I am about to date myself! I haven’t been a student in the college/university stream in over a decade and it is nearly two decades since I was in high school but September always brings back mixed emotions.

As we creep closer to the start of another school year I start to have vivid dreams about the year to come and the work to be done combined with the anticipation of seeing those friends we miss over summer holidays.

Years later, I now teach in schools and feel a new kind of excitement and dread. Will my students be receptive? Will I be able to give them my best help, including honest critique, as they learn new skills and try to navigate the world of art, goldsmithing, and business? The flip side being the excitement of  learning what glorious things students and teachers alike have been making all summer. But my favourite part of meeting a new class is learning which one of my students will amaze me during the year and teach me something new.

This yin and yang of the student/teacher relationship is probably what has kept me interested all of these years. I love the idea that I can have an impact on what someone knows and does just by sharing my passion for goldsmithing. I am always pushing myself to stay on my toes so that I can attempt to inspire the same drive in the students I meet throughout the year.

When everyone thinks back over their years of education most of us can pin point at least one teacher we thought was excellent. I hold a couple special ones in my heart and strive to emulate their standards, knowing all the while, I may never reach their level of excellence.

So on that note, I hope everyone going back to school has a mixed bag of emotions to draw energy from and those without formal plans continue to push themselves in new and slightly terrifying ways as well!

Originally posted on the Toronto Etsy Street Team blog.

Hi Amanda. Tell us a bit about yourself and your business, Jewelust. 

I am an emerging jewellery designer/goldsmith located in Toronto. I
create every piece myself out of recycled silver and gold in a shared
studio space in the west end. I source recycled and sustainable
materials when possible (for example, my business cards and packaging). I
even re-use my customers’ old jewellery by melting it down to use the
gold, diamonds, and gems.

I love to think about all of the history in a piece when we re-use a
parent’s or grandparent’s old jewellery!
I also have a couple ongoing initiatives where I donate a portion of
sales from certain collections (my mustache septum rings, and my stinger
jewellery) to charities that are important to me (Movember and The Canadian Honey Council). I am planning a new collection to raise funds for lupus in the future. You can read more about these activities on my website.

What is the inspiration behind your work? 

I like to play with the idea of metal being a hard, rigid material by
creating fluid and graceful designs. For example, my signature
collection, Whirl, reminds me of ribbons of satin wrapped around a gift.
We all like to give and receive gifts that look pretty, and I think
everyone deserves to feel beautifully decorated! This collection has
been quite popular; I even had a commission for a series of Whirl rings
for the upcoming TV show, Warrior.

How do you channel your inspiration into a jewellery design? 

I spend a lot of time sketching and making samples to perfect my
designs. Metal is actually very malleable and I find inspiration in the
way it moves when it is hammered or bent, so a lot of it happens
organically. I always start with an idea and sketches, but each piece
evolves uniquely through the creation process. I would say that sinuous,
clean lines and minimal ornamentation are the overall elements of my
aesthetic, and even though each piece is unique I try to keep those
design elements in mind so my body of work is cohesive.

Tell us about your education. 

I started my jewellery education with a Gemmology Certificate from George Brown College
(GBC). I really enjoyed looking at gems and diamonds all day but I knew
it wasn’t creative enough for me, so I enrolled in part-time
goldsmithing classes at GBC. It was the perfect blend of mechanical and
artistic skills for me, and I knew I found my calling. That sounds
cliché, but every once in a while I still stop to think about how lucky I
am to have found something I love so much.

After completing the 3-year full-time jewellery program at GBC, I received a scholarship from The Harbourfront Centre
for the artist-in-residence program in their Metal Studio. It was a
great transition from school to real-life goldsmith/artist. That was the
end of my formal training, but being a full-time self-employed artisan
is as much a job as a learning experience. Everyday I learn something
new; goldsmithing techniques, business and marketing skills,
photography… The list is endless!

What’s next for Jewelust?

I am planning a shift in my designs. For the last couple years I have
been making smaller fashion/production pieces, but my goal is to go back
to my real passion – large statement jewellery. I have made several new
pieces, which I am very excited about (ed note: not yet listed) .
They have been getting a great response from customers and fellow
designers. You can see them on my Instagram or Facebook pages.

Check out the other items available from Amanda in her Etsy shop. You can also find her at: 
Wychwood Barns Art Market – August 15, from 9am-2pm
Located at 601 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7

Website: www.jewelust.com
Monthly Email Sign Up:  Contact Form (doesn’t work on mobile devices) 

Instagram: @jewelust
Facebook: Jewelust.by.Amanda.Henderson

Interviewed by Sasha Oda of Archerade in Toronto on or about July 10, 2015

This interview was originally posted on the Toronto Etsy Street Team blog.

Hello! So tell us about Archerade. 

Hi! My name is Sasha, and Archerade is the name of my jewellery brand. I
am a goldsmith by trade, and I personally design and handcraft each
piece in my collection. I work with precious metals (mostly sterling
silver and gold), with gemstones and diamonds for colour and sparkle.
The goldsmithing magic happens in a shared studio in the west-end of
Toronto, and pretty much every step of the process takes place in-house.

What exactly is ‘the process’? 

