Special Jewels from my Past

As I say goodbye to this amazing adventure, I am having fun looking back and getting the opportunity from many of you to make more of our past jewels that have meant so much to me!

At one point in my long jewelry career, I/we realized how much we were using stones that were either blue, green or white... which concerned me at first, thinking that was limiting, and then I realized these 3 colors were signature to my collection, and just to go with it! So here is one of my favorite pendants, the Eliza Necklace, named after my favorite niece. In blue: an incredible piece of rare Kingman Mine Turquoise from Arizona, and in white: Mother of Pearl, each cut of this organic material from the ocean is unique in its magical appearance.

In my office, framed sketches of some favorite pieces

Directly from my imagination, I designed the Goddess Sundial Pendant while studying design at the Gemological Institute in Carlsbad, California in 2003 (I went back to school for design 7 years into my jewelry career). Being that it's 18kt gold and diamonds, it is literally the first precious piece of jewelry I made. I love it.

The Goddess Sundial Necklace

This earring below has a special place in my heart. It combines a brightly faceted Deco clear quartz with our HopeStar in white sapphire pave. Pay only 1/2 down of $232, and the remainder upon shipping.  Beautiful for you and for a gift!

HopeStar Deco Earrings in White (Clear) Quartz and White Sapphires in Sterling Silver

I originally named these (on Mom in the photo below) "The Jan Chandeliers", referencing my mom, and after a couple of days, decided that "Marilyn" was a more impactful name. However, if you know my mom, my mom's name is way more fitting because Mom is full of life, she is glamorous, and her beauty and fun spirit fill a room. So, I am so sorry Marilyn (Monroe), in these final days of my business, I am changing the name back to "The Jan Chandeliers."

“The Jan Chandeliers” previously known as the “Marilyns”

My mom, Jan Showers and I at the the 2x2 event in 2009

In this photo with Mom, I am wearing the Deco Traintrack earrings in 18kt gold --available in both 18kt gold and sterling silver for special order. Not only do I love the unique look of this earring, but also I love the mechanics as each little "track" moves/swivels separately. They are a very clever design. Only a $243 deposit on the sterling silver pair!

The Deco Traintrack Earrings available for special order in both 18kt gold and sterling silver.

I am still taking special orders through the end of the year. You can see what special jewels from the past we have brought back to special order here!

Goodbye, For Real This Time

Three years ago I attempted to end this extraordinary era of Elizabeth Showers jewelry. Now three years later, I have finally - for real this time -- made a decision to say goodbye to my 22-year-old jewelry adventure.

Styles throughout the years, still 
available a little bit longer for special order!

One of the main reasons it has been a challenge for me to move on, is that I enjoy creating for all of you, my customers and friends. It's a bit humorous all of the back-and-forth: in 2015, I decided to leave the jewelry business, and then what I found amidst the chaos of closing was the fun and joy in selling online and connecting with customers. This made it so hard to leave, and as you witnessed, I stayed. I kept thinking I would quit, but time moved forward and I continued to stay, still believing I would soon move on. I then considered how much I had invested into this work, so why not relaunch with a lower-priced collection reminiscent of my vintage collection from all those years ago? As this was happening, I began to know physically, mentally, and spiritually that it was time to move on.

I think many of us do this, stay where we are comfortable and familiar. It has been a good place, and one with so many friends I have made over the years. It's been a challenge (obviously) to say goodbye. I am now not calling it "quitting" -- instead, it's a metamorphosis into a new career (outside the field of precious jewels). The HopeStar will continue to live on in a different way outside of jewelry -- and I will keep you posted on this!

Most importantly, it will continue to live on in the jewelry that all of you are wearing!! You can continue to carry this HopeStar on you, to remind you and those around you of how precious and beautiful you all are.

With this big change and final goodbye, you may now purchase the collections at a fraction of their original prices! The Sale to End All Sales is going on now and once these styles are gone, there really will be no more. Shop the sale here.

And we are donating 5% of all HopeStar jewelry sales to The Elisa Project. As a past Star of Hope recipient, and having recovered in my early 20s from an eating disorder, I am honored to give a little bit back to this amazing organization dedicated to creating awareness of and preventing eating disorders through education, support, and advocacy.

