In Stillness...by guest blogger Rachele

Rachele teaches yoga throughout San Francisco, in addition to engraving for Jeanine Payer. This is an entry taken from her blog on www.rachelelovesyoga.com. See additional engraving/Jeanine Payer references on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rachelelovesyoga. 

On some days, during the day, I engrave jewelry for Jeanine Payer (www.jeaninepayer.com). This is one of the tiniest things I've had to engrave; earrings called "Nina." The quote on them reads, "In stillness the world is restored." -Lao Tzu

My mom calls me "quick." Meaning, quick-tempered, quick to react, quick to respond, quick to make light of something, quick to judge, quick to draw conclusions, quick to basically, run my mouth off. (Ironically, she also used to tell me that she could build a fire underneath me and I wouldn't move fast enough... so, go figure!) And according to Bruce Lee (no relation! ha ha), "A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough." So, I struggle with these challenges in my temperament on a daily basis.

In yoga, we move into stillness, fluidly, from one pose to the next. A moving meditation, a slow dance with pauses, movements linked to breath. Yoga encouraged me to slow down and feel. And one of my favorite things to do is to notice the tiny, subtle adjustments I can make to my own body as I move into stillness. This is where all the "quickness" in my actions dissolve, and where peace floods over me.

Engraving offers me a similar peace of mind. A moving meditation through the act of hand writing, a concentration of the mind on the mantras so thoughtfully chosen to be imprinted, forever. And while I engrave, I breathe, and I find fluidity in my movements, in the feeling of metal upon metal, and in the constant buzz that moves into the background of my thinking. Engraving has become a kind of yoga for me. I feel it's no mistake my art background brought me around to this.

Gaining a sense of control over our feelings and reactions takes courage and insight at the very least. For me, I practice yoga, or I work to create with my hands, and it brings me joy. When I teach, I wish this for everyone.

"The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." -Viktor Frankl

Rachele teaches yoga throughout San Francisco, in addition to engraving for Jeanine Payer. This is an entry taken from her blog on www.rachelelovesyoga.com. See additional engraving/Jeanine Payer references on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rachelelovesyoga.

We Walk On in Private Missions of the Heart

Avila, Toledo, Milan, Amatrice and Monterey

Ian Burgham is an award winning Canadian poet whose work I have been honored to use for many years. I asked him to say a few words about his experience having his work found on our jewelry...

I've been thinking about what it is to have people wear my words on your jewelry. When someone buys your work I'm sure there are many considerations that go into the decision.

But where it begins is with you Jeanine. As I see it, your vision of what is delicate and beautiful as an object is tied to an understanding of the deepest things that make our selves human, and connect us with each other, the world and worlds beyond time. The beautiful, beauty does that. It is in William Blake's terms the product of the "Divine Imagination" in us at its best.

To add my words to your pieces imparts another layer. I think it is not what I meant by the words I write that matters, but what you know they mean to you that influences your choice to use them.

But finally, the real magic happens when someone encounters the jewelry, a complete stranger, and purchases it to wear it; words mix with design and the purity of stone and metal creating a new artifact. And more than that, the piece carries high emotion and meaning, private meaning that only the wearer can know. Everyone brings their heart's experience to that piece.

The jewelry and words are no longer ours. Now they are of the soul of the person who wears them. The piece becomes a declaration as to an understanding of the best of ourselves and the best in us. And maybe a reminder that we walk on in private missions of the heart.

--Ian Burgham

Spring Layering by Melissa

Fiore and Vineet 18k

The combination of the ladybug Vineet necklace along with the quince blossom inspired Fiore - both 18k gold -make a warm and gorgeous reminder that Spring is just around the corner...

Everytime a new collection comes out, the girls here at JP have a favorite piece. Normally, our tastes are varied...but when the 20th Anniversary Collection was launched late last year, three of us (including myself) purchased the Fiore necklace. I wear mine almost everyday, as it makes a perfect layering piece.

Forward To Your Man--Valentine's Tips From Melissa

Melissa wears her Adaline with her wedding set.

In my time working in the Jeanine Payer retail store I have helped countless people make important gift selections and with Valentine's coming up I thought I'd offer some helpful tips. For starters, the words are truly the most important thing--Substance over style as the saying goes. If the perfect words are on a piece that would not work stylistically we can always customize it.

For the woman who already owns several pieces, choosing something from the latest collection is ideal. AND hearts are always a sweet and safe choice for Valentines. In the Spring Collection I recommend the Santaigo with lines by Balzac, Love is the poetry of the senses/Love is the beauty of the soul. Another great selection is the Amatrice which has poetry by Ian Burgham , Resting on our hearts, my map of the world within you.'

I have seen women ponder about a certain piece for a few weeks or men come in and purchase something within 5 minutes! It all depends on the individual. The main thing is that you know the words that mean the most when you hear them.

Things to watch out for:

• Don't buy in sets! one well selected piece is always more powerful.



• Valentines Day is not the holiday for a gift certificate--this is about the sentiment and the thought, literally.



• Women generally like to mix and match their jewelry metals, styles and eras so don't be afraid to buy silver if she has a gold ring, etc.



• Rings are hard as surprise gifts unless you know for an absolute fact what size they wear. Safer choices are necklaces, bracelets and earrings.



• Make sure you select the style based more on the recipient’s taste rather than yours.

The poetry choices are sometimes overwhelming, especially if you don't have a lot of time.. All of us here are experts at helping people find the perfect pieces, even if someone can't make it into the store we can help find what you are looking for--although we would love to see you in person!!



On this Valentines Day we wish you all the best in whatever you chose to give, whether it is a piece of jewelry, a love note, or hand picked flowers, it is all in the romantic, meaningful gesture.

Janet K. on Bahktli, aka "Bella"

After being away for two years to take care of her two young girls, Bella and her upbeat attitude, are back at Jeanine Payer. Her favorite piece is the Edmond. She enjoys the process the most, beginning with the cleaning of the casting, ending with soldering the jumprings and antiquing them. She brings the piece to its final stage for the engravers.

Today she is working on the Billie necklace and I caught her soldering one of the jumprings to the chain. She is currently eyeing the Fabienne two-tone earrings which she plans to get for herself as her next piece. Bella is famous around here for her keen eye for both antiquing the poetry and hand-polishing.

-Janet K.