forge

I am hiring, and you or someone you know might be the right fit!  

Below are the details for the position, and you can apply online here.  Feel free to spread the word.  I would love your help in taking my business to the next level! 

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fail STUDIOS is looking for a part-time Marketing and PR Manager to create content and spread the word about our brand. Under the direction of Christine Fail, the designer, you will be involved in marketing initiatives from concept to completion utilizing our website, email blasts, social media, and PR outreach to achieve our goals of growing our fan base and increasing online revenue.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Campaign strategy & execution
• Copy
• Social media management: Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest
• Emailing editors
• Writing blog posts
• Crafting email blasts
• Creating metrics and analyzing data on performance/reach
• Graphic design in support of each campaign
• Advertising, traditional and online

The right candidate MUST have:

• 2+ years of relevant marketing experience
• Good eye for design
• Excellent writing skills
• Attention to detail
• Follow up
• Basic graphic design knowledge
• Project management experience
• The ability to think and write within the established brand voice

The right candidate MUST be:

• Creative
• Analytical
• Forward thinking
• Organized
• Positive & excited
• Self directed

Bonus points:

• Experience with SEO & website optimization
• Experience creating, managing, and evaluating online advertising
• Photography skills
• Prop styling
• Small business management
• Familiarity of the fail brand, aesthetic, and voice

 The marketing landscape has changed dramatically over the past 5 years, and small businesses are able to get their messages out in new and unconventional ways. We are looking for someone to bring creativity and excitement to the task. The position requires 5-10 hours a week and pay is commensurate with experience. Applicants can expect a $15-$25/hr at base depending on experience, with additional monetary incentives for candidates bringing substantially more to the table. The schedule is flexible within our regular studio hours (M-F, 10-5:30).

fail STUDIOS is a small studio located in east Austin filled with young women making things, organizing things, and paying way too much attention to our studio dog Dunkin.

 Applicants must forward a COVER LETTER with resume and SALARY REQUIREMENTS. Any applications submitted without a thoughtful cover letter or salary requirements will be dismissed immediately. 

Mark your calendars! The new collection for fall, Luna, will be out next month, September 1st to be exact! Until then here's a sneak peek of the upcoming look book.

Illustration: Elisa Werbler

Peridot is said to host magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the wearer power, influence, and a wonderful year.  - American Gem Society

Identification

Color - The color range for peridot is narrow, from a brown-green color to yellowish green to pure green. Yellowish green is the most common peridot color seen in jewelry. - GIA

Mohs Hardness - 6.5 to 7

History

The word peridot comes from the Arabic “faridat,” which means “gem.” Most peridot formed deep inside the earth and was delivered to the surface by volcanoes. Some also came to earth in meteorites, but this extraterrestrial peridot is extremely rare, and not likely to be seen in a retail jewelry store.

Some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection might actually have been peridot. People in medieval times continued to confuse peridot with emerald. For centuries, people believed the fabulous 200-ct. gems adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were emeralds. They are, in fact, peridots. - GIA

Physical, Mystical and Spiritual Properties

Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. Its chemical composition includes iron and magnesium, and iron is the cause of its attractive yellowish green colors. The gem often occurs in volcanic rocks called basalts, which are rich in these two elements - GIA

The lime, green, gentle Peridot gem, the August birthstone is associated with less tangible qualities of peace, good fortune and happiness. The mellow glow of the Peridot, a soft, light green under the starlit sky or lantern has earned this lovely gemstone the title ‘The Evening Emerald’. The august birthstone is associated with prosperity, growth, dignity and love. It is also believed that the stone has the power to ward away Evil and nightmares, bestowing peace and progress in one’s life. - Birthstone Zodiac

Boston-based good was one of the first shops to carry my EPIC hoops and has been a favorite fail stockist ever since. With a modern New England aesthetic, good specializes in regionally-sourced goods as well as handcrafted objects and gifts from around the globe. With more than a decade's experience showcasing artisans and makers including BBDW, Farmhouse Pottery and ClauiaNoel, they’re a favorite stop to find something unique.

