SIGIL Sale & Updates

Happy Memorial Day! The last few hours of the 20% off SIGIL Sale is upon us and thank you to those of you who have picked up this weekend. If you are learning about this just now, it’s not too late! Just enter MEMDAY2018 into checkout for 20% off your entire SIGIL purchase at: etsy.com/shop/SIGILbyanitaarora

Secondly, SIGIL is about to travel to Finland for a few weeks in June. I am very excited to be returning! During this time, the SIGIL store will be on sale and any pieces in the Iceland Collection will be shipped after June 20th. For those in the Nordic countries or EU, now is a great time to contact me regarding a purchase. The store will be otherwise closed from June 1st – 20th.

Finally, tomorrow will see a shop update with a fresh batch of my new favorite mineral – lithium quartz! I have several new lithium quartz pendants ready for release that I recently discovered and fell in love with. If you are unfamiliar with Lithium Quartz, the metaphysical properties associated with this particular mineral, from Brazil, primarily surround healing and reduction of stress and focuses on the Heart Chakra. Lithium quartz contains lithium, and is reputed to work on releasing stress in the individual and brings emotional peace and relaxation. The color varies from a subtle lavender to a dark mauve, and is truly a beauty.

That’s it for now! Have a peaceful and spectacular night.

~ Anita / SIGIL

Hrafna-Flóki’s 3 Ravens – The Iceland Collection

A closer look at the third category in the new SIGIL Iceland Collection launching tomorrow: Hrafna-Flóki. It is fabled that when the Norseman Flóki sailed from Norway to Iceland in the 9th century, he took with him three ravens to help guide him. Through this, he earned his nickname Hrafna-Flóki, or “Raven Flóki”. Flóki set the ravens free near the Faroe Islands, halfway between Norway and Iceland. The first raven flew to the Faroe Islands without returning. The second flew close to the ship before returning with no news. The third, however, flew ahead of Flóki’s ship, guiding it all the way to Iceland.

The 3 black kyanite pendants in the Iceland Collection are symbolic pieces to commemorate the ravens’ important role in Hrafna-Flóki’s first journey to Iceland. Each piece resembles one of Hrafna-Flóki’s ravens’ wings. Kyanite is reputed to have properties as a strong “connector” mineral for transmission of healing energy for the wearer and in bridging gaps in communication with others. It is a grounding mineral.

The new Iceland Collection launches tomorrow morning at 10:00am PST on the SIGIL website. Each of the 13 pieces are carefully curated and follow the six categories listed below. Each tell a story of the rugged landscape and folklore. Shop the Collection by clicking here.

Thanks for following along!

Anita/SIGIL

 

Iceland Collection – Two Days Away!!

I am so thrilled for the launch of the Iceland Collection, only two days from today! Out of the thirteen pieces and six categories (listed in the prior post) I honestly think the Smokey Quartz # 1 (pictured above) might be my absolute favorite. I keep changing my mind as I look through them, but keep coming back to this one.

The Hverir region in Northern Iceland may be also the most outer worldly location I’ve visited on the island. This is why I picked it as the inspiration for the three smokey quartz pieces in the collection:

A closer look at the second category in the new SIGIL Iceland Collection: Hverir Geothermal Area.

North Iceland has notable geothermal areas in and around Lake Myvatn, the most dramatic being Hverir Geothermal Area with Namafjall mountain looming in the distance. The landscape is marked with mudpots, steam vents and fumaroles (an opening in the planet’s crust) that pump steam in heavy, warm clouds of steam and gas from the earth. Here, the colors range from light gray to muddy beige with a backdrop of smokey brown-gray steam.

This surreal landscape is embodied in the Smokey Quartz clusters of the SIGIL Iceland Collection. Each beautiful piece has its own characteristics, from double terminations to small twins partially emerged from the primary piece. Smokey quartz is associated with grounding and protection properties, including the neutralization of negative energies and detoxification.

 

Join me on Sat, April 21st at 10:00am PST at sigil-studio.com for the grand launch and find your personal favorite.

-Anita

 

Iceland Collection Launch: 4.21.18

Hope you’re all having a good week so far! One quick announcement to make, the long-anticipated new Iceland Jewelry Collection from SIGIL launches this coming Saturday, April 21st at 10:00am PST on the SIGIL website: sigil-studio.com

There will be a total of 13 pieces available that are grouped into 6 categories as follows:

1. Flóki’s 3 Ravens (black kyanite) – 3 pieces
   
2. Vatnajökull (Water Glacier) (clear quartz crystal) – 3 pieces
3. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (blue kyanite) – 1 piece
4. Seljalandsfoss (clear quartz crystal cluster) – 1 piece
5. Hverir Geothermal Area (smokey quartz) – 4 pieces
6. Skógafoss, The Forest Waterfall (clear quartz double terminating) – 1 piece

Watch this space throughout the week as we examine the inspiration behind each category, and provide a sneak peak at the pieces before they’re available.

