Tangible art with a Naturalist Theme

Side Street Studio Blog

Stuart writes:
“I founded Wren Silverworks in 1997.

As a child, I was always drawing, deriving inspiration from the natural world around me. My ability to depict the world through the use of realistic lines led me into a career as an illustrator. I also co-owned an art gallery for a few years. In the early 90’s I apprenticed with silver worker Harold Alfred. This inspired me to produce a line of jewellery that marries my ability to draw realistic lines to silver.

This allowed me to create tangible pieces of art with a naturalist theme — jewellery through which the wearer can celebrate the beauty and strength of nature and our connection to it.
My Wren Silverworks jewellery is unusual in that it combines realistic line drawing with the medium of silver.
How is the Jewellery Made?
Each brooch, earring, bracelet or pendant is individually engraved and finished to the highest of standards.
The variety of designs range from birds such as Ravens, Hummingbirds and the Great Blue Herons to the majesty of a Bald Eagle, or the graceful form of a Hummingbird.

All my jewellery is individually engraved, each line carved separately, and each open area cut out with little Jewellers saws. As each design is hand created each time, it will vary just slightly piece to piece, making each a unique work of art. On the back there is a sterling stamp, and my signature.

The first step in crafting the jewellery is to develop the designs. Inspired by Canadian flora and fauna, I create detailed line drawings. Then, the rough outline of the design is sawn out of a flat sheet of sterling silver. 22-gauge silver is used for earrings and brooches and 16 or 18-gauge silver is used for bracelets.
The silver is pre-polished, and the planned design is drawn onto it. Next, the silver is engraved along the design lines, each line individually carved with a variety of gravers. Using a tiny saw, the silver is cut out again, this time following the periphery of the design as well as cutting out any pieces from inside the design.
The edges are filed to a smooth finish. The piece is shaped: this involves using a leather hammer to bang the silver into a pre-carved shaping “holes”, giving the flat silver gentle curves. In the case of a brooch, a clasp is soldered onto the back, and then I polish the brooch with a tripoli (clay) compound. The silver is then washed in an ultrasonic washer, dried, polished with rouge finer clay) and washed again.

All hook earrings have sterling silver Sheppard hooks and stud earrings have sterling silver posts and closures. Brooch backs have a locking clasp. Brooches and earrings are made in 22 gauge silver, and bracelets in 16 gauge and 18 gauge. Sizes listed are approximate”.


Stuart lives on twelve acres, surrounded by wildlife, on the outskirts of Victoria, B.C. His beautiful work can be found at Side Street Studio, Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, B.C. and on line at www.sidestreetstudio.com

Sarah Sladen's Fabulous Sass Bracelets

Sarah Sladen’s Fabulous Sass Bracelets

Sarah writes, “I left the corporate world behind when my family moved from Victoria to Whistler for a one year sabbatical. That one year has turned into six and now Whistler is home for my husband, our two children and I. The natural beauty of the mountains and their ease of access is a daily inspiration”.

DOUBLE BLACK ONYX BRACELET
“I have collected, played and worked with natural things since I was able to crawl. In my teens and twenties I had a small textile company designing and creating sewn and knitted garments. After 20 years in the nursing and clinical research field, it is with absolute excitement that I am revisiting my creative side in designing and sewing leather and bead wrap bracelets“.

TRIPLE CHRYSOCOLLA, QUARTZ & JADE BRACELET
“These leather wrap bracelets are hand crafted using buttons and beads from around the world. I purchase the Karen Hill Tribe silver beads directly from a fair trade company in Thailand. My wide range of wrap bracelets are comfortable enough to wear on a hike but dressy enough to wear out in the evening. An earthy gem stone double wrap can be “blinged-up” by adding a wrap or two of silver, cubic zirconia or onyx. Play around with the colours, textures and sparkle to create your own unique look!”

SINGLE TURQUOISE BRACELET
“Beyond the dream of making jewelry for a living, I’d love to travel the world and personally collect my materials and gems from the international craftsman that cut, shape and mold them!”

SINGLE TIGER'S EYE & GOLD VERMEIL BRACELET
“Please take care of your unique piece by not getting it wet, the leather doesn’t like it and neither do some of the gems. Enjoy! ”
See more of Sarah’s fabulous bracelets at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/sarah-sladen-fabulous-bracelets-m-80482.html

DOUBLE BRONZITE BRACELET

Side Street Studio Blog

Side Street Studio Blog

8 Tips For Stress Free Christmas Shopping

1. PLAN IN ADVANCE! So very few people plan their shopping in advance. Yet a few moments spent making a list of who you will be buying for this holiday season and where they live will make your shopping so very stress free. You can identify those friends & relatives to whom you need to post / ship gifts. Planning in advance allows you time to ship at the most economical rates. (Note: small items such as jewellery can be shipped on overnight delivery to anywhere in the US for $16).

GIVERNY BOWL - AMETHYST
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUYING FOR! Spending just a few moments thinking about those who you are buying for allows you to plan for specific, tailor-made gifts. Such as a pottery baker for a keen cook or a glass vase for someone who loves flowers. Given a few days notice, local jewellery artists can custom make a piece for you.

COPPER RED OVAL CASSEROLE
3. SET A BUDGET! In these difficult economic times it is so very important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Locally made gifts offer exceptional value for money.

