Last September, Eden introduced Kiowa Rose Jewelry – an ornate hand-beaded jewelry line that, like many of our other jewelry lines, also happens to be local!  We also interviewed designer Rosie Long about her passion for beadwork and jewelry here – check it out, it’s a great read!  This Spring, a few Eden staffers travelled out to Rosie’s country house for a visit.  Her studio is incredible – stockpiled from floor to ceiling with new, vintage and antique findings beads and other jewelry flotsam and jetsam.  Her decor is equally unbelievable – treasures from the Victorian through Nouveau and Deco eras adorn every room.  It was completely inspirational for us – here’s a sneak peak at our studio visit with Rosie Long.  All photos by Carlie Armstrong for Eden.  Special thanks to Rosie for letting us come visit, and for being kind enough to allow us to look through all of her collections!

Even more exciting news… Kiowa Rose will be presenting a line of bridal jewelry at Eve in Eden along with several of our other designers!  Here’s a preview of some of the amazing pieces she made, exclusively for us!

 

We debuted the first Look Book for Eve in Eden just a few weeks ago, and talented photographer Eric Rose has shared with us more images from that lovely day – enough for a second look at what’s to come from Eve in Eden.  This collection of images is so filmic and reminds us of glamorous silent film era brides, a theme no doubt amplified by the beautiful theater in which these photos were taken.  Enjoy!

This look book was shot at The Crystal Ballroom by photographer Eric Rose with models Annie Montgomery, Haley Robison and Lyla Rokoff.  Art Direction by Cindy Rokoff.  Styling and set design by Carlie Armstrong, Jesseca McCloskey, Brehan Todd and Marika Emerson.  Hair by Jessica Adams, Makeup by Marta Heitz.  Gowns by Urchin Redesign and Eve in Eden vintage.  Jewelry by Acanthus, Ay Marieke, Brehan Todd, Demimonde, Jesseca Anne, Kiowa Rose and Sahlia.  Shoes provided by Solestruck.

In a little under two years of business, Eden has quickly become a destination for locals and travelers seeking bespoke jewelry, opulent garments, dazzling perfumes and one-of-a-kind accessories and goods for the home. Cindy Rokoff, proprietress of Eden, is no stranger to retail – Eden is the fourth shop she has owned and that list is about to grow…

Eden is opening a bridal boutique!  In early March, Eve in Eden: a Bridal Salon will open in a newly-renovated, annex-style space in the back of Eden at 221 NW 11th Ave.  Rokoff saw the need for a non-traditional bridal boutique in Portland, one which offered a range of locally designed and vintage wares.

We seek opulent curiosities and creations with a regard for the unusual.  The intertwined influence of history with the present yields a beautiful mix – our hand-curated selection offers something for everyone.  Eve in Eden showcases a range of bridal fashion from the 1920s to the 1970s as well as gowns by beloved Portland-based designers.  As at Eden, jewelry is a focus and the salon features exclusive bridal collections from many local jewelry artists.  Accessories are key – heirloom-quality clutches, bags, fascinators and hair pieces vintage and new.  Eve in Eden isn’t exclusive to brides – those hunting for a fancy frock or finishing touches for a special occasion will find plenty to pick from.  Our staff is excited to share the honor of putting together ensembles for that most-special day, and many other occasions to come!

This look book was shot at The Crystal Ballroom by photographer Eric Rose with models Annie Montgomery, Haley Robison and Marika Emerson.  Art Direction by Cindy Rokoff.  Styling and set design by Carlie Armstrong, Jesseca McCloskey, Brehan Todd and Marika Emerson.  Hair by Jessica Adams, Makeup by Marta Heitz.  Gowns by Urchin Redesign and Eve in Eden vintage.  Jewelry by Acanthus, Ay Marieke, Brehan Todd, Demimonde, Jesseca Anne, Kiowa Rose and Sahlia.  Shoes provided by Solestruck.

We’re pleased to debut our second Eden Look Book – just in time for Holiday!

