I recently had to submit an artist's profile to one of the boutiques that sell my jewelry, Project a, in Canmore.  I love that this store wanted their staff to learn about the artists and makers that sell their products in their store so that they could share it with their customers.  When we work hand in hand with each other it just makes the experience more positive and open. 

So here's a a little about myself, my life before jewelry and my jewelry.

WHAT DO I MAKE:  Hand sculpted jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings) out of silver and bronze clay.

I’M FROM:  Edmonton, Alberta

I CURRENTLY LIVE IN:  Edmonton and Canmore

I ATTENDED SCHOOL AT:  

University of Alberta, Western Washington University (Masters in Speech-Language Pathology).  For jewelry I am self taught and received individual training from goldsmiths in Edmonton.

BEFORE I WAS AN ARTIST:

I was a speech-language pathologist at the Brain Injury Program in Ponoka and then at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.  I worked on a multi-disciplinary team of Occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, social workers and dieticians.

I'VE BEEN MAKING JEWELRY SINCE:  

2002 which about 20 years now, when my kids were in school full-time.  I discovered some beaded jewelry in a little boutique in Maui and I took it home.  I was inspired and started to bead jewelry and sold my first piece to a neighbourhood friend.  I then started to delve into metal working of all metals and then finally metal clay.  I now make jewelry full-time and eventually quit my job as a speech language therapist.

MY FAVOURITE MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES ARE:  

Silver clay, bronze clay and gold.  I love working with the silver and bronze clay because you are basically creating something from nothing (a ball of clay).  The clay is composed of silver particles and an organic binder.  The binder burns away in the kiln leaving you with a pure silver piece or bronze piece.  I hand sculpt the pieces, dry them and then they are kiln fired for 5-9 hours.  The pieces are then metal worked using traditional metal working techniques.  It’s a combination of old world and new world techniques!

 

I'M INSPIRED BY my walks and gravel bike rides along the Edmonton river valley and Canmore hiking trails.  The pieces I make are irregular and have an imperfect quality about them.  Truly one of kind pieces just as nature.

 

I THINK HANDMADE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE:  

In a world of mass production there is nothing better than a piece that is set apart from the rest.  My jewelry reflects a style that is organic, ever changing, and natural.

 

MY FIVE YEAR GOAL is to continue to create enduring pieces that my customers can identify as distinctively Orange Avocado Jewelry.