Turquoise locket

This order came unexpectedly. A customer brought a ring and wanted to have a locket made to mach the ring’s design. He chose a stone that replicated the shape of the stone in the ring… I realized that the locket needed to be quite big… Though all other design decisions were left for me and I could use all the creativity I wished.

I really enjoyed making this custom work. An order like this is a gift for an artist. And I really hope that the girl who has received it for Christmas 2010 liked it too. I wish I could see her face… but this is not my privilege. Who knows, maybe I will get to meet her one day… I will be very happy see her wearing the locket.

Upcoming Christmas Fairs and Exhibits, 2010

Vancouver Fashion Week, Vancouver, 3rd to 7th of November.

Creative Treasures, 10379 Ladner Trunk Road (East Delta Hall), Delta, 10th to 13th of November.

FAB FAIR, a jewelry and accessories show, Heritage Hall (3102 Main St @ 15th), Vancouver, 20th & 21st of November.

Portobello West , Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver, 4th & 5th of December.

Women's Winter Faire, Heritage Hall (3102 Main St @ 15th), Vancouver, 18th and 19th of December.

Designer of the day. The Province.

http://www.theprovince.com/health/Designer/3618454/story.html#ixzz11OeFmnBt

http://vanfashionweek.blogspot.com/2010/10/designer-of-day-natalia-khon.html

Photo session!

More pictures from Kiev Bead Festival 2010

International Festival "Magic Beads 2010"

I would like to keep this event in my memory... It was a fantastic event... that I missed, alas. It took place in Ukraine and was coordinated by Yurij Shumanskij, the owner of a magazine devoted to the art of beaded jewellery called "Modnyj".

He invited three designers out of the founders of the International Association of Designers "Art-Biser" to be part of a jury. And yes, I have something to do with it, as I am among its founders too.

No way I could join the event (though a couple of people actually came from the USA to be part of jury), but I was lucky to participate in the discussions of the jury girls: Irina Belinskaya, Albina Plyanskaya and Anjelica Susoenkova. It was interesting to look at the Festival from inside, even being a half a planet away from it!

Here are a few pictures that I borrowed from Y.Shumanskij web-site:

1) In this picture you may see (left to right): I.Belinskaya (President of the International Association "Art-Biser"), A.Susoenkova, A.Polyanskaya and S.Bacileva:

2) Irina's necklace is something, isn't it? By the way, the red roses at the top of this page are made by her also:

3) S.Bacileva is teaching a free of charge (as one of the the sponsors of the "Art-Biser" association) lesson of kniting with beads:

4) This is a displey of the Internation Association "Art-Biser":

5) Models wearing jury girls' jewellery:

6) The outfit made by S.Bacileva that got the first prize:

7) Famous I.Belinskaya's necklace (thinking how to translate the name... maybe as a "Russian Phoenix" or "Fire-bird" - it is from a fairy-tale):

8) Ankars necklace made by Rina Stepnaya (one more founder of the "Art-Biser" association):

9) Necklace made by A.Polyanskaya:

I hope you enjoyed reading this report as much as I was enjoing writing it!

Natalia Khon,

Canadian Jewellery Designer.

Glass As Art (Roundhouse)

There is going to be a very nice installation at the Roundhouse. A very large piece of art that a few artists got together to create. It is made of glass, metal and beads (and maybe something else too!).

Megan Parks, one of the artists and a friend of mine gave me this invitation with the schedule for the opening and exhibit. I think, many other people would appreciate seeing it. You do not need this invitation to go to any of these events listed.

I will go for sure!

This is how the tourists can see Vancouver city

Autumn classes, 2010

There is a new schedule at the MG for September and October!

These are the classes that I will be teaching there:

* Beginner Silversmithing course 8-week course, October 6 to November 24, 2010. Time: from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. Price $185.00 + tax.
(We make a pendant with a stone and a ring with a stone at this class)

* Advanced Silversmithing course 8-week course, September 7 to October 26, 2010. Time: from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. Price $195.00 + tax.
(Two main projects are: a hollow ring or a pendant and a free-shaped stone with sharp corners)

* 3D Surface Embellishments: Reticulation and Granulation 1-Saturdays class, September 11. Time: from 11 am to 5 pm. Price $95.00 + tax.
(This is a 2-day class usually, but shortened as scheduled at the last moment)

* Decorative clasps 3-day course, (3 Saturdays), October 2 to October 23, 2010. Time: from 11 am to 5 pm. Price $195.00 + tax.
(Advanced silversmithing skills are required for this class)

* Engraving 7-week course, running on Tuesday nights, November 9 to December 21, 2010. Time: from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. Price $175.00 + tax.
(No previous skills are required for this course)

* Chain Making (soldering techniques) One weekend class, September 18 & 19. Time: from 11 am to 5 pm. Price $150.00 + tax.
(No previous skills are required for this course)

To see the descriptions for the classes and the pictures visit the class page at my web-site: http://nataliakhon.com/classes.htm

Does a big stone always mean "beautiful"? (5 of 5)

Finally, the size of your gem is also very important when you are evaluating it. Big crystals are rare, therefore, expensive. No woman will stay indifferent when imagines a big diamond in her wedding ring. Also, normally very pale stones (such as aquamarine) get more pronounced and deep colour when they are bigger. This is why the price per carat is higher for the bigger gems.

However, there are exceptions from this "size rule". If a precious stone has a very dark color, then the bigger it is, the darker the color is. For example, a dark-green tourmaline or a dark-blue sapphire will appear almost black. Therefore, the price per carat for such stones is not going to be great.

It is very important that the colured stones have a cut, that is the best for their size, so the colour is shown the best.

I hope, that this article helped you to look at your favourite gem from a new point of view. Use this knowledge (if it is new for you) to wisely choose a piece of jewellery with a stone for your dear people and friends.

Maria Roudakova
A jeweller from Switzerland