VIP Interview: Jewelry Artisan Liz Stechschulte of Ethereal Energy

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Hello, fabulouses! I would like to introduce y’all to the VIP’s newest handmade jewelry addiction Ethereal Energy, an Etsy shop owned and operated by Liz Stechschulte of Washington, DC. Liz’s shop offers brilliantly handmade pieces for both men and women and has a beautiful selection of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The VIP + Ethereal Energy = A very happy fashionista!

The VIP sporting a necklace by Liz of Ethereal Energy. Oh, this necklace is soooo pretty!
The VIP sporting the “Abby Smile” (named after yours truly) rose quartz and vintage chain necklace by Liz of Ethereal Energy. Oh, this necklace is soooo pretty!

“We use the finest materials in our jewelry, yet we are able to create pieces that are highly affordable for anyone. Our stones are hand selected from The International Gem and Jewelry show, and some of our jewelry pieces use exotic stones which are not always accessible to the public – such as our raw Chrysoprase gemstone slices, Ametrine, and African Opal Jasper. We take great pride in handcrafting our Made in America products in our small home studio, and through the VIP blog we hope to reach a wider audience who may be interested in our Artisan made Jewelry Collection,” explains jewelry artisan Liz Stechschulte.

Ethereal Energy's Carnelian Briolette earrings that were featured on hit television series The Vampire Diaries.
Check out these super lovely Carnelian Ethereal Energy earrings! Perfection!

“I am delving into designing jewelry mixed with vintage components….I submitted a piece to the stylist for consideration for the TV show, The Vampire Diaries…To my surprise and delight it was chosen for the New Season and to be worn in the show by the main character, Elena!  I was beyond thrilled to be one of the lucky artisans chosen.  My gratitude goes to The Artisan Group (TAG) who made it possible,” states Liz.

Now, without further ado, I give y’all the spectacular interview with Liz Stechschulte of Ethereal Energy! Come on, let’s get fabulous!

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VIP: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Liz: I was born, reared and educated in Washington, DC. I have lived my entire life in this wonderful, culture-filled city, our Nation’s Capital. I am half Filipino and half German, and I am the middle child of three siblings.  I have a small family, and we all live very close by to one another.  I studied Psychology, Health, and Art at American University. After graduating, I worked in various medical settings.  Although I enjoyed the health care field, I have always loved jewelry and gemstones, and so I took a leap and enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to study gemstones in depth. I am absolutely passionate about working with natural gemstones, designing, and creating beautiful pieces of jewelry for others to wear and enjoy. 

The VIP sporting a lovely energy bracelet from Ethereal Energy.
The VIP sporting a lovely energy bracelet from Ethereal Energy.

VIP: When you are not making jewelry, what do you enjoy doing?

Liz: There are so many things that I cannot list everything.  I always enjoy spending time with family and friends.  I love shopping at department stores, the farmer’s market, and flea markets.  I love reading fashion magazines and spiritual books, cooking with organic food, sewing clothes, and visiting museums.  I also enjoy singing and listening to pop, classical, country, and classic rock music. My absolute favorite places to visit are the Gem and Mineralogy exhibit at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, The International Gem and Jewelry Show twice per year, and the National Zoo to see the wild and exotic animals.

This Ethereal Energy bracelet is to-die-for! So gorgeous!
This Ethereal Energy bracelet is to-die-for! So gorgeous!

VIP: What color best describes you?

Liz: I like many different colors but the color that best describes me is pink because I am a real Girly Girl. As a young girl, I took ballet and felt so much at home wearing a pink leotard and ballet slippers.  I love everything about being feminine-putting on makeup, curling my hair, wearing stylish clothes and pretty jewelry, especially many rings on my fingers. I am happiest and most confident when I am feeling and looking pretty, so I think I’m a pink girl.

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VIP: What is your favorite time of the year?

Liz: My favorite season is summer because I love hot weather and wearing cute summer sundresses and sandals.  I love the colors of summer with the vibrant greenery of nature and the beautiful tropical flowers, such as Hibiscus and Tiger lilies which bloom at this time of year.  I also go with my family to the beach- the Outer Banks in North Carolina during the summer.

Ooo....beautiful necklace from Ethereal Energy!
Ooo….beautiful necklace from Ethereal Energy!

