Tag: #buyhandmade #madeintoronto #madeincanada #roncesvalles

Special Event Sunday!

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We at the Big Blue House on Roncy in Toronto are always up to special things!

Earlier this year we started to curate our Roncesvalles Avenue windows and the results have been VERY SPECIAL. We feature a new goldsmiths’ work every six weeks and they have a chance to design the windows of their dreams featuring their very own spectacular jewellery.

This month we unveiled Ivane Thiebault’s work in our three street-side windows—and they are deliciously eye-catching!

Ivane Thiebault’s Monstera Leaf drop earrings in sterling silver

A native of Paris and truly a citizen of the world (she came to Toronto via Australia AND Chicago!), Ivane brings her unique worldview to her jewellery line.

Having travelled the world, Ivane identifies with the idea of home which is reflected in her Canadian line.

Ivane’s Antler pendant in solid sterling silver

Ivane is in Paris right now for a little business, research and r and r before the holiday rush.  We miss her and wish her a safe journey back to studio.  Maybe we should send her one of her very own Love Letter from Toronto bracelets to speed her journey back!

Love Letter from Toronto bracelet

If you would like to see the windows in person come on by the big blue house on Roncesvalles—you have until November 16 to see these eye-catching displays!

Even better, pop into the store to pick up your very own IT Designs piece.
–Micheline

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LOVE IN LAPLAND ICELAND

I am Jerell, I have been fascinated with jewellery from a young age, 4 or 5.

Looking through my Mom’s jewellery box I would find her good jewellery and a pile of broken and discarded items.

I was amazed that items made of gold would be discarded.  It was usually chains that were tangled or were missing parts.

Even though I was a lively, energetic child, I still had the patience and the eyes for being able to detangle the chains.

Family have so many traditions and memories around jewellery.

For me jewellery was a right of passage.  Getting my first little gold ring with a turquoise at 7, a watch at 8,  charm bracelet at 10.  And then, charms through out my life ( when charm bracelets are in style I would add charms).

Growing up I watched my Mom get jewellery for special occasions, and sometimes just because.  The gift and occasions become memories for the entire family.

My sisters and I remember my Mom getting a new ring from the jewellery store in the Banff Springs Hotel.  We were out skating and when we came in we saw this beautiful Lapponia ring that my father got my Mom.  Just because..

As the years progressed, my father added to her collection of Lapponia.  Birks carried the line for many years.

Fast forward 30 years.  I was in Jewellery School and joined the Metal Arts Guild of Canada, I saw an exhibition that the group was putting on.

It was an exhibition of works that were inspired by the sculpture Björn Weckström’s. from Iceland – Lapland.   Bjorn Weckstrom was Lapponia principle designer.


His gold work represented the rough gold nuggets found in Iceland.  These look pretty similar to gold nuggets found in Northern Alberta during the goldrush.


The silver work is inspired by the vast winter landscape and the snow drifts.  It has a frosting achieved through depletion building.  Removing the copper content from Sterling silver, gives the metal a very white, frosted coating.
Image result for snow drifts in iceland

Photo from Fire and Ice Helicopter Tours of Iceland.

Lapponia and Star Wars

Planetoid Valleys necklace by Lapponia Jewelry.  Photo © Lucasfilm Ltd

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Love in Lapland – Iceland

I am Jerell, I have been fascinated with jewellery from a young age, 4 or 5.

Looking through my Mom’s jewellery box I would find her good jewellery and a pile of broken and discarded items.

I was amazed that items made of gold would be discarded.  It was usually chains that were tangled or were missing parts.

Even though I was a lively, energetic child, I still had the patience and the eyes for being able to detangle the chains.  

Family have so many traditions and memories around jewellery.

For me jewellery was a right of passage.  Getting my first little gold ring with a turquoise at 7, a watch at 8,  charm bracelet at 10.  And then, charms through out my life ( when charm bracelets are in style I would add charms).  

Growing up I watched my Mom get jewellery for special occasions, and sometimes just because.  The gift and occasions become memories for the entire family.

My sisters and I remember my Mom getting a new ring from the jewellery store in the Banff Springs Hotel.  We were out skating and when we came in we saw this beautiful Lapponia ring that my father got my Mom.  Just because..

As the years progressed, my father added to her collection of Lapponia.  Birks carried the line for many years.

Fast forward 30 years.  I was in Jewellery School and joined the Metal Arts Guild of Canada, I saw an exhibition that the group was putting on.

It was an exhibition of works that were inspired by the sculpture Björn Weckström’s. from Iceland – Lapland.   Bjorn Weckstrom was Lapponia principle designer.


His gold work represented the rough gold nuggets found in Iceland.  These look pretty similar to gold nuggets found in Northern Alberta during the goldrush.


The silver work is inspired by the vast winter landscape and the snow drifts.  It has a frosting achieved through depletion building.  Removing the copper content from Sterling silver, gives the metal a very white, frosted coating.


The last few episodes of Nick’s Season of the Bachelor, was filmed in Iceland.


 It is too bad that that he was not able to pick a ring from Lapponia as an engagement ring for Venessa.


Image result for snow drifts in iceland

Photo from Fire and Ice Helicopter Tours of Iceland.

Lapponia and Star Wars

Planetoid Valleys necklace by Lapponia Jewelry.  Photo © Lucasfilm Ltd

New Designs growing in the quiet of January

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New Designs growing in the quiet of January

Helena Perez Lafaurie’s new work

January is a quiet time for
goldsmiths.  The Christmas rush is over
and Valentine’s Day seems a long way off. 
But don’t let our quietness fool you. 
Like so many things in winter we are working quietly away in the dark
and cold ready to spring forth with new growth.
One such goldsmith is Helena Pérez
Lafaurie. She has spent January working on new pieces for her eponymous
jewellery line. Like many of us Helena can’t keep her mind off of the warmth
and sun of Spring and this can be seen in her new work called, of course,
“Spring.”

“Spring” bracelet in silver and Agatha, length 7
inches, price $165

“Spring” necklace in silver and Agatha, length 33
inches, price $220

 The line was inspired by the agate
stones seen in both the necklace and bracelet, “The agate looks like blossoms
to me, I miss the spring so much, the flowers, the sun…,”she trails off, misty
eyed.  Between you and me, I think the
line is inspired by her soon-to-be-born first grandson!
 
Helena’s second set of new pieces is
called “Charms.” As all of us at Jewel Envy can testify, Helena LOVES little
things that shine and make noises.

Necklace in silver, length 33 inches,
price $166
Bracelet in silver, length 7 inches,
price $105
When Helena is in the studio, her ever-present
stacked silver bracelets are in constant movement and making sound much like
this new necklace and bracelet will when worn—they are sure to attract the
attention of the new grandson!


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