Rickson

Amazing Review Time

2012-03-07T20:01:00.003-08:00

I am so overwhelmed! A recent client of mine has published a tremendous review of my Goddess pendant! I am so touched. Thank you Dina!

http://reviewtime365.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-time-angel-goddess-woman-pendent.html#comment-form

Rickson

Black Friday Sale!

2011-11-24T06:22:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the wonderful world of Rickson Jewellery where I handmake cat, celtic, music, nature, skull and heart jewellery! I also create custom items so contact me anytime.
I would like to offer a great deal for Black Friday. Simply use coupon code:
FREESHIPPING: When you check out online at my Etsy Shop on Black Friday which is Friday Nov. 25th!
Enjoy! I look forward to creating unique and custom items for you and your loved ones.
Rickson

Go Global: It's as Easy as Etsy Workshop

2011-11-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

View the entire Workshop Online with Slide Share for uploading power point presentations!

I'll be giving a Workshop on Etsy this weekend in Brampton as part of the HACE Business of the Arts Workshop Weekend. Learn how to create an online shop and sell your handmade, vintage and supply items to a global market! It's free, and in Brampton. The Workshop is called: Go Global: It's as Easy as Etsy on Saturday Nov. 12at the Brampton Gold Club. Check out the details in this Facebook event page

To register Call the arts council at 905-874-2919 or e-mail Teresa Alves at: Teresa@artsbrampton.ca before 4pm on Thursday Nov. 10! It's free to anyone living or working in Brampton.
For more info on the entire weekend visit the Brampton Arts Council website:
I am so excited. I LOVE talking Etsy. Check out my Etsy Shop to see what you will learn how to create for yourself.
Rickson

New Pop In Video!

2011-11-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hi!
I am so excited to share my new Pop In Video!

I have been selling these interchageable Pop In Necklaces for YEARS at shows, now you can see how easy they are to use online!

I had so much fun making this video, the music is adorable, and I found it in the Vimeo Music Store, your one-stop-shop for finding, discovering and licensing high quality music for your videos.

This unique changable design also comes in gold, as earrings, a bracelet, and in Delux Gift sets!

Enjoy!
Rickson Jewellery

Little Wed Hen Interview

2011-10-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

I'm honoured to announce I've been interviewed by Little Wed Hen: A great blog about Unique weddings, DIY projects, and more! In my interview I reveal stories behind some of my wedding ring designs, specifically my unique Song Ring Line where you can have the notes to ANY song hand engraved on the outside of your wedding rings!

Read the full interview on Little Wed Hen.

Thanks for reading!

Rickson

New Jewellery Shops

2011-10-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

I've opened a collection of new Jewellery Shops to showcase my different collections! This will make shopping for specific pieces a breeze. Of course you can find ALL of my jewellery treasures at my home shop Rickson Jewellery.
New Shops:
I Love Strange Things

Rickson Art Jewellery
My Favorite Song Celtic Fables

The Classy Kitten

Enjoy shopping for the Holidays!
Rickson

Upcoming Events

2011-07-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Rickson Jewellery will be at The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition in Toronto this Fri, Sat and Sun! It’s TOAE’s 50th Anniversary, so come and be part of the celebration of art! I will be exhibiting my new art photography, sculpture, and wearable jewellery.
Visit http://www.torontooutdoorart.org/ to see other participating artists.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Nathan Philips Square next to the Eaton’s Center
Booth 222
Friday, July 8th 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 9th 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 10th 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

I’ll also be at the Brampton Art’s and Crafts Festival
Saturday July 16th
9 am – 4pm
Rose Theatre Brampton at Main and Queen St.

Find Rickson Jewellery year round in Toronto at these Galleries:
Blue Banana in Kensington market
Made you Look 1273 Queen Street West, 416 516 9595
The Devil's Workshop 890 Queen Street West 416 855 4321

To see my current body of work and to purchase online visit http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/.
Also check out my new art photography and jewellery at http://www.ricksonart.com/.

Also catch me every Saturday at Art in the Open, in downtown Brampton in conjunction with the Farmer's Market.

I hope to see you this weekend and thanks for supporting my career as a full time artist!

Rickson

Talk About Blog

2011-05-20T14:20:00.001-07:00

Hi,

I am the Captain of the Handmade Division and this month we are all answering the question:

What new project are you working on right now and why?

