainy afternoon last week: lunch at a favorite spot with a magazine to myself (at the window! and no interruptions by toddlers!) and some nearby vintage shopping…after which I might have ended up bringing the golden beauties above home with me.

A friend of mine from graduate school—who (full...

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:29:00 -0500

A friend of mine from graduate school—who (full disclosure) is now the Assistant Curator of a wonderful museum collection—recently posted an article listing 100 Museums to Visit Before You Die. I love museums…I could spend hours wandering, looking, reading, considering, investigating, exploring, just breathing in the entire experience. I consider an ideal afternoon one that includes a stroll through a museum (and lunch with wine, but I digress…) and if I’m in a new city, I make a point to visit at least one museum—be it historic home, art, science, or culturally focused. In short, I’m a fan.

My trip to Paris this past summer was obviously going to include some serious museum-going…and perhaps the visit I was most anticipating (read: annoyingly excited about) was the one I had planned to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. This enthusiasm was fueled by several factors:

1. With a degree in Decorative Art History, one is obligated to visit museums dedicated exclusively to this field. The desire (and guilt and responsibility) is palpable.

2. The museum had been closed for renovations during the entire college semester I spent in Paris, and I’d never had the privilege of visiting before.

3. Though the museum is located next to the Louvre, there is rarely any line or any wait at all to enter. (Louvre, schmouvre…yes, I just said that.)

4. They have an amazing historical jewelry collection. (And I should stop there…really, that’s all I needed.)

I can say without reservation and with complete honesty that the Musée des Arts Décoratifs lived up to all expectations I had about it. I reveled in the painted ceilings taken from a Renaissance palace, mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet on display, the preserved apartment rooms of Jeanne Lanvin, and the ironwork doorways leading to vaulted rooms with intricately-carved woodwork and painted panels. And before I even entered the sleek, stylish, darkened rooms of the jewelry galleries, I found plenty of jewel-like lovelies in the glass, enamel, and metalwork collections. (images above)

It was an altogether wonderful experience…followed by wine with lunch, just to bring it on home for the win. Next on my museum wish list? #14 I think. ’Til then, I’m sticking a little closer to home with a visit to this local spot…and perhaps a summer road trip to Arkansas to check out this amazing place, too. Hope they serve wine in Bentonville.

[all photos ©Elva Fields, LLC]

Spring Collection 2013: Look Book

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:01:14 -0500

All images ©Elva Fields, LLC

Music provided by Taylorsville native and Nashville recording artist J.D. Shelburne.

Music and lyrics by J.D. Shelburne, co-written with Bob Stewart.

I’ve just finished watching the Oscars (a first since an...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:13:00 -0500

I’ve just finished watching the Oscars (a first since an impromptu party at a friend’s apartment in New York during grad school…yikes, so it’s clearly been a while) and while I certainly don’t consider myself a fashion expert of any kind, I love seeing what actors choose to wear for special occasions like this one.

It is so fascinating to me that most of the women we see on screen have nearly unlimited access to the most amazing designs and designers in the world—truly, the sky’s the limit—and that many of these actresses employ stylists whose entire purpose is to help them cultivate a sense of style (or at least appear as though they have one.) There’s no excuse for not looking amazing, right? (And while I’d never throw anyone under the bus—in this forum anyway—I will say that the only dress from this year’s Oscars that made me say, “That is an awesome dress,” out loud—to my husband who did not care—was Anne Hathaway’s stunning and subtly sparkling Armani dress during her performance with the cast of Les Mis on stage. And now I’ll also say that I can’t believe I just linked to Perez Hilton, but honestly it was the only image I could find of the damn dress tonight.)

While I can’t even wrap my mind around how I’d leave dress-shopping to someone else (although, let’s face it, one look at me on the red carpet and everyone watching might wonder why on God’s green earth I opted not to enlist the assistance of a stylist…) I found myself daydreaming about what I’d wear to a red-carpet event if I had endless, incredible, no-rules access to any dress out there.

