Blog

Bringing All of Myself to the Table: A DJ Set

Illustration of me DJing courtesy of Brian Pescador

As a creative person, I find that having a variety of outlets to experiment with, explore, and channel creative flow through only just contributes to making me a more fully-actualized, well-rounded human. (To a point, of course, when one then has taken on too much and becomes depleted.) While jewelry and fashion are by far my primary passions, music also calls. And in fact, those things need not be siloed: most days I am appreciating music and creating setlists while I do bench work. In fact, that’s pretty much my fav combo… the two inspire each other.

Over the holiday weekend, I had the joy of DJing at a friend’s house show/party (enter my new DJ moniker, Bark Barc, shout out to James Gardner!). My set was a mix of house, synth pop, jungle, African psych, tropicalia, new wave, and other oddities. While most DJs don’t publicly share their set lists, I think you might enjoy listening to these groovy jams while dancing in your kitchen or bopping in your car. So share I will. Enjoy, and happy summer!

<3 - Vanessa

For Your Ears: Fall 2024 Playlist, aka Music for Mermaids

What would a mermaid listen to these days? Well, allow this mermaid to provide your imagination with some possibilities…

For your ears only, I rounded up a little playlist of the songs I’ve been jamming to in my mermaid cave - aka the studio - as I designed the fall/winter 2024 collection. In true spooky season spirit, it’s full of a lot of darkwave synth pop, ambient electronic, angsty riot grrrl vibes, and even some moody blues thrown in for good measure. I suppose you could say this mermaid is a bit on the dark side. Enjoy!

For Your Ears: Summer 2024 Playlist

Dunno about you, but these warmer temps are calling me to the dance floor (or, at least the dance floor of my studio lol). I came up with a little playlist for you accordingly, filled with summer-y, joyful jams that include African psych, house, synth rock, disco, and more…

While visiting Portland recently, I happened to stumble upon the absolute gem that is Passenger Seat Records. Some groovy beats down a hallway and around the corner from Proud Mary coffee called to me, and I had to follow. Inside was one of the most well-curated record shops I’ve seen to date. The owner was a super friendly lad who had plenty of reccos for me, and I’ve added a few of those tracks here too. Enjoy!

For Your Ears: Talisman FW23 Playlist

Coming in hot with a little taste of the latest and greatest in music that I’ve been jamming out to while I work in the studio this season… In the true spirit of fall, this playlist is a little moodier, and a little more introverted - perfect for a cozy night in, or a chilly, bundled-up evening out. As per usual, a mashup of rock, synth pop, shoegaze, and electronic, along with some purely vibey, instrumental tracks thrown in. Enjoy!


Parlez-vous Francais? A Playlist by Talisman Fine Jewelry

Parlez-vous Francais? I don’t, but I did make a playlist with some bangin French jams to listen to while I attempt to navigate the streets of Nice and Saint-Tropez. I figured I’d share the wealth with you here. It’s a mash up of ‘French touch’ house, mid century classics, psych rock, and a few other gems. Listen along and we can all pretend to be effortlessly cool French folks together. Profitez-vous bien!

TFJ Spring 2023 Playlist

Album artwork from Chancha Via Circuito’s album Bienaventuranza.

Does music - like really really good music - give you tingles down your spine? Personally, while I may lack a natural talent with musical instruments, music is still my muse… it inspires me every day; it is my refuge. Enough so that last year, for my 40th birthday, I bought myself a DJ controller. I mean, what better time than to launch one’s nascent DJ career than at midlife, no? Daytime tea parties only though, no requests please.

My proto-DJ self made a little playlist for you. It’s full of things I’ve been jamming to all day while I work on my golden goodies… Some soul, synthy dream pop, rock, hip hop, world beats, electronica, even a little jungle (!) to smooth you out and then lift you off before touching you back down (again and again). Perfect for these early Spring days where we’re creeping out of winter, but not quite in the full heat of Summer just yet. I hope you enjoy <3