The  concept: off Kensington’s swinging High Street, and into the artists studio go two muses – one light, one dark… possessed with the eccentric allure of rock star girlfriends, rivaling the strength of Gaelic warriors, the dark glamour of high priestesses, their closets heaped to the brim with opulent furs, tweeds, silks and sequins, bodies stacked with glittering metals and stones…

“…A silver sword by an ancient ford was my gift from this child of the trees…” Painting by Alexander Rokoff. On Haley: Vintage “Harper” blouse, $78.  “Divine” green agate and onyx necklace by Brehan Todd, $199. “Triple Serpent” necklace by Jesseca Anne, $65. Vintage “Hollis” tweed skirt, $42.  On Annie: “Hel” earrings by Jesseca Anne, $45. Vintage “Autumnal Daphne” dress, $145. “Woven Conversation” necklace by Sahlia. “Torched and Tied” necklace by Sahlia. “Metropolis” necklace by Jesseca Anne, $95. “Pharoah” ring by Jesseca Anne, $45. “Prophecy” rings by Jesseca Anne in black (one worn on each hand,) $30. Silver sequin belt on loan from stylist Ryan White.

“…Torch girl of the marshes, her kiss is the whip of the moon…” Paintings in progress by artist Alexander Rokoff.  On Haley:  “Noir Princess” hat by Brehan Todd, $54. Vintage “Silver Geometry” cocktail dress, $85.  “Rosette” necklace by Kiowa Rose, $550.  “Prophecy” ring by Jesseca Anne in green, $30.  On Annie: “Coral Byzantine” earrings by Jan Michaels $108. Vintage “Chestnut” fur coat (shown in second photo,) $145.  Vintage “Peach Bellini” dress, $135. “Coral Fascination” necklace by Kiowa Rose, $95.  “Madeleine” long pendant necklace by Brehan Todd, $112. Vintage magenta velvet ribbon (used as belt.) Vintage “Creme de Cocoa” belt, $36. “Noir Armor” cuff bracelet by Brehan Todd, $82.

“…Chariots of silk she rode, stallions of gold she owned…” On Annie: Rhinestone earrings by Brehan Todd, $108.  Vintage “Madrigal” wrap dress, SOLD.  “Elouise” statement necklace by Brehan Todd, $175. “Cyborg” necklace by Jesseca Anne, $65. Brass cuff bracelet by Mishakaudi, $42. “Wish Upon a Star” cuff bracelet by Brehan Todd, $70.00.  “Prophecy” ring by Jesseca Anne in green, $30. Druzy ring by Jesseca Anne, $50.  Vintage Butterfly in glass apothecary jar, $68. Gorgeous George the Peacock, $1800.

“…A mask of jade I shyly laid to thy form of finery – a root of star, baby…” On Haley: Vintage hat on loan from stylist Ryan White.  Vintage “Shake Senora” blouse, SOLD.  Vintage “Liesel Dancing” vest, $38.  “Cairo” necklace by Kiowa Rose, SOLD.  “Prophecy” ring by Jesseca Anne in black, $30.

“…Oh Debora, always look like a zebra, Oh Debora, always dressed like a conjurer…” Painting by Alexander Rokoff.  On Haley: Vintage Red Fur hood, $52. Vintage “Catalina” dress, $185. “Mandala” necklace by Pure Jewelry, $260.  “Sterling Silver Crochet Cuff” by Pure Jewelry, $680.  Vintage tambourine, $78.  Jeffrey Campbell Lita Boots provided by Solestruck. On Annie: “Louisa” chandelier earring in green agate by Acanthus, $96. Vintage “Osaka Noir” silk robe, $165. Vintage “Belle Felicidade” sequin leotard, $66.  Vintage Turkish necklace, $95. ”Biba Primavera” necklace by Brehan Todd, SOLD.  “Nagini” cuff by Urchin Redesign, $165.  Boots and socks, Annie’s own.  Oscar the vintage papier-mâché Zebra, $185.  Vintage wingback armchair, one of set of two, $325 each.

