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Jewellery Feature
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Woven Abstract Pendant
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December 2011:
Alysha Alexandroff-Appleton
Alysha is currently studying at the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU), majoring in Jewellery and Metalsmithing, with a previous background in Graphic Design, Photography and Holography. Alysha's work has been on display at numerous shows and venues around Toronto, including the University of Toronto (Robart’s Library), the Ontario College of Art and Design University, and the Queen West Art Crawl (September 2011).
"My inspiration comes from connections with special people that have touched my life and my heart, places that have intrigued me in my travels, and things that have caught my eye, in nature and the world around me. My background in graphic design has influenced the vision and ultimately the form and flow of many of my pieces. My work is expressed in clean simple lines, enhanced with organic details and texture. My intention is to create a bold statement in every one of my pieces, that resonates with the wearer, and elicits a sense of confidence, comfort and charm."
-Alysha Alexandroff-Appleton
www.creAAAtive.ca
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Previous Displays
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Cuff: recycled silver, vintage mother of pearl buttons and a 3 mm sapphire.
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February 2011:
Deborah Sanderson
Growing up in rural Ontario has a deep influence on the style of jewellery created by Deborah Sanderson. Heavy textures and organic shapes are inspired by the plants and animals that Deborah spent much of her childhood watching and studying.
Deborah loves to emulate natural textured surfaces in her jewellery work using the technique of reticulation that shows an unexpected movement in the metal and a depth that reflects a true handmade process. Every piece of jewellery is crafted using the most basic tools and is created with silver recycled from broken jewelry, coins and cutlery.
A chance discovery in a jar of old buttons lead her to her love of mother of pearl. As she studied a large carved button, she thought about it’s history, how many times had this button been sewn onto a garment and then retired when the article was too threadbare to be worn? Recycled over and over again and yet it was still strong and beautiful
http://deborahsandersonjewelry.blogspot.com
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March 2011:
Natali Baird
My childhood projects were about animals that lived in the water. Having children of my own has renewed my enthusiasm to explore the sea as a mysterious and diverse platform for artistic creation. Though my work is whimsical there is always an element of truth in the details.
I use two different types of glass in my studio because each has unique properties. The viscosity of glass lends itself to many of my ideas. Flame-working allows me to have an intricate, detailed relationship with glass.
My art is a reflection of the energy I feel around me. I am inspired by the textures, shapes of nature The symmetry of a flower, cells in a leaf, the iridescence of an insects’ wing are delicate to the touch; yet, like glass, can withstand the wind, sun and rain.
www.natali.ca
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April 2011:
Ko Eun Park
Toronto, ON
KOMBINE is a line of jewellery featuring an interchangeable mounting system which allows the wearer to combine the different elements to create their own personal piece, re-combining colours and shapes on the go to suit one’s style, mood or personality.
Juxtaposing opposites are key elements to my jewellery: Tradition meets innovation combining non-tarnishing silver with colourful acrylic plastics, labour intensive craft with CNC-precision, investment casting with advanced rapid prototyping, as well as contrasting matt surfaces against mirror finishing, smooth curves against hard lines.
Using 3D software as a design tool to create a virtual representation of my ideas, I utilize a 3D-printer to transfer the digital model into the real world. This process allows me to ensure maximum precision, resolving problems before fabrication, optimizing the engineering aspects of my craft. The hemispherical domes “Ko’s Nest” and “Ko’s Moon”, for example, are joined to the platform mount through irreversible snap fitting, making the use of solder superfluous, hence creating truly pure precious metal pieces.
Fully assembled my rings become precious bespoke body ornaments, produced in series, yet each one individually tailored to and by the wearer. On their own, my jewellery pieces are freestanding sculptures, referencing architecture and reflecting nature.
www.kodesigns.ca
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May 2011:
Anna Ka-Man Wong
Handmade Fine and Sterling Silver Jewellery
Anna Ka-Man Wong is a Canadian jewellery designer, and also works as a full-time packaging, graphic, and web designer since graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD). Her love for silver and 3-dimensional objects led her to take up the creation of fine silver jewellery. In 2007, she obtained her instructor of Art Clay World Certification and started her own jewelry shop called W.Unicci Inc. “UNICCI” stands for the UNIty of Creativity, Courage, and Inner-self. This in essence represents the soul of her design. Her work has been exhibited in the New National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan, and the Kobe Fashion Museum in Hyopo Pref, Japan in 2008, 2009, and 2010. She also won the Honorable Award in the 2010 Art Clay Silver Accessories Contest in Japan.
“Designing and making unique silver jewellery with meaning is my key to happiness. I love to make jewellery that looks unique and interesting from different angles, and I choose to hand-make my jewelry as this gives each piece a deep personality. I believe jewellery can express one’s inner-self and convey personal meanings. To me, jewellery is not purely a fashionable item, but also a piece of art.” - Anna Ka-Man Wong
www.wunicci.com
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June 2011:
Alisha Marie Boyd
Alisha graduated with a BFA in Jewellery and Metalsmithing from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2008. She is currently in her third and final year as an Artist in Residence at the Harbourfront Craft Studios. Prior to her work in metal, Alisha completed both a BFA and MFA in painting and studio arts. Approaching metal from a painting background, colour plays a significant role in her work, motivating her choice of materials and in turn the techniques she employs.