I've been working on these really special lockets for two clients who lost their brother. It was a very emotional process as my Grandmother passed away while I was making them, so I felt very connected to the meanings of the pieces.
One was made to hold their brother's hair, and the other was made so the picture can be changed.
I hope you enjoy looking at my process and the final pieces:

When I create custom items I show my clients a drawing first. After the two sisters saw the drawing they requested that the tree take up more space, so the symbol and tree split the space evently. You can see how this was done in the wax model and finished pieces.

This is the wax of the locket before it was cast in sterling silver.

Here you can see the Locket wax model from the top. Their are two slots, one for the glass to protect the photo and one for the photo. The glass and photo will be added after the wax is cast in sterling silver.

Here you can see how I set hair permanently behind the photo of their brother Kai.

Here's the two finished lockets. Both are sterling silver and have glass set to protect the photos.

The other side of the lockets have a beautiful Tree growing from a symbol. One of the sisters has this as a Tattoo.

Thanks for reading and check out the other members that wrote about the same topic this month:

Lisa Hopkins Design: http://www.lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com
WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear: www.wattoonline.com/news

Rickson
http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/.

Skeleton Series

2011-05-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a series that is a work in progress. I was horrified of skeletons when I was young, but during my degree I started to become drawn to them during a project called Vanity Veritas where I created a skeletal hand grasping a mirror. I started to get into Momento Mori jewellery and have since worked extensively with hair.

Now I am into skeletons full throtle and I find they work perfectly when expressing my ideas about love, and heartache in relation to life cycles.

I've created Skeletons in life like posses which means they inahabit both living a dead realms. I started this series with drawings of two skeletons in a hospital. They represent my Grandparents. As I watched my Grandmother die I became increasingly interested in their relationship, and her existence in both plains. She was here, but she seemd to also be somewhere else. Because of the emotions involved I haven't been able to create the piece of them in the hospital yet, but I hope one day I will. Here's what I have done:

This is the piece I can't quite make yet, but hope to in the future.

Thanks for reading,
Rickson

Talk About Blog: Grandma

2011-04-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am part of the amazing Handmade Division Etsy Team and every month we blog about the same Topic. This month’s topic was chosen by myself because my Grandmother recently passed away and left me her entire jewellery collection. It really made me reflect on my whole career as a jewellery designer and I am so thankful to her for sharing her love of jewellery with me in both life and death. This month’s topic: What’s the most precious handmade or sentimental gift you’ve ever been given and why? These are by far my most treasured pieces because they hold pictures of my father as a child and my brother and I when we were young. Thank you Grandma. The second locket brings a tear to my eye as it holds pictures of my brother and I. The specialness of lockets is in what you choose to put in them. I hope you enjoy my next post about two Custom lockets I created for two sisters who lost their brother this year. They also chose to have pictures in them and an engraving of their tattoo. But until that post check out what the other members think is their most treasured gift. Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com/ Barbara Donovan: http://barbaradonovan.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading, Rickson

Handmade Division Talk About Blog

2011-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

As a part of the Handmade Division Etsy Team we blog every month about the same topic.

For this month I am going to talk about the most romantic piece I've ever created. And I am going to cheat and talk about two! :)

The first one was created for my true love when I was 20 years old (yes we are still together). I spent a long time designing a ring that would suit my boy's personality. He's not the type to wear any kind of jewellery and is generally introverted.

So for me, being someone who loves creating items that are specifically meant to attract attention, it was very difficult to design a ring that expressed my love for him while suiting his quite reserved nature.

His favourite painting is Starry Night by Van Gogh. So I decided to carve the painting on the INSIDE of a ring, and leave the outside plain, creating a simple look for the world, while holding an interior space full of love and wonder.

Around a similar time in my career when I was still in University my mother announced that she was getting remarried and she wished me to create her wedding rings. I was over joyed and learned about how we could melt down their old wedding rings and create new ones. I find this very facinating since you can literally melt down an old love to give birth to a new one. We designed these rings together and they are two of the most beautiful pieces I've ever made. They are featured in Lark Book's 500 Wedding Rings.

Check out the other Handmade Division Blogs about this topic

Andes Cruz http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Jewelry by Natsuko: http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/
Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
Barbara Donovan: http://barbaradonovan.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading,

Rickson

Talk About Blog

2011-01-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

As you may know I am a member of the exclusive Handmade Division. In fact I recently took over the group, as Andes Cruz passed me the torch. We've started a new Team Shop which is growing and has been a great success so far, with two sales in the first week! http://www.handmadedivision.etsy.com/.

