Hello again blog readers. I recently dove into wax carving, inspired by antique Italian plaquettes and bronze reliefs. With my background in painting and fine art, this sculptural approach to jewelry and casting feels incredibly natural. Continuing my focus on avian imagery, I incorporated bird silhouettes and organic forms into each piece. All three designs are crafted in sterling silver, i hope you enjoy them they were tons of fun!
The 2026 Juried Student Exhibition
Jasmeen Al Rayyes – The Land Cries for its Roots – Cast bronze, ancient bronze, steel, cement – 2025
Margaret Schupp – ISABEL – Fabric, wood, enamel, sterling silver, copper, brass, peridot – 2025
Gonzalo Gutierrez – Me and my spoons – Copper, Steel, epoxy claw – 2025
Gideon Hermann – Lessons of the Hand – Wood, brass, steel, 2025
Previously, I promised to share some of the projects I’ve been working on, and I’m excited to give you a glimpse into my recent explorations.
Lately, I’ve been drawing inspiration from nature and birds, turning those influences into a series of pendant designs. I’ve been focusing on broad, wing-like shapes while incorporating bird-inspired details such as beaks and feathers. For this pendant, I was inspired by natural forms that resemble trees, ribs, and figures, and I incorporated two lapis gemstones at its centre, one of my favourite stones!
I’ve been having a lot of fun exploring these ideas and have really appreciated access to the facilities here, which have allowed me to experiment and develop my designs further. In the studio, I’ve been soldering jump rings, cleaning up rings, taking apart old jewellery to reuse materials, and learning more about the industry every day.
Later this week, with Gillian’s help, I’ll also be working on some repair projects, something I have very little experience with. Wish me luck
I’m low-key obsessed with this emerald drop necklace by studio member Shafiq Sarwari. Drop in to see it in person (as well as the other amazing pieces he has available!).
Coming into the Big Blue House today was a very welcome difference to the dreariness of the weather. I wasn’t the only one, as we had lots of new vistors today, looking to be cheered and inspired by something beautiful.
As I dusted the bubble cases holding our gems, I pledged to bring attention to the brightest, cheeriest pieces which caught my eye and would do there best to turn our weather’s frown upside down.
Of course, it was, once again, Eunice’s beautiful pink expressions of joy and hope to stop the rain…
There’s nothing finer than work from a great designer!
What is sterling silver? Sterling silver, also known as S925 is an alloy made up of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% other alloys, mostly copper. Fine silver, although pure is super soft, malleable and prone to damage.
It is said that sterling silver originated in 12th century england. The name is said to be derived from the Old Norman word “esterlin,” which meant “little star.” This term was used to describe the small silver coins that were in circulation at the time, known as “sterlings” or “pennies.” Eventually, the term “sterling” became synonymous with high-quality silver.
In 1300, King Edward I of England passed a law that required all silver items, including jewelry, to meet a certain standard of purity. This standard was set at 92.5% pure silver, the same composition as modern-day sterling silver S925. The remaining 7.5% was typically made up of copper, which added strength and durability to the silver without compromising its beauty.
Nowadays, sterling silver is still going strong and used by goldsmiths in their work, adding gemstones, enamel and making intricate designs that are a lot more affordable than gold but just as beautiful .
Students at our one-day enamelling workshop are putting together some complex compositions.
Designs start out on tracing paper, and are then realized in copper wire forms made with pliers, and laid onto copper sheet. Enamel in liquid form is used to fill the copper form, and when heated in the kiln, becomes solid.
Check out our class in action!
Here is a sneak peak of award-winning Jamie, preparing for her return to high profile exhibitions this summer, including TOAF, at Nathan Phillips Square.
This month when you purchase a class you have the chance to win a piece of jewellery. It’s an exciting day in the studio today as two winners got to select from our jewellery giveaway wall, scroll down to see what they chose.
Should I just use a Jewellery dip solution to clean my Jewellery?
In some of our earlier blog posts, we have covered the basics of jewellery care, including some content on cleaning. There are a variety of methods that can be used to clean your jewellery.
Using a dip may seem like the easiest method. If you choose to use a dip, you must have some knowledge about the jewellery.
Does it have gemstones? If the answer is yes, they need to be non-porous stones. Porous stones will soak up the chemicals. This can lead to discoloration as well as contributing to a complete disintegration of the stone. Some porous stones include pearls, opals, lapis lazuli, turquoise and coral. But there are many more.
You also need to know if your jewellery is plated. Dips work by removing the top layer of a piece which is the metal that has the tarnish on it.. If your pieces are plated, you will remove plating over time with repeated dip cleaning.
