The Story of Orange Avocado Jewelry...

• Fashion with Compassion: Drop Every Fear

  Published Oct 26 2018 in Events

  
  

  Drop every fear

  Breast Cancer Warrior

  A place without judgement

  A place to drop every fear

   

  Words by Jayleen, former resident of

  Sorrentino's Compassion House

   

  I was honoured to be a part of Sorrentino's Compassion House Fashion with Compassion 2018 this year, creating a limited edition Bronze Layered Heart Bracelet. It was thrilling to see all of the 125 bracelets that I made were sold out last night. I have been creating a limited edition piece for the last 6 years for the organization. And each year I am inspired and touched by the personal stories that each resident brings to this event. A heartfelt note of gratitude to Mellissa Kraft, executive director, and Joanne Berger; for their support of my craft and fearless support of the cause. The Sorrentino's Compassion House is affordable housing for out of town residents who are undergoing cancer treatment at the Edmonton Cross Cancer Institute. With donor support each resident can stay for $25 a night; where the actual cost of a stay is $125 a night. Please read more about this organization at www.compassionhouse.org

  #supportastay #yegfwc #yegsch

  
  

• Best of Edmonton 2018 & Edmonton Made Gift Catalogue

  Published Sep 28 2018 in Highlights, News

  

  It's been a good year for me.  My jewelry was voted for the 6th time Best of Edmonton 2018 "Best Custom Jewelry Store" by Edmontonians who have supported me from the beginning.  It is the raw and handcrafted aesthetic of my jewelry that continues to have an allure for my customers.  I am very grateful that my work is acknowledged by them.  Also having one of my pieces of jewelry curated and chosen to be in the Edmonton Made Gift Catalogue 2018 has been a major highlight.  Although I have been at this craft for over 16 years, I was still nervous as to what to submit.  I choose the "Solitary Pebble Necklace" which is inspired by the circles formed when you  skip a pebble in the water.    Here is the link to the Solitary Pebble Necklace.

  

  This is picture of my daughter Erin

  when she was 3 years old

  skipping rocks in the pond at Hawrelak park. 

  My Solitary Pebble Necklace reminds me of this day. 

  Of this moment.

  Memories of my little one. 

  Inspiration for my jewelry comes to me daily.  I am always creating pieces in my head which I then often draw out and then head into my studio to create it in bronze or silver.  It is a never ending process that I live each day.

  Thank you for acknowledging this desire to create every day.

     

  
  

• Molten Collection: Pure Chemistry

  Published Aug 27 2018 in New Collections

  

  Nothing is more satisfying than taking my silver and bronze out of my kiln and seeing my work come to life.  I’ve hand formed literally thousands of  silver and bronze clay pieces into various links and deconstructed pendants over the years.  I’ve watched my silver pieces become molten pieces of liquid metal under a torch and in my kiln.  And I’ve sifted through my coal carbon and pulled out bronze pieces that have sintered under intense temperatures up to 1600 degrees farehnheit.  I love and appreciate the process from start to finish. 

  The Molten Collection is one that celebrates pure chemistry.  It is a homage to those incredibly high temperatures and liquified pieces of silver and bronze that change from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid.  This collection is one of raw and irregular shapes.  No two pieces are the same as unique bumps and gentle curves characterize each individual pendant.  It is finding beauty in the rough. 

  And so I bring to you the Molten Collection from my hands to yours: raw, strong & feminine.

  View online:  MOLTEN COLLECTION

  
  

• A Zoo Story

  Published Jul 13 2018 in Custom Pieces

  

  Lynn contacted me about creating a custom piece for two of her classroom helpers.  She requested possibly using two pieces of art that a couple of her students created, one of which was the child of one of the helpers. I loved the pictures; children's art is so original! I hand etched the drawings of an alpaca and a ladybug onto pieces of silver.  The alpaca was the favourite of one of the helpers whenever they went on their zoo visits. Sadly, when they went to visit the zoo where inspiration for the alpaca came from, they were informed that the animal had passed away due to age.  This will be a special and lasting momento for the child and the parent to share a memory with.

  
  

• May Spring Show 2018 - Friends & Family

  Published May 04 2018 in Events

  

  Thank you so much to all of my customers and friends that came out to my May Spring Show at the The Derrick Golf & Winter Club​.  Over 175 people attended the show and the lucky winner of the $100 Gift Card is LeeAnn T!!  Thank you to everyone on social media that shared the details of my show because word of mouth is the strongest affirmation of the work that I do.

  In this picture is Debbie, Roma, Kirsten, Calla, Erin, Simone, Maddie, Catherine, Eric, & Colleen, and not in the picture is my mother Kim, and Jackie.  These are my friends and family that came out to help me and help you find the perfect piece of jewelry.   It is a representation of who my customers are; they are mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, aunties, friends and family.  Friends and family are everything! I loved seeing them work so well together and seeing every customer feel a little bit of joy when they found the perfect pieces. It was a fun and gratifying day. I am forever grateful that you allow me to share my love of making jewels one by one for you.

  Love from me to you.

  xo Sandra