One of The Elisa Project's recent annual luncheon's speakers, 
Nancy Kerrigan in one of our HopeStar necklaces in People Magazine.

I am sad to say goodbye. My plan is that although this is a goodbye from jewelry, it is not goodbye for us. The biggest gift I can give you all is to remember your essential beauty always lies within. 

A Continued Journey of Healing, Health and Life

This month, I celebrate 26 years of not only being recovered from anorexia, but also I celebrate having learned to love myself and my body.  It has been an imperfect process, as is life.  What an adventure it has been and still is.

I hated my body between the ages of 13 and 20.

During those years of my life, I endangered the health to my already-thin body through all kinds of extremely restrictive dieting, all stemming from thinking very little about myself.

The HopeStar is our reminder that Beauty begins Within.  As I have been seeing the first signs of aging in my mid-40s, the HopeStar has become even closer to my heart, the HopeStar has become a beacon to guide me, to remind me of what is most important.

Featured in People Magazine, Nancy Kerrigan in one of our HopeStar necklaces. She told me that she wears it almost daily.

I am honored that the HopeStar is a beacon of light and hope to so many. I recently received a thoughtful note from Nancy Kerrigan about her HopeStar necklace, of which The Elisa Project gifted to her when she told her story during one of their annual events a few years ago.

My wish is to keep inspiring others with the meaning of the HopeStar, especially younger generations like my niece Eliza and stepdaughter Harley.  Their generation (among others) can be challenged by social media's perfected images to distinguish authenticity from fiction.  At age 46, with my 30 years of living beyond Eliza and Harley, I am occasionally still challenged myself to know the difference.

Please remember and help spread the word that Beauty begins Within.

shop our HopeStar styles here

#VivaBibo, a Great Mom

I love this beautiful and precious woman.

I knew her as Bibo when I was a little girl (this photo is me with Bibo in an awesome wing back chair). She was my Great Great Great Aunt and one of my 4 favorite people outside my immediate family.

Her real name was Viva, which can mean a variety of positive things in Spanish around “living” as well as an exclamation of joy, and she brought so much joy to me and many others. What a great role model of kindness and caring she has been and still is in my life! While she never had children, she most certainly was a Great Mom to me. #VivaBibo

Happy Mother’s Day to mothers of all kinds! I think we need to celebrate all mothers every single day.

FUNNY FACT ABOUT BIBO: after her husband died, she drove from California to Hillsboro, Texas (my hometown) to just “visit” my Great Grandmother (Hattie). And she never left Hattie’s home until she passed away many many years later. 

New Things To Come

Here is what's to come at Elizabeth Showers.

 

A couple of years ago, I found myself searching for something deeper in my work.  My jewelry was still popular and selling well, my personal life was abundantly blessed, and something was missing.  For the first time in 19 years, I decided to take a step back in my career.  I then had our "End of an Era" sale in the Fall of 2015, which was successful and fun, as I personally directly connected with more customers than ever before!

Since then, as I reflect on my career, I see that staying in the world of jewelry is where I want to be.  I have a passion for creativity, love the art of making jewelry, love rocks and gems, and have 22 years of jewelry experience.

 

I am midway through yoga teacher training, and while my original reason for it was to improve my practice, the culture of this particular training has inspired me way more than I expected.  It has re-emphasized my desire to create a culture of giving back in my business.  Not only does this mean financial giving, but also giving through service.

Alongside this training, I have recommitted to daily meditation and inquiry, giving me more inner space for creativity.

My first tagline was "adorn yourself".  A few years later, I uncovered my purpose of "empowering all women to feel beautiful," shortened to "feel beautiful."

As I relaunch my business, "beauty within" is the new evolution for Elizabeth Showers.  My intent is for this message to remind you of your beauty within yourself, that is already present in the here and now, not found in some future plan, nor in a beauty product, not through your significant other, not through any thing, activity or person outside of yourself.

 

The beauty of my jewelry is to serve as a reminder or symbol to help you remember what you have always known:

your beauty is within.

In supporting this message, we will involve more philanthropic projects with our brand.  In the coming months, you will see I am back with so many amazing new things on the horizon.

Thank you all for being a part of my journey.  I look forward to writing this next chapter with you!