VIP: How would you describe your personal style?

Liz: I would have to say that I am fairly conservative yet colorful in my style. I like to wear classic pieces of clothing- fitted tops in vibrant colors and pencil skirts in basic black, and earth tones. During the summer, I like to wear halter dresses with colorful floral patterns in greens, turquoise and orange hues. I bring a little edginess to my style with the accessories – in the jewelry, belts, make-up, and hairstyle.

Check out this amazing mens necklace available at Ethereal Energy!
Check out this amazing men’s necklace available at Ethereal Energy!

VIP: Describe Ethereal Energy jewelry in five words.

Liz: Colorful, feminine, elegant, organic, and earthy.

VIP: What inspires your jewelry?

Liz: The ocean, nature, fruits and flowers, and recently sweet treats like candy, cupcakes and ice cream!

VIP: What inspired you to name your shop “Ethereal Energy”?

Liz: My Father gave me a book by Edgar Casey on the electromagnetic properties of gemstones and the positive energy they emit.  I  had in mind that I was going to create beautiful pieces of jewelry for the website using gorgeous gemstones that reminds me of flowers, the ocean, the sky, and things of a heavenly nature.

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VIP: VIP Question: What is one item in your closet you would never toss out and why?

Liz: My black leather pencil skirt!  I’ve had it for years, but it still looks brand new. This skirt matches everything, it always makes me feel pretty, and it provides a bit of edginess to any ensemble.

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Shop the lovely items available in Liz’s shop NOW because it is never too early to start your holiday shopping!

Visit the Ethereal Energy shop here.

The VIP is officially in love with these hummingbird earrings!
The VIP is officially in love with these hummingbird earrings!

Like Ethereal Energy on Facebook here.

Follow Ethereal Energy on Twitter here.

Oh, how the VIP adores Ethereal Energy jewelry! Check it out for yourself and fall in love with some fabulously handmade pieces!
Oh, how the VIP adores Ethereal Energy jewelry! Check it out for yourself and fall in love with some fabulously handmade pieces!

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

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V.I.P. Interview: Rachel Leathers

I am proud to present my interview with the amazing Rachel Leathers! Why is she so amazing, you ask? Well, Rachel creates beautiful handmade jewelry with which even celebs have begun to fall in love! Rachel is an impressive artist with a true passion for making wearable pieces of art.

Oscar's Gypsy Heart- succor creek jasper heart gemstone earrings as gifted at the 2012 Academy Awards (Rachel Leathers, Hearts of Stone Jewelry)
  • Share with us a brief bio about yourself.

I have been in the costume industry for 22 years, mainly as a seamstress. I’ve dabbled with costume design, but I didn’t like it and it didn’t like me! I’ve been a wardrobe supervisor, costume shop worker-bee, and the manager of a vintage costume house where I fined tuned my restoration skills on vintage garments. (Real vintage; garments as old as 150 years old, up to the 1960’s.) I’ve altered and created garments, props and everything in-between for theatre, film, TV, ice shows and parades.

Oscar's Copper Dreams- poppy jasper and sodalite hearts as gifted at the 2012 Academy Awards.
  • What made you want to create jewelry?

 I’ve always dabbled with other handcrafts my whole life, and attempting jewelry was something new to try. I began self-teaching myself over 9 years ago, and since I absolutely adore anything gemstone, I chose gemstone beads to play with. I began with several shapes, but the hearts became my favorite and visually more appealing, so I stuck with those. It was just another hobby at the time!

Oscar Celebrates Chinese New Year- silver leaf jasper and obsidian heart gemstone tassel chandelier earrings.
  • What are some of your favorite hobbies?

When I was a kid, I loved doing needlework, tried and failed at crochet, did some sewing and embroidering. These days, since I’ve made my living sewing, I hardly ever sew for myself anymore. I do enjoy it, but I’m not necessarily missing it either, right now. Since I turned my attention full-time to the jewelry, my past-times these days are more about spending quality time with my honey. He works SO much, and is so dedicated to his own business, that our time is precious and very limited. Not to say he’s my hobby! But, being a one-woman operation, the only free-time I have, I spend with him!

