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!
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.
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!
Ontario is known for its many craft shows all over, featuring many talented artists.
Starting off with the end of August from the 30th to 31st of August there is the Kawartha Arts Festival in Fenelon Falls. Their tagline reads: Art in the country. It was first held in 1989 with a small group of artists. It is located in the Fenelon Falls fairground.
Next up in September there is the Cabbage Town Arts and Craft show happening after Labour Day weekend. It will be located in Riverdale Park West. It was founded in 1988.
Then on September 20th and 21st, there are two shows happening simultaneously in different parts of the city. Queen West Art Crawl at Trinity Bellwoods then DECA (Danforth East Arts Fair) happening in East Lynn Park.
October 4th and 5th in Meaford by the Blue Mountains is the Apple Harvest Craft Show.
October 23rd to 26th is the Signatures Art and Craft Show in Ottawa and Hand of Man in Peterborough in the Morrow building.
Thanks for reading!
EL
Acid etching is when you create a design on metal and then using a strong acid like ferric nitrate or ferric chloride to eat away specific areas. I use it for decorative reasons. Some people use nitric acid too but that is very corrosive.
Process:
Step 1: Prepare your metal to make sure there are no oils on there and make sure its clean.
Step 2: Add a resist to your metal. Some examples are nail polish and shellac.
Step 3: Now it’s time to design on your metal. A lot of times people use something sharp to scratch the design onto the resist on the surface of the metal so the resist is removed and it will be exposed to acids.
Step 4: immerse it into the bath and wait, making sure to stir the bath and move the liquid often to make the process go faster.
Step 5: remove and clean up.
Here is a beautiful example of acid etched designs on jewellery .
There are many times of the year that people can graduate from their studies and programs, but social media feeds are certainly full of scholarly pride at the moment.
When my own daughter was finishing her last year of high school and choosing university, I thought of a way I could use my craft to celebrate her work and focus on what was ahead. I created rings with themes that subtly referred to tassels and books to celebrate graduating. Instead of nondescript designs, or rings so striking, she looked like she was celebrating a winning touchdown, I wanted to gift her a ring that would mean something special to her, based on her achievement and her goals… that she would actually wear.
This year, she is about to graduate with a Ba Hons, with sights on two separate Master’s degrees in the future, so I am thinking about these rings again. As stacking rings, she can continue to wear her tassel ring from high school, add one for her Ba, and later, one for each Master’s.
We can use Stirling for her understudies and gold for her graduate studies. We could use tassel rings all of the way, or book rings with a name of a degree on each one.
What combo would you choose?
You can find my handmade focus/grad rings at Jewel Envy, under Jennifer Trotman/Frekkeldesigns. I have some sizes/designs already in stock, and can make more in the metal/size of your choice, come by with a loved one in mind, or to try one on yourself. We can also create a wish list, so that someone can drop by and pick up a grad ring to your exact specifications.
Do you have another life goal to celebrate or achieve? Make an appointment to see me at the studio, and I’ll be happy to design something that suits your needs.
Thank you,
Jennifer
It is finally time for one of the most recognizable, admired and swoon-inspiring gemstones.
Aquamarine is that gorgeous light blue sparkler often set with white gold and surrounded by white diamonds. Just stunning, and the bigger the better for this beauty.
March is a perfect match for Aquamarine. It is the stone of mariners and happy marriages. Whether you know someone preparing to brave the waters as a sailor or a betrothed, this gemstone is a wonderful way to carry your wish for their success and happiness.
Reach out to us at info@jewelenvy.ca and let’s get started on a custom gift that means the world.
