Chicago - October 31, 2008

Time After Time

Etten Eller Jewelry

First, Paris burned. Then, Brit hit the fan.

Today’s celebs aren’t what you’d call timeless.

Which is why it’s ripe time for Etten Eller, a jewelry line dedicated to disassembled pocket watch pieces.

Inspired by a friend’s grandfather (a watch repairman who died on his 96th birthday), School of the Art Institute grad Cristina Bloom designs pieces that expose watches’ inner mechanisms — etching, gems, gears, hands — normally hidden from view.

Bloom treats gold-filled and sterling chains by oxidizing and distressing, then asymmetrically places intricate watch parts throughout. Each necklace and pendant is named with a date (when Amelia Earhart went missing, when Dylan went electric) to reinforce the idea of timestamps as memory markers.

We may not understand Bloom’s genius.

But we know what makes her tick. 

Available at Hejfina, 1529 North Milwaukee Avenue, between North and Evergreen Avenues (773-772-0002 or hejfina.com).