But what I am really here to talk about, is the Talk About blog. :)
In another life I was an archetect and I designed elaborate buildings and humble homes for a living.

Every once in a while I get an idea for a building I'd like to design. My favourite is a cylinder building, with the elevator as the 'core' and all the rooms being pie shaped. Then when I was in Birmingham I actually checked out an apartment for rent in the Rotunda. (Which was bombed by the NRA!)

Then when I was at OCAD I designed a tent that was made of trees. But the catch was that when someone anounced they were with child, the community planted a circle of trees. Then when the child was 20 they would bend the trees into a tent, so they could live there. Again I found that this was already being done. However more likely nomadic tribes simply cut down the trees that weren't needed and bent the ones remaining into a tent. From: http://chestofbooks.com/architecture/House-Construction-2/The-Evolution-Of-The-House-Part-2.html

When I was looking for that tree tent image I came across this AMAZING restaurant in New Zealand by the Pacific Environments Architects Ltd.
In another life I'd be designing this!

From: http://inhabitat.com/yellow-treehouse-restaurant-by-pacific-environments-architects/ Thanks for listening.
Check out the other Talk about Blogs:

Andes Cruz : http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com/
Jewelry by Natsuko : http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/

Rickson

Across the Universe

2011-01-12T10:31:00.001-08:00

I created a very special Song Ring recently in honour of the new book 'Across the Universe'. Beth Revis is the author and wanted to honour her achievement with a custom song ring.

I've created a video showing how I created the ring.

Beth Revis will be signing books January 3rd 2011, from 5-7pm at Fireside Books in Forest City, NC. Visit www.bethrevis.com for more details and be sure to pick up one of her books.

Order your own custom song ring http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/

Rickson Salkeld makes every Cat Lovers Dream come true on Modern Cat and Gizmodiva

2010-12-29T16:31:00.001-08:00

I've been getting a lot of interest in my Cat Lover Jewellery and it's turning into tons of sales! I thought I'd google 'Rickson Cat Jewellery' and I found a hot feature on Gizmodiva and ModernCat (great site!). Here's what they had to say about me at Gizmodiva: *blush*
'This one goes out especially for those who love wearing jewelry and if there is anything they love second to that it’s their love for cats. Canadian jewelry artist Rickson Salkeld has brought these two together by combining the feline with feminine pieces of jewelry. These breathtaking and beautiful pieces are created with lost wax casting using precious metals. There is a benevolent side to the designer as well as A portion of all cat jewelry sales will be donated to the Toronto Humane Society.' There’s cat lover necklace for $139.99, cat lover ring for $135.00, brass cat lover pendant for $68.00 and cat lover earrings which go for $127.00.
Thanks to Modern Cat: http://www.moderncat.net/2010/12/28/stylish-jewelry-for-cat-lovers-that-benefits-animals-in-need/

Gizmodiva : http://www.gizmodiva.com/fashion/rickson_salkeld_makes_every_cat_lovers_dream_come_true.php

Crafty Little Devils Annual Show

2010-12-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
What a great Christmas Show! We gathered together 12 very talented local Jewellers and Crafts People for our show. (Scroll down for their links). We served Hot Apple Cider along with baked goods and of course displayed and sold our unique, handmade gifts!
The most popular piece of the show was the Pop In Set. Also my sweet Ballerina necklace sold right away. *sniff* I miss her! But of course I can make her again and again. :)

Also Laura from Dejavu designs is making me a pair of her 'Alladin' slippers with high leg warmer like tops. Sarah Wan, our gracious host got a pair of super cool arm warmers from her.

