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.

Today's Music in the Studio

Mom's Ted Talk!!

It's about time I posted this Ted Talk my mom did a couple of years back.  Mom is passionate about the arts in the schools so if you want a little inspiration take a minute to listen. 

• Susan Stauter
  is currently the Artistic Director for the San Francisco Unified School District. She was instrumental in creating the Arts Education Master Plan, promising equity and access for all students during the curricular day. Susan Stauter designs and presents keynotes and workshops, consulting nationally and internationally in all areas of arts education. She was one of the readers for the audio version of Richard Florida's best selling Rise of the Creative Class and was named public reader for the 2009 K-12 Drama/Theatre Standards for the State of Colorado. She has worked as a writer/director for Disney, Anaheim and as a consultant to the Grammy Foundation in Santa Monica. She was named Founding Chair of the Theatre Department of the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts and went on to serve as Conservatory Director for the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Ms Stauter has won numerous awards, including the San Francisco Ballet's Choose to Move Award, the Leap Award for Excellence in Arts Education and in January 2011 a Founder's Award from the International Arts Schools Network. Among the organizations where she has presented keynotes and workshops are the New World Symphony, the Ravinia Festival, the Theatre Educators of America, the Ten Chimneys Foundation, The Tennessee Arts Academy, the Vienna Concerthaus, the Small Schools of New Zealand (named Visiting Scholar in Creativity), and the Leonard Bernstein Center for Arts Education, where she continues to consult as a lead teacher/trainer. Susan Stauter presents workshops on public speaking for the U.C. Berkeley Principal Leadership Institute and works as a private coach. In May of 2011 she will once again lead a workshop on the importance of arts and culture for Leadership, San Ramon at Tao House. Susan Stauter is the mother of designer Jeanine Payer.

(Who:
Loves;
Creates,
Imagines)
OPENS
 
-e.e. cummings

Inspiration

From the Blog Archives, November 14th 2008, Piles of Poetry

I just found this pile of poetry clipped up on my cork board...it's a interesting mix of Rilke, Kate Richey and others. Below are engraving practice pieces, before engravers can start to work on real pieces in silver and gold.

Fennel Four Ways

Jason's Pespective of the Jeanine Payer Studio

I asked Jason Joo, our intern, to take some pictures around the shop to see things through his lens.  Here are some of my favorite shots--they are the monochrome to my color!

From the Jeanine Payer Archives....

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

What barrier is there that love cannot break? -Gandhi

Over the years we at Jeanine Payer have been privileged to be asked to create wedding rings for so many couples; some of them gay, some of the straight, all of them deeply in love and joyously wanting to celebrate their tremendous sense of commitment through the act of marriage. In light of recent events surrounding the passage of Prop 8, we feel like it is time to take action, make something beautiful, and donate half the proceeds towards the fight Californians now face for equal marriage rights. Using the Gandhi quote, "What barrier is there that love cannot break?" on the popular Dale necklace design, we have made a piece that people can wear proudly in the knowledge that love can indeed overcome all obstacles.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from each sale of this piece will be donated to Equality California. Founded in 1998, EQCA celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008, commemorating a decade of progress towards equal rights for all Californians. In the past 10 years, EQCA has helped change California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Visit them at http://www.eqca.org/.

Jewelry Solstice Inspiration

JP Jewelry Photo Shoot at Sven's House

Jeanine Payer Jewelry Studio From The Archives

Here are some shots of our studio that was in the historic jewelry mecca, The Phelan Building dating back from...who knows when. My studio and offices were there for 18 years.  We grew organically in that space- by just breaking through walls to add suites when we grew. It was a bit like a crazy rabbit warren at one point, but fun. Our new space is better organized, efficient and airy with big walls for artwork and a giant bookshelf.  I really love having people visit us here, but when I look back at these photos I feel nostalgic for the old days and for the people who worked there with us.

When Jewelry Books Are Hilarious...

My jewelry book collection is complete with this rare book by Paul Villiard!  No topic seems off limits for Paul, ceramics, plumbing, woodworking and even candy making! My favorite is 'Moths and How to Rear Them'--who knew the needed rearing!  To me his work is reminiscent of the great MFK Fisher's 'Consider the Oyster' or Brenda Euland's inspired classic, 'If You Want to Write.'

Here is an exert that exemplifies his prose, as he waxes poetic about the fiendish endeavor of polishing:

...This is characteristic of the buff.  It seems as though they are designed to snatch the work and slam it up against the wall, or dash it to the floor where it will bounce all around the room, each bounce putting a new bruise on your heart! Sometimes you will find a buff so fiendish that it is almost impossible to touch without this happening.
  
 And the book is also chock-a-block full of smart suggestions to ignite some big ideas!
.

Mother's Day at Jeanine Payer with Abby and William

 










 

















Abby and William are little atoms that when joined together equal more than the sum of their parts.  I took them to be photographed by Sven in his Hayes Valley studio, and it was as if Thing One and Thing Two were let loose from their crate.  They felt instantly at home enough to jump on the couch and yell at the top of their lungs—they also ferret away Japanese yen sitting in a dish.  Soon they are on an adventure going from room to room, looking with wonder at tiny, unusual sculptures and figurines that were both mysterious and beautiful.  Abby’s mother and I are really happy to show them a glimpse into another world, a different aesthetic, which is all Sven, world traveler, accomplished photographer, and exceptional sock maker.  I love the part of his work that includes children. He captures that authentic child vibrancy, the moments betwixt and between-- they never look like they are in a ‘sitting’.  I have known Sven since we both lived together as warehouse mates in a very raw work/live space south of Market in the early 90’s. It is nice to have him take pictures of my son and his bestie, and have them become part of his work, and mine, it is a special connection all around.  When he meets the children he points to his Dogwood necklace and asks Will, ‘Do you know where this came from? Your momma's brain.'

I choose these two because of their relationship with not only each other but with us, their mommies—we are just off camera.  I want to capture an exuberance and love that they have for each other, their families and the generous dousing of joie de vivre that spills over, as everyone on our block can attest to.

The nosegay is from my own mom's garden which is a sweet touch.  One more thing.  A few days afterwards, William, finding a Mano necklace in a box that is to go to his school auction, decides to give it to Abby and after making this proclamation to his father, he scrambles over there and presents it to her.    Whether playing dueling harmonicas over the back fence or sending stomp rockets onto the neighborhood roofs, I just know these two will carry these sweet memories in their hearts forever

A Visit From The Little Prince

My son came into the studio today to work on some construction Legos. What a treat!