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 I rather not. 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.