Commissions
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Work with me ☺︎
Hi there! I'm Natalie. I make fine art jewellery by blending traditional craft techniques into one-of-a-kind works :)
Some of my favourite designs are available year-round in the permanent collection, along with occasional ready-to-wear pieces that I make to learn and practice new techniques.
But the best part of a creative life is being able to design from the unique perspective of others; to bring your own memories and meaning to the tiny, brilliant, and exceptionally detailed world of art in jewellery :)
If you're interested in a commissioning a work with me, here are a few things I specialise in!
Designing from Life
Working by hand, I carve every piece as a miniature, sculptural still-life. If you have a photo, painting, or other visual reference, I will be able to turn it into a three-dimensional design for you!
The design of my Peony originally came from an Edo period embroidery pattern:
Organic Forms
Carving by hand allows me to bring out the lines and curves of each piece! This gives you a beautiful look where the main design flows beautifully into the sides and back without a visible seam.
One of my favourite examples of this is the Koi Fish design, in which the curve lines of the fins continue onto the inner side of the ring:
Hidden Details
I have quite a delicate hand in the carving process, and am able to include all kinds of hidden details at the back, sides, and underbelly of a piece! It's super fun to design! And creates something you will never get tired of looking at :)
In the ring below, I have a plum flower garden with a sapphire in the front; on the inner side, a hidden cat peeks out of the window at the back!
Special finishes
Aside from the classic mirror polish, I am able to offer quite a wide range of unique finishes to your design! Below is an example of a sparkly-textured finish created through hand-engraving. I am also working to offer more colourful designs using glass enamels (more on that below!)
Process
The process involves design, carving, and metalwork. During the design portion, I'll suggest some initial sketches based on the information from your enquiry, and from there, we can make adjustments until you're perfectly satisfied with your design. Once approved, it will take up to 12 weeks for me to go through the production part (carving and metalwork), though please allow more time if your project is complex!
For the most relaxed and enjoyable process, typically there is no fee required of you to consult on a design with me. Payment for labour and material can usually be handled closer to the production start date, once you have approved a final design along with all material quotes. In lieu of the traditional design deposit, all I ask is that you respect the effort put into the process, such that we can work together in a fair and trusting way <3
Bridal
Now accepting bridal projects! You can preview the bridal collection here.
For bridal projects, especially engagement rings, it's best to reach out to me as early as you can. This ensures a better quality of work as I can plan for dedicated production time outside of my regular shop's busy seasons. And as mentioned above, I do not currently require a deposit for consultation & design - so you can feel free to reach out and relax while we take the time to come up with something you really, really love!
Enamelling
Recently I have begun learning how to work with enamels! These are jewellery pieces made of layers of glass fused to fine silver; below is a cloisonne technique, which allows for additional depth and layering.
I would LOVE to make more of these as I learn and practice - if you love colourful jewellery and would like to be an early supporter, I can give you a special quote :)
Enquiry
To get more information, feel free to write to me with your ideas!
If you prefer more structure, I also have a commission form here, which includes a few different prompts to help you narrow down your ideas for commission :)
Tell me all about your ideas and inspiration (reference images are extra helpful!) and ask as many questions as you'd like. You can expect a response from me by email within a few working days.
Lifetime support
All custom work includes lifetime support for your jewellery, including cleaning, polishing, and necessary repairs. I offer this option because of the fine detailing in my work, which is on the unusual side and potentially subject to damage by other jewellers if they are unfamiliar with delicate or highly detailed designs. For this option, you will only need to cover the shipping cost (both ways between your location and Toronto, Canada).
Learn more about the craft of jewellery
- Browse the Gallery for more visual inspiration.
- Read about my design and metalsmithing process in the Studio Journal.
- Connect with me on Instagram for more chitchat and social jewellery fun!