I always start with an idea, a vague notion of shape, colour, or
pattern. I sketch a lot – on the streetcar, sitting on a park bench, at a
bar with a glass of wine; there’s a good chance you’ve seen me around
town with a pencil, bent over my sketchbook.

Once I have a solid design, I start carving the wax, and I don’t stop
until I’m satisfied. I do all of the casting myself, using the lost wax
casting technique. This involves a big torch, a hot flame, and molten
metal, all coming together with centrifugal force – definitely a
pyromaniac’s dream. Once the piece has been cast in metal, I do all of
the soldering, polishing, and stone-setting, along with any other final
assembly work.

How would you describe your style? 

My designs have strong silhouettes, accentuated by layers of texture and
pattern that soften the lines and add depth. Because everything is done
by hand (and because I am not a machine!), each piece has a familiar,
handworked charm, that both complements and contrasts the modern
edginess.

The Archerade brand has definitely evolved over the last few years, to
become more focused and cohesive. I always want to feel as though I’m
creating and curating a distinct look that feels genuine, and stays true
to my design esthetic.

What inspires you? 

The world is my oyster, and I am inspired by everything! Sometimes I get
so caught up in my own thoughts that I forget to open my senses to what
surrounds me, and I need to remind myself to sit up and pay attention. I
especially enjoy architecture – I really love seeing how lines can flow
together to create shape and form.

Creating something original is always inspiring – there is so much good
energy that comes from exploring new ideas and concepts.

So is it all amazing, or do you find yourself struggling with any aspects of the business? 

Over the past year or so, I have realized that I am not just a designer
or a goldsmith, I am also a small-business owner. All the work that goes
along with that title has been a real adjustment for me, and I am sure
all the other artists and creators will agree! If only there were
endless hours in the day for the solo artisan/entrepreneur…

What do you envision for the future of Archerade? 

I would love to keep doing exactly what I’m doing right now, but on a
bigger scale. I am always working to increase my brand’s exposure and
visibility, and I hope to sell to a larger audience, directly through
Etsy, and also through independent boutiques around the world.

I love being in control of every facet of this business, but there just
isn’t enough time to get everything done. So the future will probably
also involve sharing the workload – a goldsmithing/business-partner in
crime could be just what I need to move forward.

In any case, Archerade has been such an amazing adventure so far, and I
am excited to see what the future – planned or unplanned – holds for me
and my brand.

Check out the other items available from Sasha in her Etsy shop! You can also find her:

Website – www.archerade.com
Instagram – www.instagram.com/archerade 
Facebook

Interviewed by Amanda Henderson of Jewelust on or about July 10, 2015 in Toronto.

Hi everyone!

My name is Cherry. I will be a fourth year student in Material Arts and Design program, majoring in Jewellery/Metalsmithing at OCAD University. I intend to do GIA after my undergraduate at OCAD University.

I recently finished my internship at Jewel Envy, which was from June 2nd to July 30th. I worked here as an intern as part of my internship course at school, which required me to work between 80 – 120 hours. I found out about this internship through Gillian Batcher, as she was my instructor for one of my courses in my third year; as well as through a posting in the jewellery studio at school. Interning at Jewel Envy has been a wonderful experience. It is exciting and eye opening to be working under four talented goldsmiths; Gillian Batcher, Alexis Kostuk, Amanda Henderson and Sasha Oda. I have learned techniques, which I wouldn’t have learned at school. For example, I learned how to silver/gold plate, shown how to use tools that I have never used before, and much more. I have definitely improved on my technical skills through this internship, and I see things differently after working with the amazing goldsmiths at Jewel Envy.

I really appreciate Gillian, Alexis, Amanda, Sasha, and the rest of the goldsmiths at Jewel Envy for being so patient with me and treating me so kindly. This is an unforgettable experience! I wish everyone all the best in the future. 🙂

– Cherry

P.S: To see some of my past school work, feel free to see them under gallery at https://cherryliang.format.com/ 🙂

Summer has finally bloomed! And to celebrate, here are my monthly jewellery picks. I went with a summery theme this month and chose flower jewellery (with one small and beautiful exception). Take a look!

Silver flower earrings with blue and yellow sapphires, and chalcedony by Gillian of Pash Jewellery.

Silver medallion-style necklace by Helena Lafaurie. This beauty looks great doubled or left as one long chain!

Gold plated studs by Judith Noldin. Great every day earrings!

Not a flower, but this stunner is a nature themed brooch by glass artist, Seung Hee Lee.

Silver and rose gold studs and stacking rings by Amanda of Jewelust.

Recently, I have become fond of opals. Opal is the national gemstone in Australia, it is also very soft. I accidentally hand crushed an opal while handling it, and it completely broke my heart. The most alluring part about opals are the range of colours. This particular effect we call “play of colour” which can only be seen in opals. Check out some examples below, including some of my latest work!
-Ellen

Boulder Opal – here is opal when it is found in the rough!

Black Opal

Fire Opal

Ellolite’s opal jewellery – made at Jewel Envy

Again a lovely Sunday at Jewel Envy ,
customers dropping by…
I , my name is Judith Noldin ,am struggling with a piece of  steel I want to solder on silver.
Not really successful so far.
Guess I have to ask Miss Google and then give it another try .
Happy summer weekend to all of you !