Schenectady native Erin Eckler has always been that unique combination of artist and entrepreneur. She first conceptualized the EQWilbert brand in her late teens as a way to umbrella her various creative efforts under one mission: to be a professional artist.
The logo was designed to illustrate strength through adversity and the healing power of expression. Creativity has been a saving grace for her through various challenges. Although the heart is fragmented and missing pieces, it still has wings to soar. The name is a composite of her songwriting performance pseudonym “Erin Quillinan” (her mother’s maiden name) and her maiden name “Wilber.” She attributes much of her resilience and talent to her lineage and wanted to pay tribute to those ties using language which is traditionally tossed away over time.
Recycle, reuse, and heritage are common themes in her work. The findings in her jewelry are sourced from her
grandmother’s Sarah Coventry costume jewelry she used to sell. The leather is scraps from Townsend Leather,
a company run by members of her family on her husbands side. Many of the embellishments on the fiber items
are sourced from recycled clothes, some of them beloved items from her personal collection. She likes to
utilize and celebrate items typically discarded.
The guiding force behind EQWilbert designs is whimsy. Erin prides herself in bringing light and love into everything she does. A design is finished when it makes her smile–even better chuckle. These items are designed to be fun, whimsical, and stylish and bring our your inner unicorn!
We’d love to hear from you! Tell us a fun story about why your favorite item speaks to you or let us know if we missed the mark. We welcome all feedback! Use our Hello Unicorns! check in.