Note: rachelleb.com is not affiliated with Eden Hand Arts.
Eden Hand Arts, Dennis, Cape Cod
The first time I’d heard of jewelry from Eden is when Jess’s aunt Sally was over saying she had to bring in her daughter Michaela’s bracelet to get a new size. As she spoke about the place I realized what a cult following it has to those who live and frequently visit Cape Cod. And I realized how odd Eden is when she told the story of how she has a pair of earrings and lost one. She went to the store to buy another and they were so particular about them that they wouldn’t sell her the a replacement for the lost earring without seeing the one she still had first. Apparently, the earrings were of fish – herrings – and the eyes face each other, if worn properly. Therefore, they didn’t want to sell her the wrong one and since she didn’t have the other with her, they refused the sale. Picky, some would say, but really they are just very, very strict about what goes out of the shop and how it is worn.
Eden Hand Arts, Dennis, Cape Cod
We were intrigued by Sally’s stories and by stories we heard in the following days. It seemed that all of Jess’s family had jewelry from Eden, or a story at least. Jess even had their “Cape Cod Screwball” bracelet, which is their original and most well-known piece. Julie and I decided we had to see the place. The Eden showroom is actually located in a tiny little cabin in Dennis – kind of hidden away. There’s no parking aside from the driveway of the house next to the cabin. I assume this is the house the owners live in. If you park on the road they’ll come out and tell you to move it or get towed. We barely squeezed into a parking space in the driveway. Next we walked over to the store area and there was a line. Never mind the fact that they’d just opened 10 minutes ago. There was a line already. It didn’t seem long, but since the store is really just a tiny cabin with 2-3 people working in it, and they give individual attention to each person that walks through the door, it actually took a while to make it in.
Eden Hand Arts, Dennis, Cape Cod
Other Eden oddities: You can’t enter the store until you’re asked to come in. They’re only open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and only on four days of the week. Cash and checks only, no credit or debit cards. They won’t mail anything anywhere. You can bring a wrist measurement and buy a bracelet, but you can’t bring a neck measurement and buy a “neck wire,” which I think is a hard, shaped necklace. They must get a lot of people making fakes because they have signs up about how this store is the only place you can buy their merchandise. It’s not in other stores, it’s not online, it’s not called anything else.
Eden Hand Arts, Dennis, Cape Cod
So, when we finally got into Eden, our party – Jess, Julie and I – is taken care of by the sweetest grandmother-ish woman. We were not rushed, hence the line, and she let us look at and try on anything we wanted. There was no pressure to buy, the jewelry sells itself. Eden stands behind the jewelry they make. A woman came in with a broken bracelet and they replaced it. Just like that. They asked her a few lifestyle questions so they could maybe determine how it was damaged, but she was in and out with a completely new bracelet in 10 minutes flat.
Julie’s Eden bracelet and herring ring
Julie’s Eden herring ring
So, what did we get? Jess got a sterling silver Cape Cod open bracelet to be worn with her other sterling silver Cape Cod bracelet, which she had at home. Julie got the classic Cape Cod bracelet (single ball, like the one Jess had at home) in two-tone gold and sterling silver. She also got a sterling silver herring ring. And me? I got the two-toned 16″ necklace and a pair of two-toned earrings. Also, just like everything else, after you’ve been to Eden and bought some things, you start to notice everyone has them. At least everyone on the Cape.
Jessica’s Eden bracelet
Rachelle’s Eden necklace and earrings
Camber // Jul 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm
How much are the classic bracelets?????
Thanxx
Elle // Jul 24, 2008 at 7:54 am
What great pictures Rachel!! I was at Eden purchasing my bracelet on July 16th. What an experience I must say! Unfortunatley, the line to get into the store was over an hour long. I opted to jump out of line and move over to another line for people who knew exactly what they wanted to purchase. Luckily I was in that line for about 15 minutes. I purchased the clasic cape cod screwball bracelet with the gold ball. The price with tax was 115.50. I am off to the cape for another week August 9th and hope to get the large hoop earrings to match. Do you happen to know how mucht those are?
