Author: Jewel Envy

The secret to Jewellery Success!

Posted on Categories General

The secret to Jewellery Success!

One jeweller-many roles!

When becoming a jewellery designer one imagines sitting quietly in your very own studio sketching ideas followed by bringing your sketches to life effortlessly after which your adoring (and wealthy!) customers flock to you to buy every piece as soon as you make them.

The reality–as always–is different than the dream.  A successful jeweller wears many hats: designer; maker; bench jeweller for others; jewellery repair-person; wedding-band maker…in short, a  jack-of-a-trades.


It is hard to get the balance right but when you do–success!  As a resident goldsmith of Jewel Envy, I have been very fortunate to learn this by watching one of our successful goldsmiths, Amanda Henderson, in action.


Amanda fits the formula for successful jeweller to a T: she designs and manufactures for a friend’s jewellery business, she teaches, she does custom work, and she designs and makes jewellery for her two, yes, you read that right, TWO jewellery lines: Jewelust and Fandom Regalia (with her art partner Zsolt Szekely).

In her latest work Amanda has, “embraced her inner (or maybe outer) geek,” in her Elf Deco line.

Elf Deco Necklace in Sterling silver by Jewelust


Elf Deco Earrings in Sterling silver by Jewelust




If you are interested in seeing Amanda’s work in person you can find her work at Jewel Envy, 151 Marion  Street, Toronto, or at one of the many shows she does.  She will be exhibiting (and selling) at two shows this summer at Wychwood barns, 601 Christie St, July 22 + Aug 19, 8am-2pm.


I don’t know how Amanda does it, but she does, and it is a joy to witness!


–Micheline

SAVE OR SPLURGE OR JUST BUY EVERYTHING!!!!

Posted on Categories General
Hello friends! Hope you are having a wondering February. If you’re anything like me, you’re just glad that January is out of the way, because that month was a real stinker.
But onwards and upwards! Pretty excited about the sunshine today (even though it’s freezing), and also really excited about today’s save vs splurge.
It’s a 3-parter though, because these pieces are all from the same collection by Mia Shen, goldsmith-in-residence. The pieces are geometric, but the shapes are surprising and eye-catching, and make good use of negative space. The texture is is very tactile and adds a lot of depth, and contrasts amazingly well with the non-textured, high-polished areas.
 First up are these drop-stud earrings. Really amazing shape, and great use of balanced asymmetry, a term we used often in jewellery school haha. These are at a low, save-save-save price of $180.
 Ooooh this ring! It’s so great, it almost looks like an object you want to keep in your pocket so you can touch it throughout the day:) The cinched sides lets it sit very comfortably, without getting in the way of your other fingers. This one is middle-of-the-road at $295.
 
Last but not least is this toggle bracelet. It is substantial and has a
lot of visual dimension, but it isn’t heavy or clunky at all. This beauty comes in at a cool splurge-worthy $640.
So spend a little or spend a lot (or spend it all!), whatever suits your fancy!
Enjoy your weekend!!!! xx

The Classics

Posted on Categories General

The Classics Revisited

Is there anything that is really considered classic in jewellery?

Maybe  are there no real classics, just the style of the day?  A la Mode?

I have been staying in a lot during these cold, dark short snowy winter days.  Hibernating and watching movies and award shows

Turner Classic Movies are such an inspiration.  Hollywood Glam.  Netflicks’ The Crown shows Queen Elizabeth coming to age.  Royalty.  BlockBusters – The New Hollywood –

When I think about the classics I think about pearls.  Long before the discovery of diamonds and platinum pearls were the most valued gem in the world.

According to the Cultured Pearl Association of America Inc.  Ulster, Size, Shape, Colour, Nacre Thickness and Surface Quality are the factors that determine the value of the pearl.

I would also add in to this the variety of Pearl/Origin Salt Water – VS Fresh Water Pearls. Virtually all pearls today are cultured.

What does this mean?  Man introduces a seed or a bead usually round into a a BiValue mollusk.  The bivalve forms a coating around the bead called a Nacre.  In a natural pearl, a pieces of sand or debris enters the bivalve naturally and the nacre is formed.  This does not happen very often so, seed are planted in the oysters.

Natural Pearls Value:  Cartier purchased his building on Fifth Avenue in NYC with two  matching natural pearls.

While single, double and triple strand pearls are still the ultimate in classic jewellery,

pearls incorporated into contemporary designs offer the best of both worlds.

