Ace of diamonds dogtag

This is a "dogtag" pendant for my husband's birthday. It is made of nickel silver (as he has lost one before... so no sterling silver for him!). Reconstructed red coral is shaped by a lapidary artist Bruce McLellan for this project. Coral diamonds are held by cold white enamel.

Old work, new picture :)

The central piece and the toggle is made of silver (the gold leaves are gold-plated with a keum-boo technique). This necklace is made of Japanese gold- and platinum-plated beads. The only reason for making it was I had extra beads from this project. (Souds like a good reason to me :)

Upcoming winter classes

Advanced Stone Setting Workshop One weekend: December 10&11, 2011. Time: from 11 am to 5 pm. Price $150.00 + tax.

Advanced Silversmithing course 8-Thursday course, January 12th to March 1, 2012. Time: 6.30 pm to 9.30 pmPrice $215.00

Engraving 5-Saturday course, January 14 to March 3 (No class January 28 & February 4), 2012. Time: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Price $215.00 + tax.

To sign up for the classes call Mountain Gems at (604)298-5883 or Toll-free (Canada/USA) 1-888-593-1888

Custom work

This is the second stone for the "suprise" order. On one hand I had a request for a "suprise", on another hand... I do not make sketches for my pendants with the sea creatures. They are ment to be a "game"... I take all of them out, and see what this stone "wants" to have around it. This stone "wanted" a turtle...

I put the pendants into the little jewellery boxes and took them to the customer.
- Customer has ordered a suprise, customer is getting a suprise, - I told her.

She opened the box...

- Did you know that I was collecting turtles? - she asked... and gave me a hug.

She also told that she would have to fight her daughter for this pendant. So... I got another order. It won't be done before Christmas, though.

Custom work

I got two stones for a custom work... And a very specific task: "Surprise me!"

Well.... If it was my stone and I did not care that anybody would ever like it and buy it.... this pendant could look completely different :) I have to admit, that I was a little bit scared to do "too much"... so... possibly... I did "not enough"...

However, the customer saw the sketch and liked it. So I have become a little bit more brave and did not show her a sketch for her second stone... I will publish the picture of it later this week.

Russian jewellery artists

There are many great artists in Russia. There are many talented jewellery designers among them. However, as any artists of a country with its own culture and history, modern Russian artists have their own preferences in the materials that they like to use. Russian people like chic in their every day life, they like colour and intricate forms. No wonder that seed beads and lace making techniques have transformed from traditional ways of use, known in the past centuries and into something completely new to fulfill the imagination of these new artists who have the world open in front of them. They study all innovations. They love their background. Then they put everything aside and start creating...

Alice in Wonderland

I just thought I would not be able to find another carver that could impress me as much as Dashi Namdakov when I've come across this Russian wood and ivory carver! His name is Joseph Epshtain. Look what he has made!

These are the figurines from the "Alice in Wonderland" book made into a chess set.

I hope he can find a connoisseur who can afford this beautiful piece of work!

My necklace is published in a designer jewellery book

My necklace that I wrote about before is included into this wonderful book of designer jewellery. The book is for sale here. Preview is available.

Creative Treasures

Jewellery Masterpieces virtual collection

There is an amazing Russian carver... a sculptor and a jeweller whose work can become an inspiration for anybody who does carving. It has become an inspiration for me too. He has the highest level of creativity and fantasy that ever exists. I am looking at his works and I see his world, as I see the worlds of Erte, Lalique or Faberge.

He says that he tries to introduce people to his ethnic culture (which is not Russian), but could anybody else do this introduction in a way he did? I would not believe so. It was a talent that could not avoid an international attention. And it did not. The artist works in Italy and England. He had exhibitions in the best galleries all over the world.

His web-site is a pure eye-candy. I will be visiting it again and again... whenever I need an inspiration... His name is Dashi Namdakov.

Gothic Necklace

I have always liked elegant evening necklaces in Gothic style. Black lace, glimmer of dark stones and hanging chains... I think this is very feminine and exquisite. Being a designer I had to try and make a few pieces of jewellery in this style. I asked a friend of mine to make me some handmade laces and used them for my Gothic/evening necklaces.

Small beads are garnets. Chains and a clasp is made of copper. Enigmatic tektite is set in sterling silver. The result is as fabulous as I could imagine...
The necklace is available at the Just Jewellery gallery in White Rock.

(Update: the necklace is not available anymore)

Peackock Feather Necklace

Beautiful labradorite cut by a lapidary artist Bruce McClellan is featured in my peacock feather necklace. Peacock feathers are so widely used in jewellery but still a favourite theme for many jewellers as well as wearers. When I got this stone I realized what it should be used for. I opened google to look at the peacock feather designs, to make sure that whatever I design is going to look like nothing out there :)

It is stylized, simple, unusual and would look great with pretty much anything. The necklace is available at Just Jewellery, White Rock.

