THESE ARE DREAM PETALS

dyedvelvetbloomsweb2_EmiciLivet

Dear friends, these are special little things. Emici Livet is all about creating and striving for things that are artful and unique. My clients want to have something that speaks in a way that they feel conveys the unique nature behind the occasion.

dyedvelvetbloomsweb_EmiciLivet

This silk velvet was so special because it is hand dyed with lots of tonal variance. It is backed in plum champagne silk dupioni for contrast. Each petal is cut and pressed using antique tools.

dyedvelvetweb2_EmiciLivet

This ring bearer pillow was a must with silk ribbon and iridescent glass beaded silk.

dyedvelvetpillowweb_EmiciLivet

Please leave a comment and let the studio know what you think. Much more to come along the road. Xo -Marie

SHARING OUR EMBERS

img_0849

Deep within the soul… you can feel it, the ember that is always there. Smoldering, giving us passion and love through warmth unending.

Hello dear friends, you may remember the giveaway for the Emici Livet Ember bouquet. I had asked you to please write about what your personal fire stemmed from. All of the entries were so incredibly touching that I decided to write in the winner revealing post the surprise announcement below:

“Now for a final exuberant note… if you are still with me friends which I greatly hope you are! I wrote in the last blog post that, ‘Emici Livet wants to dance with you in those moments and boldly fan your flames.’  So it is in the spirit of Ember that I want to send everybody who left a comment on the Ember giveaway an amazing and specially designed Emici Livet flower that symbolizes your contribution to all things incredible! Each and every one of you has impact that will reach far beyond your own individual lives and I can’t think of a more lovely thing for all of us to celebrate together. This will be an exclusive flower that only the entrants of this special giveaway will receive. It’s a way for all of us to share in this connection of fueling outreach, love and passion in our lives.”

snapseed

Entrants that contacted me through email when the winner was announced will all be receiving this very special Emici Livet Ember single stem bloom. Designed with its namesake bouquet in mind, this flower combines leather, silk and velvet into one distinct piece. You might not know it at first inspection but it requires 15 different antique petal and leaf shaping tools to create 1 single stem. The stamen bundles are airbrushed with 5 different colors to achieve the desired shaded effect. img_0857

A very special studio sight. Soon these will be packaged up and sent to a new home in locations all over the globe and only one will remain in the Emici Livet collection.

img_0872

The backs are finished in a short black silk taffeta wrapped stem and black leather calyx at the base of the flower.

Sending love to all of you. Thank you for sharing here with me. -Marie

EMBER WINNER

I knew I would be in trouble from the very start. Ember the bouquet was created with a feeling of love and passion at its core. To ask people entering the giveaway to write about what intensely moves them in their lives and then to choose one winner seemed increasingly more impossible which each entry that I read. Also, I must express to you dear friends, what your comments mean to me personally. To open up about your lives and write about them here has tremendous uplifting power. Thank you so much to all those who took part in the giveaway.

Ember1_EmiciLivet_web

There were so many comments that truly amazed me. Whether it was because I saw a resilience in the spirit of the author, their sense of humor or was struck by the massive positive impact the people here are making in the world. There is nothing as precious as the time we have together, to love one another and be a voice of encouragement or hope. All of our experiences are unique and it takes us down different paths but luckily on each of those paths, there will be opportunity to grow as individuals and share our gifts with others who have intersected with us. Keep your embers alive. I am in complete awe of all of you and the fantastic work you are doing. Now for the official announcement. Congratulations to the winner of the Emici Livet couture bouquet, Tania. Her comment below showcases the long love and dedication of Ember that shares its spark of warmth and spreads to others despite sometimes being up against odds that can be discouraging. When we see people rise we realize that it is possible for us too and that has an exponential effect. Other people might tell you lots of opinions of why you shouldn’t try but if your heart deeply wants something you must press on.

“My passion is to prove that any girl or any woman can do anything that their heart desires, no matter what anyone tells them or what society has made them think or feel! As an architect in downtown Seattle, I deal with these struggles every day. Being a woman in a male dominated field can be very difficult, but it is also extremely rewarding to know that I am making a difference and adding passion to this field, and showing young women to not be afraid of the stigma behind this career. Through my job I mentor high school girls that are interested in the science and architecture field, and I hope that my passions for this topic inspire them and uplift them in a way to not be afraid to fulfill their passions! Women have a different way of viewing the world, embodying both feminine qualities, but also fiery passion and empowerment. To me, this is exactly what ‘Ember’ represents. The bouquet shines with a boldness and a fire, yet is so delicate and beautiful. Every day as a woman in the architecture field, I feel as if I am ‘Ember’, standing delicately, yet glowing brightly and boldly with my passions, proud about what I believe in and proving that women everywhere can do anything their hearts desire! While I am not getting married and would not use this bouquet in a wedding, I would place this on my desk at work so I may glance at it every day, getting filled with fire, inspiration, and passion about what I stand for and what I hope to achieve. Ember is every woman or girl that has been told she can’t do something because of her gender, fighting back with a feminine, bold, wild fiery passion.”

Very important to remember that the winner must email the studio within 24 hours to claim Ember or the prize will be forfeited and a runner up will be selected. 

