There are some new additions to my Fall Class schedule! If you are interested in taking a class, please have a look at the new dates and times!
I’m also available for teaching private classes and groups of all ages. Please email me for details!
“Moonrise” accepted for MAGC Exhibition!
I’m pleased and excited to announce that my piece “Moonrise” was accepted for The Metal Art Guild of Canada’s national juried exhibition “MAG 2067 – Crafting the Future”!
The piece will be on display along with the work of other Canadian metalsmiths and visual artists at Arta Gallery in Toronto’s Distillery District from October 31-November 19, 2009. The jurors for the show were: Sandra Noble Goss, metalsmith/jeweller, long-time MAG member and 2000 Steel Trophy Winner; Jay Ingram, host of Discovery Channel’s “Daily Planet”; and Bob McDonald, host of CBC’s “Quirks and Quarks”.
The exhibition explores what Canada will look like in 2067 – will we have achieved utopia, or will we be living a nightmare? Artists were given five scenarios from which to choose, and were asked to create a piece that reflected a particular possible future.
MAG 2067 – Crafting the Future
Arta Gallery
Building 9, Unit 102
Distillery District
Toronto, Ontario
October 31-November 19, 2009
Opening reception: November 7, 2009, 5-7 p.m.
YOJ09-35 Moonrise
Pendant, Sterling silver, fine silver, rainbow moonstone, indicolite (blue) tourmaline
Constructed, cold joined
L 6.4 cm x W 1.8 cm x D 1.2 cm (widest point)
SOLD to a private collector, September 2010
On my annual trek to Bancroft this year, I decided to focus on buying cabachons. I have a huge stash of beads, but I’ve been moving away from working with them. The last time I was in Bancroft, I bought some really nice cabs from one particular vendor, and was really happy to see them again. This year, I scored a bunch of beautiful tourmaline, prehnite, kyanite, garnet and rainbow moonstone.
As a member of the Etsy Wire Artisans Guild, I’m supposed to make a monthly “theme” piece. Well… I’ve been a bit lax about it because of my other commitments. So I’m playing a bit of catch up.
It’s been a couple of years since my last attempt at a multi-stone pendant. That attempt was… adequate… but really not up to the standard I like to set for myself. So, for the EWAG’s “Blue Moon” theme, I decided I’d take another stab at it.
Back when I was single, I lived within walking distance of Woodbine Beach in Toronto, and would regularly stroll along the water’s edge. I always loved watching moonrise over the water. The reflected light from Luna rippling over the waves was so peaceful. The Moon is the ruler of my astrological sign, Cancer, so I feel a special connection with it. With my feet in the water, I would say prayers of thanks to the Creator for all of the blessings in my life, and listen for the messages in my heart of what direction I needed to go.
For quite a long time now, I’ve been getting messages telling me I need to reconnect my spiritual side with my jewellery. I feel really strongly that doing that is going to resonate with others. So, in the past few months, I’ve been making and posting work that draws from my inner life.
I gave conscious thought to the stones I chose for this piece. The calming, balancing energy of the 11.7 ct moonstone helps connect with intuitive promptings, and the loving, powerful energy of the 24.42 ct blue tourmaline helps bring awareness and communication of those messages.
The wavy line coming down from the moon was always part of the design, but I also wanted to incorporate the shimmering and rippling of the water by incorporating weaving into the bezel of the lower stone. I’m very happy with the way it turned out, and the energy that comes off the piece is wonderful.
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The Retro Show
I attended the opening of Zilberschmuck Art Jewellery’s National Juried Exhibition “Connection” on Thursday evening. Running concurrently with that exhibition (see the outstanding work here) is “The Retro Show”, a retrospective of past shows organized by Zilberschmuck.
It was standing room only at Shao Design, which was hosting the event. Cheryl Fraser, owner of Zilberschmuck, gave an emotion filled speech welcoming everyone, and thanking Shao Pin Chu for opening his studio for the show. It was great to see lots of familiar faces and to meet a few new friends.
Two of my pieces from the Karen Kelly Fashion Show (2004) are included in The Retro Show, and I was able to snap this photo of the case:
The exhibitions continue until May 30, 2009. Directions here.