With every beat of my heart.
Love is wild, unexpected, beautiful and unruly. It grows and changes over time, sometimes in ways that are entirely out of our control. You should never be afraid of it. Only be afraid of not trying my dears. This is the last version of Evergreen that is planned from Emici Livet. What a wonder love is.
Evergreen represents love and affection as it grows over the seasons. Blossoming and reaching ever upward toward the sky. Live cedar sprigs were hand selected from a tree over fall and spring and then cast in solid bronze to represent the passing of time. Each of them have been plated in 24k gold.
The antique ribbon that secures the hand dyed silk wrapped stems of Evergreen is about a century old. With each passing day it becomes exceedingly more rare. Silk velvet on one side and silk taffeta on the other. Not a beauty to be forgotten in a deep shade of regal royal blue. One can’t help but think of who made the decision to produce this ribbon and whether or not they anticipated that it would be used for something like this. Whether or not they did, I hope that they would approve of the use. After all. It is for the deepest of loves that you can conceive of.
All the silk velvet leaves were cut and pressed in the studio using antique tools. They are supple soft in double sided velvet. Many are making their very first appearance in Evergreen.
A yellow topaz from a dear friend hand picked for me when he was on a trip in Thailand. Secured by antique black net given to me by my mother.
These leaves are cast bronze from silk fabric leaves created in the Emici Livet studio. They represent challenges. There is still structure, memory and a story to tell. Even though they are not whole they are still beautiful and a very important element to the love we share with others. Without these pieces our experience would be incomplete.
The variance of gemstones showcased in Evergreen represent all the different ways we can offer happiness and light to others. Simple gestures of kindness that take on many forms and shapes. Look closely and you will see kunzite, tanzanite, Ethiopian opal, ametrine and yellow topaz throughout the canopy of this bouquet. These gemstones occur naturally just like the affection we have for others.
On one of the days I was assembling, my daughter helped me to set and wire countless Swarovski crystals. We sat and talked about our day. I watched her take joy in her work. She is a marvel and every day I grow more proud of her. Having her help me that day is a contribution to the love that went into this design.
Freshwater pearl clusters in blues and greens offer luminescent interest.
Fresh spring budding growth at the top of this cedar sprig. The promise of good things to come.
If you look at the center of this photograph you will see a raw bronze evergreen sprig that is purposely not plated in gold. Gorgeous just as it is, it also holds the significance of being from the garden at my father’s house.
A gathering of elements to tell a story using fabric, metal, crystals, pearls and gemstones. Representing hope, growth over time and the most powerful gifts love offers us. Evergreen holds my heart and soul.