sunday in the studio

Here's a little something for your weekend visual enjoyment. Earrings by Caroline Deacon that make me really happy, and that will make you really happy too. That's just the amazing effect that beautiful things have on people like us:)

textured studs, save at $65 a pair

 attention to detail: handmade backs!!!!

drops with opal cabochons. a bit of a splurge at $275 for the pair, 

but come one! these are just the best

SAVE OR SPLURGE Y'ALL!

Happy weekend everyone! It's a beautiful sunny day, so I hope you are out and about and enjoying yourself! If you feel like treating yourself to the sunshine and some jewellery, I have a few suggestions😊 It's save vs splurge saturday of course, so you can treat yourself a little, or you can treat yourself a lot.

These amaaaaazing druzy rings are by Alexis Kostuk of Glaciale Goldsmith. Druzy is a fine coating of crystals on the surface of a gemstone - in this case it's quartz druzy.

First up is this little gem. Simple and classic, but with some sweet detail around the stone to complement that sparkle. Sterling silver with quartz druzy, $125+hst.

 And for the splurge - nobody will miss this bad boy on your hand! It's a showstopper for sure, with one gorgeous freeform centre stone, and square accent stones on either side. Sterling silver with quartz druzy, $590+hst.

And here they are side by side. The big stone on the left photographed quite dark, but it is much lighter in person - you really must come in to take a look yourself!

Enjoy the sun, but don't forget the spf! xx

JEWELLERY, NATURALLY

Hi all! Hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather these days - it sure took its sweet time getting here! If you're anything like me, then you love getting outdoors this time of year. Enjoying nature without the confines of parkas and mitts and hats and scarves (etc...) is just the best. There is so much beauty to be found once the snow melts!

There is also so much inspiration to be found in nature, especially for designers like us. These pieces are just a few examples of the jewellery that use nature as their muse, and of course they are all available here at the studio:)

Perfect little sterling fish, standing guard over an oceanic turquoise. 

Pendant by Glaciale by Alexis Kostuk $250

Sweet little golden hummingbirds, with blue diamond eyes.

Stud earrings by Pash by Gillian Batcher $775

If leaves can't be green, let them be silver and gold!

Gold-filled drop-chain earrings $90 and sterling pendant $75, both by Ivane Thiebaut

Wear nature on your sleeve (or your lapel, collar, etc...)

Sterling silver leaf brooches by Jerell Reichert, $180 each

 

SPOTLIGHT ON JERELL REICHERT!!!!!

Hi all! It's a beautiful (and very chilly) Sunday afternoon here at the studio, and I thought I would warm you up by showing off some pretty sterling pieces by resident goldsmith Jerell Reichert.

These bracelets are not only beautiful, but a great example of metal forming. That's right, the detail and texture and shapes that you see are the hard work of a little lady with a big hammer. Jerell has hand-forged each of these bracelets by hand, working the metal bit by bit, using fold-forming and anti-clastic techniques. All in sterling silver, top to bottom $640, $295, $395.

 These long earrings are so simple, but they look great on and they are light as a feather, too. The spheres have a perfect matte finish that almost look like pearls in the right lighting. Sterling silver $115.

 These bean pendants remind me of Barbapapa, in a round and squiggly kind of way:) The top bean has a black diamond accent, the middle bean has a pink tourmaline, and the bottom piece is classic. All sterling silver on silver chains, top to bottom $190, $180, $130.

These band rings are pretty bubbly too, with the pattern running all the way around. More barbapapa feelings:) Sterling silver, left to right $125, $115.

Come by and say hi to Jerell, and see what else she has going on!

Stay warm out there:) xx

SPOTLIGHT ON JUDITH NOLDIN!!!

 

As I write this, the weekend is sadly coming to an end. Luckily, I have some beautiful pieces by Judith Noldin to turn your sad frown upside down, and brighten your dark winter night.

I actually thought these were bookmarks - very glad I asked Judith because they are little forks! Beautiful and special forks, when you want to impress your guests as they dine on your delicious appetizers. Also a wonderful gift for someone who loves entertaining, don't you think?! 

Solid sterling silver $180

I love these rings. The colours and shapes are very unique, though they work perfectly together as a collection. The ring on the left is sterling silver with an 18KY bezel and the stone is black flint for $410. The centre ring is also sterling silver with an 18KY bezel, and the stone is a green and red lakeshore gem for $410. The ring on the right is my favourite (because I love the pink, salmony colour the most), and it is sterling silver with 14KR little accent balls on the either side of the pink lakeshore gem for $380. *full disclosure I don't know what a lakeshore gem is, but I will ask Judith the next time I see her! **UPDATE!!! A lakeshore gem is a stone that Judith finds while walking along the Lakeshore!! Amazing**

Judith makes very unique pieces that have the most interesting shapes, colours, and textures. I am always surprised (in a very good way!) by all the different elements she brings to her craft. She is also a whiz at doing repairs and redesigns and of course custom work, so if you're looking for a real conversation-starter of a piece, ask for Judith!

