Meet the surprise gift artist: Erin from Lustrous Elements

Meet the surprise gift artist: Erin from Lustrous Elements

In December, subscribers to our monthly gifts for women received this gorgeous pair of handmade gold and silver earrings made by surprise gift artist Erin from Lustrous Elements:

Silver and gold earrings

Everyone went nuts, and it is already one of our more popular surprise gifts of all time!  So we thought you’d perhaps like to learn a little bit more about the wonderful handmade artist who created this lovely surprise gift!

About the Artist: Erin

What’s your background for your art and your business?

I attended the Art Institute of Dallas from 90-92, graduating with a degree in Visual Communications. I studied design, composition, painting photography, and use of color and space. I’ve been working in the  promotional advertising business since 1993. I’m a self taught jewelry & accessories designer, beginning in 2005.

Is your handmade jewelry style the same as what you choose to wear yourself?

Yes, other than my wedding ring the only jewelry I wear is my own. Over time my designs have grown to incorporate men’s jewelry and accessories, of which my husband has been a grateful recipient. I’m a very lucky wife!

What are a few fun facts to help your fans get to know you a bit better?

I love dancing. Starting in 2007 I started taking country western couples dance lessons, and in 2010 I started competing. Yes I know, very quirky. I’m not so great, but don’t need to be because dancing makes me very very happy.

Fair Ivy artist's station

Fair Ivy surprise gift artist hard at work, making a handmade earring item for the monthly surprise packages

Fair Ivy artist hard at work, making a handmade earring item for the monthly surprise packages

Nice to meet you, Erin!  We can’t wait to see more lovely handmade jewelry creations from you!

Giveaway: Handmade gold initial necklace

Giveaway time over here!  We are partnering up with Beazuness over at Etsy to offer this wonderful handmade gold initial necklace as a giveaway item.  You of course get to choose the initial you’d like!

Handmade gold initial necklace

Handmade silver initial necklace

Handmade silver initial necklace

Here’s a little description about the necklace from her Etsy page:

This is such a cute personalized necklace. I hand stamped a tiny 7mm 14K gold filled disk with an initial and suspended it from a 16 inch 14K gold filled chain. This would make for a wonderful gift for a family, friend, or as bridal gifts.

We agree!

To enter, simply head on over to our facebook post about it and Share the status!

Welcome to our new website

It’s finally here!

We’ve been so excited to reveal our newly designed website, and can’t believe it’s finally arrived!

While nothing absolutely vital has been removed from our site, the navigation has been vastly improved, along with improved view capabilities of our Past Surprises, our blog, and our Subscription Options.  Now, instead of having a multitude of different products pages to decide between—there is simply one:  the Fair Ivy Subscription, and from that product page you can use drop-downs to select your type of subscription and even the number of months of handmade gift boxes you wish to receive.

Artist’s Shop: Coming soon!

We are also doubly excited because this new website format will allow us to create an Artist’s shop section, where you can purchase items directly from artists who have been featured in our monthly subscription gift boxes in the past.  So keep your eyes peeled!

Handmade Silver and Gold Disk Earrings

Last month, subscribers to all of our active subscriptions (Jewelry, Duet and Original) received these gorgeous handmade silver and gold disk earrings.  Made by Lustrous Elements in Texas, these earrings were designed specifically for Fair Ivy subscribers. We find them to be the perfect addition to any outfit—be it casual or fancy.

Unique handmade gold and silver disk earrings - a monthly surprise gift from Fair Ivy

Unique handmade gold and silver disk earrings - a monthly surprise gift from Fair Ivy

Creative gift packaging from Fair Ivy

We really liked the packaging these handmade silver and gold disk earrings came in.  It was simple, clean and elegant.

The lovely little note inside states:
Life is a composite of little moments.  It’s the little things that make it sparkle.
We couldn’t agree more!

Artist's card from Fair Ivy surprise packages

Artist's card from Fair Ivy surprise packages

The artist’s get-to-know-me card reads:

I created these sparkly little gold filled and sterling silver earrings just for you.  They’ve been cut from a gold filled and sterling silver sheet, sanded smooth and given a satin finish.  They hang on my handmade gold-filled earwires.  My sincerest wish is that they will make you smile every time you wear them.