The sale was held on Saturday, December 11th from 12-8pm at 890 Queen St. W, South West corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto. Visit the Devils Workshop year round for jewellery gifts and classes in the fully equipped studio! Thanks to Andrea Apa for taking some great photos of the event.
I can't wait for next years show.
Enjoy
Rickson
www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com

The Artists:
Andrea Apa - Apa Design Handmade Custom Jewellery http://www.apadesign.ca/
Rickson Salkeld - http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/
Samantha Ravenda - Hey Lady jewellery designs http://www.heylady.ca/
Meghan & Tara McCarthy - Buttermush Studio http://www.buttermush.com/
Melanie Davis - Valkyria http://www.valkyria.ca/
Laura - DejaVu designs http://www.dejavutextiles.com/
Victoria Cho - Victoria Cho Jewellery
Kimberly Koczerginski - Kimberly Dayle Jewellery

Seasons Greetings! Upcoming shows and events

2010-11-16T09:52:00.001-08:00

I’d like to let you in on where and when I’ll be available for jewellery presents and guilty pleasures this season. I have lots of new colours for my popular Pop In necklace and earrings set which you can find at my many upcoming holiday shows:

Brampton Arts and Crafts Fair: (This Saturday!)

Saturday Nov. 20

9am - 4pm

Rose Theatre at Main and Queen in Downtown Brampton

Bring the family and enjoy Free admission and parking. Visit

www.BramptonArtFair.com for further info. Can't wait to see you there!

Arts and Crafts Bizarre

Saturday Nov. 27

10-4pm

Greenway Retirement Village 100 Ken Whillans Drive

I will be selling my fashion forward wire work and selections from my hand carved pieces available at: www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com.

Crafty Little Devil’s

Saturday Dec. 11 (last chance for Christmas gifts)

1-7pm

The Devil's Workshop 890 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON (right next to Trinity Bellwoods park.)

www.thedevilsworkshop.ca

You browse my jewellery and see new pieces at www.RicksonJewellery.Etsy.com and I am available for custom requests and repairs year round. I recently created these amazing Hair wedding bands! I set the couples hair behind sapphire crystal and yellow gold! Check them out:

Also my work is available for purchase year round at these cool independent artist shops:

NEW! Blue Banana in Kensignton Market 250 Augusta Ave. Toronto, 416-594-6600 www.bluebananamarket.com

The Devil's Workshop, 890 Queen Street West, Toronto, www.thedevilsworkshop.ca

Made You Look 1273 Queen Street West, Toronto, www.madeyoulook.ca

The Purple Thumb, 1887 Queen Street East, Toronto, www.thepurplethumb.net

I am the author of the Canada Can Craft blog on Crafthaus:

http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/canadacancraft

Also check out my blog about my own inspiration and process and stay adrift with what I am doing:

www.RicksonArt.blogspot.com

Thanks again for all your support! I love knowing so many of you love and wear a piece of my jewellery art. I can’t wait to make more new and exciting pieces. Enjoy the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com

RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca

Talk About Blog - Who I would like to study with

2010-11-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

If I could study with anyone it would be Nanna Melland. Not so much for a classic teacher student relationship, I would rather just be in the same space as her and discuss our concepts, ideas and processes while creating together. I first discovered her through a classmate during my masters. She became famous in the art jewellery world for her shocking ‘Heart’ bracelet. This piece really tickled me as I designed an anatomical heart during my undergrade thesis and my prof and I discuss the possibitily of it being a bracelet because I wear my heart on my sleeve. No one says this like Nanna Melland.
Heart Charm
‘People who personally have been close to
death, always impress me with their appreciation
of life. As if they know that it does not last
forever, in contrast to many of us, who seem to
live as if death is never going to happen.’
Nanna Melland

I then had the honour of hearing Nanna speak at ‘Sting of Passion’ the first jewellery exhibition in an art museum. It was fabulous. She has this way of transforming ideas about the body, like birth control, into deep, profound works of wearable art. This piece 687 Years is about birth control methods and is made of used IUD’s from hundreds of women.

If you’d never seen an IUD, it’s inserted into a woman’s womb and prevents fertilization of the woman’s egg. Check out The Weird History of Contraception where I found this great image:

I came across a write up from the Grey Area that describes perfectly the experience of hearing Nanna speak:

'Nanna Melland from Norway also gave an informative presentation of her work, not only in terms of explaining her practice but also in terms of her transformation from traditional goldsmith to contemporary jewelry. Particularly impressive was how clearly she articulated the relationship between the conceptual scope of her pieces, and the process of their manufacture. This, and her willingness to present ambivalent pieces of dubious beauty – ‘that force the viewer to contemplate matter that is neither social nor pleasing’- drew strong positive reactions from the crowd.'April 15th, 2010 01:04, Gray Area: Day Three

Also while reading Grey Area I came across this photo. I don't know who you are Dauvit Alexander, but I'd also like to study with you too:

