{"title":"In the Spotlight: Meet Carolina!","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIntroducing our next In the Spotlight Erstwildian, Carolina!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor those of you in our Official Community Facebook Group, you’ll likely know of, or even chatted to Carolina before, as she is often posting her fantastic photos with her brooches and out on her adventures. Carolina is such a positive presence amongst our community, and has been for so many years, so who better to be our latest In the Spotlight participant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow and when did you first discover Erstwilder? Which design was your first piece? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI first discovered Erstwilder around 2014 at a rockabilly festival in the town I live, in Germany.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThere was a stall with clothes and some jewellery. That was when I spotted Betty Jo Sparrow. I was fascinated. The woman who had this stall was not from here and told me about Erstwilder being an Australian brand. She took cash only as a payment and I remember checking my wallet frantically to make sure I was able to grab all the pieces she had. They were Betty Jo Sparrow and Dot the Dosing Deer (both with matching earrings). I think I also got Fletcher the Fox. I was absolutely hypnotised! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArriving home I went online and struggled to find stockists in Europe, but I managed to place my first order from the website in Australia. But these were other times, things were a lot more difficult and bureaucratic here in Germany then to buy from outside the EU block, it took a long time in customs, I had to travel almost an hour to collect my parcel, it all seemed so hard and almost unachievable. I placed a few orders but thought I wouldn’t manage to do it again.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eLuckily not long afterwards, I came across another Erstwilder piece at a stockist's online shop. From there on, I never stopped collecting.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e               \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/1.png?v=1771305536\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"271\"\u003e   \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/2.png?v=1771305572\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"271\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you like to collect any specific designs or themes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI have a huge soft spot for animals, quirky animals doing human activities are even better!\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMy favourite collections tend to be Easter and Halloween, which sounds like a contradiction, but I like to say I have a restless heart.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThe musical style and subculture I am part of, Psychobilly, takes a lot from vintage aesthetics with a bit of a horror edge (therefore Halloween pieces work all year round for me). But I also love the spring vibe pieces, maybe because the winter in Germany is so harsh that I can't wait for Spring to come (Easter time here). The Australiana pieces are also a delight. They give me the opportunity to learn about Australian nature. I am originally from Brazil, the Australiana collection has also made me more interested in Brazilian fauna and flora. A wealth of information I took for granted in the first half of my life, when I still lived in Brazil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMore recently the country collections have become huge to me. It is that collection in the year where I know I'm going to indulge, and I feel no guilt whatsoever in doing so!\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhich design gets complimented the most? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSeveral, but one that I can say that every time I wear it I get a comment, remark or compliment, is The Kiss (The Nouveau Collection, 2021).\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhich design do you find you wear the most? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI have phases of wearing more flowers and birds, others when I go for more quirky designs. But the one piece I think I have worn the most in my collection is Acacia in Gold (Jocelyn Proust). I've worn it already with everything, from jeans and t-shirt to a ball dress. It always looks stunning, it always compliments the outfit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy do you like to wear brooches \/ wearable art?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI feel every time you pin a brooch on or wear wearable art, you are expressing a bit of yourself and your mental state through the eyes of the artist. There is feeling hidden behind every choice, if you can just look at it closely.  And it is a little bit of beauty or a clever idea you are throwing out there in the world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIf I have something on my mind or I am missing someone, for example, it will appear on my choice of brooches. Same thing if I am happy or worried about something. It is a soothing code to myself, I take that out of my thoughts and put it in the brooch. It always makes me feel better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/4.png?v=1771305766\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"271\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/Untitled_design_44.png?v=1771305927\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"271\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e          \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you could choose any design to include in a future Fan Favourite release, what would it be and what colours?!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt has to be Sara the Capybara (2018). I absolutely love the animal, the design, her welly boots, her smiley face. I'm biased as capys are native to Brazil, but they are also such sweet, chill animals. It's hard not to want to hug them when you see them in nature (I don’t by the way!).  