After a bit of consideration, I decided I’d be raiding the storage holdings of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. I had the honor and privilege of visiting their archives for a project with a fashion course I was taking in graduate school, and I’ll not soon forget the experience. It is, in a word, unbelievable. From a scholarly standpoint, I’d feel terrible compromising the integrity of such incredible works of art by wearing them (the preservationist in me would be horrified ) but from a purely fashion-loving standpoint, I’d be in heaven.

Browsing their online collections, I found more than a few designs I’d have no problem sporting for the big show:

(above, from left—click on each for full view)

If I were to leave my super girly-girl side completely unchecked and go full-on feminine, this Dior number from the early 1950s (part of the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Met) would be a top pick. All those hand-sewn sequins and gorgeous details would make me forget all about the itchy horse hair keeping the crinolines in perfect place.

A perfect backdrop for some Elva jewels, a 1970s Valentino evening dress from The Met would be so comfortable and such an effortless, easy style to enjoy wearing. Not to mention I am powerless when it comes to that coral color. And sleeves. And Valentino. Man, I wish this were in my closet.

Like any good awards show, however, there has to be a winner…and seeing this long-time favorite on the left of the last image (my love affair with all things Madeleine Vionnet started in that grad-school fashion class) made all of the other dresses pale in comparison. A true leading lady, a regal red-carpet goer, a screen siren—this dress was destined for stardom from the start. Between the ribbon-like banding in metal threads across the full, swinging tulle skirts and the wrapped cap-sleeve bodice…all in GOLD no less? Dying. So gorgeous, I know I’ll be dreaming about it tonight.

But until I need an Oscar-worthy gown, I’ll just be pretend-shopping at The Met…come on by Pinterest to see a few other gorgeous frocks I make-believe wore on the red carpet. Stylist, schmylist.

{all images from The Metropolitan Museum of Art}

We’re big granola fans around our house—with yogurt...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:01:48 -0500

We’re big granola fans around our house—with yogurt or milk for breakfast, mixed with M&M’s on a family hike, or even on its own as a snack during movie time—and once I realized that making your own wasn’t as big a deal as I thought* (I barely qualify as a decent cook, so it must be easy) we have a near-constant supply on hand. Unless we give it away as a gift, which is a really easy but fun present to pass along to friends!

My all-time favorite recipe is an adapted version of Maggie Green’s Crunchy Pecan Granola, featured in The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook—my go-to source for meals I can actually make. (And as a bonus, her recipes make best use of seasonal ingredients found easily here in the Bluegrass State.) I love that the granola features two of my favorite Kentucky products: honey and sorghum—and read below the recipe for fun online sources for each of the sweet local inclusions.

Here’s how to whip up a batch of 7-8 cups of granola goodness:

4 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups chopped pecans

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons canola or flax seed oil

1/4 cup Kentucky sorghum

1/2 cup Kentucky honey

4 tablespoons flax or chia seeds (or both!)

1 cup mix of golden raisins and dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 300° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I use two trays just to avoid making a mess when I pile on the granola and stir it later.) In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Toss the mixture with the oil, sorghum and honey. Spread on the baking sheet(s) and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Remove from the oven and stir in the dried fruit goodness. Cool and store in an airtight container (or package in a pretty jar for gift-giving!)

Some Sweet Sources…

—first and foremost, your local farmer’s market…otherwise:

Kentucky Sorghum:

Oberholtzer’s Kentucky Sorghum

Townsend Sorghum Mill

Sweet, Sweet Sorghum Kentucky’s Golden Wonder website

Kentucky Honey:

Louisville Honey Company

Spille Honey

Lucky Frost Honey

Pure Raw Kentucky Honey

Kentucky Proud Market

*Don’t want to make your own? Try Sweetgrass Granola, a Kentucky treat that makes a difference, too.

There was a gorgeous sliver of moon low in the sky last...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:00:30 -0500

There was a gorgeous sliver of moon low in the sky last night—living in the country has distinct advantages for stargazing, it’s true. And my daughters are entirely fascinated by the man in the moon and making wishes on twinkling lights in the nighttime sky, so it seems we have a bit of a theme happening here lately.