Kara // Jul 28, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Hi,
Is it worth the trip to Eden?? I love the bracelet-traveled to Vineyard a thousand times just started see them more & more. Someone from CT just told me about Eden & to go there because it’s the original-but, do you know if they are open Friday’s??? Is it worth a day trip from CT?? I guess so-because they are not available online. Thanks for all the helpful info.
RachelleB // Jul 28, 2008 at 9:06 pm
kara – i guess you answered your own question. if you really want the bracelet then you have to make the trip!
Jessica // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:41 am
Saturday night when I was at a bar in Hoboken, NJ a girl came up to me and showed me her wrist. She had the Eden bracelet’s on too. She started telling me where she lived and how she found out about the bracelets.
It was funny, surprising and cool.
Funny to have a girl come up to you out of no where and flip her wrist at you. Surprising that someone would pass through a crowded bar to do that to someone. And cool that she did it.
RachelleB // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:05 am
that’s funny. she must have seen yours.
Denise B // Aug 12, 2008 at 9:03 am
Is this family connected to the Carey family in Canada? Accoring to the web site they are. I’ve been trying to get in touch with Eden by phone, but no one ever answers. What are their hours in August and so on? Please help
Elle // Aug 17, 2008 at 11:59 am
I just returned from the cape yesterday. Eden’s summer hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10-5. I purchased the Large hoop cape code earrings with the gold ball. They had 4 sizes small, medium, large and extra large. All sizes were 60.00. Yes, they are related to the Carey family in Canada but are seperate companies.
Alexina // Sep 11, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Please let me know if you still make the fisherman’s knot bracelet.
thank you, Alexina
Merry G Hukill // Nov 16, 2008 at 4:25 pm
My daughter bought a ss eden dennis bracelet about 10 years ago. I would like to purchase for her a ss eden dennis necklace. I know there are other dennis bracelets and necklaces out there, but I know she would want the eden dennis bracelet. Can you tell if and how I can order? Thank you!
Merry G Hukill // Nov 16, 2008 at 4:27 pm
About 10 years ago, my daughter bought a S.S. Eden Dennis bracelet. I would like to buy her a ss necklace to match. Can you tell me if and/or how I can order one for her. Thank you!
Edna // Dec 28, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Looking for a Cape Cod bracelet that comes down in a “V”?
cheryl mitchell // Jan 16, 2009 at 4:15 am
Hi there,
I am in FL. and do not have the option of traveling to the Cape just to puchase the Dennis bracelet. Do you think Firesong would be a good option – Is the bracelet the same?
Thanks!
Jean // Apr 29, 2009 at 7:36 pm
No, it is not the same. If you want an original East Dennis “screwball” bracelet, it must be from Eden. All others are copies.
There is a marking, “eden” engraved on the inside of the bracelet, and it also comes with a little tiny silver apple charm attached and also engraved with “eden” on it. So many have tried (and sad to say, have succeeded in) copying the Eden “screwball” bracelet that they had to do this. For some reason years ago they could not get the bracelet patened.
Ileana // Feb 14, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I am very curious as to how one can tell if the Cape Cod Bracelet is an authentic one made by Eden. There are so many similar others on the market now and eBay sellers are offering the bracelet. Is there a specific marking on the inside of the bracelet that proves it is indeed an Eden? My friend just got one as a gift and she has no idea if it is the real McCoy…
botongirl // Mar 30, 2009 at 7:44 pm
lleana- there is a marking on the inside of the bracelet. It reads “EDEN” with a symbol. Just in case you wanted to know.
Lynn Galvin // Mar 31, 2009 at 10:11 am
Good morning,
I would like to know if you make the Cape Cod bracelet in sterling silver with a twisted gold ball in the center and a single polished silver ball on either side? If so, would you be able to give me a ball park figure so that I make certain I have it with me when I make my trip to the Cape.
Thank you for your response.
Lynn Galvin
12 Woodland Avenue
Bloomfield CT 06002
Rachel // May 18, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hi there,
What a sweet site! Thanks so much!