(Update: not available anymore)

Kynite Maple Forest pendant

This is one of my favourite styles to work in. I've made a free-form pendant with a gorgeous kynite before... It was my favourite piece at that time. I gave it to a jewellery gallery on consignment to "decorate my display". Of course, it was gone soon after :) I had to make another one in the same style and with a kynite... Though it is the same ornament, a similar stone and it is made by the same person again (me, of course), it does not look the same at all. That is a good thing, I think.

This pendant is available in my etsy shop online. To buy it or see more pictures click here >>>

My favourite squirrel necklace

One of my favourite designs ever is now available at my Etsy shop. The squirrel ornament is from a 50-year old Russian book for housekeepers (from a woodworking section). However, being a Canadian artist now I've included tiny maple leaves into this ornament. The original piece was hand pierced and soldered. I can cast them now, but still keep all my pieces unique, so none of them looks the same.

To see more pictures or buy it click here >>>

Seed-bead contest in Kiev, August, 2011

As a jewellery artist who started as a seed bead designer I still love jewellery made with the creative techniques available for the seed beads. My dear friends and co-founders of the International Association Art-Biser were traditionally invited to jury an International contest for the beaders that took place in the capital of Ukraine Kiev.

Look at all this beautiful and joyful jewellery! It is very sad really that we need a "special occasion" to wear something like this... and a "special" mood too. Can you imagine... there are countries where people wear all these gorgeous accessories just because it is sunny outside and everybody is dressed up as if they are going to a birthday party anyway? I am jealous...

These last three pictures are from the web-site of the magazine that holds the contest - Modnyi

Owl ring and Heron ring

These birds were my first tries to do wax carving. The owl was also engraved after it was cast. It took so long time and so much patience to carve them... that they stay the only birds I've ever carved :) I have rubber molds and can reproduce them. They are finally up and on Etsy available to be ordered.

Click here to see more pictures or buy the Owl ring

Click here to see more pictures or buy the Great Blue Heron ring

Autumn necklace

This necklace is from the story about the Pink Christmas Bracelet that you can find here if you scroll down. I do not have another picture of it, as it was damaged when we were moving. So I need to fix it first. Maybe it is even going to be for sale after that... I thought it was quite unusual for me not to put something like this on my web-site for so long. Therefore it is going to be on the same page now, right by the bracelet. (And please do not laugh at this picture of me... this outfit seemed to be very appropriate and creative in Russia! and rather humble too...) (And, yes, I made the head-piece too... and I still have it too)

Men's / Unisex necklace collection

This collection had started as men's, but when it was finished I thought it was more "unisex" rather than just men's. I can see women wearing this jewellery. I would wear most of them myself too.

This collection (there are more pieces in it than I copied here) is available in my online store. They wanted me to write about my inspiration for each piece. I realized, that indeed, there was an inspiration for each of those pieces.


My husband does not wear jewelry. One day I've decided to take this fact as a challenge. I wanted to make a necklace that he would want to wear. I ended up creating a collection of men's jewelry. It turned out successful. My husband is even asking me to make him a special pendant. I will... Though, he is not getting this one, as I do not need a spoiled husband :) He will get only one necklace!

I was looking for a typical "men's" pendant shape, but could not resist giving it an elegant look by creating an animal pattern with black enamel. The result of my quest became suitable for women as well as for men.

I was creating exquisite and very feminine jewelry for years. In search of something different I got carried away by creating jewelry that had a very strong look. A cross with clear lines and contrasting black enamel is just what could satisfy my interest.

I wanted to give a little bit of glamor to a simple dog tag, considering men who wear jewelry because they want to look fashionable.

The inspiration for this piece is the crystal itself and the metaphysical qualities that it has. It is believed to receive, activate, store, transmit, and amplify energy; stimulate brain functions and activate all levels of consciousness. It is excellent for meditation and is said to bring harmony to the soul.

Australian opal necklace

We went to Australia in April... I brought this opal from Sydney to make a very special necklace. Finally, on the 21st of August it is done and the pictures are taken. This necklace is officially for sale. This is what I've told my husband.

We are still laughing over the story with another pendant I made... So, my husband told me: "If you sell your opal necklace I will eat my hat this time".
My answer was: "Start seasoning it!" (lol)

Prohibition Tea Party

These lovely pendants (rose quartz, rodonite and BC jade in silver) from my original collection are participating in a fund-rising event: gala and craft auction! Scroll down to read the invitation!

Squirrel ring (sterling silver and enamel; hand-made)