New Beginnings

I don't make resolutions at New Years. But I do take an opportunity to reflect on the past year - what I've learned, the highs and lows, what I'd like to change for the coming year.

Of course I look at my business too. Where's it's been, where it's going, what's working and what's not. After spending some time in reflection I've made a few decisions about where to spend my time. I've deleted my Twitter account. I've also decided that this will be my last post on this blog. Sadly there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I'd like to now that I'm a mom.

I'll leave this blog up but will not be adding any new content. You can still find Eternal Eden on Etsy (www.eternaleden.etsy.com) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EternalEden12).

Much love to all of you!
♥ Elizabeth

Happy Holidays from Eternal Eden

Wishing is all is calm and bright for you and yours this season. Merry Christmas and a joyous 2012!

♥ Elizabeth

Red, White and Blue

Memorial Day. For some, a day of recreation and BBQ's, a well earned 3-day weekend to enjoy watermelon, fun in the sun, and to kick off the summer festivities. And there is nothing wrong with that. We have have so many reasons to celebrate.

But for those like me, it's a heavy holiday. For anyone with loved ones in the military it's a sobering holiday. A day to honor fallen heroes and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. A day to wonder and hope that your hero isn't the next to give all.

My sense of patriotism has always been strong, but since becoming an Army wife, it has grown exponentially. I have so much respect for all who wear a uniform, be it armed forces, firefighters, EMT's or police. Our country is built on the backs of those with the courage to fight for what isn't free - freedom.

It's inevitable that somehow this sense of pride in our country and the people who make it great has infused itself in my designs. Soon after my husband deployed my designs began to take on a patriotic, home spun feel. Maybe it wasn't what you would expect of Eternal Eden, but it felt right. I went with it.

Bow Peep Necklace

In some very small way, I hope that these little pieces of my subconscious can somehow bring honor to the lives of so many who have served. I hope that they can be a tribute and a gesture of gratitude for the BBQ's and watermelons that I can enjoy every day, because I am free.

Country Chic Earrings

Poppy Earrings

Thank you to all, past and present, who have served. We owe you everything.

♥ Elizabeth

April Showers bring Baby Showers?

And May flowers too. But mostly baby showers! I love this season. My husband and I are happy to announce that we've joined the 2011 baby boom. We're expecting our first child in August and...it's a Girl! We're thrilled!!

She's a Lady, by Vanilla Extinction on Etsy

As a result, I am in full nesting mode - spring fever style - with visions of nurseries and baby showers dancing in my head. Lady bugs are my thing at the moment, aren't these beauties precious? Must find a way to incorporate them into the nursery and baby shower!

Lady Bug Ornaments by ixhop on Etsy

But we're not just nesting, we're also accessorizing! Yesterday I visited a shabby chic antique shop in Old Town Folsom called Melange and fell in love with literally everything in the shop. This place is like a pink frosting and fluffy cloud factory. Amazing! I came home with a vintage french silk baby bonnet and pink slippers for my little one.

And since fluffy-frosting-spring-fever-baby-mode is in full effect, I'm also adding some wonderful new items to my kid's shop, Eden's Angels. The latest is this cutie, Lemon Cupcake Necklace. There will be pink and fuchsia cupcake necklaces to follow.

Lemon Cupcake Necklace, by Eden's Angels on Etsy

I so wish our little one was here already for Easter, it would be so much fun to dress her up in spring pastels. Well if I can't dress mine, maybe I can dress yours? :) Have you seen this adorable gift set? These tiny earrings are so cute! And it's a great deal too. 

Rosebud Earring Set, by Eden's Angels on Etsy

I do hope you are thoroughly enjoying this spring weather, surrounded by lots of joy and new life. XO from pink frosting land!

♥ Elizabeth 

Mass Moving. Moving Masses. Massively Exhausted.

Eternal Eden has been on the move!

Seriously. We have moved from Alabama, to Upstate New York, to California in the span of, oh about two months. Yeah, Army life is never boring! Good thing I have a portable career...sort of. I spent a small fortune shipping boxes upon boxes of product and supplies to Calfornia. All to have it rain for the first two weeks I've been here, making photography (and walking my dogs) virtually impossible.

Sigh.

No matter! I have been busy making collections of pretty Etsy things in the meantime. Check out my latest treasury called "Watery." Can you tell what inspired it? All this spring rain perhaps?



Hey, I am not complaining. Come summer I will be wishing for a little of this water that's going around to wet my parched lips. Summers here take no prisoners!

Great to be back. Some fresh new springy treats are on their way just as soon as the sun comes out!

♥ Elizabeth

Christmas Shopping!

I am usually a last minute Christmas Eve shopper, frantically grabbing gifts and stuffing them into whatever kind of wrapping I can find. Not so this year. My family is facing some major changes in the new year and I decided to make things easy on myself this Christmas.

Ornaments by Alice's Looking Glass

So I turned to Etsy to find inspired handmade gifts for my family and friends. I've been so pleased with the caliber of craftsmanship and the attention to detail in each one of my purchases that I just have to share them with the world!

The majority of my shopping was done in Flying Bird Botanical's shop. The owner, Scout, has beautifully packaged organic hand-mixed loose leaf teas, and organic bath and body products. Below is her After Dinner Mint loose leaf tea, which is a gift for a special someone in my family.

I also visited Lilac Avenue's shop for handmade scented soy candles. The candle below is Christmas Tree Pine and it smells so good I want to eat it. I might just have to purchase one of these for myself!

Christmas cards were a must to go with all this handmade deliciousness, and I turned to Etc. By Christie, a brand new Etsy shop! I had the privilege of being her first sale which just gives me all kinds of chills. The gorgeous and impeccably crafted card I received gave me further chills! This card is a gift in itself.

And what is a great gift without great wrapping? Vintage Dye provided me with darling gift tags with a nice aged vintage touch. The shop owner was nice enough to make me a custom listing with the exact number of tags I needed!

All in all, my holiday shopping experience this year was the best ever. I never even had to leave the comfort of my couch and ended up with the most incredible gifts!

And in the spirit of simplification this year, I've added gift sets to Eternal Eden's product line. I've taken some of my best selling items and grouped them into coordinating handy dandy gift sets - complete with a nice discount! It's dummy-proof holiday shopping. Stop in and check them out! Gift Sets

Apricot Gift Set

English Rose Gift Set

Here's to a warm and happy Thanksgiving everyone! And take my advice, forget the mall. Spend your Black Friday weekend on Etsy! :)

♥ Elizabeth

Winter Wedding and Other Festivities

Eternal Eden had a fun custom bridal order last week!  Isn't red just the perfect color for a winter wedding? The rings looked so pretty together I just had to snap a photo. Can you guess whose is whose?

Meanwhile, Eden's Angels has officially launched! I'm very excited to see what direction this new venture takes. Have you checked out the new shop yet? http://www.edensangels.etsy.com

Poinsettia Headband

It's hard to believe that winter is on its way and the holidays are already upon us! I hope we can all stay sane and enjoy those special moments. Wishing you much joy and happiness in the upcoming months!

♥ Elizabeth