CISTHENE is owned and operated by Jen Altman. Apart from curating and running the shop, Jen is a professional photographer and author whose clients include Chronicle Books, Martha Stewart Living, Food & Wine and Kinfolk Magazine. She is also the author of three books: Instant Love: How to Make Magic and Memories with Polaroid; GEM and STONE: Jewels of Earth, Sea and Sky; and Photographing Your Children: A Handbook of Style and Instruction. You can view her portfolio here and follow her adventures in travel and food with her family on the acclaimed blog Nectar. A mother to three beautiful girls, she also documents the adventures of her self-styled seven-year-old on All About Eve.
"Jewelry is personal. Some, such as myself, could argue that it could indeed be the most personal thing you place on your body. It is not simply metal and stone that we adorn ourselves with, instead it is thousands of years of craftsmanship; it is metal from the depths of our Earth and minerals that have endured millions of years of trial by water and fire to become what they are today. The practice of wearing jewelry, originally for protection then for currency and finally for decoration, is as nearly as ancient as humanity itself. And I use the word practice purposefully, for truly wearing jewelry is a practice more so than an act. We imbue our jewels with our own energies, our desires, and even our individual histories; each piece becomes a Talisman charged with our personal magic.
At CISTHENE, we want you to find your own Talismans. Your own symbols of protection and power - because, that is ultimately what jewelry can give you. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks knew this, the Celts knew this, and we continue seeking out those pieces that call to our souls today. So have a look… your Talisman is waiting.
Why CISTHENE? Cisthene (pronounced kees-THEE-nee) is the mythical island where Medusa is thought to dwell. She is the subject of seduction, envy, and spell-binding tales. Whether her serpent tresses still call the island home, only the Goddess knows. After I read Edith Hamilton's Mythology when I was 12 years old, the epic tales of Olympus became my religion. I felt an affinity for both Medusa and Athena, the Great Goddess thought to have cursed her, and both figures have been muses and protectors throughout my life. In their honor, CISTHENE was founded in 2012. Featuring hand-crafted jewels, bath and beauty products, as well as hand-tooled leather accessories, CISTHENE honors the art of ancient crafts with modern sensibilities."
(Source: http://www.cisthene.com/about/)
I discovered Cisthene, unbelievably just yesterday, thanks to designsponge, when the latter featured their jewelry picks as 2013 gift guide. I've been a loyal follower of ds, and knowing their posts are always nothing less amazing, a post with "jewelry" in it is something I cannot let pass.
Obviously, I am obsessed over these little things. I've never properly embraced this love; but honestly, I was only 7y/o, when I started this special liking. My grandmother gave me a gold bracelet with detailed arrows on it, while my grandfather, as a reward, because I graduated top of the class (*ehem* the whole batch), he gave me a collection of gold ring, gold earrings, a gold bracelet, and a gold necklace. It seems I have developed a secret connection; it being secret, since I was aware my mother and father can't afford these things back then. Luckily, I don't think this is anything serious -- I look at stuff, but never really had the courage to actually buy something.
Here are couple things that piqued my interest. You can always visit their page for more jewels.
