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Creativity Expressed Through Adornment

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sparkle! - Eighth Artist is Teresa Moxley





I have been creating things since I was a teenager when I knit my first sweater. I have done macramé (that’s dating me), pottery, painting in oils, acrylics and water colour, sewing and making teddy bears from old fur coats. I was introduced to silver clay a few years ago and fell in love with the possibilities this venue has to offer. I took a 3-day workshop and began creating my own jewellery. My main focus has been on pendants and earrings, although I have made rings and bracelets.

Teresa Moxley

Sparkle! - Seventh Artist is D.P. Creations




My name is David Danial Peters and I am the artist behind DP Creations Jewellery and Design. Though Regina born, I now live in Grand Coulee, a mere 10 min west of Regina (towards Moose Jaw). I have been around jewellery for much of my life as my mom led me shopping from one jewellery store to another. As I always say… her hands made Liberace’s look bare! 

Naturally I became just as enamored with jewellery as she was. Over the years I have worked at Birks, Paris Jewellers, and was in management at  Ben Moss Jewellers. Over the years I tired of the cookie cutter designs from “Production” stores and decided I could create unique jewellery! 

I started my jewellery schooling at the Neil Balkwill Centre taking Jewellery Classes 1 and 2 along with Enameling and Casting . As continual learning and education is important to me, I applied and was accepted to the Ashworth College’s Jewellery Design and Repair course, a one year course, which I completed in seven months with honors. After receiving my Certificate from Ashworth, I start creating unique pieces of jewellery for family, friends, and vending at the local Arts and Crafts shows. That was almost three years ago this April and I have been learning, growing and evolving my own unique style of Jewellery ever since.

I would say I make a mixed variety of jewellery kinds and styles. I endeavor to be unique and artistic, but my years in the industry are echoed in my more production-oriented pieces. I work mostly in Sterling Silver, but am not opposed to working in Gold! I also work with Copper and a bit of brass. I love to use gemstones and always try to stay true to the quality of true natural gemstones, yet I do use Lab created (grown crystals) in order to provide my customers with a wide variety of colours and more unique types of stones while still keeping within a reasonable cost.

If asked what inspires me I would have to say everything and nothing all in one. I seem to find some inspiration in nature and how natural things evolve as in my “Melt” pendants but I also love the rigid shapes and mechanical designs of our modernist society. I do treasure historic and antique styles which also echo in my creations.

The thing I most like about designing jewellery is that each person’s perspectives of what jewellery is, or should be like, is different. Therefore I can create jewellery how I see it with hopes of connecting it with a like-minded person. This way I do not limit my designs by pre-existing views!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sparkle! - Sixth Artist is AltraKarta




AltraKarta
Artist Name: Cassidy
City: Regina
How I got started making jewellery:  I had left my job to pursue a new path and while deciding which path to take I decided to get back in touch with my inner artist as I had loved anything art related in my youth.  I had begun drawing again, a long time passion of mine, and then started dabbling in découpage which brought me to creating and designing my bracelets that are mainly découpage and from there my business AltraKarta was born.
What kinds of jewellery I create:   I started with bracelets but have now branched out and include earrings and necklaces to my collection and plan on adding hair accessories and various other accessories to my line in the future.  Although I use a few different mediums, the majority of my jewellery is made from paper and is created using a découpage technique or incorporates paper in some way.  I also do custom creations on request.
What types of things inspire me:  Anything and everything inspires me but my main inspirations come from nature, music, movies & fashion.  I try to create items that would appeal to all types of people and try to have something for everyone with all kinds of interests and styles. 
What do I enjoy most about creating jewellery:  I love having a creative outlet.  When I am creating jewellery any and all stress disappears, it’s like my mind is concentrating only on the task at hand.  It’s a really great way for me to de-stress, unwind and recharge.  There’s nothing like creating something you love with your own hands.