Last of the Summer Wine

Thank you to everyone who came to West Elm this past Saturday in Seattle. It was a great turnout and beautiful weather to boot! As a result, I am nearly sold out on leather cuffs and appreciated hearing the feedback on the brand-new leather notebook cover.

The SIGIL studio is currently in full restock mode in prep for Fall and we will be taking a short break in September to travel to Iceland for some much-needed inspiration and travel time. Upon my return I will be gearing up for the HP Lovecraft film festival taking place in Portland, OR in early October. If you live in the Northwest I highly recommend attending.

Speaking of travel, look out for another new addition to the SIGIL family specifically to house and protect your passport…

As we look to Fall, expect some exciting updates including production of the long awaited tote bag.

Until then…

-Anita / SIGIL

The Doctor Is In…

Prototype of the newest SIGIL family member is complete, making this a great start to the week in the Studio. I am very excited to introduce to you the SIGIL “Doctor’s Bag”. The Doctor is a slimmer, longer yet compact lined purse for those of us who prefer a more petite bag with a big personality.

While details are worked over, look for more updates as this style is readied for availability next month.

– Anita

SIGIL goes Lilac for Summer 2016

Last we spoke, the seasons were turning from gloomy winter into the first hints of spring. What a difference a month makes! One of the first things you’ll see different in the SIGIL accessories line is the introduction of embossing for veg tan leather logo labels. As well as the textile labels have worked, embossing provides a far more finished, professional look – it’s time for SIGIL to make this leap. Combined with the introduction of our Lilac Lambskin ID/card/coin purse, I hope you are as excited as I am for this summer’s lighter collection..whilst keeping to the darker side that is the heart of the SIGIL brand.

Look for more in the Summer 2016 Collection coming soon!

~ Anita / SIGIL

Spring ’16 SIGIL Updates

Some updates for Spring ’16!

SIGIL will be expanding the line to bring you wearable art.. Perfect for warmer days and lighter evenings..

I will also be creating a line of one-off versions of existing designs, using fabric and hide combinations that are very limited in quantity. A fun, experimental twist to existing styles.

Look for these and more developments in March and April!

Anita

Ghost Gallery & SIGIL

A shout out goes to Ghost Gallery in Seattle, WA for carrying SIGIL leather goods! If you live in Seattle, go give them some love. Not in Seattle? Check out their wonderful webstore: http://www.ghostgalleryshop.com/gifts/

Tea Staining & Collaboration

SIGIL just celebrated one year last Fall, so come November it was time to embark on the first artist collaboration.

Jason Soles, also based in Seattle, has many years experience as a sculptor and creator of resin replica skulls (if you are unfamiliar, take a look at his work at his Etsy store).

Being that I have a background in apparel yet primarily now work in leather, I was craving an outlet for using fabric, coupled with leather and harder textures to create a wearable landscape previously not explored by either Jason Soles nor I.

Taking a look at our individual skill set, we distilled aspects of our distinct styles and designed a pair of Extra Large linen scarves in black and tea-stained, the latter of which was an adventure in old-world techniques. Sticking to SIGIL’s focus on natural fabrics, we chose a medium-weight cream linen and researched natural staining methods. To obtain the deep neutral tone that you see in the photograph above, we added coffee and went thrift shopping for the largest cooking pot we could find. Not to mention 40 tea bags…

Letting our “brew” steep overnight on the stovetop with a low heat (the kitchen smelled divine), the following morning we pulled the 2 yards of very wet, but fantastically tanned fabric (see above). Now what to do?

Yes, squeeze and ring out every possible drop (it felt like 5lbs..) – not as easy as it sounds.

We left the damp fabric to drip dry another night, then folded it over a towel rail to settle. The variations in the hues showed themselves as the fabric slowly dried.

Next up: preparing the leather, measuring the fabric, ironing (numerous times, thank you linen) and constructing the pieces. In addition to collaborating on the fabric:leather designing, Jason contributed (and hand-drilled) resin replica quail bird skulls for stitching on one end of the scarves as a “fringe”. Gives a new definition to “Dark Boho”.

 

After a full day of construction, Voila! We have the SIGIL/Jason Soles collaboration of a one-of-a-kind Fall/Winter designer scarf, hand-dyed, bearing a respectable weight and length at a finished length of approx. 1.5 yards x 12.5″ wide.

You can find the finished scarf on the SIGIL Etsy store as well as the black linen companion we did.

More collaborations are in the works for 2016! Stayed tuned…

Anita / SIGIL