Creative gift packaging from Fair Ivy

Creative gift packaging from Fair Ivy

Unique handmade gold and silver disk earrings - a monthly surprise gift from Fair Ivy

We couldn’t be more in love with these earrings, as well as the personal feel the entire surprise package gives off.  If you weren’t a subscriber to Fair Ivy’s handmade gift boxes back in December but still want to pick up a pair of these gorgeous handmade silver and gold disk earrings, head on over to Lustrous Element’s store.

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Do you want to receive a handmade surprise gift package every  month?  Or even two? Fair Ivy monthly surprise packages sends them to you! All of our monthly surprise gift boxes are handmade and come hand-wrapped, along with an informational note card sent from the artist, so you can connect with their process, business and background (and sometimes their unusual hobbies)!  It’s luxurious, pampering, and you will be supporting US artists at the same time.

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Rose Soap & Grapefruit Lip Balm

December brought one of our favorite soap makers back (Piccolo Paradiso!), to send out her fantastic new fragrance of soap—Principessa, a delicate rose and exotic fruit blend.  Along with it came a bonus surprise gift—grapefruit lip balm!

Rose scented soap - handmade surprise gift!

Rose scented soap - handmade surprise gift!

Rose scented soap - handmade surprise gift!

Creative gift wrapping from Fairivy.com

Grapefruit lip balm - handmade from fairivy.com

The two scents—both of the handmade rose soap and of the grapefruit lip balm, were absolutely divine. The soap was the perfect item to place on a soap dish for an elegant lady.  The scent has a touch of vintage that sends our imaginations to a Victorian home with every waft of rose!

The gift packaging was also adorable, with little buttons and a “hand crafted for you” sticker.  Even the product labels felt so organic and lovely!

We know we can never go wrong with the handmade products from Piccolo Paradiso.  Didn’t get one as a gift in your monthly gift box subscription from Fair Ivy?  Not to worry, you can head on over to Piccolo Paradiso’s shop!

Grapefruit lip balm - handmade from fairivy.com

Creative gift wrapping from Fairivy.com

Creative gift wrapping from Fairivy.com

Rose scented soap - handmade surprise gift!

 Too gorgeous!

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Do you want to receive a handmade surprise gift in the mail every  month?  How about two handmade gift boxes every month? Our monthly surprise package service sends them to you! All of our subscription gift boxes are handmade and come hand-wrapped with really cute and creative gift wrapping, along with an artist’s note card sent from the handmade artist, so you can connect with their process, inspiration and background (and sometimes their hobbies)!  It’s luxurious, fun, and you will be supporting US artists at the same time.

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Handmade gold and silver rings necklace

The handmade jewelry surprise that was sent to our surprise gift boxes subscribers in November was a bit unique in that it contained both gold and silver!  This handmade gold and silver rings necklace was created specifically for Fair Ivy by Silver Vine Boutique, and was mailed out with care as one of our monthly gift boxes for women!

Gold and silver rings necklace - handmade jewelry gifts

Artist's card for a fair ivy surprise package

We loved its dainty size, as well as the lovely, bright contrast between the gold and silver textured rings.  The handmade necklace came in an adorable little envelope, and included an information card about the artist who crafted it.

IMG_85411-600x372

The artist card reads:
“Welcome to Silver Vine Boutique!  We specialize in providing unique, handcrafted and vintage items for you and your home.  Our jewelry designer Jen has been crafting and selling her creations for over 10 years.  A talented artist, she also paints, hammers and stamps goods for the home and garden.  We hope you enjoy your treasure!”

Gold and silver rings necklace - handmade jewelry gifts

Gold and silver rings necklace - handmade jewelry gifts

I actually loved this necklace so much that it made it onto my neck on Christmas Day.  It is just the right combination of elegant, simple, and classy.  I got a lot of compliments!

Gold and silver rings necklace - handmade jewelry gifts

If you weren’t lucky enough to receive one of these lovely handmade gold and silver rings necklaces in November (because you aren’t a monthly gift box subscriber!), don’t be too upset:  you can head on over to Silver Vine Boutique’s store and pick one up yourself!

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Do you want to receive a handmade suprise gift package every  month?  Or even two? Fair Ivy monthly suprise packages sends them to you! All of our monthly surprise gift boxes are handmade and come hand-wrapped, along with an informational note card sent from the artist, so you can connect with their process, business and background (and sometimes their unusual hobbies)!  It’s luxurious, pampering, and you will be supporting US artists at the same time.

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