“…Take me down to Sensation Boulevard…” On Annie: “Hanging Gardens” earrings by Jan Michaels, $110.  Vintage “Moi Aussi” dress, $68. “Hanging Gardens” necklace by Jan Michaels, $85. Black and Aqua Fringe necklace by Kiowa Rose, $145. “Arachne” crocheted cuff, $68.  “Noir Armor” cuff bracelet by Brehan Todd, $82.  “Pharoah” ring by Jesseca Anne, $45. On Haley: “Golden Shield” earrings by Ay Marieke, $60. Fur vest and vintage sequin shorts on loan from stylist Ryan White. Vintage “Pointelle Peaks” strapless top, $38. “Wish Upon a Star” necklace by Brehan Todd, $72. “Maria” necklace by Jesseca Anne, $65. “Freder” bracelets by Jesseca Anne, $60. Bangle bracelet set by Jesseca Anne, $45. Druzy ring by Jesseca Anne, $50.

“…The Huntress stands, with peacock hands she’d take me to where she’d lie…” On Annie: Vintage tulle and peacock feather veil, on loan from stylist Ryan White.  Sterling silver cross earrings by Pure Jewelry, $280.  ”1000 Cranes” dress by Ms. Wood, $1300.

“…Like a white star, tangled and far, Tulip that’s what you are…” On Annie: Vintage “Madcap Coral” cloche, $42.  ”Biba Primavera” necklace by Brehan Todd, SOLD.  Annie is surrounded by assorted Vintage Suzani pillows, made exclusively for Eden by Lees Lamar.

*For more information on items featured above and to purchase, please refer to links to our website.  Where links are unavailable, please call (503) 222-2285 or email customerservice [at] edenportland.com

Many incredibly talented ladies and one (incredibly out-numbered) man lent their hands to making this shoot a success. We were happy to include some familiar faces from our Fall 2011 Look Book: Annie Montgomery, the photographer then, is the model now.  Former behind-the-scenes photographer Anja Verdugo acted as lead photographer, models Consuelo Wise and Marika Emerson helped style along with last year’s stylists Brehan Todd and Jesseca McCloskey.  And of course, proprietress Cindy Rokoff furnished the incredible vintage goods, props and acted as Art Director.

Art direction: Cindy Rokoff

Lead photographer: Anja Verdugo

Behind-the-scenes and detail photographer: Carlie Armstrong

Models: Annie Montgomery and Haley Robison

Hair: Jessica Adams

Makeup: Firiel Harbin

Styling and set design: Ryan White, Jesseca McCloskey, Brehan Todd, Consuelo Wise, Marika Emerson.

Shot at Falcon Art Community and in the art studio of Alexander Rokoff.  Paintings featured in photographs kindly furnished by Mr. Rokoff.

Shoes provided by Solestruck PDX.

Caption quotes are Marc Bolan (T. Rex) lyrics.

Our diverse jewelry selection just expanded with the addition of a new designer at Eden! Kiowa Rose jewelry is designed and created by Rosie Long, our newest Featured Artist.  We chatted with Rosie about her background, influences, aesthetic, and love of beading.  This woman has a really deep passion for what she does, and it shows in her intricately crafted jewelry and (we think) this interview!  Read on…

Rosie Long: I have a very vivid memory of being 8 years old.  It was the day after Halloween.  At the bottom of the porch steps was a broken strand of Victorian hollow black glass beads – I was awestruck!  I think that was my first realization of what beauty was.  I carried them in my pocket all day feeling the coolness and the shape of the beads as I ran my fingers over them.   I still wear those beads today, and they are still so beautiful.

My mother bought me a bead loom when I was 10 years old.  I learned quickly and would create little pieces of loom work but wasn’t quite sure what to do with them.  In my early teen years, I started buying seed beads at the craft store.  I figured it out all myself as at that time, there were no classes or books.  It was really a matter of evolving.  I remember trying to do Native American style beading when I first started, but that did not satisfy me.  I just started doing what satisfied my soul.  As I continued to learn through experimentation I realized that possibilities of what one could do with beads were endless, which is why I have always loved this medium: you never get bored.  The only limit is your imagination!  There are no rules, you can make anything work.  If you have an idea, you can make it happen.  It may not always be easy, and therein is the challenge: figuring out how to put it all together.  People ask what inspires me, and all I can say is everything!  I am one of those people that sees the beauty and the “silver lining” in everything.  Each day inspires me.  I wake up inspired and excited that I get to do bead work today.

