I just found the coolest architectural ring on Pinterest. Check it out here. I especially love the small aquamarine that represents the swimming pool. While you’re there, follow us too!
https://pinterest.com/jewelenvy/
Category: General
CASTAWAY
Good afternoon y’all. Now that the humidity has calmed down a bit, we can stop wiping our sweaty brows and concentrate on what’s really important – CASTING!!!! Next Saturday is the first day of a 2-day introductory casting workshop, and there is still space if you’re interested in joining us.
So come on down, and learn all about lost wax casting. You will leave feeling creatively rejuvenated, with a pretty new piece of jewellery to show off.
Here are some images of pieces that I have carved and cast:
If you can’t make it for this particular class never fear, we have a lot of different workshops coming up. Check out our website (www.jewelenvy.ca) for more detailed class and registration information. Or you can call us, or you can visit us, or you can… you get the idea. Hope to see you soon!
-Sash
ENAMEL WORKSHOP
Hello all! I am a little late posting, as this class happened last weekend. But better late than never, as I always say. I suppose you could argue better on time than late, but I never say that 🙂
Anyhow last weekend there was a one-day enameling workshop, and it was fantastic!
Here are some shots of the students in action
Enamel in progress
Some of the beautiful finished work
Some of instructor Alexis’ amazing finished pieces, from her enamel collection
All in all it was a great day. Enamel is a great way to add colour and depth to any piece, and it is not an overly difficult skill to learn. If you are interested, come join us for another enamel workshop!
New show Reign. New jewels.
Here at Jewel Envy, we are currently making jewellery for a t.v. show that is about to begin filming, Reign. We aren’t allowed to show any pictures until the show premieres this fall, but we can tell you about it. The story follows Mary, Queen of Scots’ rise to power- sounds interesting, doesn’t it?! We are making all kinds of jewellery, from necklaces to rosaries to rings, and even wax seal stamps. Needless to say, it has inspired new jewellery ideas! Stayed tuned for updates!
Read about the show and watch a trailer here.
Amanda
Trades of a Different Colour
I’m subscribed to many channels on YouTube. Some of them are silly, some of them are informative. One channel I’m subscribed to, Soulpancake, keeps posting videos about subcultures. They’re not always about craft but this one was about woodworking. I can definitely appreciate the hand work that goes into these pieces.
Check out the video below!
-L
Rain, rain, go away…
It’s a rainy, sad looking day in here in Toronto. While some people might be held up at their homes or offices hiding from the rain, we are open and creating lovely new pieces to add some sunshine and happiness to this rainy day! Why not stop in and take a look around? We’re here until 7!
Untitled
Here are several things I have repaired. I wasn’t interested in fixing other people’s creation. Some are old, dirty and lack of craftsmanship. But as I do more, I actually find them challenging and fun. How I can turn them into lovely jewellery, which is comfortable to wear and presentable again.
STACKED
Happy Birthday Canada!!!
If you’re not making jewellery for Canada’s birthday, then I’m afraid you just aren’t celebrating properly. To help you prepare for next year, here is a mini lesson in Canada’s favourite pastime – making stacking rings. Now pay attention!
I like to start off with round wire, which I roll down just a bit. This gives the rings a nice comfort fit. In this case, I am using 12 gauge wire, which is about 2mm in diameter.
After carefully calculating the required length, cut the ring blanks and file all the edges to 90 degrees. When making super skinny rings, I tend to cut the blanks about a quarter size too small to account for stretching (because I don’t know my own mallet strength) and clean-up.
Using ring bending or half-round pliers, shape each blank into a ‘D’ shape. The two ends should meet perfectly to ensure a good solder seam. Be careful to use the pliers as leverage with your fingers doing most of the bending, or you will mark your metal.
Next, solder the rings using hard or medium solder. Make sure the solder flows all the way through the seam.
File away the excess solder from the seam, and hammer the rings round on the mandrel using the mallet. I like to start off by hammering around the ring towards the seam from both sides. Make sure the rings are the correct size!
Once the rings are round, I use a combination of files, sawblades, and diamond burs to make different patterns and texture. Then it’s time for some light-clean up and voila!
Stacked.
Have a great weekend!
Roncy Rocks Casting Class
For those of you not in the know, last weekend there was a street festival in Roncesvalles called Roncy Rocks. There were street vendors, artists, magicians, musicians, you name it. Here at Jewel Envy, we offered a free wax carving demo in the sweet summer sunshine. A few participants, Courtney, Patricia, and Vida, opted to have their pieces cast in silver, and then came in today for a 1-day workshop to clean it all up to a polish.
Below is an image of Courtney, hard at work. Her finished piece is a pendant with a jump-ring bail, hanging on a lilac cord. The pattern she carved on the front is perfectly complemented by the diamond-shape, if you ask me. It turned out fantastic!
This is Patricia. She decided to make a ring for herself, which is one of my favourite things to do too:) The ring looks fantastic on her hand, doesn’t it?! And see what a difference a polish can do, if you just sneak a peek at the middle image of the work in progress.
Last but definitely not least, here is Vida. She was VERY motivated and completed two pieces, but here I am showcasing her ring. She added three pieces of amber to the ring, for the perfect combination of colour and eye-catching design. So unique and pretty!
Ladies, your pieces were amazing, you are amazing, everything is amazing!
Spring 2013 Colour Palette
visit our pinterest page https://pinterest.com/jewelenvy/ to see what gemstones I thought would be great matches to pantones 2013 Spring Colours!