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it,

Rickson

Check out the other members of the Handmade Division to find out who they would like to study with.
Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogpost.com/
Tosca Teran: http://nanopod.wordpress.com/
Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Hopkins Design: http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/
Sand Fibers: http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/
Purified: http://purifiedart.blogspot.com/

Monthly Donation to Toronto Humane Society

2010-11-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

As you may know, I make a donation to the Toronto Humane society on behave of every Cat Jewellery sale I make.
I have decided to sign up for a montly donation of $18 every month, because my cat jewellery has been selling so well. I have just made the first payment which will go through Nov. 15. This will save time in making individual donations and give me more time to make cat jewellery!

If you'd like to learn more about the Toronto Humane Society and all the work they do to help animals in need visit them online.

Thanks,

Rickson

www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com

RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca

Custom Hair Wedding Bands

2010-11-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

These 2 rings are based on mourning jewellery, but instead are a celebration of the everlasting bond between two people. Have your very own hair intertwined with your lovers, and wear a symbol of your connection on your wedding finger all day, everyday. These are amazing pieces because they have a waterproof seal AND the sapphire crystal ensure they will be very hard to scratch. So, that means they combine function with fabulous design!

Victorian mourning jewellery was popular in the 1800's. Since death was so common, it became popular for jewellers to set custom 'hair art' behind glass and metal so people could keep a piece of their loved one after they'd died. Hair is so special because it remains long after our bodies have faded, and is as unique as a finger print.

Check out how my two clients and I made these rings happen from drawings to setting hair in gold!

We started by researching what was out there in Victorian mourning jewellery from the mid 1800's and beyond. We found pieces that inspired us.

Then I sketched some ideas and we settled on two designs, one feminine and one masculine.

Based on the designs I started the wax models.

Kate and Don sent their hair in the mail!

I figured out how to work with hair by using weights from Victorian Hair Magazine online.

I created samples for Kate's ring, but we ended up using a random flowing pattern instead.

I think these forms are really beautiful and I'd like to use them in another application.

The saphire crystal and mineral crystal hair 'sandwiches' (mineral crystal bottom, hair, middle, sapphire crystal top) were set from the back of the rings and sealed with layers of silicone and flexible resin to ensure they are waterproof.

Then they were done! Now they are available to you on Etsy.

I hope you enjoyed learning about modern hair work. If you are interested in learning more visit
The hair work society

Victorian magazine, learn how people used to make hair art.
online group of hair artists where you can order hair art
Love Entwined book

Rest in peace Hunter

2010-09-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

Heather wanted a special necklace made to honour the death of her friend Hunter. Together we designed a beautiful custom memorial guitar pick necklace and key charm.

Our journey started with Heather’s touching message to me:

“I found your custom engraved guitar pick necklace on the web. I was trying to find a custom made necklace pendant in memory of a friend who was killed by a drunk driver; he was a musician…

I met Hunter Richardson in the seventh grade when I moved to Virginia. He was a popular kid, dated the pretty girls…As we all grew up, and became seniors, we had broken down the clicks and managed to call ourselves friends… It was no surprise either to have 15 of us rent a limo for our 5-year reunion. Barely a month later, on Thanksgiving day, hours after eating with his family, Hunter was hit by a drunk driver while walking in a crosswalk with a girl friend. He died some 12 hours later in the hospital, about five months shy of his 24th birthday.”

Heather suggested I donate a portion from both her necklace and this months sales to MAAD, and I loved the idea, and have successfully donated a total of $55 to MAAD. ($45 to MAAD Canada and $10 to MAAS USA). Personal Info removed from Receipts:

Heather had amazing ideas which fueled the production of the heartfelt piece she was looking for. Here’s how it was created:

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this amazing piece. View the Remembering Hunter Richardson Facebook page and Also visit MAAD online to learn more about their efforts to improve awareness and behavior in relation to drunk driving.

Rest in peace Hunter.

Rickson

View Full Album

2010-08-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, February 1850

WOMAN'S BEST ORNAMENT

BY REV. B. P. ROGERS.