Stay warm out there lovelies! xx

Happy Movember!

It's that time of year again - Movember! To be more specific, we're about two-thirds of the way through that time of year. I'm sure you've noticed the normally-clean-shaven-but-currently-mustachioed men, sporting the extra facial hair in support of prostate cancer research, but perhaps you haven't seen too many ladies with staches.

Well this is Amanda Henderson. She has an Etsy shop called Sassy Septum Rings, which specializes in mustachioed septum rings for those who are follically challenged, but still want to show their support. She donates a percentage of every purchase, so go ahead and support a fantastic cause!

Here is the link:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SassySeptumRings

  Amanda also does custom work through the studio, so if you have a specific mustache in mind, get in touch with us and we can help make it happen!

Go for the 'mo!

SPOTLIGHT ON.... ALEXIS KOSTUK!!!!!

Happy weekend everybody!

It's a beautiful day - the sun is shining and there is still some warmth in the air. Basically, a perfect day to come inside and try on some jewellery, haha! But actually it is...

You all know Alexis, studio manager extraordinaire, and I'm sure you've seen her work before. I just thought I would gather some of my favourite pieces that she has here on display. There is quite a wide range of techniques that she uses to create her collections - she really is an artiste:)

 

The 'Whoops' pendant is enamel, set in a sterling heart. 

The gemstone stud earrings, and the oval floral pin, are also enamel.

The shark pendant is carved and cast in sterling, with green tourmaline eyes.

The two wedding bands are sterling silver, with nickel silver polka dot inlay for contrast.

The three bands in front are also part of the polka dot collection, also with nickel silver polka dots but with gemstones for added colour. Choose between blue tourmalines, black spinel, or green tsavorites.

The beaded tassel pendant has a periwinkle blue enamel centre, with a small oval onyx set above it.

The initial pendant (which can be customized in a variety of styles, for every letter of the alphabet) is carved by hand and cast in sterling silver.

Stop by today and try something on! We're open until 6pm this evening, see you soon!

 

 

Jade Dumrath

Every once in awhile, we like to shine spotlight on an artist in particular. This week's edition features 

**JADE DUMRATH**

Jade is a resident goldsmith here at Jewel Envy, who comes to us by way of the jewellery program at NSCAD. A stint as an Umbra product designer has resulted in the merging of these two different design worlds in her metalsmithing work. She manages to create objects and wearable jewellery that are both functional, and easy on the discerning eye.

Take a look at some of her pieces:

A trivet that becomes a bowl. A lovely geometric piece that combines workworking and metalsmithing and fruit. A winning combination!

 Another awesome trivet. I like the way the angular metal contrasts with the lighter, softer colour of the natural wood.

Vases! The linework is just great, I really like the depth and texture that it creates.

 Really interesting bracelet! I tend to gravitate towards pieces with texture and pattern. I like how the detail here is also functional.

 Heart ring, with gems for valves. I heart this!

Hi Judith!

This is Judith Noldin:

She is a resident goldsmith here at Jewel Envy, selling her lovely jewellery under her own line, called IN Jewellery. Two of her pieces are featured in this week's Save vs Splurge, and here they are:

 This is the adorable Acorn pendant. Fabricated in sterling silver, this sweet thing hangs on an extra-long sterling chain. It's a save at $160.

 This is the Bell pendant, with an 18KT yellow chain for a beautiful two-tone effect. It is an actual bell, which chimes softly as you move. This one is a bit of a splurge at $550.

Have a great long weekend!

 

Tammy McClennan Designs

Welcome back Tammy!

After a few months in Switzerland - working on a set for a play, no less! - Tammy is back with us at the bench, working on new pieces.

She works mainly with brass, silver, and wood, fabricating these amazing hollow forms that are heavy on style but light as a feather around your neck.

After fabricating the forms, she adds silver tubing through the centre for the chains to slide through. She then powder coats each shape in varying colours, which also adds texture and depth.

Her work is the subject of today's save vs. splurge, and here are the pieces we are featuring:

This small pendant looks like an adorable hat box. It is a hollow form constructed in brass, and powder-coated in Tiffany blue. You can see the brass peeking through around the edges. There is silver tubing soldered through the centre for the chain. This beauty is a steal at $95.

 This statement necklace is a very worthwhile splurge at $425. There are three separate pieces here - the centre form is brass, while the two on the end are wood. The chain has a mechanical closure, and is made of sterling. I kind of think that this bold necklace is also a steal:)

These photos definitely do not do her pieces justice - I highly recommend stopping by the studio to take a look at these in person.

