Books on the Brain
Fellow Travelers, summer is nearly here which means summer reading! Two books that have helped form the philosophies and symbolic elements found in Shiny Elephant's upcoming collection, Love Story, are: The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis (a stimulating beach read) The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images (an excellent coffee table addition)
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Developing the Love Story Collection
Shiny Elephant's upcoming collection, Love Story, offers tabletop products imbued with universal significance to create an ambiance of warmth and optimism in your home. My hope is that the Love Story collection will spark happiness as you reminisce on the loving relationships in your life. The Love Story Collection focuses on four universal types of love - family, friendship, romance, and spirit (charity love or unconditional love). Four distinct patterns will be developed over the next few months to tell these four unique love stories using symbolic landscapes and imagery. Family, one of the four Love Story patterns, tells the story of familial love. It explores birth, innocence, dependence, care, child rearing, curiosity, growth, and a fight for independence and success. Family love also explores a search for a mate to partner with and procreate, building a home, remembrance, reverence for one's ancestors, and a hope to find immortality through generations to come. Each element in this pattern has symbolic roots in culture and art to help tell the story of the love found within a family. For example, the symbol of the little lamb brings to mind nature’s tenderness, innocence, childhood simplicity, purity and vulnerability. And the symbol of the ancient bristlecone pine tree represents fertility, hardiness, long life, strength in adversity, and wisdom in old age. The juxtaposition of these youthful and mature images begins to express the complexities of love found in family and the connections formed through generations. Love Story's Family pattern was conceived by diving deep into research, and exploring images through mediums of collage, digital illustrations, markers, and watercolors. Below, you can see some of the stages of development. Let me know your thoughts! Follow Shiny Elephants on social media or email at contact@shinyelephants.com
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Textiles in the Works
You asked for it, and I promise, TEXTILES are on their way! Last August, I began looking for the perfect partner in India to help bring my block printing vision to life. Since finding two promising block printers out of Jaipur, I have taken steps to finalize prototypes for dinner napkins, cocktail napkins, table runners, placements, tea towels, pot holders, and aprons for the four patterns in the Heritage Collection (Shiny Elephants, Song Bird, Free Spirit, and Lionheart). Because of the devastating rise of Covid-19 in India, communication has slowed and progress has been put on hold with my Jaipur partners. This complication has prompted me to explore options in the U.S. While this local avenue does not offer block-printing, the quality of print and material is very promising. The Shiny Elephants journey is one of constant change and reevaluation. Whether it's business development, design development, manufacturing explorations, or shifts within the team, I never quite know what's around the corner. But, with each step forward, obstacle overcome, and fear dispelled, I am always grateful to be on this path. As always, thank you for journeying with Shiny Elephants. Happy Trails!
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To Those Loved and Lost
This Memorial Day weekend we honor the men and women, family and friends, who died while serving in the U.S. military. My Grandpop served in the Navy in WWII and we lost him last May to Covid 19. I will take this time to remember his gentleness, generosity, merriment, theatrical enthusiasm, and all the treasured time spent together. In honor of those who risked all and gave all, Shiny Elephants would like to offer a small token. Please add a "Gift of Remembrance" to your cart to receive a complementary gift with your next order. Available until 6/5.
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