Side Street News

Patsy Kay Kolesar - Fabulous Hand Made Jewelry

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Patsy writes, "I turn stories into metal. Making jewellery allows me to transform life's amazing moments into wearable art pieces. Using contemporary techniques in the ancient art of enamelling I get to explore colour, pattern, and love stories through intricate metalwork".

"My inspiration is all around me - the vibrant colours of blooming flowers, the detailed patterns on a swatch of fabric, and that moment when your breath escapes you because you see something you love".

"My absolute favourite thing to do is to be at my bench designing and making jewellery with my two hands. I am invested in the art of handmade, and in adding beauty to this world"
"My jewellery work is heavily focused on pattern and colour. In 2012 I was invited to do a 2-month artist residency in Renkum, Holland".

"Since then my work has been very influenced by the bright colours of the gardens that bloomed outside of my workbench and the sea of jewel tones that captivated me when I biked through the tulip fields. I use a process of silk-screening to get the detailed patterns onto my pieces with enamels".

"Silk screening is usually a technique used in textile work and has taken me great patience, practice, and time to perfect in metal work. In the spring of 2014, I was the Touchstone Center for Crafts scholarship recipient, which allowed me to attend a 3-day workshop at Touchstone on Imagery in Metalwork".

"It was there that I learnt how to use decals in my enamel work and have since been able to combine vintage floral decals with my ornate silk-screened patterns. My copper line is also inspired by my time in Europe. I fell in love with all of the rusty metal and red brick architecture".

"I use my favourite hammers to get the texture onto the copper and a process of heating and quenching the metal to achieve one of a kind colours".

Patsy’s lovely work may be found at;

Side Street Studio. http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/patsy-kay-kolesar-design

Posted in Canadian Gifts, copper, earrings, enamel, enameling, fine jewellery, jewelry, local crafts, metal jewellery, oak bay, Patsy Kay Kolesar, pendants, shop local, side street studio, silver, wedding gifts

Beautiful Hand Made Silver Jewelry from Saltspring Island

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Beautiful Hand Made Silver Jewelry from Saltspring Island

Alvaro Sanchez was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he studied design, music and architecture.

Since leaving Argentina he has lived in almost every country in Latin America until 1990 when he established residence on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. As a self-taught silversmith Alvaro has gathered influences, techniques and inspiration from the ancient and contemporary art of the many cultures he has been immersed in.

His artistic jewellery style has an urban Latin flavour. Using precious metals and natural gems, Alvaro creates beautiful, fine jewellery that is both stylish, unique and very comfortable to wear.

You can see much more of Alvaro's beautiful work at Side Street Studio.

http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/jewellery/alvaro-sanchez-unique-jewellery

Posted in alvaro sanchez unique jewellery, amber, bracelets, Canadian Gifts, earrings, fine jewellery, gold, JEWELLERY, local crafts, necklace, oak bay, pendants, shop local, side street studio, silver, wedding gifts

HONICA UNIQUE JEWELRY

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

A week ago I was talking over a cup of excellent Canterbury Coffee with John, the husband of Honica. I asked him if Honica would consider writing a short piece relating to her designs, her inspiration and basically how ‘Honica goes about creating her beautiful jewelry’.