"LET me urge upon my female readers, especially those who are in youth, the importance of taking loftier and better views of life than those taught by the vain world. It is a sad thing to see so many of the young and fair, whose life is most a blank—I will not say a blot—whose keen susceptibilities, whose noble powers, whose deep affections, whose precious time is lavished only upon dress and gayety, and fashionable visiting; who wear the bright apparel of the butterfly, and are as light and graceful, and as useless too; whose conversation finds no higher or more improving subject than the idle gossip of the day, the last party, or the never-failing topic—dress; whose reading is the miserable trash which is inundating every community, and enervating and dissipating the minds of our youth; whose whole life seems to be an aimless, frivolous life; and who, as they flit by us on their airy wings, provoke the inquiry: "For what were these pretty creatures made?"—I pray you, take loftier views of life than these. While I would not draw yon from the rational pleasures of society, nor bring one gloomy cloud upon your youthful sky, I still would plead for some serious hours, some industrious moments; some time apportioned to the culture of the mind, the enriching of the memory with stores of useful knowledge. I would plead that the capacities and aspirations of the immortal part receive some ministration, and that the moral faculties be cultivated and stimulated, and the generous impulses of the soul be expanded in labors for the best good of those around you. Be assured there is no beauty like that of goodness—there is no power like that of virtue; personal beauty may attract the admiration of the passing hour, but it is the richer beauty of moral worth, the loveliness of the soul, that commands the deepest reverence, and secures the most enduring affection."

From http://www.history.rochester.edu/godeys/02-50.htm found while researching Victorian Memento Mori jewellery. Hope you enjoyed it.

Rickson

How It's Done

2010-08-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

As you may know I specialize in lost wax casting, which means I carve my ideas in wax and cast them in the desired metal.

I came across this great video on You Tube which explains and shows the process of casting.

Watch and learn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4I4V28H3Cs

Jewellery Activism

2010-07-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Call for Donation ideas!

Know of a worthy cause? Let me know about it.

Rickson Jewellery is committed to jewellery activism. I personally donate a portion of my online sales to a worthy cause, so you can support both ethically produced handmade jewellery, and a cause related to your favourite Rickson Jewellery pieces.

Right now, a portion of every Cat Jewellery purchase goes to the Toronto Humaine Society. Thanks to you, together we have successfully raised and donated $35 this month! Yaa, good for us! :)

(personal info has been removed from this reciept.)

I am also donating a portion of every Birdcage Necklace sale to FLAP, an organization that lobbies buildings to turn off their lights to avoid 'window fatalaties' in the bird community.

Here's where you come in! I am on the hunt for organizations to donate to with every sale of my: Core necklace, Music Ring, Guitar Pick, Dance earrings, and Goddess Pendant. So if you know of any reputable organizations related to: Heart Disease, Music, dance and/or women's rights Please send me your ideas!

Jewellery Activism, lets make it happen!

Check out Gabriel Craig's amazing post on Altruism, Activism and the Moral Imperative in Craft to be inspired about the power art, design and craft artists have to effect the world around us.

Thanks for reading,

Rickson

Talk About Blog

2010-07-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know I am a member of the fabulous Handmade Division. This months Talk About blog topic is:

Are there specific artists you'd love to collaborate with? And what kinds of things would you like to create with them?

I love this topic, as I've just started to engage in this idea. Generally I am a control freak, and although I work very well with others, (having gained excellent group skills in my 8 years as a rhythmic gymnastics, my undergraduate degree and then my Masters degree) I prefer to work alone. Having said that, I recently introduced myself to a neighbour of mine becuase I had noticed previously blank trees, and wood on his property suddenly coming alive with beautifully carved faces. Seeing him fixing his motorcycle outfront one day, I decided to introduced myself, and it turns out he is quite the artist. He not only carves wood but he also makes wood wands with precious stones. He's visited me at Art in the Open in downtown Brampton a couple of times, and suggested we collaborate on something, as he'd like to carve something for me to work my metal into. I love the idea, but since we are both carvers, I have yet to think of something I'd like him to carve, that I wouldn't want to carve myself! (see why I work alone, so selfish! haha) So this is a project I am sure to engage in soon, once the summer rush slows down.

Interestingly, he also taxidermies animals. Which brings me to my next two colleborative hopefuls. One is Annie Tung, who recently recieved Best in Sculpture at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, where she had a bird she taxidermied center stage. However Annie and I are both strong artists and I think we work better independantly. But I definetly seem to be drawn to the taxidermy crowd, as my last artist is Julie DeVille. I interviewed her during my Masters and just love her work. I also find us designing with similar themes even though we have never met, and are designing our work indepedantly in different countries. I just saw her piece Silver Rook from 2008 and love the similar elements to both my Bird Cage and this new work in progress of mine.

