The Story of Orange Avocado Jewelry...

• Not Just a Necklace...

  Published Mar 29 2013 in Custom Pieces

  
  

  This story is both sad and happy.  I was contacted by a family to make a simple silver name necklace on a simple leather strand.  They are adopting a child from a third world country.   In this third world country a mother is putting her daughter up for adoption due to circumstances of culture and inequality. The adoptive family is giving this child an opportunity to live as an equal to all others.

   

  I received this email:  

  “When we were told that we were allowed to give her mom a small gift after the adoption...we immediately thought of one of your pendants. We want her mom to be able to keep her daughter’s name close to her heart. We need to somehow communicate to her that we will keep her daughter safe and frequently tell our child about her brave mom. The gift that kept coming to mind was the pendant…as long as we could somehow make sure the pendant was hung on an inexpensive rope or piece of leather that she can hide in her wrap to avoid being robbed.”

   

  It is a heart wrenching story, although I am quite sure common in this third world county. The new parents of this story are, however, uncommon.  I am honoured and humbled by this gesture.  I am also grateful for my family and I to be able to live as we do in this country.

  
  

• The Sweetness of Life: Safari Collection

  Published Feb 13 2013 in My Story, New Collections

  

  

  Two years ago I talked about my trip to Kailua, Hawaii.  I spoke of runs along the Hawaiian backdrop with my son and collecting shells with my daughter.

  This year on our trip to Kailua I discovered little gems that would bring back memories of our time there. I found and coveted cone-shaped shells, rough cut quartz, beach glass, limestone and wood.  Just a handful of pieces; just enough to compliment my bronze links and brass chain.  These are components that have an earthy feel that remind me of sunshine, flip flops and sand between my toes.  

  Momentos for my Safari Collection.

  Which brings me back to those runs and collecting shells.  This year I ran BEHIND my kids.  We ate fish every day, whale watched in Kaneohe Bay and wore flip flops all day long.  I treasure those trips to Hawaii with my family.  

  It’s not going to last forever.  Although I wish it would.  

  This is the sweetness of life.

  
  

• black & white collection: Mixed Media

  Published Jan 20 2013 in New Collections

  

  It's pretty much black and white to me this year. Less is more. It has never been about mass production for me. Never been about a million new styles each year; although there are a million ideas in my head. 

   It’s about making something from nothing. 

  My black and white collection is about highlighting something simple yet outstanding. This collection is about going back to my roots when I first started making jewelry: metal smithing art clay silver. Pure silver particles are embedded in an organic binder to produce a clay form of silver. I covet each lump of silver clay like it is gold. I had started metalworking with this material many years ago and continue to use it to make all of my links and pendants for my necklaces. When you burnish and then polish it to a matte texture it takes on an organic glow. A luxurious glow of white silver. It contrasts so perfectly with black steel chain. Add to that supple black leather and you have such a beautiful juxtaposition of edginess and classic design. 

  I love how my black & white collection turned out...it’s a little bit of me. I hope that it’s a little bit of you.

  Enjoy.

  
  

• The Year of 2012: Thankful

  Published Dec 17 2012 in My Story

  I am blessed.  Four years ago I quit my job as a speech-language pathologist to pursue a full time career in jewelry making.  Oh the reactions I got from colleagues, friends, family...not too sure if I was crazy.  After eight years of making jewelry I am grateful that I am still passionate about something that is a dream come true for me.  Ever since I was small I can remember making something out of nothing, making a mess, and trying to think of what next to make.  As a young adult, I took the responsible road and went to university and got a degree; that was smart and good for me.  It gave me confidence & made me more assertive. I have met the most amazing people along my road of a doing a responsible job. 

  This year alone I acquired four new stores that sell my jewelry, two across Canada, in addition to the six that I already sold at.  All different clientele with different jewelry tastes, and somehow my ever-changing jewelry line suits each one of those tastes.  With alot of hard work I launched my online store this year.  Again, I am grateful.  But not only that, I continue to meet the most interesting and amazing people along this journey ... so thank you.

  Thankful 

  To my daughter who loved oranges 

  To my son who loved avocados 

  When they were wee little ones 

  To my husband who challenges me 

  To become the best that I can be 

  And who loves me unconditionally 

  To my friends and family who support me through my business 

  To my customers and boutique owners who believe in me... 

  
  

  Thank you from the bottom of 

  My heart.

  
  

  
  

• CAMTA - Giving Back

  Published Nov 30 2012 in

  

  
  

  It’s always amazing to me how making jewelry connects me to the most interesting people and organizations.  I was introduced to CAMTA (Canadian Association of Medical Teams Abroad) through Barb, a customer.  Barb was one of a handful of founders of this organization along with her husband.  Once a year a group of medical professionals including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists to name a few , travel to Equador to provide free orthopedic surgery services to those in need.  Up to 80 surgeries are performed in 2 weeks.  Its a whirwind of travelling, setting up a surgical site, surgeries, education to the medical staff, families and support staff.  

  Ideally I would love to travel with my husband and children to help with this absolutely wonderful cause.  However, considering my children too young to take part I wondered how else I could help.  What do I know best?  In the end I decided to make a small jewelry line where 50% of the sales would be donated to CAMTA.  CAMTA requires funds to cover their travel & living costs, and medical and surgical supplies.  I was thrilled and honoured to be associated with this organization.    

  Although this is a small effort on my part, I hope to bring awareness to this organization.  You can find out more about CAMTA at www.camta.com