What's up buttercup?

As is always the case, the more interesting events you are participating in and the more intriguing people you meet, the less time you have to blog about it; and April has certainly not been an exception to that rule.

We have launched a new website! Months and months in the making I am so happy to see it up, with the majority of our inventory available for viewing in a much more cohesive format. I hope you will all check it out, www.18karat.ca.

Envy - Call for Entry announced. This is the first time we have ever done anything quite like this before, but we have recently announced our call for entry for our first juried show and I have been really impressed by the response. I can now breath easier knowing we have received our first batch of entries. Although we are still accepting entries until the end of May, I know too well how artists are and I expect a flurry towards the end – don't forget to get them in artists!

Our first graduate award. This was the first year for the new 18Karat award for graduates of the Jewellery Arts Program at George Brown, handed out to the student who demonstrated both design and technical excellence, as well as someone who stood out with both their drive and determination. This years winner was Mariangela Aguirre, who has a lovely site already, www.malala.ca. We are all excited to work with her more this year.

(Dino and Mariangela at the Graduate Award Ceremony)

And of course, this is only the beginning of the year - we have plenty of exciting things coming through the pipe line. Be sure to check out the new site, we have some utterly gorgeous new pieces (my favorite being the turquoise agate ring) for your viewing pleasure.