Author: Jewel Envy

New year, new plans, new dreams!

Posted on Categories General

Welcome to 2016 everyone! If you know me personally, you know I am a planner so when I started to dream up things to come for this year I had a huge to-do list. That’s how I like to start a new year, with a long list of ideas and dreams that can get distilled into a shorter version of the best ones to implement.

Now it’s not just up to me what happens here in a year as we work collaboratively in this studio environment so having all of the jewellers on board for the plans makes them much more successful. To allow us to work this way we hold regular studio meetings where everyone’s input is heard and considered. This may seem like a radical idea for a business to choose to use a collective style without officially being one, but it is a method I strongly believe in and have stuck to since opening. I choose to work with creative people, so I think creative voices should have the opportunity to do what they do best, which is to dream.

2016 will be Jewel Envy’s tenth year in business and boy has it grown over time. It started as a small two person business and has grown to include around a dozen goldsmiths at any one time. As we ramp up to a big 10 year anniversary party near the end of the year we will be holding special events throughout the year to celebrate our customers who have made it possible to not just survive all of these years but to thrive and grow with you.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us and continues to so. Wishing all of you an amazing 2016 full of realized dreams this year!

Gillian

This weeks spotlight jeweller is Tammy McClennan!

Posted on Categories General

Tammy’s work uses a combination of traditional metalsmithing techniques which she combines with some more industrial processes. She creates sculptural geometric pieces that are hollow and then instead of traditional metal finishing used in jewellery she powder coats them in her chosen colour palette.

If you are not familiar with powder coating, think big, like how cars are painted, your bicycle, and really most purchased painted metal objects!

What I find the most fascinating with this work is her integration of the findings (the parts that allow you to put on the necklaces and secure them in place. Hers are made specifically for her work and are simple enough to fabricate yet complex in how she worked them seamlessly into the design.

The clasp is a piece if tubing that a thick metal wire slots into. The geometric pieces sit on the tubing and are interchangeable amongst the necklaces. The actual necklace is steel cable further adding to the industrial look. Although the necklaces are large they are in fact light because they are hollow.

Next time you are in the store b sure to give these pieces a look and try them on!

Until my next entry,

Happy accessorizing!

Gillian

Kris Ruhs

Posted on Categories General

Shortly before the holidays I took off for Milan, Italy. Of my many city stops I checked out 10 Corso Como a concept store – gallery, cafe, shop, book store all rolled into one. They had some amazing Kris Ruhs jewellery on display (and for sale). A renaissance man – painter, sculptor, installation artist, jewellery maker; I love seeing the crossover of an artist’s work across disciplines – check out the links and the pics to feast your eyes out. – Alexis

Kris Ruhs. Hanging Garden, installation view at
Galerie Azzedine Alaïa, Paris

Kris Ruhs

Kris Ruhs’ sculpture exhibition ‘The Sculptural Terrace’ at
the Carla Sozzani Gallery,  Milan, Italy.

Kris Ruhs’ jewellery at 10 Corso Como.

Wrapping up 2015!

Posted on Categories General

Hello,

This will be one of the last posts of 2015 from us as we near Christmas and the stores closes for a few days to reopen in 2016. I thought I would take a few moments to reflect on what a wonderful year it has been for us here. It has been a year of welcoming new members to the space, exhibitions, and a dramatic increase in class enrollment. The studio has had a few scheduled upgrades to equipment and the building has also benefited from further exterior landscaping.

We have now been at 151 Marion St for just over 3 years and are an established part of Roncesvalles with directions being given as either north or south of the blue house. As a space that prides itself on genuine community connections we have supported many local fundraisers and installed a Little Free Library. Our LFL fosters a love of reading which helps cultivate curiosity and imagination; two very important ingredients in supporting the arts in all forms.

One of our members left for maternity leave while another is preparing for motherhood while continuing to work. As with every new year there is a feeling of hope and anticipation for what is to come. We know as a team we can rise to any occasion and have big plans to roll out over the next year. We are deeply thankful for the support we have received from each other, our loved ones, and you our customers.

Our wish for everyone in 2016 is to find joy and satisfaction in life, which is exactly how we feel when we see something we laboured over find a new and loving home with one of you. We hope to be able to continue to share in your special moments as these become part of our memories of the joys to look for in life.