Shop good online at www.shopatgood.com and keep up with their shop happenings on Instagram.  

Image credits: good, @stylecarrot, @etsy, and @mindyerazo

Earlier this year I was honored to make yet another custom wedding band for a friend and fellow Austin business owner, Mariska Nicholson of Olive + M.  It is absolutely one of my FAVORITE rings to date and I thought I would share a bit about the process with you today.

It was no secret that Mariska wanted a custom band designed by me, so when her soon to be fiancé came to me, he decided to start with a ring from EPIC for the proposal.  He chose the Coral Ring, knowing it would be a lovely addition to the stunner that Mariska and I would design together.  

Mariska originally wanted a cushion cut yellow diamond, but was also really interested in using a rose cut diamond and love previous designs that were a bit more organic.  She was also taken by the fluid nature of the Atol and Drift rings, and we began to dream of how to incorporate that look into the custom design.

Well, the hunt for a rose cut, yellow, cushion cut diamond turned out to be pretty futile. There were yellows in round, and cushions in white rose cuts, but it because clear that finding a beautiful stone with all of those qualities was not going to happen in the near future.  

I then began pulling from rose cut diamonds that were unique in shape and size, and I found a super elongated teardrop that was just under 1 ct.  I was hooked!  Mariska wasn't able to envision this new stone in the band, but I immediately knew that this one was special. Thankfully she put her faith in me to deliver a wholly one of a kind ring. 

The results, pretty damed amazing!  I have rarely brought people to tears with my jewelry, but it was a pretty validating when she saw it cried (who knows, maybe it was all the stress too!).

Oh yeah, I got to make Steve's ring as well!  For his ring, we kept it simple with my Wide Classic Band.  Guys generally want something simple and not too flashy or shiny so the hammered texture on this band was just right.

Mariska and Steve are just starting their journey together and I am honored to be a part of their daily reminders of their love for each other!

illustration: Dream Marginalia

"Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love." - American Gem Society

In honor of the July birthstone, we’re looking into the qualities of the ruby.

Identification

Color: “In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colorless. Trace elements that become part of the mineral’s crystal structure cause variations in its color. Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby’s red, which ranges from an orangy red to a purplish red.

The strength of ruby’s red depends on how much chromium is present—the more chromium, the stronger the red color. Chromium can also cause fluorescence, which adds to the intensity of the red color.” - GIA

Mohs Hardness: 9.0 Mohs

History

“Ruby is one of the most historically significant colored stones. Rubies are mentioned four times in the Bible, in association with attributes like beauty and wisdom. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones".

Ruby has accumulated a host of legends over the centuries. People in India believed that rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies. In Burma (a ruby source since at least 600 AD—now called Myanmar), warriors possessed rubies to make them invincible in battle. However, it wasn’t enough to just wear the rubies. They had to insert them into their flesh and make them part of their bodies.” - GIA

“Possessing a ruby was considered to be beneficial to the owner’s lands and estates, aiding in the accumulation of wealth, protection of holdings and acquisition of other precious stones.

Some other talismanic properties assigned this stone had to do with protection. If worn on the left, (the side of the heart,) this blood colored stone was thought to allow the owner/wearer to live in peace and concord with all men, that neither his land nor rank would be taken from him, and that he would be preserved from all perils. Not only this, but the stone would also guard his house, orchards and vineyards from storms.” - Gem Society

Physical, Mystical and Spiritual Properties

“Physically, rubies are thought to energize and balance, stimulate heart chakra and encourage a passion for life, but never in a self destructive way.

Emotionally, it is believed that rubies improve motivation and the setting of goals. They promote positive dreams and clear visualization and aid in retaining wealth and passion. They bring up negative anger in order for change and removal. They also promote dynamic leadership. They bring a positive and courageous state of mind- one that is sharp, hyper aware and concentrated.” - Jewels for Me