A lovable creature, perfect for a brooch! I would recolour her in earthy\/ orange tones maybe, like that adorable Love Everlasting Collection cat (The Cat's Meow Brooch). Having said so, I'm lucky enough to have the original and still I think I'd want Sara in any colourway\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/image9.jpg?v=1771305722\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"224\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTop 10 EW brooches of all time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0cm;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNow this was very hard, especially to stick to only ten!!!! Knowing I’ll be leaving behind other pieces I love and cherish, here are my Top 10 today in no particular order:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0cm;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0cm;\" class=\"p1\"\u003eOctavious The Octo-Scribe\u003cbr\u003eThe Splendid Fairy Wren\u003cbr\u003eGuardian of the Garden\u003cbr\u003eLove Bandit\u003cbr\u003eSun Charmer\u003cbr\u003eA Lion Named Roar\u003cbr\u003ePascal The Prawn\u003cbr\u003eLyle The Hatchling\u003cbr\u003eThe Bureaucratic Bird\u003cbr\u003eNibbles The Wombat\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"love-bandit-brooch","title":"Love Bandit Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe key to your heart was easy to find. Our bandit stole it from you for being so kind.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32280755372145,"sku":"BH6986-9080","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/products\/bh6986-9080.jpg?v=1610709339"},{"product_id":"octavious-the-octo-scribe-brooch","title":"Octavious the Octo-Scribe Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe most intelligent and behaviourally diverse of all invertebrates. You do not want to receive an angry letter from this Octopus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32280765137009,"sku":"BH6521-6100","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/products\/bh6521-6100.jpg?v=1610709677"},{"product_id":"the-splendid-fairy-wren-brooch","title":"The Splendid Fairy Wren Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eSo much charisma in such a little bird! Jumping to the call of its friends. It's not always easy being blue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39416355160177,"sku":"BH7217-3070","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/products\/pc-037.jpg?v=1624843851"},{"product_id":"sun-charmer-brooch","title":"Sun Charmer Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTurn on the charm and turn up the heat you cheeky ball of hot plasma. You bring a smile to our dial, we just hope you'll stay a while.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47630213513513,"sku":"AV1BH02","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/products\/av1bh02suncharmerbrooch-1.jpg?v=1707427504"},{"product_id":"a-lion-named-roar-brooch","title":"A Lion Named Roar Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe will be devoting the lion's share of this story to announcing the immense pride we have in being able to introduce another big cat to the Erstwilder family.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48005385716009,"sku":"BHBM113","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/bhbm113alionnamedroarbrooch-1.jpg?v=1712190232"},{"product_id":"guardian-of-the-garden-brooch","title":"Guardian of the Garden Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOnce upon a time lived the funniest little budgie there ever was. Lovingly known as Lightning Pterodactyl to her nearest and dearest, this little budgie brought joy aplenty.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48065151729961,"sku":"LDE-043","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/LDE043GuardianoftheGardenBrooch-1.jpg?v=1712619133"},{"product_id":"nibbles-the-wombat-brooch","title":"Nibbles the Wombat Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWaddling through tunnels, digging like a furry excavator, Nibbles doesn't eat a lot, preferring to spend time napping underground.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49538849898793,"sku":"BHCN104","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/bhcn104nibblesthewombatbrooch-1.jpg?v=1733960306"},{"product_id":"lyle-the-hatchling-brooch","title":"Lyle the Hatchling Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf you ever forget how to tell crocodiles and alligators apart just remember this: one will see you in a while, the other will see you later.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50302184161577,"sku":"LDE-062","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/LDE-062LyletheHatchlingBrooch-1.jpg?v=1746580972"},{"product_id":"the-bureaucratic-bird-brooch","title":"The Bureaucratic Bird Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHappiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. At least that's what George and I believe.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50491628880169,"sku":"BHCY108","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/3918085a-6320-40b4-a303-352e39d6ff06.jpg?v=1749687715"},{"product_id":"pascal-the-prawn-brooch","title":"Pascal the Prawn Brooch","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePascal didn’t bring a gift. He was the gift. Or so he claimed, lounging by the bar with a cocktail in hand. But he did love his animal friends dearly, which he told them with increasing gusto as the drinks continued to flow. Merry Shrimpmas!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erstwilder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52529309450537,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/files\/00e3c0f1-057e-4b33-aaa3-8bfa22ffa21c.jpg?v=1769714942"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0028\/5858\/2129\/collections\/In_the_Spotlight_-_Carla_Desktop_Banner_9e602992-3657-4c97-aa0f-8aa1d7656c3e.png?v=1771304248","url":"https:\/\/www.erstwildermuseum.com\/collections\/in-the-spotlight-meet-carolina.oembed","provider":"Erstwilder Museum","version":"1.0","type":"link"}