There are only a few more days until Christmas so if we don’t see you in the store before then for last minute pick ups we hope to see you in the new year!

Love, peace, and joy to all,

Gillian

Hello Judith!!!

Posted on Categories General
Judith Noldin is a resident goldsmith here at Jewel Envy. She makes incredibly unique and beautiful pieces, and is also a whiz at doing repairs! I highly recommend stopping by to take a look at what she has going on, you will not be disappointed.

Here she is, hard at work on another repair:
 Here are some of my favourite pieces. The far left is part of the Turrets Collection. I love the cutout detailing, and of course, the 18K yellow gold accent isn’t too bad either! She has other similar pieces as well, with coloured glass instead of gold. The shape of the turrets is inspired by church steeples, and they definitely make me think of medieval architecture. The middle pendant is a lovely and serene mother-of-pearl face, with a pretty moony surprise on the back for you, as well. The brooch on the right is made of coloured, textured glass, and sterling silver. 
 

Come in and say hi to Judith!

Everybody meet Helena!!!

Posted on Categories General
Oh hello there, Helena!
 Helena Perez-Lafaurie is a Jewel Envy goldsmith after my own heart. She designs
these chunky sterling rings that are pretty much everything I look for in a chunky
sterling ring.
Some are classic chunky, and some have a big, beautiful onyxs.
 Some have colourful and sparkly stones.
 And others still have texture and great detail.
Each ring has a bold, strong shape that really accentuates the attention to detail. They are heavy, but so comfortable on my finger it’s almost like they were made just for me. Helena does custom work, so she can make one just for you, too!

Under the Sea

Posted on Categories General
Alexis Kostuk of Glaciale latest creations!
Under the Sea Ring. Sterling silver, Blue onyx, white sapphires.

Shark! Sterling silver with diamond eyes.

Under the Sea Ring. Sterling silver, lapis lazuli, sapphires.

Sharks! Dangle earrings. Sterling silver.

Reef ring. Sterling silver, turquoise.

Shark! Sterling silver with tourmaline eyes.

Sharks! Stud earrings: appear as if the sharks are biting your ears. Sterling silver.
Posted on Categories General
Sasha Oda one of our Jewel Envy talents in jewellery making.
Her pieces are characterized by clear lines and fine ornamentation.

Check out her pieces at Jewel Envy or today at the
Toronto Art Crawl

Jewelust by Amanda Henderson

Posted on Categories General
 This is Amanda Henderson:
 
 She is one of the resident goldsmiths here at Jewel Envy. Her company is called Jewelust, and she designs and creates amazing jewellery that you should definitely come in and check out and wear home!! 
Here is a little sneak peek of the work that she has here in the studio:
 These are her square-top stacking rings. Some are in rose-gold (oooh!!) and some have simple texture, and some have pretty little roses adorning the tops.
 
 The profile is so unique, and they are just as lovely from the side as from the top. They are sold individually, but I think they look best stacked in different colours and styles, so I would definitely have problems choosing just one!
 This is from one of her signature collections – the Whirls. She creates these graceful ribbons of metal and uses them in different ways. This is a simple pendant style, but she has been known to add the whirls to more elaborate pieces.
 Here are some bar pendants. These look so great together, don’t they??! I really like wearing sterling and gold together, so I would probably get the top one custom-made with yellow gold, and a white diamond. Or rose-gold with a black diamond. Or both!

Amanda is a great designer, but she also does incredible custom work. Come by the studio and get to know her a little better, and get something pretty for yourself at the same time!
~sash
ps – all of her social media handles are @jewelust, so you can check her out on Instagram and Facebook as well.

Holiday spirit!

Posted on Categories General

I have been having a blast helping customers with picking out gifts and taking down details for custom orders today. In the moments in between I have been thinking about ways to decorate and the gifts I would like to buy.

I came across these decorations recently from IKEA – I gotta say these are right up my alley.

Thankfully, the Knit Cafe is right next door and I think they are a great place to hit up for gifts for the crafty people in your life.

They have Knit Kits to make beautiful creations like this!

And since food is always on my mind I just added making homemade marshmallows onto the list of holiday projects to take on.

If you have a recipe to recommend, let me know!

I am also interested in any crafts or homemade treats that are special to people; share with us!
-Alexis

×
Product added to cart

No products in the cart.