2010 is almost here!

I'm celebrating my New Year in Sacramento, California this year. I'll be in front of a big fireplace with a bottle of fruit forward Terra D'Oro Barbera from Amador County! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the new year. I love wine...

I'd love to hear what everyone else has planned. How have you decided to spend your New Year?

However you're celebrating, I'd like to wish you a very Happy New Year! May 2010 bring you blessings, peace and prosperity.

♥ Elizabeth

Velvet Rose

I've always been fascinated with velvet - the texture, the mood it conjures, and of course the deep rich reds that characterize the gorgeous fabric.

Recently I ran across some velvet roses in the craft store and I had that special creative tingle that told me I needed to take them home because something beautiful was about to be birthed.

Scarlett - Designing this necklace was such a pleasure! Some pieces are a struggle. From the design to the photography they give me fits, but not this necklace. Everything just flowed perfectly...

Chianti - Bright red and slightly piquant, like the wine itself! This bracelet conjures the joy and romance of the holidays, and looks just gorgeous on the wrist.

 

Bordeax - This is such a deep rich bracelet, much like the wine it's named after. These dark reds just evoke so much mystery, perfect for the winter season!

 

 

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday season! Warmest wishes to you and your family.

♥ Elizabeth

Belle Noir

The weather has suddenly turned much colder in my part of the country. My husband and I have been enjoying hot cocoa, fuzzy slippers, and the warm glow of Christmas lights. Somehow my state of mind always seems to make its way into my designs,  and true to form, the cloudy days and cold nights have turned my creative eye to gunmetal and jewel tones.

Raven - I am so attracted to the sleek smooth look of gunmetal. It's rich, refined, and understated all at once. I stumbled across this acrylic black rose while shopping for supplies the other day. I wasn't convinced I really wanted it until I glanced down into my basket and saw it lying next to this gorgeous gunmetal feather. Happy creative accidents are my favorite!

Intrigued? See more of Raven here

 
Sienna - Estate style jewelry is a rising trend that has really started to resonate with me recently. I love the opulent feel of the oversized jewels that characterize this trend - even if they're just faceted glass like this one. My favorite thing about this necklace is the juxtaposition of the rich amber against the cool gunmetal, but I also love the modern twist that the thicker chain adds. Such a lovely piece!

Meet Sienna here

Valentina - The inspiration for the construction of this piece came to me once again in the middle of the night. I knew I wanted to use this unique gunmetal filigree stamping with this gorgeous purple jewel, but I couldn't quite figure out how to make it all come together. Suddenly the image just appeared right in front of my eyes. Three chains on each side stretching up to one point with another touch of purple. After a lot of tweaking and tinkering to get the lengths right, the result was a breathtaking and avante garde piece that I really can't take my eyes off of.

 

 Meet Valentina here

If this little trip to the darker side lasts, I foresee many more mysterious pieces to come!

♥ Elizabeth

Black Friday through Cyber Monday - Super Fantasic Sale!

Oh yes, I've gone and done it. I'm taking 20% off my already probably too low prices for you - yeah you! Why? Because I love Christmas, I love making jewelry, and if you're reading this right now, I love you! And let's face it. The economy has been  none too kind to most of us lately, so I think we can all use a break!

So here's how it's going to work: Starting Black Friday (Nov. 27) and running through Cyber Monday (Nov. 30), all items in my Etsy shop will be 20% off. And I'm not stopping there! Free shipping for friends and family - woot! I'll refund you the shipping via Paypal after your purchase.


That's what happens when you're in tight with the designer. Bam. Good deals.


If for some reason you don't have Paypal or don't want to do the internet thing, just contact me and we'll work something out. Chances are, I know where you live so I'm not worried about non-payment ;) Hehe.


Happy Shopping! www.eternaleden.etsy.com

♥ Elizabeth

Vintage Style Lovelies

Ok, yes I admit it. I love vintage. I love the word itself, all the images it conjures, the way it rolls off the tongue. If I could time travel back into the 30's or 40's I totally would just to wear all those gorgeous clothes! Well since I'm a lousy seamstress, I made a couple adorable necklaces instead. Ha.

Madalynn (sold out)- I named this necklace after my late Grandma Corrington. She was such a hoot. Theatrical, dramatic, even a little rebellious. I'll always remember her bright red lipstick, fake eyelashes and fantastic wigs. Hmmm, that must be where I get my own love of the aforementioned - it's genetic! It's all starting to make sense now...

