Why I participate in the Cultural Crawl

A lot of people ask me why I participate in the crawl when I am busy with custom work. Short answer: it’s fun! The long answer….

The New Westminster Cultural Crawl is a creative exercise that challenges me to think differently. Custom work is like an adventure with an old friend. Every job is different and exciting: there’s a comforting familiarity in the process.

Designing and creating a jewellery collection for the crawl is a lot of trial and error because there are endless options in terms of theme, designs, and colours! It’s a challenge to put it all together and that’s the creative exercise that helps me learn and grow as an artist.

Plus, it’s easier to play in silver because it’s less expensive. There is always a bit of loss every time you work a metal and/or melt it. It’s not a big deal if you lose a little bit of silver.

I think I already have my idea for next year’s crawl collection and I actually can’t wait to get started!

These beautiful photos are by Michele Mateus of Mateus Studios (website link here).

SEPTEMBER: Quarterly Update

Guys, I got it together! In terms of my 2025 Cultural Crawl collection that is. This summer I fully committed to several designs and got them done!

I even had my friend Michele Mateus of Mateus Studios take some photos and I feel like everything is coming together. You can see her incredible work here.

A few years ago I read a book (have no idea which book it was) and the author asked: what are a few things you can immediately do to elevate your business?

Holy cow, I feel like those photos were the thing I didn’t know I needed to elevate my perception of myself as an artist. The design process I opted for this year of drawing each piece out in detail, the photos, the social media planning…it really made me feel like I was putting together an art exhibition. Which is interesting given that this is my 6th year doing the crawl yet the first I’ve come at it from this perspective.

I’ll be sharing those photos, my crawl theme, etc soon!

JUNE: Quarterly Update

The last few months have passed in the blink of an eye!

It felt so great to finish a ton of work before going on holiday! I actually didn’t leave a ton of work with my stone setter like I thought I would! And it was kind of nice that I didn’t because I didn’t find myself worrying about having to get a bunch of jobs out when I got back. I had nothing to think about other than starting a fresh batch of jobs when I got home!

To no one’s surprise, I am woefully behind on making my Cultural Crawl jewellery. I thought for sure by now I would be halfway done. I haven’t made a single thing.

My kids will be out of school soon and as such, summer hours will begin! I’m going to take some extra time off this summer as I have family visiting from out of town. So since I’m working less, I’m not quite sure when all this crawl jewellery will get done!

MARCH: Quarterly Update

I have never been a person to post updates but this year, I thought maybe I would try it out. Mostly to hold myself accountable I think. Wouldn’t I sound like a dud if I promise updates and then have nothing to say!

I started planning my crawl collection for this year! I finally learned that I need to start way before I think I do so I’m not super behind! On that note…I’m very much struggling with inspiration, so although I have a loose theme idea for the crawl, that’s about where my planning ends…

I’m going on holiday soon which means I have to get one large wave of custom jobs done and another one started. Why start custom jobs before going on holiday you ask? Because I leave them with my stone setter so that when I get back, I immediately have another batch of custom jobs going out the door!

That’s it for now!

FEBRUARY: Amethyst

Purple is one of those colours that either people love or hate! And for those who hate it, there is a green alternative: prasiolite! I LOVE prasiolite. It’s such a pretty green!

The only issue with prasiolite is that it usually comes in large stones. The smaller stones are pretty washed out and can look almost white.

Are you a purple lover or hater?

Photo from Pinterest.

You don't have to spend money to support your local businesses these coming holidays!

I mean, yes…we all want sales! But, we get that it’s not always in everyone’s budget so I’ll tell you what I tell everyone when I want them to come visit me at the crawl:

Just pop in to say hi and tell your friends about it!

Honestly, it feels so great to see familiar faces or meet new ones who tell me their friends sent them down to see my work. And most often, no one buys anything at the time, but I know that I’m top of mind and word is spreading about my business which eventually leads to sales!

On social media, you can send your friends posts to things they might like from local businesses or share posts on your stories. You can pop into local markets just to say hello to vendors who worked their assess off to fill those tables!

And please know, there is ZERO judgement if you buy all your gifts at big box stores because those stores employ people in our local community. So it’s also a win, just a smaller one!

Commemorative jewellery using ashes

I get a lot of people asking if I can make jewellery with a loved ones ashes.

I can physically do it but it’s not my specialty. My specialty is making commemorative jewellery from old jewellery.

There are smiths out there that have found ingenious ways to create memorial jewellery with ashes and I would suggest using their services.

For example, Morgan from North Faun Jewellery (see her instagram here). Her process sounds beautiful and practised. From her website:

…the cremains undergo a unique journey in which they are combined with powdered diamonds, clear glass, and a few other bits of magic in a high-heat process. The cremation gem is then set beneath it's glass or natural gemstone within the setting that's been created just for you.

In the process of becoming a solid memorial stone, the ashes that you've sent will become a deeper, darker colour than when they are "dry", and the colours that appear once they are solidified into a gem have a wide range: from near-white, cream, tan, brown, grey, and black. Some may even have tiny flecks of blue, green, or other colours within them…

Read more here.

There are also a lot of glass artists who can incorporate ashes into glass jewellery, ornaments, bowls, etc.

What is the difference between a goldsmith and jeweller?

Technically, a goldsmith makes the jewellery and a jeweller sells it.

But, if the goldsmith is like myself (a one man show) then they are also a jeweller!

I often call myself a jeweller as it’s a more recognized term than goldsmith. When I say I’m a goldsmith, 50% of people ask me what that is. Yes, 50%. Today’s shopper is used to going to a store to buy jewellery from a display case where they are attended to buy a jeweller/customer service representative. Back in the day, you’d go to your local goldsmith. So the knowledge of the term and it’s use has shifted greatly over the years.

Before you found your way to me, my blog, and this article, did you know what a goldsmith was?

Working from home with a rogue 2 year old

This is my life. I’m often taking jewellery photos in the presence of a rogue 2 year old. He often makes an appearance in the photos. I mean, I get it. It’s hard not to want to grab the shiny, pretty things.

What do clients most often feel after a jewellery makeover?

RELIEF: what people feel most when I melt their old jewellery into something new. Why? Because people are usually overwhelmed by the pile of jewellery they bring me to melt. Not just by the fact that they don't know what to do with all of it, but also by all the memories that flood them while they explain each piece to me.

They feel relief when they no longer have a pile of jewellery they don't like or use taking up space in their jewellery box (Marie Kondo anyone?)

They feel relief knowing that their beloved memories are still alive in their new piece of jewellery they are excited to wear.

They feel relief that the jewellery I made them is better than the mock-up I drew them.

They feel relief for no longer having to look at jewellery their ex gave them. And even more relief when I send them a video of me torching it.

They feel relief for finally having the courage to melt down that horrid ring from their parents.

I often feel like I'm reading someone's diary hearing about what each piece of jewellery makes them feel. It's a lot of feelings. And although I'm here for the feels, I also feel relieved wrapping it all up into something they can make new memories in.

Last accidental selfie of 2023

On the last work day of the year, I always clean my bench. I opened my camera to take a photo and took this instead. So here you go!

I got through my “to deal with later” pile, organized my refinery piles, and even prepped materials for jobs coming down the pipe.

Thanks to everyone who supported me in 2023 and everyone who is lined up to do so in 2024. I am lucky to have so many wonderful clients who trust me with their work, have patience for my slowness, and who appreciate my storytelling.