“As a painter I could essentially create any colour I wanted, as a jeweller I work creatively with the colours made available to me through my materials, varying combinations of pearls, stones and enamel. My work reveres the traditional designs and forms associated with my materials, while re-contextualizing the design elements into a thoughtful contemporary approach.”
Alisha has received a number of awards including a “Best in Show” from Influx Gallery, “Best Use of Pearls” from Zilburshmuck, and an “Honorable Mention” at The Toronto Outdoor Exhibition 2010. Alisha has also been awarded both an OAC Individual Grant and an OAC Exhibition grant and her work has been featured in Lark Books 500 Metal Vessels and 500 Enamel Objects. Recent Exhibitions Include The One of a Kind Show 2010 and Best of the Toronto Outdoor Art Show 2010, and Continuum with Lana Fillipone at Harbourfront Centre.
www.alishamarieboyd.com |
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July 2011:
Ivan Dobren
Ivan Dobren is a well-known Canadian jewellery designer, living in Montreal, Quebec. He is a member of Quebec’s artist association, Metiers d'art du Quebec (MAQ) since 1976, as well as the Ontario Crafts Council.
Ivan began his jewellery/design journey as an apprentice at Greene Ave. Jewellers in 1974 and continued working while pursuing his studies in history and political science and history at Vanier College and McGill University (1975 / 79). In 1980 Ivan attended L'Ecole Norman Bouchard, a prestigious jewellery making school in Quebec.
His superb craftsmanship and fine eye for design is evident in his work. His designs consist of crisp geometric lines and sharp angles finished to a high polish.
Ivan is currently presenting thee distinct collections of original pieces. One is of sterling silver fused with 14K gold, another collection of 14K gold and precious stones and finally a “one of a kind” limited edition collection.
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August 2011:
Annette VanLeeuwen
For as long as I can remember, I have collected pebbles, leaves, and seeds. For several years now I have incorporated beach pebbles in many of my jewellery designs. Recently, I have become interested in the shapes and lines of leaves and seed pods. Although, I have played around with directly imitating nature, what is more rewarding are the explorations using nature as a starting point, from where I create my own “natural” forms.
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September 2011:
Kimberley Dayle
Kimberly Dayle is a Toronto based Jewellery Designer who holds a Design Degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design, and is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America's New York Campus.
A combination of whimsical objects, antique aesthetics and fantastical daydreams are what excite and inspire Kimberly’s creative routine. She embraces innovative methods of small-scale production while maintaining primitive techniques at her jewellers bench.
kimberlydayle.ca |
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Thistle Pendan |
October 2011:
Kyla Vitek
The perfection of nature has always been one of my biggest influences – even as a child I was far more often found outside examining the tiny creatures scuttling through the dirt and grass than inside playing with dolls (or whatever else it is little girls are expected to do). After moving from the country to the city, that interest in plants and biology grew into a complete fascination and I started to look at things in a new way, more closely and with more of a connection to my own life.
It's no accident that the most beautiful part of a plant is usually its flower, the structure whose sole purpose is to attract in order to encourage and facilitate sex and reproduction. I feel that this is often the role of jewellery as well! While I appreciate the allure of the flower and utilize it in my work, I also try to peel back this layer, revealing the secret beauty and mysterious wonders hidden within. Seed pods, stamen, pistol and pollen all feature strongly in the jewellery I make as I've long been fascinated by the reproductive parts of plants & how they function; as well as the question of why we, as an entirely different species, can find them so erotic?
In my own work I often examine the overlooked, undesirable or odd aspects of plant life; giving as much attention to the beauty and usefulness of a weed, the texture of bark or that which would normally go unnoticed, as I would to any greenhouse stunner. There is a beauty and pleasure to be had from the mundane, or that which is routinely disregarded, and I always hope the jewellery I make will encourage the wearer to view things in a different way and appreciate the value and splendor of something they had never before considered.
www.kylavitek.com
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Endemic Species, 2011
Vitreous enamel on copper, sterling silver, pearls
13 x 7 x 2cm
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November 2011:
Emily Gill
Emily Gill is a graduate of the Jewellery and Metalsmithing Program at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (2009) and is currently based in Toronto, Ontario. Her award winning jewellery has been published in Lark book publications, Jewellery Business Magazine, Studio Magazine, MAG and she is active in the jewellery, craft and & arts communities. She grew up in Montreal, Quebec, misses the ocean smell of the East Coast and speaks French as often as possible. Her work is inspired by a long time curiosity for biology, botany, science and all things lively and living. She enjoys the discovery of aesthetic qualities inherent to certain material processes and limitations, incorporating concepts that spark curiosity on a technical, emotional and intellectual level.
www.emilygill.ca
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