I never intended to open a store, it is another thing that evolved.  I was approached by some photographer friends with the idea of sharing studio space in a store front in a historic old town area, and I said “yes.”  The space was 9 1/2 feet wide by 50 feet deep.  I had the front half, so I moved all my studio items in there.  Niles is a town that tourists visit on the weekend, so I thought, why not sell my things out of the studio?  I set up a space in the very front with some beautiful antiques because I love interior design in addition to beading.  I made it very pretty and opened the doors on the weekends.  After the year lease was up, my partners decided to abandon me for greener pastures.  I had a choice: either close the shop or figure out how to make the full rent!  I had to be able to make $23.00 a day to pay the full rent.  (That sounds so easy now!)  I decided that I wanted to continue with the store, so that meant teaching beading classes, so I figured I might as well sell beads too.  And there you have it!

Eden: If you were to have taken a different path in life, what do you think it would have been? (Something creative or artistic, but in a different medium, or something totally different?)

RL: I was going to school to be a geologist, and I wanted to be a park ranger. I also did historical research and recreated 1500s portrait jewelry and did Elizabethan costuming. I loved doing that and still do some of the portrait reproduction work. I dabbled in some other are forms, but I felt they were limited; for me, bead work is not.  I am still learning and creating new styles and stitches.  As I have gotten older I found I truly enjoyed and I am good at interior design.  The bead work has always been there for me, and I have a husband of 30 years who has always encouraged and supported my artistic endeavors!

E: What other pursuits do you enjoy – hobbies, travel, interests… what activities outside of making jewelry inspire you to make jewelry?

RL: I garden, and I love to bead in the garden but beading is really about it, I am pretty obsessed!  I like to read.  I wish I could hike, but I can’t, so my husband hikes and I sit at the trail head and guess what?  Yep, I bead.  It is really all I want to do.  I probably get at least 3 or 4 ideas for things to make at day, sometimes lots more.  I am happy and very content!

E: You’ve mentioned that Art Nouveau is a principle interest in your jewelry designs.  Can you list a few other influences?

RL: I am inspired by Egyptian-themed things.  When they discovered King Tut’s Tomb in 1922 there was an explosion of themed furniture, textiles and jewelry, which I love.  I am also very fond of the Elizabethan era – I did lots of research about jewelry from that period and made jewelry inspired by it.

Another huge influence is other artists!  For instance, I know a guy named Bob Burkett that does amazing cast bugs, bats, fairies, etc.  I am working on 2 pieces right now whose idea stemmed from his pieces.  The ‘fruit bat’ is a piece I am doing with one of his bats and Bob’s dragonfly I am using with a vintage sash pin and shoe buckles. His attention to detail is amazing.

E: What is your creative process like when you are beading?  Do you create a color story first, determining colors of beads you want to use or make your designs starting with feature beads that you like and going from there?

RL: Quite often a single component will spark the idea.  Then I usually have an idea of colors I want to use and a basic shape.  I will go through all my seed beads, crystals, Czech glass and vintage items and pick out all the things that I think I might use.  Sometimes this can be quite a pile. This piece started with a branch from a curly fig tree; it will be a wall hanging.  My favorite and the most exciting beading I do is the bead embroidery.  With this technique, I begin with a central component.  The whole time I am beading the first row I am thinking, “what I will do for the next row?”  It is a very consuming and exciting process.

E: What sort of a space do you work in?  A dedicated studio, a relegated space in your home?  Do you have a ritual for getting in the creative mind space to make things?

RL: I recently moved here to the Portland area.  I have taken the living room and I use that room for a studio.  I am still getting it all organized and things put away, and it will be so amazing when it is done!  I don’t have to do anything to get into the creative mind space; that is where I always am, really!

Thanks, Rosie!  To see more of Rosie’s jewelry, stop into Eden or click here.