This series will continue to talk about choosing a classic strand of pearls worth of handing down to future generations.

New Designs growing in the quiet of January

Posted on Categories General

New Designs growing in the quiet of January

Helena Perez Lafaurie’s new work

January is a quiet time for
goldsmiths.  The Christmas rush is over
and Valentine’s Day seems a long way off. 
But don’t let our quietness fool you. 
Like so many things in winter we are working quietly away in the dark
and cold ready to spring forth with new growth.
One such goldsmith is Helena Pérez
Lafaurie. She has spent January working on new pieces for her eponymous
jewellery line. Like many of us Helena can’t keep her mind off of the warmth
and sun of Spring and this can be seen in her new work called, of course,
“Spring.”

“Spring” bracelet in silver and Agatha, length 7
inches, price $165

“Spring” necklace in silver and Agatha, length 33
inches, price $220

 The line was inspired by the agate
stones seen in both the necklace and bracelet, “The agate looks like blossoms
to me, I miss the spring so much, the flowers, the sun…,”she trails off, misty
eyed.  Between you and me, I think the
line is inspired by her soon-to-be-born first grandson!
 
Helena’s second set of new pieces is
called “Charms.” As all of us at Jewel Envy can testify, Helena LOVES little
things that shine and make noises.

Necklace in silver, length 33 inches,
price $166
Bracelet in silver, length 7 inches,
price $105
When Helena is in the studio, her ever-present
stacked silver bracelets are in constant movement and making sound much like
this new necklace and bracelet will when worn—they are sure to attract the
attention of the new grandson!
Posted on Categories General

Sunday, January 22, 2017



Dear Sunday Readers,

IVANE THIEBAUT

 


Today is Artist Spotlight on Ivane Thiebaut.

Jewel
Envy is participating in the Toronto Offsite Design Festival with an
exhibition called “Building Blocks.” This exhibition runs until January
31 this year.  You are very welcome to take a look of our basement
windows on Roncesvalles. They will be showing great and unique pieces
from the goldsmith at the studio.
One
of this pieces is a pendant made by Ivane Thiebaut, French from birth
and Canadian from marriage, she brings her shining and very personal
sense of design to her jewellery line.
Her
lovely pendant called “Mother Earth” is made by hand and is an
incredible medallion in mist blues and shows her finest and very
personal work.

You can see her at her best in her Web site www.ivanethiebaut.com, “color, and materials are joined together in a beautiful adornment for you to wear everywhere, everyday…”







These three lovely pieces and more can be seen if you come to visit her at the studio.













Stop by, say hello, and support your small local businesses!
 
Have a happy Sunday!
 
 
Helena
 
 
Posted on Categories General

Micheline Roi

Today is Artist Spotlight on Michelin Roi of AtelierJcontemporary

Micheline is a talented and true Canadian artist!

She started her career as a classical music composer for 25 years and transposed her passion
toward jewellery. She is a dedicated jeweler with passion for details and
beauty to adorn women with unique and magnificent objects of beauty.

She is always exploring and learning new techniques and her attention to details is amazing…she is a perfectionist and you can rest assure that all her jewellery are perfect for you to wear! Micheline is also a really lovely and bubbling lady full of joy and happiness! Whenever she is working here at JE the studio is filled with laughter, and when she is not we do miss her!

You can follow her on her Etsy
shop AtelierJcontemporary and if located in Toronto, you can admire and try her
jewellery in the shop here at Jewel Envy on Marion Street in the artistic area on Roncesvalles (‘Roncy” for the locals).

Here area few of the sample of work that we currently have at JewelEnvy,

 https://img1.etsystatic.com/153/0/10296911/isbl_640x160.23232065_q2jnbqra.jpg
I personally have my eyes set on those amazing black beauties above, which include gold leafs and gemstones.

Looking forward to meeting you in person at Jewel Envy!

Ivane Thiebaut

SPOTLIGHT ON JERELL REICHERT!!!!!

