Leslie Eaton, LLC, was formed in 2006 as an outlet for creativity.  Following a career as Vice President of Merchandising of Accessories for Aeropostale, Inc., I started classes in Jewelry and Metal-smithing at Brookdale Community College.  I've since created at the school lab and in my studio in our 1892 Queen Anne Victorian in Shrewsbury, NJ.  I became fascinated with traditional hand engraving in 2011 and sought out and completed several classes with Master Engravers in Emporia, Kansas and Peter's Valley Craft Center in New Jersey, and have since been learning and practicing.

All of my pieces are handmade from start to finish using traditional metalworking techniques including hand sawing and piercing, hammering and forging, chasing and hand engraving, filing/sanding/polishing, soldering and the lost wax method of casting. Most originate from a hand drawn sketch done using a good ol' pencil on paper.

I try to be environmentally and ethically responsible (good for both you and me) by: using as few chemicals as possible (eg. all oxidizing is done using cage free eggs i/o blackening chemicals); using recycled materials (from the recycled sterling silver* sheet and wire that I use…to all of my packaging including bags, boxes and biodegradable plastic baggies…to my display props which are all antiques, vintage or thrift shop finds); and sourcing products made in the USA whenever possible (eg. waxed cotton and nylon cording).
*Sterling Silver itself is 100% renewable and sustainable.

When not creating jewelry, I can be found filling every other second of the rest of my time: knitting; calligraphing in copperplate; weaving; stitching or sewing; swimming, running, hiking, weight training and cycling; training and running agility, hiking, walking and playing with our Great Danes Badger & Poe; enjoying the companionship of my husband Jay and his scrumptious vegetarian concoctions; working on/in/out/on top of the house, barn and gardens;  day-tripping all over the tri state area with Jay (and Badger)…kidnapped or voluntary;  antiquing at our local haunts or on Ebay;  reading classic, creative and creepy books with a side of cookies;  capping it all off: sippin' on my nightly craft beer/ipa (the more hops the better)!

EVENTS AND AWARDS

Spring Art Festival 2016 & 2015:  Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft,NJ
Collage Magazine 2015: BCC publication
Sickles Artist's Market 2015: Little Silver,NJ
Collage Magazine 2014: BCC publication
Made in Monmouth 2013: Long Branch,NJ
FilmOneFest 2013: AtlanticHighlands,NJ
Earth Day Fair 2013: Shrewsbury,NJ
Made in Monmouth 2012: Long Branch,NJ
Sickles Artist's Market 2012: LittleSilver,NJ  
BCC Alumni Assoc. Juried Art Show 2006:  "CoyCoi", Sterling & Moonstone
BCC Student Art Show 2006:  "Wiggleybones", Sterling Silver;  "Bird Castle", Ceramics
BCC Alumni Assoc. Juried Art Show 2005:  "Asymmetry Flower", Sterling & Peridot

MEMBERSHIPS

IAMPETH ~ The International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting
Society of Scribes ~ NYC