I Have Moved

I have moved my Blog. You can find new updates and follow my posts here: http://rebeccageoffrey.wordpress.com Thank-you for following!

Autumn Work and Play

Just went to Toronto to Distill Gallery yesterday and brought some new jewels to share. Hopefully these colours will work well with this season. Lots of plums, blues and purples in different shades.
Working this week on items for Made You Look (also in Toronto) and Metalworks, my favorite hometown gallery.
So much to do, so little time before my Sweetie and I head to Vegas and California on the 24th to renew our vows and see the sights! I love this time of year to travel. Being empty nesters, we like that kids are back to school so the attractions are pretty quiet. Don't get me wrong - I like kids, just not on vacations:o) Countdown begins!

Mixed Media

I love using different materials to create my jewellery. All right, I confess. I have the attention span of a squirrell and I get bored very easily, which is why my work is always in a state of perpetual motion and constant change. Whether or not it is good for sales, I'm not sure but I certainly know it is good for my soul.

That being said, here are a few new pieces I've been working on that marry silver art clay with sterling silver. I love the oxidised look and will be exploring this further. Hope you like them!

New Series of Work

Here is what I've been working on today - a new line of jewelry made with sterling and fine silver. It's a beautiful combination of materials to work with and here is my first piece finished!

More New Work!

Hope you all are surviving this heatwave. I've been keeping cool at home in my shop making lots of new jewellery.

Here are a few more pieces that are now for sale at Metalworks in downtown Kingston.

This bracelet at left is sterling silver and faux stone (polymer clay).

Sterling silver and polymer clay bangles

silver and clay pendant

Enjoy your summer and keep cool!!!!



New Work!

I have been busy in the studio this past week coming up with new designs using polymer clay and silver. Polymer clay is how I began my jewellery making adventure and it has been fun getting back to it. I can't tell you how many things went into the discard pile but I think I am well on my way to a beginning of a new line.

Hope you like what I've started with.

Quebec City

I have just returned from a fabulous 4-day vacation to one of the most beautiful Canadian cities - Quebec City. It rained every day that we were there, but that did not dampen our spirits or our good times in any way.

Being that Quebec city is also one of the most romantic places to be, it was fitting that my most romantic husband and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary there. From the "Old City" to Ille d'Orleans to Montmorency Falls, every rainy step was a wonder in so many ways. We did a bit of shopping there as well as visiting the many art galleries and artists' shops.

The old part of the city is truly a wonder and definitely gives a better perspective on the history of our country like no other place I've seen.

Standing on the Plains of Abraham and seeing the old Fort as well as the scores of canons sitting exactly where they stood hundreds of years ago is truly awe-inspiring. It is just like going back in time except for the luxury hotels and posting pictures to Facebook with my iPhone :o)

Otherwise, it was just like it!

Wanting to bring home souveniers of our trips, I have started collecting little houses and Scott bought me this whimsical picture by Isabelle Malo, to add to my collection. I love it! It is happy and cheery and just what any corner of my house needs to brighten it. It is also a gift that he gave to me there when he asked me to marry him - again!

Did I say romantic? So our next trip will be to Vegas to renew our vows. So exciting!!!

I also picked up these hand-painted trinket bowls that I love to keep all over the house to hold miscellaneous things.

and this mug that I call the "Perfect Mug" from ceramic artiste, Alexandra Ratte'. It is bright and big and slightly off-center (I think I just described myself :-).

I highly reccomend a trip to Quebec city for anyone that wants to immerse themselves in history, culture and art and is in the mood for a romantic getaway!



Love my Job!!

As I said in an earlier post, I was fortunate enough to be offered a job at Metalworks which is also where my jewellery is sold in Kingston. I am working part-time there which gives me lots of time to create. I work with a great crew:

   Steve Luckwaldt  - Master Goldsmith

   Vicki Westgate  -  Jeweller and Manager

   Miranda Scott  -   Goldsmith and Hulahoop Maker

I am very grateful to have such nice people to work with and to learn from.

Custom Order

The most nerve-wracking and rewarding part of being a jeweller is definitely making items upon request aka the "custom order".

I recently received a custom order through Made You Look for a lady who wanted a pendant made from a logo of their organization. It was to be a gift for the well-loved and admired recipient, who was retiring after many years of service. Right - no pressure!

I happily accepted hoping that I could rise to the occassion and create something worthy of the recipient and lovely enough so that she could wear it often.

I was given a short window of time to make it as I was also finishing up another custom order, starting my new job and getting jewellery ready to show to Distill Gallery in Toronto for the first time. When it rains - it pours! All good though as everything got finished on time and successfully.

I finished the pendant after many emails and telephone conversations and Fed-Exed it early Thursday morning. I waited patiently, wondering if the piece was a hit or miss. Really nervous as this had been my largest commission to date and I so wanted to hit the mark.

I received the phone call I was waiting for and she was thrilled with the pendant and thanked me over and over. The biggest weight was lifted from my shoulders and I could now look forward to the next one. Happy Days!

Moving Ahead

It`s been awhile since I blogged. Thanks to all of you who have checked back here regularly. I really appreciate it.

I`ve kept busy finishing up my Summer 2011 line and happily started a new job at Metalworks, where my work is also available for sale. Yes, it is very nice to work at the same place that carries your jewellery. It`s fun to learn from everyone who works there and it`s great to bounce off ideas with each other. Being a studio jeweller, doesn`t provide a lot of opportunity to get immediate feedback or helpful suggestions, so that is really great.

I have recently hooked up with Distill Gallery in the historic Distillery District area of Toronto and they are now selling my work as well as Made You Look in Toronto. So, needless to say, my days have been very full.

I have, however been letting certain things in my life get a little left behind such as de-cluttering the garage, finishing painting the downstairs rooms and of course all of the yardwork and deck spruce-up needs to be attended to. So, needless to say, I have no shortage of work.

Design has begun (on paper) of my Fall-Winter Line and it is coming along nicely. As my metalsmithing

skills have improved, I think my designs are getting much better. I love comparing my work today from even a year ago to see how far it`s come.
I might even be collaborating with my son, Patrick, who is an up-and-coming artist for a new line of tribal - inspired jewellery. Can't wait to see what comes of that!