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Silver Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Stuart Duncan of Wren Silverworks produces some of the finest Silver jewellery on the Pacific Northwest West Coast!

Engraved sterling silver jewellery of animals, birds, flowers and sea life – From herons, whales, cedar trees, frogs, eagles and bears to cherry blossoms.

 

 

Realistic designs, specializing in wildlife of the Pacific Northwest including earrings, brooches, pendants and bracelets. Each is individually engraved and highly detailed.


 

 

As a child, Stuart was always drawing, deriving inspiration from the natural world around him. His ability to draw the world around him led Stuart into a career as an illustrator. He also co-owned an art gallery for a few years. In the early 90’s he apprenticed with master First Nations silver engraver Harold Alfred.


 

In 1997, Stuart was inspired to produce a line of jewellery that carves realistic lines onto silver. Wren Silverworks jewellery celebrates of the beauty and strength of nature and our connection to it.


SILVER CUFF BRACELET WITH WOLF DESIGN

Stuart also continues to draw and paint. He lives, surrounded by wildlife, on the outskirts of Victoria, B.C. 


TINY WREN SILVER PENDANT

Wren Silverworks jewellery is individually engraved, each line separately carved, and each open area cut out with a jewellers saw. Every piece is handmade – an individual piece of art. On the back there is a sterling stamp, and the artist’s signature.


SILVER ORCA EARRNGS

The first step is to create a detailed line drawing of a plant or animal. Then, the drawing is transferred onto a flat sheet of sterling silver. 22-gauge silver is used for earrings and brooches and 16 or 18-gauge silver is used for bracelets.


SILVER FERN WITH PERIDOT PENDANT

Next, the silver is engraved along the design lines, each line individually carved with a variety of gravers (very sharp chisel points). Using a tiny saw, the silver is cut out, following the periphery of the design as well as cutting out any pieces from inside the design (piercing). The edges are filed to a smooth finish. The piece is shaped: this involves using a hammer to bang the silver from the back into a pre-carved shaping “holes”, giving the flat silver gentle curves. If needed, any findings are soldered on, and it is then polished with a buffing wheel and tripoli (clay) compound. The silver is then washed in an ultrasonic washer, dried, polished with rouge (a finer clay) and washed again.


SILVER MAPLE LEAVES CUFF BRACELET

All  earring hooks and studs, and brooch pins are sterling silver. Chains are also sterling silver. Brooch backs have a locking clasp. Brooches and earrings are made in 22 gauge silver, and bracelets in 16 gauge and 18 gauge silver.


SILVER BEES WITH TIGERS EYE EARRINGS

 

A World Made By Hand

Wren Silverworks West Coast Jewellery

Posted in bracelets, earrings, gifts, jewellery, kelp, local crafts, necklaces, oak bay, orcas, pendants, shop local, side street studio, silver, silver jewellery, STUART DUNCAN, tree of life, west coast jewellery, wildlife, wolves, wrens

JESSIE PHOENIX – Expanding the Concept of Jewelry

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

JESSIE PHOENIX JEWELRY


GOLD & SILVER WINGED HEART BRACELET

My work expands the concept of jewelry as simple adornment to one that encompasses self-expression and purpose.


MINI GOLD & SILVER HEART PENDANT

All things worn can have meaning. We need meaning to fulfill life and create balance, both within, and between, the individual, the community, and the natural world. Jewelry, when created and worn with intention has the ability to empower and connect us with our deeper selves.


GOLD & SILVER OPEN HEART EARRINGS

Creating unique jewelry that encourages people’s individuality and connection to truth, nature and beauty is what guides my innovation and fuels my creative fire.


Originally from the islands of BC’s West Coast, I have now returned to my roots in the Comox Valley after some time in the city. I received my diploma in Jewelry Art and Design in 2000 and have since studied at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, as well as with local art teachers.


TEXTURED CRATER MOON DISC NECKLACE

Jessie Phoenix Jewelry is sold in Side Street Studio, Victoria B.C., as well as at select craft shows. Along with being featured in The Georgia Straight and ELLE Canada Magazine, Jessie has also received numerous design awards including an Accessories Designer decoration at Vancouver Fashion Week.

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Posted in bracelets, Canadian Gifts, earrings, elle magazine, gold, jessie turner, local crafts, necklace, oak bay, pendants, shop local, side street studio, silver, The Georgia Strait Magazine, wedding gifts

HONICA UNIQUE JEWELRY

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

A week ago I was talking over a cup of excellent Canterbury Coffee with John, the husband of Honica. I asked him if Honica would consider writing a short piece relating to her designs, her inspiration and basically how ‘Honica goes about creating her beautiful jewelry’.

 

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Posted in bracelets, clip on earrings, earrings, fine jewellery, honica, jewelry, local crafts, necklaces, pendants, shop local, side street studio, wedding gifts