“I am such a big fan of your sand casting and I loved seeing the stories of the past bands you made, especially those that include sand from memorable places. I’ve been collecting sand from Cleveland (my birthplace), Latvia (my heritage), Venice (where we met) and am waiting to get sand from Hawaii (where Troy was born). The bands are such a beautiful representation of our two lives coming together to start a new journey. Thank you for making this most beautiful artistic expression of our momentous day!" - Client
▲ Jeanette Walker (Photo: Lans Photography)
Designed with the Earth in Mind
memories and emotions, it’s an honour for her to listen to the stories behind these pieces. “It’s what makes my work meaningful,” she says. Walker also specializes in redesigning anniversary pieces. “People who have been married for 20 years will bring in their original wedding set and then I’ll melt that down and make them something new.”
Walker takes care to design and create her one-of-a-kind pieces in a sustainable manner. “Being kind to the Earth and its creatures is important to me,” she says. “It’s important to me to minimize my footprint, while creating romantic, nature-inspired pieces that keep Earth in mind.” Indeed, Walker is not concerned with chasing the latest trends or creating staid, uninspired pieces. Rather, she strives to design jewelry for nature and ocean lovers. “My business focuses on being eco-ethical friendly,” she says. “I’ll often repurpose a client’s heirloom or outdated jewelry.” All of the diamonds she uses are recycled or laboratory grown, but she also uses a lot of customers’ diamonds passed down from family. “I’ll take peoples’ materials and design around what they have,” she explains, showcasing a gorgeous stacking ring she created for a customer using vintage diamonds and gold. It’s been especially popular for those seeking a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or wedding band. “Adding a loved one’s gemstones or gold is a beautiful way to honour the past and imbue your new piece with personal history and meaning,” she says. Since heirloom jewellery often carries precious 5. “Beach Love” Engagement Ring: made using client’s family heirloom gold. The recycled 14kt white and yellow gold was cast in beach sand collected from the couple’s favourite beach. 6. “Seagrass & Red Sand” wedding bands: 14kt rose and white gold wedding rings inspired by the ocean landscape. 7. “Land & Sea” Wedding Bands: Each partner collected sand from their favourite PEI and New Brunswick hometown beaches. Each section of the white and rose gold bands were cast in the two sand samples.
Ancient Techniques, Modern Masterpieces
Using ancient jewellery-making techniques, Walker has perfected the art of sand casting, amalgamation of metals and granulation. “These slow techniques create collections of modern sophistication,” she explains. “However, each piece of jewellery carries a flavour of the past and has a unique old-world appeal.”
Jewelry Designs with Personality and Soul
9.
Walker believes jewelry made by human hands has personality and soul, and it only takes one glance at her work to know this is inherently true. “From the first pencil sketches to the final polish, my creations are wrought by hand, eye and heart,” she explains.
It only takes one glance at her work to know this is inherently true.
8. “Beach Sand” textured wedding bands: sand was collected from four beaches in different parts of the world creating a unique and meaningful texture on their wedding bands. 9. “Twist” Rings: recycled yellow gold and recycled diamonds were used to create dainty stacking rings for the alternative bride.
Jeanette Walker Studios By Appointment Only
Charllottetown 902.393.6376 www.jeanettewalkerjewellery.com
WINTER 2017 www.pei-living.ca
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