Some FYIs: The bracelet in the V shape is called the Teardrop, and yes we now have them and most others fully in stock. We also have some new designs, one called Forget-me knot. We are now open Thursday through Saturday 10-5 until June 24 when we will also be open Wednesdays until Labor day. Everything in the shop is made by my husband, me (pottery and some design work) or my 88 year old Dad so we need the time to keep up. Thanks again, I’ll try and check back every once in a while to answer questions.
with love,
Rachel
Eden Hand Arts
RachelleB // May 18, 2009 at 9:48 am
Rachel – Thanks for popping in to answer some questions! A lot of people have found this post and asked many good questions.. that I did not know the answer to. It’d be great if you could come by every once in a while as an official representative of Eden Hand Arts!
Debbie // May 22, 2009 at 7:41 am
Hi – I am a Canadian from Ottawa, Ontario and I am hoping to be in Dennis on Wednesday or Thursday, May 27 or 28th, 2009. I was wondering if you make the Screwball bracelet in gold (10K or 14K) and what the price would be. My wrist size is 6 1/2″. I would like to know before I go when the best time to go would be. I will probably only be there for a couple of days and did not want to miss out the opportunity to come see the store. Thanks!
Annemarie // May 26, 2009 at 9:02 am
We visited the Eden on Friday morning and much to my surprise we were asked to come right in, no waiting around 11:15. I had only intended to get the two toned screwball bracelet, but left with earrings and necklace. I’m ready to go back. The pottery is beautiful also as well as all the jewelry designs. Not to be missed and the most friendly, helpful women I have ever encountered.
Josie // Jun 2, 2009 at 8:42 am
I love the fish rings and bracelets. Do they come in different sizes, or does the cuff style make them one-size-fits-all?
Susan // Jun 9, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I just returned from the Cape about a week ago. I am bummed that I missed this shop. I most definitely would have visited the shop.
Kate // Jun 20, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Any idea how much the herring bracelet is? How about the herring ring?
CB // Aug 24, 2009 at 7:38 am
I was just there this weekend and bought the herring bracelet. It was $125.00 plus tax. I believe the ring was $70.00 plus tax. Hope this helps!
Rachel // Jun 26, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hi Rachelle,
Could you put a notice under the title that this blog is not affiliated with Eden Hand Arts. People are posting questions and maybe thinking we are not responding. thanks, Rachel
RachelleB // Jun 26, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Sure thing, Rachel. Is there somewhere else I can direct people with questions? A web site or email or phone number?
Rachel // Jun 29, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Thanks so much!
There really no place to answer questions we do have a site for times, directions, etc. http://www.vst.cape.com/~rch/eden.html
Because we make everything, everything we sell we need to put our time into that rather then answering the phone. Imagine if every day you baked 100 pies and the phone kept ringing.
with love, Rachel
Judy // Jul 13, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I drove down on my vacation from Peabody MA and got a bracelet, earrings and ring. I love them and am so excited! Can’t wait to go back…worth the wait in line.
Kate // Sep 16, 2009 at 6:22 am
Hi,
Is Eden Hand Arts open during the Fall season?, and if so are what are the store hours.
Karen // Nov 6, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I have an original Eden bracelet with my original receipt from back in ‘04. My Eden ‘apple’ charm broke off of the bracelet – I still have the loop that it was on but no apple. Is there anyway other than going to the store (I live in NY) to get the charm?
Thank you.
Dorothy // Nov 20, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Now that our forever home is in Yarmouth Port, I had to have an authentic Eden bracelet or two. Well, I couldn’t resist and left there with five! The purchase was a fantastic experience and the staff made it a very pleasant day!
Dorothy
Take chances, jump in puddles, dance, and laugh everyday.
Libby // Nov 25, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Hi There,
I would really love to get a bracelet for my daughter’s 2nd b-day. I live in RI so a day trip is an option. Does anyone know if they make bracelets for toddler sized wrists. I would hate to find a sitter and drive all the way to the Cape only to find that they don’t make toddler sizes. If anyone knows, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Libby