Author: Jewel Envy

The goldsmiths at Jewel Envy have worked on such a wide range of ideas for custom gifts and after combing through some of our creations I wanted to put together a small group of great starting points for gift ideas for when you want to get someone something special and don’t know where to start!

-Alexis

Think about colour

A great starting point is favourite colour. A typical go-to for a jewellery gift would be to select a person’s birthstone and create a piece of jewellery design with that. BUT, what if your person doesn’t like their birthstone? We suggest going with a favourite colour! Colour can be added into jewellery in so many ways: gemstones, enamel, inlay, metal surface treatments, adding fibre such as felt. We have done it all!

Think about turning a keepsake into something precious

We have been trained by years of advertising and marketing that the penultimate way to show love and sentiment is with a diamond. One of the most unique (and we would say precious) ways to create a custom piece of jewellery is to bring us a momento from a time spent with someone that holds sentiment and meaning beyond the material value. We have worked alongside customers to transform small rocks and pebbles from memorable life moments into something wearable.

Whether it is transforming a small pebble into a simple pendant with a skillfully drilled hole and bail, or hand carving one of a kind settings to hold them in a necklace/earring set.

Think about their fandom

Do they have a favourite book/movie/tv show character?

We can go the extra mile to replicate or design something that reflects their fandom and give them a one of a kind collectible.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. it’s the Polish Festival in Roncevalles. The weather is amazing, the street is buzzing, lots of good food, things to see and hear. Not to mention the usual Big Blue House excitement with all the pretties!

Here at the Blue House, there’s a garage sale in support our fundraising for our colleague, Shafiq Sarwari.

There’s even some cool art by Everly (Gillian’s daughter) for sale!

Of course, if you’re coming this way, we hope you’ll stop into the studio, say hello, and browse what’s new in the bubbles!

When should I have my jewellery cleaned by a professional?

Have you tried some of the methods mentioned in our earlier blog posts without positive results.? Does your favorite piece of jewellery have an alternative materials in it? Would you feel better if someone else cleaned it for you? These are all valid reasons to leave the cleaning to the professionals.

Clean your Jewellery regularly

Clean your Jewellery regularly, Part 2

Cleaning is a service often offered on site by most goldsmiths but not at all jewellery stores.

You may want to ask if it is done in the shop or elsewhere. Yu will probably get better service if it is done onsite by the person with whom you consult or by someone who can contact you directly if they  have questions.

’20 Tips on maintaining our Jewellery’, Gillian E. Batcher, 2013

All these images are student projects that were made in either an 8 week or 1 day class at Jewel Envy! Scroll through to see the amazing pieces our students have made and to check on upcoming dates for our Fall classes.

Sterling silver band rings. These beauties are variations that can be made in either our 8 Week Introductory Fabrication or the One Day Band Ring class.

Upcoming class dates:

Sunday September 10th – One Day Band Ring

Monday September 18th – 8 Week Introductory Fabrication

Cuttlefish castings. These can be made in our 8 Introductory Casting Class

Upcoming class date:

Wednesday September 20th – 8 Week Intro/Intermediate Casting

Textured pendant, roller printed pendant, textured earrings. These projects can be made in our 8 Week Introductory Fabrication Class, or the pendants can be made in our 1/2 Day Pendant Class.

Upcoming Class Dates:

Monday September 18th – 8 Week Introductory Fabrication

Sunday October 22nd, 2-6 pm – 1/2 Day Pendant Class

Cast ring, which can be made in either or 8 Week Intro/Intermediate Casting or the 2 Day Casting. Stacking rings, which can be made in either our 8 Week Introductory Fabrication or One Day Stacking Rings. Bezel set gemstone, which can be made in either our 8 Week Intermediate Fabrication or 2 Day Gem cutting and Gem Setting

Upcoming classes:

Wednesday September 20th – 8 Week Intro/Intermediate Casting

Sunday November 5th & Sunday November 12th – 2 Day Casting

Monday September 18th – 8 Week Introductory Fabrication

Saturday October 28th – Stacking Rings

Thursday October 5th – Intermediate Fabrication

Saturday and Sunday September 23rd and 24th – 2 Day Gem Cutting and Gem Setting

If tomorrow is a manic Monday, you may wish it was still today. And what do we have in the studio today? Bangles! Gorgeous bangles and cuffs handmade by our jewellers.

Blue Jay Earrings by Gillian Batcher of Pash Jewellery Design

Raccoon Pendant by Aurora Simmons of Handmade Revolution

Cardinal Earrings by Gillian Batcher of Pash Jewellery Design

“Is it peri-dott, or peri-doh?” the inquisitive August-born asks.

The answer, just like the glowing green color of this gemstone, comes from within. What a perfect gift for those who are loved for who they truly are.

The word has French origin, so most jewellers will drop the t, but we accept both pronunciations.

Drop by Jewel Envy and start your journey to having an exquisite custom peridot piece that shows its inner beauty in any situation.

Barbie and her pearls have always been an iconic image, but here at Jewel Envy, we want to show you that pearls can be for everyone!

Pearls are a great way to add a little extra pizazz to any outfit!

Good quality pearls are also something that you can feel good about with wearing! Today, properly cultured pearls are ethically and sustainably sourced. The most beautiful pearls require the best living conditions which means that the environment in which they are grown in have to be pristine. That means protecting the waters in which they are grown in, and taking care of the animals that produce these marvelous little gems.

Many of our goldsmiths already incorporate the use of pearls in their work, but you can always come in and ask for a custom pearl piece as well!

Acrylic, sterling silver, and pearl earrings by Edna Milevsky and a sterling silver nautilus pendant with a cute little pearl by Aurora Simmons.

More pearl studs and earrings by Edna Milevsky.

Various pearl and gemstone necklaces in both sterling silver and gold by Edna Milevsky.

Lastly, a few tips for keeping your pearls so they last for many years!

1. Pearls should be the last thing that you put on and the first thing that you take off when leaving and returning home. Spray your perfume and hairspray before you put on your pearls in order to protect the nacre from harsh chemicals.
2. Pearls love moisture! So do not store them in an airtight plastic bag or in a safe or safety deposit box! The best place to keep them is wrapped in a soft cloth and then stored in a soft pouch.
3. Maintenance! It is important to restring your pearls every few years in order to keep them looking their best and so you have less chance of breakage. (We offer pearl re-stringing here at Jewel Envy!)