Happy Sunday, readers!

Jewel Envy is celebrating our tenth anniversary this year and marking four years in our lovely studio/classroom/retail space on 151 Marion Street.  It’s taken a lot of work to get here—not only tenacity, hard labour (see the crazy pictures of our many renovations below) but the dedication of two very smart and talented women, Gillian Batcher, owner, and goldsmith and Alexis Kostuk, manager and goldsmith.  Everyday when we walk into the big blue house—which is not only a retail space, classroom and working studio but also a home—we can see evidence of Jewel Envy’s dynamic duo.

Most often we will see Alexis behind the counter talking to customers, at her bench making incredible art jewellery ( find her at Glacialegoldsmith.com) or training her formidable problem-solving skills to make sure the space runs smoothly for all of us.  Thank you so much Alexis for making the space a great place to grow, for giving Jewel Envy the best you have, for your uproarious laugh that keeps us going, and for being wonderful YOU!

In Gillian words, when she started the renovations of the Blue House “Alexis was there to help, as she always is, every step of the way. I couldn't ask for a better manager or friend! “

Alexis have been working with Gillian at Jewel Envy for many years, she knows the business better than any one, she loves what she does, and she is a big part of this ten years that we are celebrating next Friday!

Many thanks Alexis for making Jewel Envy a great place , for given Gillian the best you have, just for been YOU!

Lovely pic of Alexis and Gillian more than three year ago at the renovation site.

Congratulations to Jewel Envy and to our incredible team! in these tenth anniversary.

Helena

Trip to Stars Hollow

Last night I took a trip back to Stars Hollow. Thanks to Netflix's revival of the show Gilmore Girls. I had intended to try and stretch out my viewing experience over four days, but that's not what ended up happening. Oh man. Those four words.

I think what struck and will stay with me is each Gilmore Girl's dealing with the change in life perspective that goes along with grieving the loss of a close loved one. Each character struggles in their own way even if it wasn't on the surface all along. It is a beautiful evaluation of loss and tribute to Edward Herrmann who played Richard Gilmore.

I still have Gilmore Girls on the brain so today while scoping through inventory I couldn't help but think about what I would choose as gifts for each of them. And I gotta say, I am sentimental for the type of ending the revival of Gilmore Girls gave me. I love to be left questioning things afterwards. -Alexis

For all those crazy dreams Lorelai keeps having I would give her Pash Jewellery's Dream Catcher Necklace. 

Emily needs some modern pearls from Hyewon Jang - she did after all get herself a pair of Keds!

For Rory. Well, I couldn't make up my mind.

BONUS! Luke Diner Pin, click here!

   

Countdown to our Holiday Party

Can you feel it?!  There's party in the air!!  The countdown is on here at Jewel Envy: 7 dys until our Holiday Party!!!

And you know what that means, the SWAG BAGS are lined up and waiting of our FIRST 50 GUESTS to take home some pretty special loot. There's jewellery, coupons, art work, and much more to be given away.

You know the saying "it takes a village, to raise a child?" Well it takes a village to throw a party.  We have been very lucky to have many members of our community donate to our swag bags. One of our special contributors is a new retail store in Roncesvalles Village: Earlybird and Worm.

Early bird and Worm are a kids' concept shop--art +fashion+function at 169 Roncesvalles.  We thank them for their generous donation to our swag bags.

Check out their instagram account @earlybirdandworm to get clues to what our first 50 party guests may find in their swag bags!

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!

Gearing up for December 2nd!

Happy Saturday Readers!

I have spent the last couple weeks collecting items for our event swag bags and raffle packages (with all proceeds going to Dress for Success Toronto).

We're trying promote all of the local businesses that are supporting our event. Today I want to thank the Village Juicery and Imelda for their for their donations to one of our raffle packages.

The Village Juicery is the first certified organic juicery and if you didn't know everything is made fresh daily. They believe in keeping things local from the produce they use to the locations they serve. Actual nutritionists and chefs develop their products to ensure both quality and taste!

Now that we have talked about body health lets talk about psychological health in form of some good shoe therapy. On the day we had our opening party on Roncy four years ago I ran out around 1pm with the knowledge that I had a fantastic dress to wear for the night but no shoes. Well I had spotted Imelda in the weeks leading up to the party but with the haze of renovations had neglected to go in. I was hooked from that first step into the store and was able to immediately narrow in on the perfect pair of shoes for my party. Imelda is always there for me when I need some shoe therapy and if you win the raffle package with the gift certificate from the store, they can be there for you as well!

The Roncy local businesses have been so generous and we are blessed to be part of this wonderful community.

Stay tuned for more notes on our sponsors!

Gillian

Hello Sunday readers,

I would like to highlight today the amazing work of Sasha Oda of ARCHERADE one of the goldsmiths in the studio. Her work  is bold and fearless and her designs are fresh and young. Sasha works with Sterlium, Bronze and Gold.

One of her pieces that speak volumes of her design sense are these three rings.

Each ring has a strong shape that really accentuates the attention to detail. They are heavy, but very comfortable on the hand.  Sasha does custom work, so she can make one just for you, too!

Sasha tremendous talent and dedication can be appreciated in this lovely necklace in Sterlium with a drop a lapis lazuli in an intense blue.

Be sure to come and check out these and other fabulous pieces by Sasha this Christmas season.

Have a great day!

Helena

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Strange November

It's a strange November this year. I can't recall a year where by this point it hasn't snowed even once. Yet here we are mid way through the month and not a flake has stuck to the ground. I hear people starting to talk about the holidays and feel like they can't be around the corner yet the calendar tells me they are!

What's bringing the time of year into focus is that our customers have started to ask about holiday orders and our timeline to make custom work. Our usual timing is 4-6 weeks but we'll rush orders at this time of year as we approach gift giving deadlines.The earlier you come, the happier we will be...hint hint ;o)

In past years I have worked Christmas Eve to have something special ready for a last minute shopper. But alas those crazy work nights are over for me as it will be the first Christmas/Hanukkah with my little one this year and I plan to spend it with my family.

Maybe next week we'll have a blanket of snow but for now I'm still enjoying the last hint of fall before the craziness of the holidays can't be pushed out of mind. I'm still enjoying the distraction of leaves falling and seeing the wonder in my babies eyes as we watch them come down around us.

Gillian

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!

 

 

 Dear Readers,

In 2008, David Segal and his cousin Herschel Segal founded DavidsTea in Montreal, and opened its first store on Queen Street in Toronto the same year,[1] followed by its first Montreal store in 2009.[2] In 2010 it had stores located across Canada, opening its 50th store in Waterloo, Ontario in 2011. In November that same year it opened its first store outside of Canada in New York. Fed by a growing tea boutique industry,[3] by 2012 it had expanded to more than 75 stores across Canada and the United States. Since its inception, DavidsTea offers over 150 varieties of teas, numerous tea accessories, and seasonal offerings

We are very honored and grateful with David’s Tea on Roncesvalles for their support in our ten anniversary party this December. We will all be enjoying their variety of flavors and the opportunity to share our party time with one true Canadian company.

Have a nice day.

Helena

At Jewel Envy I have a lovely and talented collegue who wears all of her jewellery while working!!
Rings and bracelets with charms on , I counted 27 charms.




Helena loves pearls she works into big chains and ear rings ,  perfectly matching.

Wonderful accessories for the bridal festive outfit !

Check her out
Helena Perez Lafaurie
at Jewel Envy in Toronto