Overcoming adversity and changing her attitude to life are the keys to her success, says local jewelry maker Sasha Pellow, who is poised to have her work featured in the 63rd annual Emmy Awards celebrations in Hollywood in September.
Pellow said she is "focusing on taking pieces that are really close to my heart because I feel that those are the pieces that really reflect who I am, and will really get the point across with what I'm trying to do with my line. It's all about moving forth in confidence, love and respect for women... just really show a strong feminine side, and that we can do anything we put our minds to."
On Sept. 15, three days before the Emmy Awards goes to air, Pellow's jewelry will be displayed alongside renowned designers in Hollywood's famous Secret Room - an event exclusive to celebrities and nominees, where diamonds and gowns are selected from designers and a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Humane Society. "There is another part of it where they send out 50 gift bags to the nominees, and my jewelry will also be included in there to be given away, so I'm pretty excited about that," Pellow said, adding that this is the biggest thing that has ever happened with her jewelry and admits she is really nervous about it all.
She credits personal tragedy as the catalyst to bringing her to where she is today. A fire caused by arson burned down her home and studio a year and a half ago and nearly brought Pellow to the brink, ready to give it all up and walk away.
"After that happened I wasn't sure whether I'd even be able to make jewelry anymore because I lost everything in the fire," she said. "That was about 10 years worth of work put into one studio, and it was a lot of work that I lost."
Reeling from the loss, Pellow found a solution to the desperate situation.
"I was feeling quite down about this after the fire, and basically I wasn't getting that creativity out," said Pellow. "So I took everything that I was feeling and put it into my new line and went with what I felt, what I grew up with... all my crazy little stories and travels and stuff - I just poured it all into the line."
She describes the fire as a pivotal point in her decade-long career.
"In so many ways it changes you and makes you stronger, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. What came out of all this was nothing but good."
According to Pellow, her new line generated a huge reaction and she started getting more contracts with stores, with her work now featured in 20 to 30 stores across Canada.
"It just started going crazy," Pellow said, noting that it was a whirlwind of activity with orders coming in from her website and Facebook page. Her rep sent out a "huge email blast" about her new line which caught the attention of a representative from Secret Room Events, who invited Pellow to take part in the prestigious event.
Pellow says she has chosen several of the pieces she plans to take to the event. One is entitled the Buddha Baby.
"I chose that because it is basically all about your chakras and energy points, and about thinking positive about those and always being the best that you can be," she said. "And also another piece that has been very popular called the Warrior... that piece is based on being a warrior through the hard times, and waking it through tragedy and always being positive - working very hard to get what you want. Chasing your dreams no matter what obstacles get in your way."
Pellow hopes to benefit from good press from the event, to meet some of the celebrities and get a picture of one of them wearing her jewelry, and to continue sharing her art with the world.
"I just want to share my thoughts and emotions and art with the world so hopefully this really opens it up to a whole other level for me."
Check out Sasha Eillenna Pellow Jewelry at www.sashapellow.com.