Now for a final exuberant note… if you are still with me friends which I greatly hope you are! I wrote in the last blog post that, “Emici Livet wants to dance with you in those moments and boldly fan your flames.” So it is in the spirit of Ember that I want to send everybody who left a comment on the Ember giveaway an amazing and specially designed Emici Livet flower that symbolizes your contribution to all things incredible! Each and every one of you has impact that will reach far beyond your own individual lives and I can’t think of a more lovely thing for all of us to celebrate together. This will be an exclusive flower that only the entrants of this special giveaway will receive. It’s a way for all of us to share in this connection of fueling outreach, love and passion in our lives. Please contact me using the Contact Link on the Emici Livet website. Make sure to use the same email that you used to leave your comments so I can verify the entries. I will also be responding to each and every comment on the giveaway post to tell everybody just how inspirational they are to me.

ember12_emicilivet_web

All my love to you, xo. You are my ember. -Marie

The Ember Within

Untitled-3Ember5_EmiciLivet_webThe smoldering ember within. It is an invigorating spirit of love and passion. The fuel that makes our hearts beat stronger and faster with additional purpose. Marking us forever, our loves are a story that will always dance within our souls. A personal and tailored narrative that makes us who we uniquely are. Emici Livet wants to dance with you in those moments and boldly fan your flames.Ember3_EmiciLivet_webWelcome dear friends to the Emici Livet Ember bouquet giveaway. This very special event has been months in the making and is the most grand giveaway the studio has ever offered. Solid bronze leaves were sculpted and cast exclusively for Emici Livet and used in this bouquet. The cutters and molds that shape the black patent and bronze leather leaves are antiques sourced from places all over the world. Some of which needed to be remolded and cast in bronze to be functional again. There are many different leaf shapes and patterns that lend themselves to create the heavily layered base of Ember.

Ember10_EmiciLivet_web

Shiny patent and metallic coated leather leaves alongside solid cast bronze metal leaves contrast beautifully with silk fabrics and crystal. Delicate lace peeks out at various points.
Ember1_EmiciLivet_web

Hand dyed silk fabric was cut and pressed into flower petals and visual fire was added by hand with red accenting. Elements of this bouquet recall to flames reaching upward. Ember features freshwater pearl and crystal sprig branch accents. Tiny crystal centered flowers blush slightly at the outermost edges of their petals. Ember is a demure bouquet measuring about 10 inches tall and about 7 inches wide. This bouquet is priced on the site at $3000 but this is your chance to win this bouquet in this very special Emici Livet event.

Ember8_EmiciLivet_web

This is a very unique and very Emici Livet heirloom bouquet. Ember is meant to symbolize love and passion that remains with you. This bouquet is not only a beautiful and unique option for a bride but would be wonderful for home decoration as well (the Emici Livet office has a gorgeous resident bouquet on the work desk in a vase). Because Emici Livet creates heirloom bouquets, they are meant to go far beyond bridal.

Now for a short personal note and how to enter:

As I have journeyed along, I have felt a fire within that has breathed life into my passions. At different points in time, it was different sources that ignited this. I want the recipient of this bouquet to feel that fire for passion and chase what they love. It is a symbol of support to you just as you have given to me. The work that I strive to create is meant to uplift. More than anything in life, we want love and joy. So it is with this giveaway that I hope to add a small contribution in that spirit. To enter, please leave a comment on this post about what moves your heart. What is your passion? What is your monumental love and dream? I can’t wait to read all of these. You have given me so much and I am hopeful that I can give some of that back. Lots of love to you, forever. -Marie

This giveaway will be open for entries until Tuesday September 20th at 11:59 pm PDT. The winner will be announced in a blog post here on Wednesday September 21st. The winner must contact Emici Livet within 24 hours to claim this prize or it will be forfeited and a back up winner will be selected. Let’s not let that happen! Good luck! xoxoxoxo

FAIRYTALE LOVE GIVEAWAY WINNER

Cm4wEf4UEAA-xLo.jpg-large

Monumental fairytale love, we all have seen it in the movies and now I get to gift one person something in the spirit of it. It’s like I can feel it! Do you feel it too? Mutual love, this is the place to be. Snuggle in and get cozy. Not on this pillow though, its for lifting your spirit, not your lovely head. If you entered and did not win, worry not. There are lots of great giveaways to come! Incredibly big thank you for participating in this contest to win the ring bearer pillow featured on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style for a Cinderella photo shoot styled by La Vie Le Gage Couture Events.

IMG_1997

 

All right, let’s set the mood… Ahem. Dear winner, my goodness you look amaaazing. Who are you wearing? Oh wait, custom Fairy Godmother gown, of course. I should have known. All you need is the perfect little pillow and you will be the belle of the ball. Very important to remember that the winner must email the studio within 24 hours or the pillow turns back into a tiny field mouse (will be forfeited) and given to a runner up only after being enchanted again back into the pillow. Trumpets are sounding the arrival of the winner, everyone turns to stare, lets out a collective gasp and it’s Yuri S! Yuri, please email the studio to claim your beautiful pillow.