Posted on Categories General
Hi all! It’s a beautiful (and very chilly) Sunday afternoon here at the studio, and I thought I would warm you up by showing off some pretty sterling pieces by resident goldsmith Jerell Reichert.
These bracelets are not only beautiful, but a great example of metal forming. That’s right, the detail and texture and shapes that you see are the hard work of a little lady with a big hammer. Jerell has hand-forged each of these bracelets by hand, working the metal bit by bit, using fold-forming and anti-clastic techniques. All in sterling silver, top to bottom $640, $295, $395.
 These long earrings are so simple, but they look great on and they are light as a feather, too. The spheres have a perfect matte finish that almost look like pearls in the right lighting. Sterling silver $115.
 These bean pendants remind me of Barbapapa, in a round and squiggly kind of way:) The top bean has a black diamond accent, the middle bean has a pink tourmaline, and the bottom piece is classic. All sterling silver on silver chains, top to bottom $190, $180, $130.
These band rings are pretty bubbly too, with the pattern running all the way around. More barbapapa feelings:) Sterling silver, left to right $125, $115.
Come by and say hi to Jerell, and see what else she has going on!
Stay warm out there:) xx

Thinking about others this season!

Posted on Categories General

I love the holidays! I love shopping for gifts for others, I love spending time with my family and this year I love that I am creating new traditions with my daughter.

My baby is far too young this year to understand what we are doing and will be for some time but I want her to grow up with empathy and understanding that not everyone is in the same position in life and kindness from strangers can make a difference to their lives.

I have really tried to integrate these thoughts into my life and have done so in ways that feel right to me. So below are a few things both Jewel Envy and me have tried to do for people this season.

1. Jewel Envy is holding a jewellery drive for the month of December for Dress for Success Toronto. We asked our customers to donate any work appropriate jewellery they had sitting around and we will clean and fix all of it before dropping it off in January. Dress for Success Toronto helps disadvantage women reenter the workforce with training, mentorship, and office attire. A polished look can help with confidence and jewellery is a luxury item many would not splurge on for themselves so we’re helping with that. Our customers have been very generous and we look forward to dropping off everything along with a cheque for some extra help. There is still time to donate to this so please drop off by December 24th at 4pm!

2. The Shoebox Project. I just learned about this, this winter and this is the one I want to do with my baby every year. You decorate a shoe sized box and buy gifts for a woman of items she may not treat herself to. These are collected throughout the city and go to women’s shelters. An important part of this is to write an inspirational card to show you are thinking about their well being and wish them well.

3. Individual donations. I helped a few people directly that I thought could use a lift. Groceries for a local homeless person, contributed to a kitty to buy craft supplies for a kid, and money in the hand of a few that needed it. This one is easy. Just pick a day you want to do good for someone and keep your eyes open for who needs it on that day. I can’t help everyone every day but I want my daughter to learn kindness is an every day thing and we should help people even if they don’t ask if we can.

4. Global donations. I always try to donate to a few causes when something terrible in the world is happening. I specifically like it if a large organization is matching funds as I know my dollar goes further this way. This year I tried to give to both local disasters and distant ones. The world can be a scary place but I want to teach my baby to reach out and extend a hand, even when she doesn’t know the people.

All the best this season!

Gillian

SPOTLIGHT ON JUDITH NOLDIN!!!

Posted on Categories General
 

As I write this, the weekend is sadly coming to an end. Luckily, I have some beautiful pieces by Judith Noldin to turn your sad frown upside down, and brighten your dark winter night.
I actually thought these were bookmarks – very glad I asked Judith because they are little forks! Beautiful and special forks, when you want to impress your guests as they dine on your delicious appetizers. Also a wonderful gift for someone who loves entertaining, don’t you think?! 
Solid sterling silver $180

I love these rings. The colours and shapes are very unique, though they work perfectly together as a collection. The ring on the left is sterling silver with an 18KY bezel and the stone is black flint for $410. The centre ring is also sterling silver with an 18KY bezel, and the stone is a green and red lakeshore gem for $410. The ring on the right is my favourite (because I love the pink, salmony colour the most), and it is sterling silver with 14KR little accent balls on the either side of the pink lakeshore gem for $380. *full disclosure I don’t know what a lakeshore gem is, but I will ask Judith the next time I see her! **UPDATE!!! A lakeshore gem is a stone that Judith finds while walking along the Lakeshore!! Amazing**
Judith makes very unique pieces that have the most interesting shapes, colours, and textures. I am always surprised (in a very good way!) by all the different elements she brings to her craft. She is also a whiz at doing repairs and redesigns and of course custom work, so if you’re looking for a real conversation-starter of a piece, ask for Judith!
Stay warm out there lovelies! xx
×
Product added to cart

No products in the cart.