Juicy Gemstones

Oh hey, hai you guys!  

I just wanted to share a bit of a sneak peek.  I have decided to add a lot more colour to my jewellery, 

so I picked up a few pieces of rough gemstone this week.

Getting stones custom-cut isn't necessarily cheap, but it adds so much to the design and value of the piece.  Plus, I love getting EXACTLY what I want.  You know?

Take a look at these beauties:

Rainbow obsidian, rhodochrosite, amazonite, chrysoprase, ruby, larimar, lapis, and orange calcite.

Can you tell which is which?!

Stay tuned, I will definitely update with the finished products within the next few weeks.  Yay!

xx sash.

PS - I want a million dollars to spend on more gemstones!

Colour & Sparkle

What better way to add some life to jewellery than using gemstones? They add depth and variety by bringing in colour and sparkle. Perfect for summer!

We have a bezel setting workshop running here at Jewel Envy next Saturday, June 7th. For more info give us a call or visit us in store. We'd love to help you!

Here are 3 samples of pendants made by students in one of our recent bezel setting workshops.

A custom necklace for Lucie's birthday, with a small bezel set cubic zirconia over the "i".

A funky bezel set agate pendant, made with the customer's stone. Have a stone you want made into jewellery, bring it in and show us! We love looking at gemstones almost as much as we like making jewellery (which is a lot)!

A selfie of me and my rose gold and white gold septum ring, bezel set with a diamond.

Thanks for reading, and looking at my photos!
Come in anytime to talk jewellery!

Amanda

Website: Jewelust by Amanda Henderson
Facebook.com/Jewelust.by.Amanda.Henderson

It's not too late!

Have you started think about Valentine's day yet? If not, you are now! It is not too late to buy a handmade, thoughtful gift for your favourite guy or gal. Come on in to see what we have in store!

Rollerprinted hearts by Amanda Henderson of Jewelust

 

Cufflinks by Sasha Oda of Archerade

DECEMBER!!!!!!

Is it just me, or did we just time warp through an entire year?!  It was summer like, yesterday!  If you're like me, and you're entering this holiday season in a fog of cold denial, then you might need some help in the gift department.  Never fear, we are here to help you with some nifty gifty solutions.

Come in and say hello, and choose something special for someone special!

Have a fantastic week, and happy shopping!

STACKED

The more the merrier!  

Power in numbers!  

Three's a crowd but more is a party!

etc!

What I'm getting at here, is that sometimes one just isn't enough.  It is, after all, the loneliest number.  So unless you are a hobbit (hehe), perhaps your one ring could use some company.  To prove that point, we had another stacking ring workshop in the studio yesterday.  The ladies, Kristina and Kim, were very worthy goldsmiths-in-training.

Here they are hard at work:

Here is amazing result of all their benchwork:

If you can't make it in for a workshop, never fear!  We have a great selection of stacking rings, already made just for you.  Take a look:

 

Rings by Carolyn Cathcart of Cathcart Designs

 Rings by Gillian Batcher of PASH Jewellery Design

Rings by Lauren Hanham of Lauren Hanham Jewellery Designs

 Rings by Sasha Oda of Archerade

*Please excuse my manicure - the nails of goldsmiths never last that long!

Have a great week!

Polish Festival

Thanks to everyone that came out to our free wax carving event this weekend, during the Roncesvalles' Polish Festival! We had tons of fun and can't wait to see all of your pieces cast in bronze and silver! If you'd like to see some photos, check out our Instagram page: http://instagram.com/jewelenvy

The Circle of Life

I think we can all agree that Mufasa pretty much covered the circle of life, for lions and hyenas everywhere.  If you happen to be a goldsmith, the circle of life is a little different.  Luckily, I am here to impart some wisdom.

Here is me imparting wisdom:

The circle of life, for the sterling silver in my toolbox, begins as trial and error in wax carving.  Here are some early attempts at carving balls:  

Once I have a satisfactory wax carving, I use sterling silver casting grain to cast the ball into metal.

Surprisingly enough, I am not perfect, and when trying something completely new it can take a few attempts before I am happy with the results.  Here is my ball graveyard, where bad balls go to die:

Thankfully, the trial and error period does not last forever.  Below, success!

All the old sterling silver gets recycled, because recycling is part of the process.  In this case, I raided the ol' ball graveyard.   The bad balls visited the chop shop (er, metal shears), and now have a brand new purpose in life as casting grain.

In fact I am casting tonight, and this casting grain will actually become two sets of weddings bands and a pair of earrings.  

And that, my friends, is the sterling silver circle of life, goldsmith edition.  Hakuna Matata!

It has been ages since I have gotten around blogging in these here parts.  I am going to go ahead and blame my neglect to be due to the fact that I am a creature of habit.  Change things up and it throws me out of whack.  I just have to get used to using the computer and working in our new location.  I have to say I am in love with this neighborhood.  Roncesvalles is such a friendly part of the city and I have been enjoying discovering little shops and cafes nearby.  The 7th Sister has quickly become one of my staples, I love dropping in for a coffee, snack and a chat with the lovely Liz or Penny.  Otherwise I have been getting REALLY excited and working hard on several pieces that I am working on for calls for entries as a part of the SNAG conference in the spring.

Me hard at work pre-holiday.

    
I hope that 2013 is going swimmingly for all thus far - be sure to visit the big blue house in Roncesvalles to come check our work or take a class.
-Alexis