From  Jewel Envy Jewellers!!!

Shop local and everyone will have a happy holidays!

Are you still looking for last minutes gifts? I'm not judging, I still have shopping to do!

This year I have made an effort to buy from small and local businesses. I have shopped at the shows that I have participated in, with pretty good success too. I feel good knowing that I'm not just buying a cool, handmade gift, I'm also helping someone in my community to have a better holiday too. "Advocates say that locally owned stores spend proportionately more on payroll than chains and that buying local will save jobs. Plus, for every $100 spent at a locally owned store, $45 remains in the local economy, compared with about $13 per $100 spent at a big box." (Read more here.) Plus, "Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses." (Read more here.) Small business owners are rooted in our communities, they live and love here. The money that they earn stays here, and they are more likely to support charities that are close to their hearts.

If you still have some last minute gifts to buy, why not stop into that local artisan store? Roncesvalles has tons of independent shops, everything from kitchen goods, handmade cards and gifts, to clothing, and of course jewellery. If you're one of those people that waits until Dec 22 to do all of your shopping, Roncesvalles is one-stop shopping. That beats a mall any day!

Here is Roncesvalles business directory: www.roncesvallesvillage.ca/business-directory/

Happy holidays!
Amanda
Jewelust

P.S. If you are one of those people that already have your shopping finished, please tell me how you do it!

Holiday Countdown!

It's that time of year again -  holiday wish list time!

I have put together a list of things that you may gift to me - or more appropriately, your own someone special:) - at a range of different prices.

So if you're still scratching your head, wondering what to do, we can help you out no matter your budget. Stop by the studio and say hello, and take a look at some of our shiny, lovely jewellery for yourself!

From left to right (ish):

Sterling silver drop earrings with granulated texture, sapphires and aquarmarines, Ellen Tsai / Ellolite, $603 a pair

10K rose, yellow, and white gold stacking bands with hammered texture, Zsolt Szekely, $495 each

Sterling silver drop stem earrings with texture, Young Ko / Koko Bijoux, $125 a pair

Sterling silver oxidized, art deco pendant with marcasites, Lauren Hanham Jewellery Designs, $125 (incl. chain)

Sterling silver initial pendant (other letters upon request:), Alexis Kostuk / Glaciale, $195 (incl. chain)

10K rose gold rose studs, Amanda Henderson / Jewelust, $225 a pair (incl. backs)

Sterling silver oxidized cufflinks, Hyewon Jang / H Jewelry, $170 a pair

Sterling silver keychain, Helena Lafaurie / HP Lafaurie Jewelry Design, $148

Sterling silver twig rings, 3 rings shown here, some have gold plating detail, Gillian Batcher / Pash, $75 - $125 each

Sterling silver skull pinky ring with andalusites, Sasha Oda / Archerade, $180 each

Sterling silver ring with texture, Darija Radic Designs, $80 each

Sterling silver and leather cord safety pin bracelet, Fatima Tataragic / Tete Designs, $80

Happy shopping, friends!

xx sash

'tis the season

     So it's that's season again of long hours and busy schedules!

Make things easier for yourself and pop into Jewel Envy which has a huge selection of wonderful and unique gift ideas! Did I mention its all local artists and all handmade?!

Don't miss out!

Over and out!

Pop Up Market With Jewelust and Archerade!

Two of our lovely goldsmiths, Sasha Oda of Acherade and Amanda Henderson of Jewelust, are down at #LocalTOMRKT today. It's a changing marketplace that opened on Nov 29th and is going all the way to Dec 24th. If you want to snag some great gifts from our girls, today is their last day. They're there until 10pm. 335 Yonge St, Toronto! Get yer buns down there! Info here.

CO - Opertive Student

In the last month while working at Jewel Envy a gemologist came by to sell some gems at the shop. It was something different and it was a good learning experience about the wholesale business between the gem dealer and the shop. I was able to see the different kinds of gems they sell and how the cooperation between the two businesses work together.


For example, the gems that most people buy from he store are real but sometimes a customer wants to order a synthetic or manufactured gem because of the piece and the variety of the designs. While most of the real gems have interesting designs and vibrant colours just as the synthetics do, it really depends on what the customer wants. Synthetic gems are sometimes in demand because of the unique cuts and designs offered not available in natural gemstones. The shop usual buys real gems because they are preferred but now and then the shop will buy synthetic gems for orders for their customers or because there is a specific shape they need for a design. That was something I didn't really know about the synthetic gems. How some people would sometimes order the synthetic because of the cut and design. This experience has been memorable one and one of my favourite so far in my co-op placement. I was even able to buy a small gem to keep. For any co-op students looking for a placement I recommend you take your co-op placement at Jewel Envy has it has been good experience for me here!
                                                                                              
                                                                                                                           - Rebecca G.

Do you like the month of December? It's actually my second favorite month of the year. It's festive and happy that there are many events and parties for us to celebrate our holiday season. I woke up this morning and thinking to myself what's the birthstone in December? The answer is Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise. Tanzanite is unique in it's trichroism of blue, violet and burgundy when looking under alternate lighting conditions and different angles in crystal . Its blue can be resemble to sapphire.

Now I will show you a bit of process in my lotus design.

by Ellolite

                                                                        

'Tis the season!

Just a quick and friendly reminder that this season is full of shows and events.

Amanda Henderson of Jewelust, and Sasha Oda of Archerade, will be taking part in a show next weekend. Yay!

