
Hi Everyone!
Well it is only 1pm and I have 4 more hours to wait for the party to start. I hate waiting for parties to start! All of the jewellers have been diligently working to finish lots of new work while planning for tonights festivities and I can’t wait to open a bottle of wine and toast everyone to a job well done.
Tonight we will be celebrating a lot of things. The first and most obvious is that we have been open for three years. I think its quite an accomplishment based on the current economic state. Another reason to celebrate is that the studio is full for the first time ever. Each jeweller brings a unique style perspective to the studio and we are richer as a community for this diversity. Another thing is that our classes are finally running on a regular basis. I think this one is in part due to the creation of a class postcard showing what students with no experience can create in a short period of time. Finally I think we are all thankful that we have a job we love to come to everyday and be creative at. Don’t get me wrong there are days I think I would have been better off just sleeping but then there are days where I work straight through the night creating at my bench…and those far outweigh any of the negatives!
Now all I have to do is find something to occupy the next 3 3/4 hrs until you show up:o)
See you tonight!
Gillian
Hello!
Most of you probably do not know me but my name is Laura and I have recently become a co-op student here at Jewel Envy. I have been studying all forms of design in high school for the past three years and have always found jewellery to be my favorite. My school is self-directed and because of that we have an art program like no other! I have done everything from cuttlefish casting to bezel setting but I still have so much to learn. That’s why when the opportunity came up to do a placement at Jewel Envy I took it and started the next week. My placement so far has exceeded my expectations. Yes, I have to do jobs like cleaning and accounting (awful!) but I also have been able to carve a ring out of wax for the first time and observe all the wonderful designers here at work.
Last week I assisted Gillian at the One of a Kind Craft Show. I had never realised how difficult it was to be a vendor until I was sitting behind that table. I was only there for three days and even though I wasnt there until closing I was exhausted. I don’t know how you did it Gillian!
Well I should be going but hopefully I will see you at the studio party this week. Bye!
Oh! another thing I almost forgot to mention Gillian Batcher is participating in the One of a Kind Show this year which is currently open to the public, be sure to stop by her booth K51 to say hello to her!
Alexis
Hey it’s Quincy and seeing as I’m in the studio @ 6:30 am, I figured it was a great time to introduce myself. I’ve been in jewellery forever and I will probably be in jewellery forever, but I get bored quickly so I like to mix things up.
Right now is rather an interesting moment in my jewellery career. We are currently coming up the 2009 holiday season and even though I’ve seen the madness many times, this is the first time I’ve been running the whole show from everything to design to production to sales.
Upcoming shows for December that you can come visit me at:
ARTMARKET @ 918 Bathurst ~ December 5th & 6th
Our Jewel Envy Party ~ December 10th
Studio 561 Art Sale (561 Bloor Ave West) ~ December 12th, 19th and 20th (3pm-11pm)
I heading out for more coffee….Enjoy the beautiful DAY!!!
Quincy Rae ~ Just keep riding your wave!!
My name is ChiaChien Tsai or you may call me Ellen if it is easier for you to say my name! I went to OCAD for jewellery design, then joined Jewel Envy right after. It is a wonderful studio that always keep me motivated! so…what am I doing recently?? Hmmm…I am trying to come up with new pieces for our anniversary event on Dec. 10th. Hope to see you all there =^^=
I am currently working on a wedding line that will be ready for the Jewel Envy holiday party.
🙂
Ciao!
I don’t believe I properly introduced myself in my first and previous blog so allow me to remedy that! My name is Alexis and I recently became Manager at Jewel Envy Studio.
I joined the studio a month after coming back from a one year intensive Jewellery course in Milan, Italy in 2006 having previously studied at Ontario College of Art and Design. The studio was exactly what I had envisioned in a space that I wanted to work in after finishing school, a co-operative space where a group of jewellers can share equipment and a place to display and sell our work. My absolute favourite part of working in this space is the sharing of ideas and getting to see others work while doing my own thing. Everyone here has such different styles and niches in different jewellery making techniques. I find that I am continually learning to create just by seeing how other people in the studio are making things – it’s an indispensible asset that I very much appreciate! It’s great to give or receive a second opinion on a piece that you are working on. It might sound insignificant, but I think that having that constantly around you spurs your creativity.
Currently I am working on some large framed silhouette pieces (similar to the ones in my silhouette collection, but with more detail) that I am working to have done for our upcoming Anniversary Party which is quickly approaching. I’m really looking forward to the party, but for now I should get back to work!
Until next time,
Alexis
Another thing I am super excited about is teaching classes here at Jewel Envy. I just finished off an eight week class last week and jumped into teaching another eight week class that just started tonight. I get to teach one of my favourite ways of making jewellery – Casting! The group of students that started out tonight are all doing complex carved rings… in a few weeks time I will have to post the finished student pieces for you all to see.
I want to give a shout out… wait a minute, do you call it that on a blog? that doesn’t make as much sense so I’m gonna change that to a write out to Padrin Kwok. He is participating in his fourth class at Jewel Envy, his second class with me. He is an eager and talented guy working on his jewellery pieces even while not in the studio – yeah, that eager! It’s really great having someone who is so motivated and inspired to learn because it bolsters my creativity in turn as well. The picture is one of the rings he made in class (he also took the photo which is equally as incredible!) He carved the ring in wax, then cast it himself in sterling silver and added coloured resin to the dots on top of the ring. Great work Padrin! I’m looking forward to seeing what else you create in the classes to come.
Alrighty, I’m going to sign out and look forward to posting again soon. Look for the purple text to read more from me, Alexis on the Jewel Envy blog.