Last night, WJA NY metro chapter president Eve Streicker, of Original Eve Designs, kicked off a new Instagram live series called “Metro Member Magnified.” For the next six weeks, you can tune in every Monday night to see live product from, and interviews with, some of the chapter’s most prominent members.
With so many trade shows canceled, the series is intended to give designers like Gigi Ferranti, Julie Lamb, and K. Mita a platform for sharing their newest work ahead of the holiday season.
Digital programming has been key to keeping the chapter connected during the pandemic. “I have felt a huge amount of purpose being able to work with our leadership team in New York on an almost daily basis to produce weekly digital [Member Monday] events for the chapter,” says Streicker, who, as of March, has been living in a Massachusetts beach town. “I feel so fortunate to be able to continue to interact with the industry in a positive way during such a hard time.”
Streicker says that the events for the group will be digital through at least June 2021.
“We have had such a positive response to the digital programming that Metro has produced that we will continue to focus a lot of our energy in this capacity,” she says. “We will continue to do our best to bring our industry friends together and provide resources for learning, mentorship, and networking in our new digital normal.”
The new normal of Streicker’s current milieu has had positive effects on her creative energy and output. Ditto her new black Lab puppy, Fiona.
But the road from spring to fall has been rocky. “I made corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day and was disappointed that it was totally flavorless—at that time, they didn’t realize losing your sense of taste was a symptom of COVID,” says Streicker. “Once they figured that out, I got tested for antibodies and the results came back positive. I feel very lucky to have had a pretty mild case.”
The silver lining? “I feel connected to myself in a way I never did in New York. I have a much better work-life balance, and the work that I am producing is more complicated and more satisfying,” says Streicker.
Recent designs are scattered throughout this post, and Streicker has also been working steadily with private clients on custom pieces and heirloom redesigns that provide “constant reminders that celebrations are still happening, couples are still celebrating their love, and milestones are being met even in the most challenging of circumstances.”
And minus the pandemic’s challenges, Streicker says 2020 has been an encouraging year for her, professionally, as she’s won some important awards and recognitions: the WJA-Carelle Grant, a JA CASE Award, and—breaking news—an AGTA Spectrum Award in the Best Business/Daywear category (pictured at top).
She adds, “I am so grateful for the recognition of my work and the incredible honor of receiving each of these awards. I am so humbled by all of it!”
Top: Eve Streicker of Original Eve just won a 2020 AGTA Spectrum Award for this necklace in the Best Business/Daywear category. Necklace with cultured freshwater pearl, Montana sapphires, and diamonds in 18k yellow gold, price on request.
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