 

Happy shopping!

Save vs Splurge - Easter Edition:)

Happy Easter errybody! For today's edition of Save vs Splurge, I decided to look at two necklaces by Gillian Batcher of Pash Jewellery Design.

Both of these beauties were made using the Mokume Gane method. If this is your first time hearing that term, here is a quick rundown: It is a Japanese metal-working technique, that involves the layering of different coloured metals, in order to achieve a laminate that resembles the grain of wood.

It is a time-consuming process, but the results are well worth the effort. See for yourself:

At first glance, the pendant is simple and classic. Yet upon closer inspection, you can see the complex and organic pattern that is a result of the Mokume Gane technique. This pendant is made from sterling silver and copper, and it retails in our studio at $195.

And look at this masterpiece! At first glance,what catches my eye is the graceful way this necklace cascades down the neck and collar. As I lean in more closely, I can see the texture and detail in each individual piece; the mix of the crochet and the mokume is very striking. This beauty retails at $4,600, and we're open all day until 7pm so come in and try them both on!

Oh heeeey Alexis!

In case you don't know Alexis Kostuk (of Glaciale jewellery design), I want to spend a moment giving you a glimpse into her goldsmithing goodness.

She is an all-around amazing artist, and her talent is more than visible in her carved pieces. Below are some of her statement rings that catch the eye in the best way possible.

 

The centre stone is a blue onyx, and it's surrounded by white sapphires. This appeals to my art nouveau/deco-architecture-appreciating self in so many great ways.

This ring has a slightly different design than the one above, with a lapis centre (and don't you just love lapis?!) and blue sapphires.

 Look at that turquoise! It sits atop a bed of sterling silver coral reef, with a peekaboo texture that perfectly complements the matrix of the stone.

Aren't they lovely! Get your butts down here and just try to decide which one you like best. I dare you:)

ps - hi Rhonda!

Spotlight on Jewel Envy's newest jeweller!

Welcome to Ivane Thiebaut!

She is an international goldsmith extraordinaire, who has joined us here in the studio via France. Ooh la la! Her work is feminine, without being overly delicate, and draws a lot of inspiration from nature. 

Here are my favourite pieces:

 How great is this?! I am a huge fan of torcs and collars, so no surprise that this appeals to me. But the lovely asymmetry, and the way it curves so gracefully around the neck - it probably appeals to you too!

Love this ring. It is very comfortable on the finger, and the little flash of green is perfect for spring. I also really enjoy the shape of the ring itself, a little bit unexpected but it works so well.

I encourage you all to come in and see these beauties for yourself! You might get lucky and see Ivane herself, working on new pieces just for you.

Have a great evening everyone!

Little pieces of me extend all over, bringing me joy!

I have been doing a lot of custom work lately and it's made me reflect a little about my career choice. I absolutely love coming up with my own designs and seeing them come to life in finished pieces of jewellery. Yet there is something special about meeting with someone and sharing the process of how I design and create to then bring one of their ideas to life. The sharing of personal details is intimate and a bond is formed over this process.

Often people don't think they are conveying enough detail when we meet to design something for them but there is more that goes into a design than just what you tell the artist. There are many nuances captured in how you speak, what you are wearing, and how you describe how you want to wear a piece of jewellery. Over time one learns to read between the lines to flush out each customer and what is important to them in the design.

This personal side of custom jewellery is what deeply appeals to me. Jewellery is meant to be treasured and seemingly in juxtaposition to our other acquired treasures, also worn. We bond with our jewellery just as we bond as a customer and maker. When a treasure I have created leaves the studio a little piece of me goes to a new home and in that act my work starts a new journey, one I can daydream about and feel proud to have been a part of. Little pieces of me exist all over, making my artistic heart soar!

Gillian

Hey-hey-Hyewon!!!

Hyewon Jang

This is Hyewon, a wonderful goldsmith who works out of Jewel Envy. 

The following are all pieces from her Africa collection:

I love the contrast between the bold asymmetrical shapes, and the delicate colour of the stones. Plus, these stud earrings look like exclamation points don't they!!!!!!!

 

The bright pop of colour at the bottom of these stepping stone earrings is just perfect. They'd look great with a black turtleneck in the winter, or a white t-shirt in the summer, amirite?!

Yet another great pair of earrings, with bold, asymmetrical detail and pretty pearls at the bottom. These tie in very nicely with a lot of other pieces that Hyewon makes, as she is very fond of pearls:)

Bet you thought it would be another pair of earrings! Nope, just the cutest lil' pendant ever.

All Hyewon's work is just as beautiful. Her pieces are delicate and strong at the same time, and she likes to play with shape and form in surprising ways. Gemstones and pearls add just the right amount of colour, and her work is always the perfect way to add ooh-la-la to any outfit. Come in and take a look!