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Side Street News

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

Simply the Best Slippers Ever!

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

Simply the Best Slippers Ever!

Our Padraig slippers have been hand made in Vancouver, B.C. for over 30 years.

They are simply the warmest and most comfortable slippers that you can buy. Made with a two-layer sole of sheepskin for comfort and leather for wear these slippers are made to last. Strong enough for adults and teens yet soft enough for the smallest baby.

The upper is made from 100 % pure New Zealand wool which is warm yet breathable – and cool in summer! Padraig slippers conform to the shape of your feet and will stretch a little. Padraig recommend that for adults you size them snugly.

Padraig babies and kids sizes come with ties so that they can be sized with extra room for growing feet.

These slippers are hand dyed in small lots with up to four colour combinations, plus natural and solid colours. And….all of Padraig slippers are machine washable in lukewarm water on a gentle cycle – but must be air dried.