Sunday, April 27, 2014

Zsolt's first Retail Day at Jewel Envy Studio

Hi all,
I just wanted to send you this note about another step of being part of the Jewel Envy collective.
Feel free to come by and say hello and  have a chat regarding jewellery and more.

Enjoy the day and see you all soon!

Saturday, April 26, 2014

It's a beading kind of day!

Today we had a Goldsmithing For Beaders workshop, so with all of the fun beady work happening I decided to join in and work on one of my necklaces that required stringing aquamarine beads. I find tying knots between each stone to be therapeutic. It's that kind of repetitive work that is perfect for reflecting on life, the universe, and everything.


Tying knots between each aquamarine with my coffee was the perfect way to spend my morning.
Completing the necklace was the best way to start my afternoon!







 

An action shot of Lauren teaching the workshop. She is demonstrating how to add beads 
to a necklace, like her Bed of Bones necklace pictured on the right.



It was a fun day full of jewellery making and beading. We hope to see you for one of our many upcoming workshops or 8 week classes!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

My first new piece of work after coming back from my trip! A lily pad ring; I am still working on the wax, but soon it will turn into a beautiful ring set with green tourmalines and other sparkling gems. I am still undecided about what gems I should set around the tourmaline. Any suggestions??!!

Ellen

Friday, April 11, 2014

Darija's new collection!!

Hello everyone!

The time has finally come for me to show my new work!  I have wanted to do this theme while at school and finally have had time to complete the line. The bullets in the pieces are authentic, they are made of brass and the remainder are done in silver. I have added stones like pearls and cubic zirconia to add a soft and feminine feel that goes with the rough bullets.



Come check out more of my work on my website!

www.darijaradic.com


Sunday, April 6, 2014

Welcome back Ellen!


So this month marks the return of our good friend Ellen Tsai.  She took an 8-month sabbatical from the studio, to pursue her gemmology certificate in her home country of Taiwan.  

We missed her pretty face, but now she is back and armed with more amazing gemmological knowledge to add to her already formidable goldsmithing arsenal.

This is her pretty face:


And this is some of her pretty work, under the name Ellolite:
 The detail on this sweet pendant is from fused sterling filings - the texture is sooo great!


These manly cufflinks also share the same rough, fused texture, that contrasts quite nicely with the high-polished, concave surface.


This jade ring is the perfect, subtle floral addition to any springtime wardrobe.


 And for those lazy days reading in the sun, this detailed, floral piece is right on the (book)mark.

 So stop by the studio sometime and say hello to Ellen why dontcha!

Enjoy the sunshine guys:)
~sash

 


Saturday, April 5, 2014

All That Jazz

If you read our blog, follow us on Instagram, Facebook or any other social media you've probably heard that Jewel Envy owner Gillian Batcher is getting married this summer. We're all very happy and excited for her and my excitement was re-sparked this week when the wedding invitation arrived in the mail. Its minimalist Art Deco design and "elegant attire" dress code instructions got me thinking what pretty much any girl would immediately start thinking:.....What the heck am I going to wear??
Inspired by the invitation theme and what I've heard and seen in regards to the bridal gown and jewellery I started to brainstorm what kind of jewellery and dress I could wear.
What is "elegant attire" anyway? Well, I couldn't find an exact definition but basically we're talking a step up from your regular sun dress and business suit but we're not into ballgowns and bow ties. All though you could probably get away with a bow tie in a matte or patterned fabric.

Look by David Jones
Maybe some fashionable yet humourous cufflinks? I think so!

Bacon Cufflinks by Lauren Hanham Designs

I feel like dresses don't have to be floor length but they probably shouldn't be too far above the knee. Personally I'm going to opt for a maxi dress do I don't have to wear heels :P Not that they are mandatory but they do tend to be more elegant than flats. That being said, you know what you're comfortable in so don't go buy 6 inch heels because you think you have to. You definitely don't.

Um, Hello!!! Mine, yes?


I was inspired by Gillian's Art Deco-ish theme and this citrine pendant I've been rocking lately from the same era that's been passed down through my family. The sunny coloured stone has me leaning towards making myself a yellow vintage/modern mix inspired maxi dress. Yes...MAKE. Pretty much all the jewellers at the studio are addicted to all forms of DIY. I hear there are support groups. If this dress is successful it will make a reappearance at my cousin's wedding the following month (also elegant attire). It's a bright colour but it's summer so I think it's appropriate. It's also nowhere near the colour of either of the parties' bridesmaids' dresses. I don't know if that's a thing, like wearing white, but I found myself at a wedding once wearing a similar colour to the bridesmaids and I felt a bit uncomfortable. I'm probably just crazy.

1930s vintage gown, Kim Kardashian in something pricey, random pretty girl who likes deep necklines

http://distilleryimage0.ak.instagram.com/b166dff8bcd611e39408122af78613a0_8.jpg
Art Deco sterling silver, citrine and marcasite pendant

I'll let you know how the sewing goes. It is not my forte but hey, I've got like 2 months to practice!
-L
P.S. Thanks to the people on Facebook and Instagram who helped me figure out what the grey stones in the pendant might me. Seems to be a general consensus that they are marcasite...I dig it :)