XOxoXO -Marie


FAIRYTALE LOVE GIVEAWAY

The heart wants to bestow its affection. In honor of a fairytale love story, Emici Livet is giving away this Cinderella inspired display pillow that was used for a beautifully styled photo shoot featured on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style.

11148826_10203035743174919_8051397170101190349_o

Shoot styled by Vie le Gage Couture Events. Photo above by Rebecca Marie Photography.

cinderella10web

The palest icy blue silk satin topped with blue washed out waves of silk dupioni and soft pleated tulle. Each cascade falls into another creating a crescendo of texture.

cinderellapil5web

A heavily jeweled band of Swarovski crystals and rhinestones in clear and ab runs diagonal across the entire front.

cinderellapillow3web-2

The back is tufted with a glass button of course. A simple dedication to the famous glass slipper.

This is a large pillow and measures about 12 inches square.

cinderellapil7web

There are a two different ways to enter this giveaway. The contest ends on Friday July 15th with a winner announced Saturday morning in a blog post here. This next bit is the important part friends! Winner must contact Emici Livet within 24 hours to claim this prize or it will be forfeited and a back up winner will be selected. This contest is open to international entries. Here are the different ways you can enter this Emici Livet giveaway:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post below to enter. Each comment will count as an entry.

2. Like the post about this on Facebook and share it with your friends.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Emici Livet mailing list to be notified of other great events. Immense ruffled waves of love to you!

XO -Marie


Love is Wild

With every beat of my heart.
evergreengoldweb2_EmiciLivet.

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.

evergreengoldweb_EmiciLivet

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.

evergreengoldweb4_EmiciLivet

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.

evergreengoldweb5_EmiciLivet

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.

evergreengoldweb6_EmiciLivet.jpg

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.

evergreengoldweb7_EmiciLivet.jpg

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.

evergreengoldweb8_EmiciLivet

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.

evergreengoldweb9_EmiciLivet

Freshwater pearl clusters in blues and greens offer luminescent interest.

evergreengoldweb10_EmiciLivet

Fresh spring budding growth at the top of this cedar sprig. The promise of good things to come.

evergreengoldweb11_EmiciLivet

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.

evergreengoldweb12b_EmiciLivet.jpg

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.

Evergreen Love Grows

Why green should be your favorite color.

EmiciLivet_Evergreen5_webEmiciLivet_evergreenpoem3

Do you feel it?

EvergreenBouquet_EmiciLivet_webHello dear loves. You may remember the beautiful Evergreen bouquet that was previously written about here. Evergreen is a conceptual art bouquet that blooms, broadens and grows over time, just as an evergreen would. It represents enduring affection that is multi toned and layered. A complexity of components but the beauty of them together is truly undeniable. It will remain stoic and alluring forever.

EmiciLivet_Evergreen2_web

The peaceful nature of it is that it exists naturally and without strain. You may not come across it very often but you can always remember that it is there. The comfort of a stability in a love that nurtures and remains.

EmiciLivet_Evergreen4_web

The expansion of Evergreen included adding many more leaves, freshwater pearls in several shades and styles, polished gemstone and Swarovski crystals. These clusters are wired by hand and attached to their own silk wrapped stem. All of Evergreen’s leaves are created in the Emici Livet studio using antique tools.

EmiciLivet_Evergreen3_web
I hope that you find the concept of this love translated into a bouquet as soothing as I do. Leaving you now with thoughts of green.

XO -Marie

Restoring the Art

imageThis weekend I am working to restore more antique molds by casting the missing half in bronze. The gold plated leaves in this Emici Livet bouquet were created just that way. Many months and a lot of help go into this process to create exclusively Emici Livet components. This heirloom silk bouquet is completely hand made in the studio. Photographed here for the beautiful Eden Luxe Bridal catalog. Gold cuff by Eden Luxe Bridal. Model Bradleigh Page. Dress Justin Alexander. Photography Meg Fish. Silk ribbon by Stella Wolfe.

Feeling Exposed

MarieEmiciLivetEvergreenPic

Dear friends. The title of this post is appropriate because this photo of me was taken with film (it does still exist) by the superb Meg Fish Photography at a photo shoot in Southern Oregon. First of all, I want to say, that I am very nervous in front of the camera. I don’t know what to do. I am not sure why this happens because I am always happy to share and visit with anyone but when a lens comes out and points toward me, I sort of panic. This attitude is a waste of time, I know this, so I never decline a photo despite my lingering angst. I have photos of my family who have passed on that I treasure. TREASURE. Who am I to rob my loved ones, in this generation and beyond, of this same pleasure? Will my great, great, great grandchildren love this photo? Will one of them own Evergreen the bouquet that I made with my own hands pictured resting on my lap? Will they see themselves in me?  I see my mother’s face sometimes when I pass a mirror. It’s just a glimpse in my peripheral vision but there nonetheless. We all have a story to tell. We live lives that are full of love, choices, work, friends and the outward ripples we create just by being here. I am not afraid to walk into a room and meet new people. Why should I suddenly fear a mechanical eye over an organic one? I guess what I am saying is be present in both the actual present tense and the remembrances of it. Don’t wait, we never know how long we have. XO -Marie