CISTHENE

12 Jun

Today kicks off a new series of interviews with the designers and makers who make CISTHENE what it is – a magical purveyor of powerful talismans and potions. Every couple of weeks, I will introduce you to one of these artisans… and because it wouldn’t be CISTHENE without music, they will share their current favorite playlist with you as well.

Gia Bahm, creator of Unearthen, selects the crystals and metals in her pieces according to the histories, qualities, and sizes of the materials. She is a collector, an aestheticist, a creator, and a destructor…much like all of us who are constantly perplexed by the forces of nature and humankind. It was my beautiful cousin Lindsey who sent me to a link to Gia’s magical site about five years ago. Since that moment I’ve been following her soaring career as a talisman crafter and was so honored when she agreed to be part of our CISTHENE launch.

1. What is your favorite UNEARTHEN piece right now? My absolute fave is the Auroras Ring. The raw lightness of the clear quartz with the faceted green amethyst is the ultimate combo for me. I could stare at it for hours, and I do.

2. Why jewelry? Because it’s a constant challenge and inspiration. An adventure that I wouldn’t trade anything for — I love my passion filled occupation.

3. What are your summer beauty must-haves? The Crystal Quartz and Labradorite silk scarves are blowing my mind (I love them both so much I can’t pick just one!) - would be incredible paired with a bathing suit for a summer sunset! Also really into the Teiwaz Rune Ring!

A light pink/sheer nail coat is also essential for me this summer to keep it simple, and any of the products by San Francisco based Earth Tu Face.

4. How does music influence your work? Ah! It truly is my biggest muse. Music is EVERYTHING! I would have created nothing if not for music.

5. What was the first record you bought on your own? The first record I ever bought was a compilation I found at the record store by my house called “That Summer”. Pretty appropriate for this CISTHENE summer interview, actually!

I think I bought it when was 14. I picked it because I really liked Richard Hell and figured the other bands on the record would be ok if he was on it. Hilarious considering some of the others on the record were Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Reckless Eric, and The Undertones. I’ve added an Undertones song to the mix as homage. Ha!

6. The Ramones or The Misfits? Another one of the first records I bought was Legacy of Brutality. But both bands are SO special. Just depends on my mood really!

Thank you so much Gia! You can shop our new Unearthen arrivals here and listen to her playlist here.

THAT SUMMER

Teenage Kicks : The Undertones

Dancing In The Moonlight : Thin Lizzy

That’s Us/Wild Combination : Arthur Russell

Midnight Voyage : The Mamas & The Papas

Breakin’ the Law : The Babies

Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart : Ty Segall

Comes A Time : Neil Young

The Love Between : White Fence

The Man In Me : Bob Dylan

Baby : Donnie and Joe Emerson

Katzenmusik 7 : Michael Rother

Big White Cloud : John Cale

Strangers : The Kinks

3 Jun

NOW OPEN - The Men’s Shop… just in time for the Papa in your life. Shop here.

31 May

New arrivals and a playlist for your weekend…

MOUNTAIN MUSIC

Wild Mountain Honey : Steve Miller Band

Walk A Mile : Holly Golightly

Barton Hallow : The Civil Wars

And It Spread : The Avett Brothers

Darkness & Light : Golden Animals

Everyday : Vetiver

Maybe Mine : Good Old War

The Needle and the Spoon : Lynyrd Skynyrd

How Am I To Be : The Watson Twins

Blue Ridge Mountains : Fleet Foxes

Up On Cripple Creek : The Band

Long As I Can See The Light : CCR

Riverboat : Howlin Rain

Muswell Hillbilly : The Kinks

Listen here.

29 May

A Bikini Kill kinda day.

25 May

Shop our ECLIPSE SALE - 3 days only - markdowns up to 75%. Shop here.

24 May

New UNEARTHEN coming very soon… though not sure this beauty will make it to the shop. We’ve been bonding…

21 May

Sharing some of my favorite stacks over on Unruly Things today… and a special discount for her readers. Click here to check it out…

21 May

Prepping for Ari’s sixth birthday party - Blondie is her idol so we are throwing an 80s rockstar party - this playlist is getting the girls and I inspired…

QUEENS OF NOISE

Edge of Seventeen : Stevie Nicks

Is It Day Or Night? : The Runaways

Brass In Pocket : Pretenders

One Way Or Another : Blondie

Barracuda : Heart

I Hate Myself For Loving You : Joan Jett

Hit Me With Your Best Shot : Pat Benatar

Queens of Noise : The Runaways

Rapture : Blondie

I Want You To Rock Me : Vixen

Cherry Bomb : The Runaways