Amaranthine Rose (sold out) - Yup, throwing in another definition here. I like words, get used to it.

 a.ma.ran.thine

-adjective

1. of or like the amaranth
2. unfading; everlasting: a woman of amaranthine loveliness. 
3. of purplish-red color.

Pick any of those three meanings and I think this necklace could personify them. I adore everything about this piece. The color of the beads is such a gorgeous antique plum! I love the smoothness of the antique brass flower, the way it adds just enough vintage charm without seeming dated. Yeah it won't be easy to let go of this one...

Amaranthine Roses - I loved the necklace so much I made matching earrings. Kind of a new thing for me since I'm not a huge fan of too much matchy matchy. They really look phenomenal together though!

Even more unfading loveliness here!

Don't worry, many more vintage lovelies to come!

♥ Elizabeth

Filigree Fanatic!

fil.i.gree
-noun

1. delicate ornamental work of fine silver, gold, or other metal wires, esp. lacy jewelers' work of scrolls and arabesques.
2.  anything very delicate or fanciful: a filigree of frost.

********************************************


Delicate, ornamental, fanciful and just plain gorgeous - I can't get enough of filigree!! I think my special love of filigree came from my Dad. Shocking, I know.

Back when he was in college, my Grandma gave him a box of four silver plastic filigree ornaments for his Christmas tree. He kept them forever. I don't remember a single Christmas from my childhood that my Dad didn't insist on hanging all four ornaments himself. What a tough guy... ;)


Juliette (sold out)- This necklace literally takes my breath away. I honestly don't know if I can bear to sell it. Juliette is  everything that is soft and feminine: Ballet, lace, pastel pink, roses, pearls.  Just unabashed girliness and romance all wrapped up in one delicate necklace. Yeah, I'm in love.

Cranberry Cocktail - (sold out) This necklace looks tasty enough to drink! I just love the gorgeous ruby red beads of this necklace, especially because I had to bargain for them. Yep. Half the strand was missing but I knew they were perfect for my vision of this necklace so I wheeled and dealed and got 'em on sale and half off. Oh yeah.

This is another necklace I love so much I don't even want to sell. Seriously - I need to get over that. But I mean just look at it! Bright red, sparkly, full of festive cheeriness, and just perfect for that holiday formal or cocktail party. What's not to love?

Queen Anne - I may have gone a little over the top on this one but I don't care, it was too pretty not to make. This necklace is an ornate Victorian style explosion of filigree fanciness. The ivory rose cabochon came to me all the way from South Korea. I was so impatient to get it, I stalked the mailman for 2 weeks! I realize this necklace isn't for the faint of heart, but do you think Queen Anne or Queen Elizabeth were faint of heart? I think not!

Pay homage to Queen Anne here

There is no way I have exhausted my fancy for filigree yet, so be assured you will see much, much more in the future!

♥ Elizabeth

Coming out of the Cocoon

The butterfly motif is popping up a lot in my designs these days. Believe it or not, I found these gorgeous butterflies in the necklaces below at Walmart...they used to be earrings...Ssshhh don't tell!


Moonlight Sonata - (sold out) This necklace literally came to me in the middle of the night. All of a sudden *poof* I could see it plain as day in my mind's eye. And it just wouldn't go away. So I had to make it.

One word to describe the way this necklace makes me feel when I wear it is: Elegant.

Midnight Mariposa - Besides butterflies, I'm also really into asymmetrical necklace designs lately. I just love the look. This necklace is near and dear to my heart because it's so delicate and I'm completely in love with the frosty green rondelles. It was also a royal pain in the arse to make - the chain refused to cooperate with me!

See more of this necklace here!

Be on the lookout for more butterflies in the future...I'm sure there are even more creative cocoons waiting to open!

♥ Elizabeth

Welcome to Eternal Eden's Blogspot!

Welcome to my Garden of Handmade Jewelry Treasures!!

I decided to take a chance and create my own bliss! I've always been a very creative person and have never been happy working a desk job. Recently I had the chance to stay at home and forge my own path, so here I am!


Eternal Eden was created first and foremost to honor God, my Creator and Savior. I am so inspired by the beauty of His creation that I can't help but try to reflect it in my creations - whether it be oil pastels, writing, or handmade jewelry.




Eternal Eden was created secondly, well...let's be honest - to keep me busy and productive with something I actually enjoy doing. Imagine that!

What will follow is the creative journey I've been on since I decided to take a risk and do something unconventional with my work life. I hope you enjoy my little garden of (sometimes not so) bliss!!

♥ Elizabeth