The Last-Minute Gift Guide 2024

This holiday season is officially a week shorter than the last… which may explain why we all seem to be buzzing around like bees that lost their hive, desperately trying to gather our sh*t. Or maybe that’s just me… No matter, Talisman has you covered with some no-fail, in-stock gifts that are timeless, heirloom and handmade - all crowd-pleasers that are sure to be a hit. Do note that while the deadline has already passed for made-to-order purchases to be received in time for Xmas, there are plenty of ready-to-ship goodies that await, which I’m highlighting here. Read on for my cheeky little gift guide of favorites that are certain to win friends and lovers…

Classic cuties love timeless, everyday staples like (clockwise from top left) the Freyja Necklace, Orbit Bracelet, Linear Y Necklace and the Petite Plane Earrings

Artsy fartsy creative folks are bound to love unique, artful pieces like the Spiral Stud, Wave Theory Ring, Held Necklace, and Sirius C Ring

Minimalist mavens prefer the bold, clean lines of styles like the Rollo Band, Flow Chain, Infinite Ring Stack, and the Sanguine Drop Earrings

Maximalist masterminds like big, bold, layerable jewels that they can pile on… Think pieces like the Shroom Necklace, Linear Threader, the weighty Conjunct Cigar Band and XL Infinite Hoops with Diamonds

Spirit junkie types love meaningful, energetically-charged talismans like the Protective Eye Y Necklace, Ouroboros Ring, Michael Amulet Necklace, and Peace Stud

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

Talisman Summer 2022 Playlist

Image from Binki’s Heybb! album artwork, released by Fader

Little known fact: Music is one of my other loves in life. Maybe you’re the same, but I’ve always got a soundtrack playing in the background, day in and day out. Back when I owned my shop Goldyn, I was always making playlists for the store and for our runway shows. It brought me a lot of joy, and still does. (Other little known fact: I’m finally learning to DJ after decades of wishing to do so!). I put together a little playlist of bangers and slow jams for late Summer 2022 that I thought I’d share here. Hope you enjoy!

Talisman in the Press: Boulder Lifestyle Magazine

I can’t tell you how delighted I was when I heard that Boulder Lifestyle magazine wanted to profile Talisman Fine Jewelry for their June 2022 print issue… I’m a huge fan of the publication, its creative art direction, and its support of local artisans. Plus it’s always nice to connect with folks from my beloved hometown.

Writer Kailey Beuerlein asked some fun, out-of-the-box questions that you can peep below. I’m always excited to gab about my hippie, weirdo parents and the eclectic, formative upbringing that Boulder provided. You can read the article in its full glory starting on p36 here. Thanks again to Boulder Lifestyle publishers Kate and Andy Manz, writer Kailey Beuerlein, and the rest of the team!

Talisman in the Press | Worthwhile Goods

At the bench, image by Sara Ford

I could not be more thrilled to be featured in the very first iteration of Worthwhile Goods’ series “Good Humans,” up now on WorthwhileGoods.com. Worthwhile Goods is a curated resource for ethically-minded fashion, beauty, wellness and home goods, launched by an old pal of mine, Hannah Armitage. Hannah and I go way back… back to when I owned my boutique Goldyn, before it was even a brick-and-mortar boutique (yeah that’s way way back). Picture 26 or 27-year-old me, working out of a giant open warehouse space, packing up online orders, while Hannah, roughly the same age, photographs her vintage wares on the seamless backdrop we shared. Anyway, I digress.

Fast-forward to today: Hannah has launched several successful companies in the fashion sphere, including her latest, Worthwhile Goods, and I am in my 3rd professional life as a jeweler. She and I sat down and got to talking about all kinds of interesting topics - from beginnings and creative inspiration, to things like business advice for entrepreneurs, morning routines, and wardrobe staples. Fun stuff! You can peep the whole interview here.

Behind the Scenes of the Spring/Summer 2022 Lookbook Shoot

Handmade driftwood mobile by my late Great Aunt Susan <3 - something we were able to incorporate as a prop during our Talisman photoshoot

Journey with us to Phoenix, Arizona, where photographer Andrew Vanasse and myself ventured for a sun-soaked photoshoot of the latest Spring 2022 collection arrivals. While lookbook shoots may seem simple enough, many customers don’t realize just how many hours of concepting, planning and effort go into them (and after the fact as well). This one even involved a cross-country jaunt to the Sonoran desert, but hey, it was February and we weren’t complaining. With major, statement-making new pieces like the Mary Pendant and Metanoia Chain in the mix, we wanted a major shoot to showcase them in. Plus, where else were we going to photograph the new Phoenix Amulet Necklace than in Phoenix itself, right?