 

 Whirl necklace in sterling silver, by Jewelust

 

Toro rings in sterling silver, with white and black diamonds, by Archerade

The show is called #localTOmrkt, and showcases the work of 40 or so local artisans and designers. It is located at the corner of Yonge and Gould, just north of Dundas Square.

They will be at the show next weekend only, Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7, from noon until 10pm both days.

Stop by, say hello, and support your small local businesses!

sash.

Snowflakes

Well, it was nice and wintery white out there for awhile BUT this is November so I guess I can't be too surprised we've reverted back to grey and dreary this quickly. To pick up the spirits today as I mind the studio I walked around and picked out a few pieces that remind me of the fluffy white sparkle we got to enjoy this week. 

Let it snow!*

*in moderation and only ever beautiful fluffy white snow that can be shoveled easily kthnx

Necklace by Jewelust

Earrings by Tete Design

Earrings by Pash

Earrings by Lauren Hanham Designs

Necklace by Acherade

Intro to Fabrication Student Projects

Here are some projects from an Intro to Fabrication class I recently taught. Such a lovely group!

Angela's Necklace

Grace's Necklace

Gina's Necklace

Katie's Earrings

Custom work

Hello friends!

I know that the temperature has only begun its descent down the thermometer, but just a reminder that the holiday season is not that far off. Yikes!

If you've ever considered having jewellery custom-made for you, or for a loved one, now is a great time to get started. No time like the present, for getting presents haha! We love working one-on-one with you to create something special and unique; whatever your vision, we can help you make it a reality.

 

Made by Sasha Oda of Archerade, these gold stacking rings were designed for a very special friend. They were made using the gold and diamonds from sentimental jewellery, accumulated over a lifetime of birthdays and graduations. It was a wonderful way to incorporate special treasures into new pieces, instead of keeping them locked away in a jewellery box somewhere.

Of course, you don't need to use old pieces to make something new. All you need is an idea, and we can take care of the rest!

Stop by the studio, or call to make an appointment. 

See you soon!

~sash

Jewellery Class Season!

This is the time of year when Jewel Envy runs a lot of one-day workshops. They are the perfect early holiday gift! Buy one for the DIY-er in your family, or take a class with your bestie, because what better gift is there than good memories? (Other than jewellery, of course!)

Next up is an ornament making class on November 15th, and a stacking ring class on November 16th.

In the ornament class you can learn to make holiday ornament, or even just a pretty window hanger. You can use it to decorate your own home, or give it as a thoughtful, handmade gift.

In the stacking ring class, you will learn to make thin sterling silver rings that can be stacked together on one finger for visual oomph, or wear them scattered on different fingers. I hear that's how the cool kids wear them.

Sign up in store, or online at www.jewelenvy.ca
You can see a complete list of classes that are running until the end of December.

Stacks are the new black!

Goldsmith and teacher, Lauren Hanham, carefully inspecting a student's ring.

Learn to make plain polished rings, textured rings, twisted wire rings, and rings with small shapes!

Lotus design from Ellolite has new progress. It's 3D rendered and almost ready to be printed.

Student WORK

 Featured below are student projects from our most recent One Day Stacking Ring Workshop, the next upcoming class is Sunday November 16th.  Enamel work was completed in our latest 8 Week Enamel Class- we have an upcoming One Day Enamel Workshop to take advantage of on Saturday November 29th. Check out our listings for upcoming classes and sign up today!

From our latest Stacking Ring Workshop, lovely twisted hammered glory to be worn.

Magnificent Intermediate level Enamel piece using graphite on enamel.

Piercing with a combination of twisted and flattened wire, a great combo!

A lovely cloisonne piece.

Each piece looks great together or worn separately.

Amazing shape and colour combination of enamel a metal.

Roughing It

Right now I'm pretty obsessed with rough, uncut stones. There's just something about them.

Smithsonite and silver ring by Glaciale

Amethyst and silver earrings by Glaciale

Hiddenite and silver earrings by Lauren Hanham Jewellery Designs

Tourmaline ring by Unknown

Aquamarine and 14ky gold by Angeline

Ring by Catalina Barnes

Quarts rings and bracelets by Rework

Co-op Introduction

                     My name is Rebecca and I'm a Co-operative(Co-op) Education student from Bishop Marrocco Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary High School work at Jewel Envy. Co-operative Education is a 2 credit course where students are give the opportunity to gain real work experience and learn the steps of what is expected in the real workplace. My Co-op placement is at Jewel Envy, a custom jewellery retail store. I chose Jewel Envy as my workplace because I want to enhance my art skills, learn about retail, and gain experience. It is an amazing environment to be in and employees are nice and give the time to answer any questions about the work or task. I have learned about the process of moving silver or gold into different shapes for jewellery. A bit of retail and the organizing of paper work. It has only been a few weeks since I have started but it has all been a great experience. I would recommended any Co-op student to have their placement at Jewel Envy because the store has a positive environment, they have good communication, and it is a good work experience.

Gobble gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving err'body!

In honour of this joyous and delicious holiday, I googled 'turkey bling'. Enjoy!

Upon closer inspection, one or two of these might be peacocks, but you cannot convince me that peacocks aren't also thankful creatures, so on the blog they stay:)

In any case, we wish you all the best long weekend everrrrr xx

My inspiration comes from everywhere even food! I am going to create lotus jewellery line.

 ChiaChien Tsai