Carnival Pearls
4. LOOK FOR LOCALLY MADE GIFTS. Locally made gifts are always appreciated and more thoughtful. The uniqueness and quality of local crafts is outstanding and they cost a lot less than you might think. One stop shopping at your local craft store saves you a great deal of time and stress.

REDWOOD (SEQUOIA) LARGE SALAD BOWL

5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY. By shopping locally you are supporting your local economy and helping to keep jobs in North America. The major department stores and shopping malls are full of produce imported from far off countries. Supporting your local artists & crafts people helps keep your $ at home.

STERLING SILVER, AGATE & AVENTURINE NECKLACE
6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. This is the only planet that we have and we need to take care of it. Your local arts & crafts people leave a small carbon footprint. They use local materials, advertise less and use less packaging – all to the benefit of our planet.

LADIES WOOL SLIPPERS
7. PERSONAL SERVICE. Look for stores that offer a personal service such as gift wrapping and shipping.

Christmas Gift Wrapping
8. LOCAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Locally made decorations stand out as being unique and original. They also last a lot longer than the mass of cheap imports which you see thrown away after each holiday season. Buy cheap, buy twice is not clever in today’s tough economy.

COBALT GLASS DECORATION

Pure Sacred Mountain Organic lavender

Pure – Sacred Mountain Organic Lavender
November 8th, 2010 //

Sacred Mountain Organic Lavender is dedicated to providing the highest quality lavender products, using only pure ingredients that support the body, mind and soul.

Sacred Mountain Lavender
All our lavender is grown organically and is created from cuttings. The plants are then harvested and either dried or distilled into essential oils on the farm. Our Lavender Essential Oil has been complimented by a French perfumer as being one of the most pure he had even experienced.

Sacred Mountain Lavender
Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils in existence. It can be used for:
• Relaxation – sprinkle in a bath, add to an essential oil diffuser, or directly from the bottle, for example on an airplane, or in the car to keep the children calm.
• Insect Stings or bites – Place a drop on the sting or bite to reduce swelling or itching
• Motion Sickness or Jet Lag – Massage a drop of oil behind the ankle bone to alleviate motion sickness or jet lag.

ESSENTIAL ORGANIC LAVENDER OIL
• Burns – Essential Oil of Lavender is an analgesic. Keep in the kitchen to deal with minor burns. First run the burn under cold water for 20 minutes then apply the essential oil of lavender. This helps reduce pain, accelerates healing and reduces the potential of scaring.
• Headaches – Massage your temples with essential oil to induce relaxation.
• Wounds – Place a drop of essential oil on a band aid to reduce chance of infection and accelerate healing.
• Moth repellant – Use bags of dried lavender in your drawers and closets. The can be refreshed over time with the addition of essential oil of lavender.

SMALL LAVENDER SACHET
It has been observed that Essential Oil of Lavender has properties that make it anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial anti-fungal and anti-spasmodic and also analgesic. It should always be tested on each person’s skin prior to use to check for allergies. It should not be used internally and those prone to epilepsy should consult their doctor prior to use.

Relax Organic Lavander Spa Salts Bottle
Lavender is a herb that can be used for both spa purposes and culinary. Be daring and try it in soups, stews, in your coffee, creme brule, fruit salad, apple crisp or with a roast of lamb, chicken or beef.

ORGANIC LAVENDER HAND & BODY LOTION
Our Lavender spa products offer you indulgences to assist in you or your friends pampering and relaxation.
Read more about this magnificent paure and natural organic Lavender at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/sacred-mountain-organic-lavender-m-80464.html

Side Street Studio Blog

Side Street Studio Blog

6 Good Reasons to Own Locally Made Pottery. | Side Street Studio Blog

6 Good Reasons to Own Locally Made Pottery.



There is a fast growing group of discerning people who are discovering the pleasure of owning hand made pottery created by local artisans.

Apple Design Casserole



These individuals appreciate the importance of supporting local arts & crafts. Beyond the expensive forms of ‘wall art’ an abundance of fine crafts still exist (in some cases “only just”) within many communities.

Temmoku Glaze Teapot

1. Locally made pottery is unique. One or two individuals (often husbands & wives) work hard to create pieces that are unique. Every single piece is turned by hand and therefore one-of-a-kind.
2. Locally made pottery is beautiful and of outstanding quality. Each potter takes great pride in their work. Many local potters have their work in national galleries and major collections but you can still find them at your local craft studio.


COPPER RUBY VASE
3. Locally made pottery is affordable and prices often do not reflect the skills and time spent creating the work. Take a moment to check out prices at your local arts & crafts stores – you will be pleasantly surprised.
4. Locally made pottery is Green! By using little transportation, packaging or advertising and by involving local skills greatly helps reduce the carbon footprint.
5. Locally made pottery helps your local community by supporting the hard learned skills of local crafts people and retaining your $ in the community.

Large Honey Coloured Baker
6. Locally made pottery adds unique style to a home and reflects your confidence, good taste and concern for the environment.



Gravy Boat

So take some time and visit your local arts &crafts community. Look for local crafts shows or visit the artist at their home studio. Take a break from your local department store or shopping mall and discover superb, creative arts & crafts close to home.

Salt Pig

Side Street Studio represents over 320 local artists and has been supporting local arts & crafts for over 26 years. Our web site http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/ has over 2000 pages! of artists’ work and is the largest of its kind in Canada.



BRONZE JAPANESE STYLE NEOLITHIC JAR