Andrew Vanasse uses a square-patterned wooden wall, some old boxes we found, and my family’s ceramic vase as a backdrop for the Plane Earrings and Phoenix Amulet Necklace (coming soon)

The earthy, bohemian vibe of an adobe house in Paradise Valley, on the outskirts of east Phoenix, provided just the right backdrop for the highly sculptural new wares. The scene we laid out had a look akin to an artist’s messy desert studio, and thus we mixed in an assortment of fruits and other (very) random foods for our still life shots - as if our artist had just plucked them off the table for a snack between working on her latest pieces. Fun side note here: I was also able to incorporate some of my family’s heirlooms into the pics too - including some handmade ceramic vessels and a driftwood mobile made by my late Great Aunt Susan. How special is that? Given the handmade nature of my jewelry - the Metanoia Chain alone took nearly 100 hours to make! - it all made sense together.

Snack, anyone? A cool mid-century stucco wall at sunset played backdrop to the Portal Bracelet, Mary Pendant (coming soon), and Demeter Cigar Band

Another fun fact: I oftentimes find during photoshoots that, even with the concept nailed down before hand, themes present themselves on the fly. When that happens it’s best to go with it. That’s definitely what occurred here… Rather unintentionally, fish kept making their way into the photos. Don’t ask me why, but when selecting food for the shoot at the local grocery store, the fishmonger called to me, and once we arrived at the location, we stumbled upon some decorative terra cotta fish that just sort of fit the bill. So we went with it. Fish, after all, are said to symbolize rebirth, the higher self, prosperity, abundance and good luck, among other things. I took it as a good omen. And thus, I present to you: the making of “Pisces’ Studio,” a lookbook shot by Andrew Vanasse in creative collaboration with myself, with hand modeling by (my dear cousin) Alianna Martinez. Stay tuned for the final result, coming to the web soon!

Did we make our hand model Alianna touch the fish? You’ll just have to check back in to find out ;) Pictured here are the Aphrodite Hugs, Plane Earrings, and the new Metanoia Chain (coming soon). Alianna wears the Rollo Band.

XX,

Vanessa

The 2021 Gift Guide

Hard to believe, but the holidays are approaching quickly (cue the Home Alone-esque, hands-on-face scream)…

A quick PSA: Because many Talisman Fine Jewelry pieces are made-to-order (in an effort to create less waste as well as create pieces with custom intention for YOU), we kindly ask that holiday orders on items that are not noted as “in-stock and ready to ship” (written in the product description) be placed by November 15th in order to ensure they’ll arrive in time for Xmas. Not to worry though, if planning ahead isn’t your bag, we’ve also got an assortment of in-stock styles that can ship just in the nick of time too.

Confounded on what to get? We’ve put together this handy-dandy gift guide for all the lovelies in your life, for your assistance…

Our top picks for the high-fashion statement-maker, clockwise from left: The Plane Earrings, Yin Yang Necklace, Sea Glass Necklaces, and Spiral Stud

For the lover of classics, our favorite timeless styles include, clockwise from left: The Demeter Cigar Band, Rollo Band, Central Sun Earrings, Rollo Hoops (paired with the Peace Sign Stud), and Rose Cut Diamond Necklace

For the chic spiritualist, we love these styles, clockwise from left: The Michael Amulet Necklace and Solomon’s Seal Necklace, the Sirius A Ring, Talisman Pouch Necklace, and the Protective Eye Stud

Save the Date: Maker Mavens Collective Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Fall trunk show season has begun! If you’re local to the Denver area, come say hello and see me in person, along with my friends Andrea Li, Marie Margot Couture, and B. Shigley Designs for a group pop-up shop at Walker Fine Art on October 14th from 6-9pm. There’ll be bevvies and hors d’oeuvres, along with some very special, one-of-a-kind pieces that I’m making exclusively for our event (hint hint, some found sea glass from the Pacific Ocean has made its way into the collection - one man’s trash is another woman’s treasure, no?). Hope to see you there! For more event info and to RSVP, please visit this link.