Friday, July 24, 2009

Readers, May I Present...

All five of our young designers have dropped off their jewellery at 18Karat and we are busy constructing new displays to accomodate all of their - sometimes uniquely formed - pieces.

Today, I would like to introduce you to.... Therese Cruz

For Therese Cruz, pursuing a career in jewellery started as a childhood hobby in the Philippines collecting 'fancy' costume jewellery given to her by her father.

When she moved to Canada, it gradually developed into a liking for art and design as a whole, and the technical aspects related to it.


It pushed her to get into George Brown College's Jewellery Arts program after highschool.
She currently resides in Toronto.



Furturist Manifesto Ring
18karat white and yellow gold









Firecrackers Pop Brooch
Sterling silver

"I explore the different dimensions and expressions created by lines. The pieces I create are a multitude of rather geometric forms, with a contrast of matte and high polished finishes. I consider my jewellery miniature sculptures displayed on the body"


These pieces only represent a fraction of the work Therese will be showing during Emerge, and isn't it tantalizing?

Emerge begins August 1st and continues until the end of September. A reception will be hosted at 18Karat on August 13th, at 5pm. Stay tuned for more!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Let Me Introduce...

With only a few weeks to go before August, we can barely contain our excitement.

Is it because of the warm reds and oranges of a late summer?
Hot muggy breezes mixing with brisk ones...?

Maybe.
Or, is it because August marks the beginning of Emerge a group show featuring the work of 5 very talented recent graduates from George Brown's jewellery design program. Every week leading up to the reception (August 13th), I will be introducing you to one of these artists.

So get ready.
Today, let me introduce you to..... Shannon Clay.

Growing up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Shannon was always surrounded by artists - print makers, traditional sewers, carvers, and jewellers. It was the sense of creating – the tactility of construction with bare hands – that drew Shannon towards the arts.

Croissant Earrings -
Fine Silver, 14k Yellow Gold
Wash Behind Your Ears -
Sterling Silver, Soapstone, Serpentine

"Taking for granted the opportunity to express myself boundlessly, I have created pieces which show my unrestrained imagination and creativity.
I have taken inspiration from the Viking tradition, Inuit carving traditions, modern techniques in jewellery production, metal forging techniques as well as my own mortality."

These pieces only represent a fraction of the work Shannon will be showing during Emerge, and isn't it tantalizing?

Emerge begins August 1st and continues until the end of September. A reception will be hosted at 18Karat on August 13th, at 5pm. Stay tuned for more!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Where DOES the time go?

My oh my, the summer is at its peak already and it has been a month since my last post.
I think some of our readers were thinking we had given up this ol' internet game.
Not true.

We have just been super duper, extra-ordinarily crazy, busy. Conjuring up another 6months of exciting events - trying to do our part to put Toronto on the world's jewellery map.
Not an easy feat, but an exciting one.

We have entered our second and final month of the Mosaics exhibit, featuring Turkish designer Murat Tunc. On June 25th, we even hosted a reception that allowed us the oppurtunity to meet some interesting people and to learn a little bit more about Turkey, (especially what's good to eat and drink.. mostly drink).

My favorite pieces, have always been the rings. They are chalk full of detail and intricacy, and they are unlike anything I have ever seen. So bear with me, as I take this time to do a little ode, to the ring...





24ct. gold plated-silver rings, featuring remarkable and intricate hand-painted porcelain squares. This reminds me of the intricate needlepoint that your grandmother, or great-grandmother used to do. Murat is all about the details.







What I have enjoyed most about this exhibit, is getting a better insight into Turkish art and design. I never realized how little I knew about this country. Istanbul is really a cultural crossroads, combining Persian, Greek, Roman, and Asian influences that create a beautiful aesthetic.
This ring is certainly one of my favorites, with a floral pattern that seems entrenched in Persia.













Not only does Murat design and manufacture each of these pieces, but he also carves each cameo he uses.















While Murat's work is inspired by many different cultural and historical aspects, his cameos are all inspired by famous Greek and Roman forms. Focusing mainly on the Gods and Goddesses.


It has been great having Murat's work at 18Karat. His unique aesthetic has really taken off, and we are excited to see where this artists goes from here.
Mosaics runs until the end of July, and we will be keeping a select line at our store into the future.