Hallowe’en is done, the world series of baseball is over, and I don’t know where October went! Hard to believe that the holiday season will be upon us before you know it! From the whimsical, to the dainty, to the colourful and statement pieces, you’re sure to find something perfect for that jewellery-wearing person in your life at the Big Blue House! Come visit us and see what inspires you…
Just a very tiny selection of what awaits in the studio!
Hi! Did you know Jewel Envy has a bunch of classes you can take in house and get hands on experience in making jewellery?
We have so many to choose from!
8 week classes cost $385 plus HST = $435.05 (This is if you are interested in learning how to make jewellery in depth.)
1/2 day workshops cost $115 plus HST = $129.95 (perfect for team building, a bachelorette party or a fun half day learning a new hobby with jewellery that you made for you to take home at the end.)
Kids classes are listed under half day but are 3 hours and cost $65 plus HST = $73.45.
1 day workshops cost $185 plus HST = $209.05 (This is also perfect for people wanting to learn a new hobby and dip their toes into metal smithing. Also perfect for team building/ bachelorette parties/ couples/ friends/ singles and you get to take home a piece of jewellery you made!)
2 day workshops cost $405 plus HST = $457.65
We have instructors that are very skilled in their trade to lead you through your goldsmithing experience.
These blues aren’t sad. These blues are proud and excited.
These blues are joyful and hopeful.
These blues are strong and smooth.
These blues are grateful and wise.
These blues are at Jewel Envy, aka The Big Blue House..
Drop by to view in person, or begin a journey of creating your own.
It my still be warm outside, but fall is definitely here. The leaves have started turning lovely orange and red colours, and it’s (sort of!) getting cooler out. Come explore your fall vibe at the studio!
Here are some things to get you started! (From centre top) Earrings by Jamie Rosario (garnet dangling earrings and garnet studs), ring by Glaciale Goldsmith, earrings by Eunice Lin, bracelet by Frekkel Designs and brooch by Yuna Zhang.
Come see us, and explore the options in studio! Enjoy the fall colours.
-Robin.
Here at Jewel Envy we are very excited about Halloween and fall! Today we are looking at a bunch of pieces that remind us of this spooky season!
Copper and orange cz earrings by Anna Bell Woodbury
Palladium white gold and purple sapphire Allium ring by Alexis Kostuk.
Fused sterling bands by Jamie Rosario
Gold wire and smoky quartz earrings by Pash Jewellery Design
It is always exciting to convert heirlooms into pieces that can be worn and shared with different generations of family members and I recently got the chance to turn these cufflinks into earrings. It was an exciting exchange talking over the details and going over whether each shape should be dangling earrings or studs and what metal to use for the findings. I was especially excited to a fourth pair using the fabulous backing from the square shape that the customer had not considered – turning the pointed rectangular shapes into studs (these are my favourite!) –Alexis
Check out the transformation:
Mokume Gane is a Japanese metal crafting technique where there is a layering of different-colored metals and in the end, you get beautiful wood grain patterns.
This technique was developed approximately 400 years ago in the Japanese Edo period.
The name Mokume Gane resembles rosewood grain.
Some of our goldsmiths here make Mokume Gane jewellery.
“Sapphire, then opal” is something many jewellers say halfway through September. In four weeks, we will say “Opal, then topaz”. It is the cycle of birthstones, and right now, we are in sapphire, aka September.
Centuries ago, gemstones were mostly identified by colour. Blue was sapphire, Red was ruby, Green was emerald, etc. Sapphires came in a variety of blue hues, and still do. Mined sapphires may exhibit telltale characteristics of their country of origin. Lab grown sapphire colours will reflect the hues most in demand.
One of North America’s claim to fame are Montana sapphires, which are unique upon first glance.
As technology became more sophisticated, we learned that all blue stones are not sapphires, and that sapphires come in many, many different colours.
Sapphire is always a favourite. If you’ve been by the studio, you have probably met our greeter pup, named Sapphire. We have many sapphires in stock, but none are more precious than her.
Drop by for a visit soon!
Now that the weather is getting cooler are you thinking of taking a fall class? We have a few 1 day workshops coming up in September and October.
If you’d like to take a more in depth class, take a look at our Introductory Fabrication 8 week course. Starting on October 20.
Visit the Take a Class menu on our Jewel Envy website to see what we are offering between now and the end of the year.