Between this necklace we just designed in the studio (above, coming soon!),

a recent return to my Alma Mater, Hollins University, where I always see this childhood favorite written by Margaret Wise Brown, a fellow Hollins alum,

and this animated feature we fell in love with over the summer after taking our elder little lady to the cinema to see “Brave,” (Truthfully, I was so charmed by this unexpected short film before the main event started that I could have left the theatre then and there a happy gal.) Since we just surprised her with the “Brave” DVD, I was delighted to see that “La Luna” is included in the Bonus Features. Needless to say, we’ve watched it more than twice.

…and then this song on a thoughtfully-crafted mix CD from my sister-in-law, I’m feeling the lunar love.

A few finds from a quick trip to an antique mall this weekend....

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:54:54 -0500

A few finds from a quick trip to an antique mall this weekend. The thrill of the hunt will never tire for me…I am endlessly inspired by what I discover from the past.

It has been a long time since I’ve opened a catalogue...

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:00:31 -0500

It has been a long time since I’ve opened a catalogue (other than from my beloved J. Crew of course) and found myself folding down the corner of every other page, falling in love with the fashions featured within.

When the latest mailing from Boden arrived, I half expected to flip through it with my four-year-old, who loves their little lady outfits. (She’s a huge fan of “footie leggings”—AKA tights—and they have some rockin’ striped styles she adores.) Turns out, a love for Boden is a mother-daughter connection we share. (Though don’t count on seeing us both in striped footie leggings anytime soon…)

Just a few of the pieces that caught my eye, from top left:

Ravello Top (sweet short-sleeved blouse in punchy pink)

Stitch Jumper (a fun minty pullover for cool spring starts)

Skinny Ankle Skimmer Jeans (feel like these would be the easiest part of any outfit)

Florence Top (brights and neutrals in beautiful balance—love)

Crochet Jacket (comfort of crochet with ladylike structure)

Pointed Slingbacks (in. every. color.)

The more I design, the more I realize I am drawn to...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:15:40 -0500

The more I design, the more I realize I am drawn to color—vibrant hues, subtle shades—it is the collections of colors that first strike, and then I can define the details.

This rings true for me:

“The craving for colour is a natural necessity just as for water and fire. Colour is a raw material indispensable to life. At every era of his existence and his history, the human being has associated colour with his joys, his actions, and his pleasures.”

-Fernand Leger, “On Monumentality and Color,” 1943.

“Women who are going places start at Hollins.” My...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:12:32 -0500

“Women who are going places start at Hollins.” My Alma Mater’s motto is spot-on spectacular (so is the Alma Mater herself, really.) I must say, though, that even in the “going places” it’s wonderful to return.

-thought after a weekend spent at Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia

A few things swirling around in my mind lately: ~ I treated...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:08:25 -0500

A few things swirling around in my mind lately:

~ I treated myself to new linens this week and I think it may have changed my whole outlook on life. Something about the cheerful vintage-inspired floral (above) and the little indulgence of buying them…makes me smile every time I see them. These blankets, spied on a nearby shelf in the same store, caught my eye, too. Another day, perhaps. Wouldn’t want to go overboard and lose the thrill of a rare indulgence.

~ It turns out I need glasses (perhaps all these years of stringing tiny beads is catching up with me) so I tried out five pairs from Mezzmer that arrived at my door, fell in love with one, and less than $100 and one week later have 20/20 vision (and an affinity for Harry Potter, apparently.)

~ Finished this book by one of my favorite authors a couple of weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. A sign of great writing.

~ On a rare night out over the holidays, we had the amazing opportunity to see J.J. Grey and Mofro live at a local venue in town. (Thank you, Mom, for babysitting!) I love them, but had never seen them live, and I want to thank the incredibly kind stranger who let me have the best (standing) seat in the house, hearing one of my favorite songs from the front row of the balcony overlooking the stage. Beyond awesome. This Back Porch Session with J.J. Grey is pretty fantastic, but if you have the chance to see them in person, grab those tickets and go. You won’t soon forget it.

~ I’m still sorting out my feelings about Pinterest (can’t decide if I love it or think it’s a giant waste of time) but I am enjoying browsing some of my favorite online vintage shopping haunts for fun finds. Come on by and see what we’re coveting (and pinning!)

Thanks for bearing with me and see you again soon!