Eligius, as a boy, had quite the flair for designing and creating splendid jewelry. He was apprenticed to a goldsmith who was also the master of France's Royal Mint. After his apprenticeship, Eligius took advantage of his master's royal connections. He traveled to Paris where he offered his services to King Clotaire II.

As a test of skill for the young master, Clotaire gave Eligius a bag of precious stones and a mass of gold. He instructed him to make a throne. The clever metalsmith fashioned not one, but TWO thrones with the provided materials. (Is it coincidence that TWO thrones are also available to you through Sandra Evertson?) Clotaire was rather impressed with the craftsmanship and integrity of Eligius and appointed him Court Goldsmith.

Eligius created reliquaries for the shrines of St. Martin in Tours, Saints Crispin and Crispinian in Soissons, and St. Genevieve in Paris and worked for some of the most prominent monasteries in France, along with his royal patronage. He became a wealthy man-dressed in silks embroidered with gold threads and studded with jewels and he gave alms to the needy as lavishly as he dressed.

Eligius became a monk, then the Bishop of Noyan- all while still crafting glorious works of gold and silver for the Church. St. Eligius's surviving pieces reveal him to be a man of unparalleled skill and deep faith. So this is my homage to St. Eligius, Patron Saint of Jewelry Artisans.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Archangels"
Relics & Artifacts® "Milagros"
Relics & Artifacts® "Crosse Icons"
Ribbon choker
Jump rings
wire
milagros charms
DecoArt Silver acrylic paint
Mona Lisa leaf sizing
silver leaf
Drill and a small drill bit