Over the next week you can expect the blog post to come short and fast, as the flurry of activity related to the Uniti Collection grows.... (1 WEEK TO GO!!!)
But tomorrow morning, between 11 and 12, 2/4 of 18Karat will be live on CIUT 89.5fm
on a program titled, Career Buzz, where we will chat about the Uniti Collection
and the exciting things our shop gets up to.
Super excited!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Degrassi Next Generation Stars talk Uniti
Today the CTV website published a great article about The Uniti Collection and the two Degrassi stars who have been involved with our campaign. It was also great that the article featured the two artist who created these pieces, and aren't they lovely pieces..
Check out the article here..
Check out the article here..
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Uniti Collection - Launched!!
Where do the hours go in a day?Where do the days go in a week?
Our jewellery auction in benefit of the Red Door Family Shelter is up and running, and will continue until November 26th.
The Uniti Collection isn't just about pretty and precious gems - every piece is inspired by the people closest to our hearts: our parents, our children, our spouses, and our friends - the community we all belong to.
Every piece in this collection has been donated by the artist who created it, and the sales from each piece will go directly to the Red Door Family Shelter.
For a list of the designers and celebrities who have collaborated on this piece, and to view each beautiful creation (and where to place a bid.. hint... hint..) visit www.uniti.ca
All of these pieces will be on display at 18Karat throughout the auction.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Uniti Uniti + The Weston Family.
Shelly Purdy is one of Toronto's most talented jewellery artists, and why wouldn't she be, she apprenticed here at 18Karat.
When Uniti was in it's cellular stage, Shelly was key in helping us brainstorm, so we were thrilled when she was matched up with Alexandra Weston, to create a piece that would represent the Weston family and their perspective on family and community.
Leave it to Shelly to take a lot of great process shots..
Having recently started her own family, Alexandra chose stacking rings to symbolize family,
"I wanted to design a ring because for me, in keeping with tradition, a ring symbolizes love and commitment through all good and bad & the strength it takes to keep one's love strong through it all. It can be seen as a commitment to one's family. Having a ring that is two parts represented the caregiver and those more dependent & sheltered. We wanted the ring to be stackable as a family should be able to grow."
- Alexandra Weston
Shelly has a popular line of Achievement Rings, and was inspired to create a piece for Uniti that carried those ideas forward,
"The Achievement Rings Collection was inspired from a need to recognize the daily small stuff that over time builds into a family's legacy. It's what mothers are made of. These aquamarine stacking rings are little trophies to remind us of our greater purpose. Precious reminders that among the miserable weather days, the flat hair, and stupidly hard days, that tehre have also been times when we have shined brightly... days to cherish so that we can spring from them with a quiet confidence of wonderfully sunny days ahead" - Shelly Purdy
Check out Shelly's Achievement Rings for Uniti here.
Check out Shelly's work here.
When Uniti was in it's cellular stage, Shelly was key in helping us brainstorm, so we were thrilled when she was matched up with Alexandra Weston, to create a piece that would represent the Weston family and their perspective on family and community.
Leave it to Shelly to take a lot of great process shots..
(Alexandra at Shelly's studio)
Having recently started her own family, Alexandra chose stacking rings to symbolize family,
"I wanted to design a ring because for me, in keeping with tradition, a ring symbolizes love and commitment through all good and bad & the strength it takes to keep one's love strong through it all. It can be seen as a commitment to one's family. Having a ring that is two parts represented the caregiver and those more dependent & sheltered. We wanted the ring to be stackable as a family should be able to grow."
- Alexandra Weston
(Loose Aquamarines)
Shelly has a popular line of Achievement Rings, and was inspired to create a piece for Uniti that carried those ideas forward,
"The Achievement Rings Collection was inspired from a need to recognize the daily small stuff that over time builds into a family's legacy. It's what mothers are made of. These aquamarine stacking rings are little trophies to remind us of our greater purpose. Precious reminders that among the miserable weather days, the flat hair, and stupidly hard days, that tehre have also been times when we have shined brightly... days to cherish so that we can spring from them with a quiet confidence of wonderfully sunny days ahead" - Shelly Purdy
Check out Shelly's Achievement Rings for Uniti here.
Check out Shelly's work here.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, October 9, 2009
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
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
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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.
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.
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