The Story of Orange Avocado Jewelry...

• So Many Thanks...

  Published Dec 03 2014 in Events

  

  So many thank you's to give today.  My work culminates each year to my Christmas Jewelry Show at the Derrick Golf & Winter club.  This year over 150 people attended which completely overwhelms me with gratitude each year.  The day could not be possible without the help of my friends and family:  Diane, Tracy, Lisa, Debbie, Rayna, Aidan, Roma, Kim, Megan, Najat, Erin and Paul.  I love you all.

  Ever since I was young I loved the art of making things with my hands.  It is incredibly humbling to be able to create something unique and share it with so many people.  Each morning I step into my studio and start the day looking at my walls filled with drawings and handwritten letters from my children made many years ago.  It reminds me of where I came from and who I am.  And that is how it all begins.  So many thanks...

  
  

• Fashion with Compassion 2014: Compassion Entwined Rings Necklace

  Published Oct 31 2014 in Philanthropy Jewelry

  

   

  It happens to all of us sometime in our lives, too many times.  We all know of someone with cancer; a friend, family member or yourself.  When I was in my 20’s my colleague and friend Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She was in her 40’s and had taken on a second career as a speech-language pathologist.  Debra was the best at her job and I looked up to her. We worked in Ponoka, Alberta in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.  Unfortunately she had to travel back and forth from Ponoka to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton for  her treatments.  The Compassion House did not exist at this time.  I am so sure that if it did Debra would have considered it. 

   

  For a second year, I designed a necklace for the Fashion with Compassion Gala: The Compassion Entwined Rings Necklace.  This necklace is composed of three entwined bronze rings that I metal worked.  Each ring represents the three homes that house ladies receiving treatment from the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.  This necklace is adorned with a bronze pendant with the Compassion house logo, a healing semi-precious stone of rock crystal or aquamarine, and a sterling silver chain.  Sold out last year I was asked to make 300 necklaces this year.  A portion of the proceeds will be going towards the Sorrentino’s Compassion House.  It was an honor to make these necklaces.

   

  Thank you to Mellissa Kraft, Executive Director of Sorrentino’s Compassion House.  She is a true champion of the cause and is the glue that binds all of the pieces together.  I am also grateful to the Met Agency for designing the beautiful combined branding of Fashion with Compassion & Orange Avocado Jewelry.  Finally, a thank you to the staff of Compassion House, the Board of Directors and volunteers, for whom this is not just another job. 

   

  So my friend Debra, well she lost the fight.  Now two decades later, I can gratefully say that I have many friends that are proud survivors.  This is for you and of course, my friend Debra.

   

  Please consider donating to this organization at www.compassionhouse.org so more women can enjoy a place of refuge during breast cancer treatment.

  
  

• Fall Winter 2014 Part III: METAL GOLD OMBRE COLLECTION

  Published Oct 30 2014 in New Collections

  

  Metal Gold Ombre Collection

  Metal Gold Swarovski Crystals adorn my 2014 Ombre Collection. The look of pyrite and the shimmer of these Swarovski crystals is the new neutral for the holiday season. The deep gold tone of the crystals against the sparkle of the fine silver faceted beads offer a distinct contrast in design. My fine silver cross pendant & the double spike crystals finishes the look where "elegance meets edge".

  
  

• WINGS of Courage Necklace

  Published Oct 08 2014 in Philanthropy Jewelry

  

  I am excited to introduce the "Wings of Courage" necklace in support of the  "Wings of Providence" organization.  This necklace will be sold exclusively at the "Girls Night In Event" at the Derrick Golf & Winter club, Edmonton, November 6th, 2014. We are honoured to have Amanda Lindhout as the speaker of the event, with Carrie Doll, as the Master of Ceremonies.  

  The Wings of Providence is a non-profit organization and a facility that "provides comprehensive transitional programs and independent living in a safe, secure, supportive & healthy environment for women with children who have experienced family violence."  

  Amanda,  Canadian journalist and humanitarian was kidnapped and held for 15 months with her entourage by Islamist insurgents in southern Somalia.  The necklace "reflects the message of Courage which embodies the families and women of Wings and Amanda's journey."  This exclusive piece will be available for sale the night of the event and pre-sale orders are being taken.  Contact girlsnightin@shaw.ca to reserve yours today!

  Priced at $155 with a portion of proceeds from sales going to Wings of Providence.  This event is now sold out, however, this necklace will be for sale to the general public until the day of the event, Thursday, November 6th 2014.  

  
  

• Fall Winter 2014 Part II: METAL GOLD COLLECTION

  Published Sep 30 2014 in New Collections

  

  Metal Gold Collection

  Metallic layers of deep tones of gold adorn the Metal Gold Collection. Swarovski crystals in the form of avant-garde double spikes and embedded in a pave bead style offer a contemporary edge to this collection. These crystals are created by the French Haute Couture designer, Jean Paul Gaultier. The uniformity of these swarovski crystal shapes are accompanied with freeform fine silver nuggets and handmade bronze pendants. The perfect shape of these crystals are paired with the imperfect bronze shapes;
  it is a harmony of form.