by Ann Covode

In creating her Feathers series Eve was drawn to the iridescence of bird’s plumage.  She was especially interested in birds molting into nuptial plumage.  “They suddenly adapt a bright and unexpected color when attracting a mate,”she says.  With that in mind she has created the “Gorgeous Plumage” pin pictured here. She was drawn to the shifting and stunning colors of this Yowah opal from Northeastern Australia. She interpreted the central rachis of a feather in the iron matrix of the opal.   Eighteen champagne diamonds and two Paraiba tourmalines on the sides serve to accent Eve’s perception of lightness and flight.  $2860

Feathers have many different meanings, but they have always been associated with freedom, transcendence and communication with Spiritual Realms. Finding a feather can be an uplifting, spiritual experience, especially when you find one in an unexpected place such as in your house or in your purse, where there isn’t an easy way to explain its presence. Any feather can be a sign, but the meaning of finding a feather in an unusual place or having one suddenly float across your path can especially seem to be a sign from the angels or from a loved one who has passed to the other side.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Feathers appear when Angels are near?” As a symbol across many cultures, feathers have always represented a connection to spiritual realms and to divinity. And because of their connection to birds, they have always been a symbol of flight and freedom, not just physically, but also in a mental or spiritual sense.

Eve imagines the idea of feathers further by comparing them to words and human discourse. “Now, these many years later, I see human discourse re enacting the riddle my father presented to me. On one hand, the words that are hurled with heat, and clang to the ground, words as weapons. On the other hand, words that are considered, words meant to float and be slowly absorbed, words as instruments of mutual discourse. Both reach their target, but feathers do not maim.,” states Eve.

Eve speaks of a lightness of being and of a way of dealing with the world. In the time that I’ve known her I’ve witnessed how she shows true interest in her clients and their needs. Eve wants to hear the story of your engagement so she can make something special and wants to learn what is special to you. She takes a piece of an idea that you have and elaborates on that in an elegant piece of jewelry. If that is what she means by feathers I think they continue to zigzag in the air around her and have been floating effortlessly for close to 40 years. Her ideas keep fluttering in the wind!

It’s ironic when she speaks of comparing iron to feathers because she is working with gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc. These elements have weight but she has the amazing ability to lighten them in her designs. She floats sunstones in diamonds and hovers sapphires in the air! Diamonds swim in the river and emeralds hang off trees. I am looking forward to this new series because I think the designs really will take flight.

In this time with talk of civility rising to the surface, Eve’s discussions of feathers versus iron in society are particularly timely. When wearing one of her pieces perhaps you’ll be reminded of the importance of your words.

Please join us on May 4th from 1 to 7pm to experience the mastery of Eve J Alfillé.