fine

handmade

jewellery

“Designing and making handmade jewellery for individual customers is

what I do”

‘Gotcha’ ring in silver, acrylic and 14k gold

BIO

In 1999 after completing three years of jewellery design/making at Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, I set up my own studio in Rossland, British Columbia, Canada. I have since become involved in many aspects of the artist's life - craft and trade shows, exhibitions, custom work and consignment sales, open studios, teaching and demonstrating. Currently I work full-time at designing and making jewellery in my studio, I have several production lines that I sell in galleries and online. I also do custom work such as wedding bands and I like to enter my work in exhibitions and make pieces especially for juried shows. In April 2012 I am moving my studio to the UK, where I am originally from, and I plan to continue making jewellery with renewed energy!

INSPIRATION

Plant forms have been my inspiration since I started making jewellery and the well hasn't run dry yet. Other things that inspire me are: rock forms, running water, natural and man-made textures, textiles, stylised nature, architectural details.

STYLE

What is my style? A clean and simple shape or form, rounded edges and curved lines. Texture and colour are important but there's no getting away from it, I like to be in control of my work not the other way around.

METHODS

Every piece is made in my studio. Before I start work in the metal I open my sketch book and draw and design and doodle and plan, only then do I go to the work bench. The techniques I use are many and varied but include die forming, mill rolling, soldering, kiln firing, stone setting and often a good whack with a hammer.

AWARDS

I have won several awards for my work, including from the Craft Council of British Columbia, the Metal Arts Guild of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.

EXHIBITIONS

I enter as many group exhibitions as I can. Sometimes I am invited to exhibit, other times it is a juried entry. In 2005 I mounted my own solo show 'Primal Instinct' and I am (very) slowly gathering ideas for my next one. Besides exhibiting across Canada I have shown in the USA and in Japan.

‘Snowdrift’ ring in sterling silver and vitreous enamel

'Bewitched' brooch in fine silver,

18 karat gold and acrylic

Tanya's ring in 18 karat white and yellow gold with pink sapphire