Buds of May Artist Profile: Rock'n

Rock'n

Rock'n by Tara Garratt

Stones have always fascinated me. I gathered stones when I was a child to look at and to feel (I understand they were hard on the washing machine and the dryer). I think they are beautiful in their natural form; after polishing, I think they are amazing. I get extreme pleasure from taking stones that others may step over, walk away from or show in a cabinet and turn them into pieces of art that people display on their persons. The pieces of jewellery that people choose to wear, are expressions of who they are. The pieces that I make are an expression of who I am. Each piece I make has a small part of me in it.

People always ask how I decide what should go together. To be honest, I hold the stone and believe that I somehow just feel what should happen next. I never decide on what to do with a stone until I hold it and feel it. While I am holding the stone, I understand what needs to happen next, and what should go with it. i really can't explain how the decision occurs, it just does.

The part I enjoy the most about designing jewellery is seeing the difference between the rough stone and the finished piece of jewellery!

Buds of May Artist Profile: Jewellery by Joanne

Jewellery by Joanne

Joanne has been an avid beader for over 30 years and started making jewellery after participating in a workshop on quill and seed bead earrings. This inspired her to learn more about beaded jewelry and, using how-to-bead books, was soon was making necklaces, earrings and bracelets.  

The first time she attended BeadExpo in Santa Fe, she was blown away by the sheer volume and variety of gemstone, pearl and designer beads. She also discovered the benefits of on-line shopping, which makes the high-end supplies that she uses in her jewellery readily available. 

Joanne retired from her full-time job in education two years ago and recently made her hobby a full-time job.  One of the things she enjoys most about designing and making jewellery is the excitement and joy of seeing the pieces come together, resulting in a wearable piece of art.   Joanne says her jewellery is for that woman that truly enjoys a lot of bling!!

Buds of May Artist Profile: J9 Design, Art by Janine

J9 Design, Art by Janine

My name is Janine Hamilton and I live in Regina. I started making jewellery after reading a book about wire-wrapping. I then took some classes at the Neil Balkwill Centre that were taught by Melody Armstrong. 

I enjoy both wire-wrapping and forming. I work with copper and silver.

A lot of my jewellery is dual-purpose. It can be worn with a fancy outfit out on the town, or with an everyday outfit.

Buds of May Artist Profile: Prairie Sky Creations

Prairie Sky Creations

My name is Laurie Walton and I am the co-founder of JewelleryWon. I am a metal/glass/jewellery artist and I love to play with colour combinations and shapes, just like the different colours and shapes in the sky. My jewellery creations incorporate my metalwork, my handmade glass beads, my etching and my enamelling.

In 2013, I become a Juried Member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council. My jewellery is available in my Etsy shop and at Traditions Handcraft Gallery (2714 13 Ave, Regina, SK).

Recently, I have shifted my focus to creating exclusively designed jewellery that reflects the personality and uniqueness of each person who is the inspiration for the piece. I love to work with people, getting to know more about them, their interests and their personalities in order to create something that is uniquely for them and about them. A lot of care, thought, artistry and skill goes into each one-of-a-kind Inspired piece of jewellery. It is this line of Inspired jewellery that I enjoy creating the most.

Buds of May Artist Profile: EllJay Design

EllJay Design

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan.  I have been interested in arts and crafts all of my life.  I have done cross stitch, petit point, Hardanger embroidery, crochet, painting, origami, as well as designed and made teddy bears.  I love working with my hands.

I became interested in jewellery when my step-father took a class at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre  here in Regina and I was fascinated by the things he made. Years later, as a gift, my mother signed me up for the same class.  I was instantly hooked!!  It always amazes me how a simple piece of sheet silver or wire can be transformed by applying a seemingly endless range of techniques into something beautiful and wearable!  Shortly after that, I began taking Lampwork classes to learn to make my own glass beads.

I have taken most of the jewellery and Lampwork classes offered at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre and I will continue to take classes and work in my studio to see where my ideas can take me!

Buds of May Artist Profile: DP Creations

DP 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. 

I have worked at Birks, Paris Jewellers, and I 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. I have been learning, growing and evolving my own unique style of Jewellery ever since.

I create a mixed variety of jewellery 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!

Buds of May Artist Profile: Teresa Moxley

Teresa Moxley

My name is Teresa Moxley and I live in Regina. I began making jewellery from fine silver after taking a 3-hour introductory session at a convention in Edmonton. I was instantly fascinated with this medium and enrolled in a 3-day course in Sherwood Park, AB, where I received my Instructor’s Certificate.

I love the challenges involved with precious metal clay. If I work too slowly, the clay dries out and I have to hydrate it and start over. I love the flexibility it presents, allowing me to shape a free form, apply textures, add layers and bend it into whatever shape I can imagine. After firing it, it becomes 99.99% pure silver. To date I have mainly focused on pendants and earrings but I hope to include some rings in the Buds of May 2014 show.

Buds of May Artist Profile: STONEWENCH

STONEWENCH

Creating jewellery is my “hands on” creative passion outside of my day-work which is my other passion.  After winning a beading kit at a local fundraising event a number of years ago, I became a regular student at the Neil Balkwill Arts Centre.  I continue to take classes where I enjoy working with others, sharing ideas and learning new techniques. 

I work with sterling silver and copper and I love incorporating semi-precious stones and enamelled metals into my designs.  I find inspiration all around me in nature, architecture or the colours and textures of everyday items. 

I work under the name STONEWENCH and I am delighted to offer one of a kind wearable works of art to my customers.  

Buds of May Artist Profile: Debbie Lee Jewellery Designs

Debbie Lee Jewellery Designs

Debbie Lee Jewellery Designs has been creating a line of hand crafted jewellery for over thirty-years.  Born and raised in Regina, she creates her works using sterling silver, copper, brass, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystal.

She has had formal training in metalsmithing and it has now become a full-time passion and career.

Debbie believes "if you can find your passion in your work, then every day becomes a new adventure."

Buds of May Artist Profile: Carelebeads

 Carelebeads

My name is Caroline Betker and I own Carelebeads. I have been creating my own lampwork glass beads in my husband's shop in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan since 2004.

I started making jewelry when my beads started to pile up. I make jewelry for all styles and budgets. I use many materials such as hemp, leather, copper, brass, sterling silver, and vermeil. I hope you enjoy my beads as much as I do.

Buds of May Artist Profile: K & B Jewelry

K & B Jewelry

Kelly Welder and Brenda Crawford both have a love for jewelry, so this mother-daughter duo started K & B Jewelry. Located in Regina, we love to sit down and see what new pieces we can design. We use the finest quality of materials to create our designs. Our aim is to keep our jewelry reasonably priced to all women can wear some bling every day. We hope that wearing our jewelry will bring a little happiness to your day!

Check out our Etsy shop at www.kandbjewelry.etsy.com .

Buds of May Artist Profile: Forager Jewellry

Forager Jewellry

Teresa Hrbachek resides in Regina, Saskatchewan. In search of a creative outlet, she has attended fine arts classes provided locally by the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre. Inspired by art, nature, and eclectic whimsy, Forager Jewellry presents distinctive hand-crafted designs combining metalsmithing and mixed media.

Buds of May Artist Profile: Surrayah's Jewels

Surrayah's Jewels

My name is Elaine Gill and I’ve lived in Moose Jaw all my life. I started making jewellery about 4 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.

 More of my creations are available at www.surrayahsjewels.com .

Check Out The Buds of May Promo Video!!

The Buds of May is just over 2 weeks away. See a sampling of work from some of our featured artists in our promo video on YouTube:


The Buds of May Promo Video on YouTube