Maker Category: Jewellery

Born and raised in Sooke, BC, Jill Warne’s creativity has always been inspired by the nature and spirit of southern Vancouver Island. She studied visual arts at Camosun College and then completed a degree in History and English Literature.
Working predominantly in acrylics, Jill studied painting and focused mainly on west coast landscapes as inspiration.
In 2017, while looking to challenge herself by working in new media, Jill found polymer clay as an interesting alternative, and began to apply some of the style and techniques she had developed, in landscape painting, to layering and creating depth in miniature clay creations based on familiar locations, such as Whiffin Spit and Sombrio Beach.

Learning metal work came next and West Coast Cameos was formed. Drawing from her childhood home and love of the west coast environment, Jill then created collections also inspired by local floral and fauna. Jill has worked to represent the beauty and soul of her island home.

I was born in Mozambique, Africa, and spent my childhood there. Later, I moved to Europe and studied in Portugal, Germany, England, and Denmark. Where I did a couple of Bachelor degrees, Fine arts and Design.

A few years ago I moved to Canada with my family. For several months I would get up really early, get on my bicycle and find subjects for my photos: parks, animals, people, streets and buildings, anything that had some unusual light or feature. I was enjoying it a lot! It was on one of those outings that I came across the Lapidary Club. I was very curious and the members of the club were so welcoming, that after a few hours on the cutting wheels I was in love! I had always loved to work with stone and metals, but working with gemstones was even more interesting. I studied under goldsmith/artist Tom Schlegel, whom was so generous he allowed me to use his fully equipped studio until I had enough resources to have my own. For two years I studied with him. It was a pleasure and a challenge. Lisa Elser, Tom’s wife is a famous artist, she is one of the crème de la crème faceters. She taught me how to facet and again, she too let me use her equipment. Life is opportunity and fortune, and I have been most fortunate in finding the right people, willing to help and to give.

I have been working independently for 11 years now, and selling at arts & crafts shows as well as rock and gem shows. I make one of a kind pieces. Each piece is unique and has a story to tell.

Running my fingers along the overhanging Cedar boughs on a familiar trail in 2017 is what lead my work to where it is today. The repetitive, predictable, tangible patterns in nature are so inspiring to me. Sprigs, shells, moss, ferns are just some of Nature’s work that I get lost in. Most of us Islanders feel such deep connection to the forest or to the ocean and my aim is to connect people to those magical healing places through a piece of jewellery.

Inspired by all things modern with influences from bold design and simple minimalism, our jewelry is the unique, handcrafted statement that we hope will become well loved favourites.

NIYIEM is a modern jewelry brand based on Vancouver Island for minimalist souls who love a unique style. Designed and hand maid with quality materials and attention to detail, each piece is a blend of architectural shape, rich colour and femininity.

Keith Kerrigan is a member of the Haida Nation, and the Yaghulanaas clan. His family originates from the village of Dadens on Langara Island in Haida Gwaii. Keith was taught basic Haida design in 1980 by his uncle, Claude Davidson. Initially working in argillite, Keith went on to carve wood, before turning to silver and gold, guided by his cousins, Reg and Robert Davidson. Kerrigan’s current practice focuses on the creation of contemporary jewelry featuring Haida designs inspired by those learned from his family, Haida stories, and the stories of his clients.

Timeless and wearable art jewelry handcrafted in small batches with luscious gemstones and pearls.

Unique and meaninful west-coast gemstone jewelry for every day. Woven Stone Co. was created with the hopes of encouraging others to connect authentically to one’s self, nature, and each other. Designed and handcrafted in Victoria, BC, my pieces are curated by refining various combinations of gemstones, resulting in beautiful creations made with love.

One of a kind hand made Jewellery

Originally from a hill tribe in Himalaya area , my jewelry are inspired by my traditional culture . Using traditional silver skill that I learned from a master in Tibet , combined with new technique learned in Canada , I create one a kind jewelry .

Jewelry designs that are that colourful, bold and whimsical, yet natural and sophisticated. My handcrafted jewelry features natural sustainable tagua seeds combined with sterling silver, leather, rubber, organic cotton and hemp.

Tagua from the Rainforest. Smart. Beautiful. Sustainable.

Since 2004, Linda Rajotte has been creating her west coast inspired wearable art. She weaves, textures and forms silver to make individual, unique pieces. The ocean and the symmetry of nature provide inspiration for her. Linda has used many other mediums in her life to express her artistic talents, however, exploring the unique properties of silver, copper and now gold dominates her life in art.

Linda’s mathematical background has influenced her distinct designs. Logarithmic spirals found in nature such as ammonite fossils, shells, and sunflowers are a constant theme. All her pieces are made by hand so they carry within them the energy she uses to create

Her jewellery has been described as being original, elegant and while it has a very personal feel – inasmuch as her jewellery is an extension of her as a person – it also conveys a strong sense of its eventual wearer.

Cristy is passionate about designing jewelry that resonates with its wearers. Her goal is to craft distinctive, top-notch pieces that can make a bold statement or be worn effortlessly every day. Recognized as the inaugural recipient of the “Young Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award” by the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, Cristy’s talent has also led her to be invited to the celebrity gifting lounge at the Much Music Video Awards. These invaluable experiences have grounded Cristy and provided her with the motivation and self-assurance to continue pushing boundaries with her unique designs.