Oscar Loves Boho Chic- golden agate heart chandelier gemstone earrings with sodalite chips gifted at the Academy Awards 2012.
  • Who inspires you?

George, my honey is my biggest inspiration and supporter. He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit unequaled by anyone else I’ve ever known or met.  When I couldn’t find work in my field (which has been almost impossible thanks to the economy of late) I really wanted to try the jewelry again. He said, do it! That was November 2009, and I haven’t stopped yet. This has been the most creatively satisfying thing I’ve ever done! I’m loving it!

Bohemian Love- African Opal heart gemstone necklace with jasper, black agate and copper
  •  How would you describe your own style?

I’ve had the hardest time trying to pinpoint my style. I don’t really know what to call it! Other than contemporary, sometimes boho chic, sometimes Asian, modern? minimalist? I can’t pin it down to one. Every design seems to fall into its own category. Other than being handmade by me and made with gemstones, I can’t find a descriptor!

Green Goddess- African Opal heart gemstone with apatite
  • What type of metals and rocks/minerals do you use when making your jewelry?

 I use gemstones, natural stones, metal beads, crystals and czech glass, and keep the metal findings simple; brass, copper, silver and gold plate. I don’t use precious metals. I’ve been critisized for that before, but it doesn’t bother me. When I started, I couldn’t afford the precious metals, so I found a way to work around them. I’ve never regretted that, and still don’t find a need to specialize in precious metals. In my work, the stones do all the talking!

The Lucky Buddha- Black coral fossil heart gemstone necklace and earrings set with black Buddhas and blackstone
  •  What is your best selling item?

By the numbers of how many I’ve sold, I’d have to say earrings.

February's heart- Amethyst heart gemstone earrings
  •  Do you listen to music while you work, if so what genre or what artist(s)?

I listen to music and also the TV when working. I’ve been a jazz lover since I was 17, so that’s my staple. Favorites would range from Horace Silver to Art Blakey to George Shearing to Ella Fitzgerald and on and on!

Sweet-n-Simple 103- Fluorine heart gemstone earrings
  • What special events have you made jewelry for?

The most significant special events I’ve become involved in happened after I joined The Artisan Group, and I have gifted celebs and others at the Golden Globes last month, and will again at the Academy Awards the end of this month! I am beyond estatic to be able to do this, and am having a blast participating. We also gift charity auctions, a few of which I’ve been a part of, and really enjoy that as well.

Picture This- Picture jasper heart gemstone necklace set with bronzite and leopardskin jasper
  • What made you name your business “Hearts of Stone”?

When I first started to actually sell the jewelry I made to friends and co-workers, I didn’t have a name. That’s when I started liking the heart shaped stones the best, and stopped using other shapes. It just seemed a natural fit, using hearts made of stone, hey! I’ve got hearts of stone! It was very tongue in cheek to me, which is me in spades, so it stuck. It cracks me up to see people’s faces at shows when they figure it out; it is so literal, yet such a pun!

Miss Kitty- leopardskin jasper heart gemstone earrings.

Rachel Leathers also mentioned to me me during the interview, “I was once on a reality TV show as a seamstress; the one sewing job I wanted extended and never was! Shucks…”

Vanilla Cream- rutilated quartz heart and crazy lace agate gemstone earrings

I told you guys the interview with THE Rachel Leathers was going to spectacular! It was such a joy to get to know her better! I wish I could own everything that she has in her Etsy shop!

Tune in next time for a helpful DIY on converting a jean jacket into a spring staple item!

Want to own some of Rachel Leathers magnificent pieces of jewelry? Check out her Etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/HrtsofStone?page=5 

Other links that you might find interesting…

The Artisan Group- http://theartisangroup.org/

You must follow Rachel on facebook to find out which actress is the new owner of one of her jewelry sets…that’s all I am going to tell you…the rest you will have to find out for yourself!- http://www.facebook.com/#!/HrtsofStone

Check out another blog in which Rachel Leathers was featured… http://sanikicreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-rachel-leathers-of-hearts-of-stone.html 

I encourage you to follow me on twitter @Abbysauce_ and Instagram @vintagepassionista to keep up with my fashion tips, things that inspire me, and my randomness!

Thanks&Hugs

Abby Hathorn

 

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