Uniti Uniti Uniti + Elvis Stojko

We were very excited to hear that World Champion Figure Skater Elvis Stojko was interested in participating in our jewellery arts auction – even more excited when I learned that his designer would be yours truly.

And now for a little selfish blogging....

It has been a year since we started blogging, bringing you the in's and the out's of Toronto's jewellery arts scene from the perspective of our little family run shop. But how much do you really know about your lead blogger.... me?

A whole lot more now.


As a multi-disciplinary artist, jewellery design is my latest venture. Having focused primarily on drawing and printmaking, the challenge of designing in the three-dimensional is a challenge I have met gladly, although there are some bleaker moments. Now, as a member of the 18Karat family, I am learning how to turn pen and paper into metal and stone.


Early in September, I met with Elvis Stojko as he was performing at the CNE to discuss the jewellery piece we were set to collaborate on for our Uniti jewellery auction.


I was a little surprised by how many ideas Elvis already had, and we soon came up with the basis that would form a very lovely pendant.

The reoccurring theme from our meeting was the idea that family and community shape you into the person you become - protecting and pushing us forward.


Above, you can see the process of cutting and shaping a piece of rose quartz that will fit into the center of the pendant, flanked on both sides by black onyx.

The Uniti auction begins November 12th, with the pieces being on display at our shop, and up for auction via Waddington's online auction.

Amy Kovach – Uniti Designer

Electric excitement is zipping through 275 Dundas Street West, and no it has nothing to do with the rainstorm hitting the streets outside. No this excitement is all about the young jewellery artists creating beautiful gems that are due to begin arriving any day now.


But until they do, perhaps a little teaser - another little peek into what these very talented individuals have in store for us in the upcoming Uniti auction.

Amy Kovach has a keen eye for graceful organic shapes with an obvious appreciation for the simplicity found in nature. A few months ago, Amy met with singer Justin Hines, with popular songs 'Wish You Well' and 'Say What You Will'.

Amy's piece will be a stacking three-band ring that symbolizes what family and community means to both Amy and Justin.

A little birdy told us that this piece is ready and on its way to our shop. Hands up who's excited?

www.amykovach.com

Uniti - Darlene Martin meets Jenn Valentyne

Yesterday was the last day of our Emerge exhibit, marking the end of a straight 7months of exhibits featuring local artists in our shop. During the month of October, we will not be hosting a show, as we prepare for Uniti.

So while we are busy at work, we thought we would show another designer busy putting her piece together for the charity auction in benefit of the Red Door Family Shelter.

Darlene Martin was the first designer to be featured in our shop and has done a lot to bring this auction to life. Last week she met with Jenn Valentyne from Breakfast Television, and is busy creating a piece that symbolizes family and community to them both.

The colour green is at the core of this piece, as it symbolizes to both Darlene and Jenn life, family, and home.

As we get closer to the auction date, the anticipation is growing as we wait to have all of these beautiful pieces in our shop.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in with such warm words of kindness and encouragement after listening to our short feature on the CBC. Feeling like celebrities for a day was a new feeling for us here at 18Karat.

But the good news doesn't end there as the designers working with us in our Uniti campaign continue to send in their sketches and discuss their projects with us.

You might remember Therese Cruz, one of the young artists we are currently featuring in our shop. Therese met with Paula Brancati of Degrassi and Dark Oracle fame, and is now creating a piece of jewellery that symbolizes what family and community mean to them both.

Therese liked the idea of creating a bangle because of how closely it sits on the body, entwining and encircling the wrist.

The inspiration for this cuff comes from the different threads that create a piece a fabric; many pieces coming together to create a whole. For both Therese and Paula, this action of coming together was key to both a successful community and a happy family.

Using copper, silver, and gold, this piece is sure to be a stunner.

Look Who's Talking Now............

We are!!
This morning the CBC aired a truly wonderful piece on our little shop.
Who would have thought they could pack so much punch into a 7 minute segment, but boy are we overjoyed.

Thanks to Mary Wiens and the CBC!

Uniti - A spotlight on local artists.

Canadian artists are amazing!
If you didn't already know this, you soon will.

Meghan Lynn Schnarr only recently graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design, specializing in Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing, but already her work has been featured in galleries all over Ontario.




"As I studied and learned more about design and fabrication, I became interested in the intimacy of creating something to be worn on the body and its connection to the wearer.

When people see my work, I would like them to be curious about the stories that inspire it and the people and places it celebrates."

Meghan's keen sense on the personal connection we attach the jewellery, and its ability to preserve memory, made her the best candidate to meet with Gordon and Leah Pinsent to create a piece for Uniti.

Gordon and Leah saw Uniti as a way to pay tribute to their wife and mother Charmion King, and Meghan was the perfect designer to make this desire a reality.

Can't wait to see this piece!

Going Places....

Although months in the making, it seems about time for me to mention our upcoming event - one like no other. Currently we are organizing Uniti - Uniting Toronto for Families, a charity auction to benefit the Red Door Family Shelter.
Silent auction? Oh so - 'been there done that'.

Well.... not this one.

Unlike other auctions where the hold overs from last seasons/years/decades collection are auctioned off. For Uniti, each piece is being made especially.

It doesn't stop there however, each piece is a collaboration between a local designer and a local celebrity. Together they use their ideas of family and community to form the basis of a jewellery piece that will be donated, and then sold during our silent auction.
Who are these designers, and who are these celebs?

Our first match up was with Meghan Schnarr, an excellent young designer, and Gordon Pinsent and his daughter Leah, who are using this as an opportunity to pay tribute to their wife and mother, Charmion King.

Our second, was with the very talented Amy Kovach, and singer Justin Hines.

Our third, was with Therese Cruz, a recent graduate from George Brown's Jewellery Arts program and a featured artist in our shop, with Paula Brancati from Degrassi Next Generation and Dark Oracle.

Our fourth, with Samantha Hawkes, also a recent graduate and featured artist, with Raymond Ablack, also from Degrassi.

But that's not all. Just a little tease.
Let's see where it goes!