Sparkle! - Fifth Artist is Surrayah's Jewels




My name is Elaine Gill and I’ve lived in Moose Jaw all my life. I started making jewellery about 3 years ago when I won a strand of gemstone beads. It was love at first sight and there has been no turning back!
I started simply stringing; learning things as I proceeded, picking up new ideas, techniques and awesome new supplies!
I love working with gemstones in as many ways as I can.…with wire, seed beads and incorporating them into other designs! There is something very special about handling these stones. It is the stones that inspire me.
I have tried a lot of different techniques but there are many more I’d love to try….time permitting!
I’ve been asked many times where the name ‘Surrayah’ came from and the answer to that is that it is a stage name used by me years back when I was Belly Dancing. I loved the name so much that I kept it. At that time I was making costumes with all of the sparkle that is Dance and this love for all things colourful and shiny has spilled over into my jewellery making….a natural progression, I think!
I’d say that my style is very eclectic because I have tried so many things but I find that creating something special with the earth’s gemstones to be very peaceful and calming.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Sparkle! - Fourth Artist is Did-it Designs





Cheryl Krett
Did-it Designs

In early school report cards, teachers would write, “Encourage her in art; she shows great potential.” Thankfully, I have been able to enjoy a lifetime of creating art and crafts of all sorts, which have sold in local stores and the McKenzie Art Gallery. I am a relative newcomer to the art of jewellery-making, having received instruction on bracelet-making from a co-worker in the past couple of years. My husband is pretty happy with my new venture, as jewellery-making takes up way less room in our home than my Christmas craft supplies! 

Since making my first bracelet, I have added earrings and necklaces to my repertoire. I am fascinated by the ability to put together one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces using glass, semi-precious stones, wood and metal. Colour and texture inspire my creations and I would define my style as “eclectic.”  As I experiment with new materials and techniques, I find my work is evolving to new levels. My desire is to create pieces that evoke a positive emotional response from every wearer. I hope you will find as much joy in wearing my jewellery as I do in making it. 

Sparkle! - Third Artist is Rock'n



Rock'n by Tara Garratt

Tara cuts and facets many of the stones she uses to make very unique jewellery pieces. She creates a lot of beautiful pieces using stones she has found right here in Saskatchewan!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Sparkle! - Second Artist is Stonewench





Maria Hendrika, Regina

I’ve always enjoyed making things.  I used to sew all of my clothes - often to go with favourite pieces of jewellery.  Now I choose my clothes as a backdrop for the jewellery I make.

I started making necklaces after winning beads and leather at a fundraising event.   Since then, I have taken numerous classes at the Neil Balkwill Arts Centre.  I work mostly in sterling silver and copper and I love working with rocks.  Semi-precious stones inspire me - I love the colours, the patterns and the weight of stone. 

I have always enjoyed wearing unique jewellery items and I’m delighted to be able to provide one of a kind pieces for my customers. 

I work under the name STONEWENCH and hope to see you at the Sparkle! sale. 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Sparkle! - First Artist is Shauna Mitru





Shauna Mitru is a self taught flamework artist who creates each piece of jewellery by hand herself, from the beads to the silver work. Her work is playful and reflects the joy she feels in applying her trade. She teaches bead-making classes and is the open studio instructor at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre in Regina.  

www.shaunamitru.com

http://www.sccmembershipdirectory.com/type_professional-craftperson/mitru_shauna/mitru_s.htm

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sparkle!


Plans are underway for Sparkle! our 3rd Annual Christmas Jewellery Sale!  This year we are fortunate to be hosting Sparkle! at the Neil Balkwill Centre the hub of creativity. Many of our artists have learned their skills and honed their workmanship right here.

This year Sparkle! is on Saturday, December 8 from 10 am to 5 pm, still in time for Christmas gift-giving, or splurging! So far we have 12 artists participating so there will be lots of variety and wonderful jewellery art to choose from.

Hope to see you there!

Laurie & Laura
JewelleryWon