What do you think? Who should I collaborate with, all of them, none, you maybe? :)

Thanks for your interest,

Rickson Jewellery
www.RicksonJewellery.Etsy.com
http://www.ricksonart.com/

Check out the other artist's response to the topic:

Andes Cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Lisa Hopkins Design - http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/
ceeb wassermann aka howlindoggie: http://mettledesignstudio.blogspot.com/
Purified - http://purifiedart.blogspot.com/
Susan Moloney - http://susarto.blogspot.com/
nanopod: Hybrid Studio - http://www.nanopod.tv/

Jewellery Womb

2010-05-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

So I've been researching jewellery displays lately, trying to find my groove. My universe, where I want my jewellery to live before it goes out into the world.

It's a bit like creating a womb, or an incubator. It's a bit like building a nursery. My creations will live in this space purely for display though, to look good, but to suit each personality.

Here are some of the extra sriking blogs, images, and wispers I stumbled upon while thinking about displaying my new Bird Cage necklace in response to the ''Bird Cage Craze' going on in the jewellery industry. I am also thinking of ways to display my Song Ring and other necklaces. These are just some cool things I came across.

If you can't read the description, click on the bird cage speaker, then scroll down a bit and read, it is hilarious!

I thought this Koziol partition (above) on Ebay would be perfect to hang jewellery on.

What do you think? Do busy displays distract from the work, or are you not interested in boring outdated, plain looking displays? Feel free to let me know of creative displays you've made or come across.

I am excited to finish mine, I will post images when it's done. Check out these helpful blogs (and this one) on making your jewellery display special. This blog shows existing succesful and different displays.

Enjoy!

Rickson

Silver Kittens Save Cats

2010-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

The OSPCA (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) had plans to euthanize 350 animals, but only 99 have been put down due to 'combined voices of animal welfare advocates' (from the Toronto Humane Society Article), and many people are raising money, and there is even a facebook page for the issue. Also these articles from CBC News and the Star have further details on the event.

I have decided to help by donating $10 of every sale of my Cat Jewellery (Silver and Brass Cat Lover Necklaces and Earrings) to the Toronto Humane Society or a animal shelter of your choice that has a 'no kill' policy. This will help ensure the continuing success of animal welfare institutions.

I hope this act is well received, and of course, kudos to all those loving pet owners who took action in a time of need.

Please visit my Rickson Jewellery Etsy page to help the cause.

Rickson

Talk About Blog

2010-05-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is my fist blog as a member of the illustrious Handmade Division. A group of talents jewellery artists like myself, congregated by the super fabulous Andes Cruz.

www.handmadedivision.wordpress.com/

Want to know what the other Handmade Division members said about this months topic? Check them out:

Andes Cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Jewelry by Natsuko - http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/
Tosca - http://www.nanopod.wordpress.com/
Susan Moloney - http://susarto.blogspot.com/
WATTO- http://www.wattoonline.blogspot.com/
Ceeb Wassermann - http://mettledesignstudio.blogspot.com/
Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
Tamra Gentry http://jewelrydesignchronicles.wordpress.com/
Purified Art - http://purifiedart.blogspot.com/
SandFibers - http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/
ArtJewel Designs - http://artjeweldesigns.blogspot.com/

This weeks ‘Talk About’ subject is:

What item do you most treasure made by another artist? Or what item would you *like* to have?

SO I am going to do both, because they are both interesting stories.

The first is an item I DO have, it’s a silk painting by ‘Silk Story’ on Etsy called 'Feast'. When I saw Zita’s work, I couldn’t get over the colours, the detail and the subjects, these hauntingly beautiful women, seemingly floating in these worlds of coloured fluids. I offered to make a trade, and she said her daughter had her eye on my Leg Link Earrings, so we traded up.

Now I have her painting in my workshop and love looking at it everyday. One of the reasons I chose it is because the woman reminds me of my best friend Sharlene. Something about the hair, and her expression, and the title 'Feast' reminds me of her indulgent side.

Sharlene is a film artist who is living in London, England and we periodically meet up in exotic places around the world to party it up. However since we are both ambitious young women, we live our own lives, and don’t end up in the same part of the world that often, so I thought it fitting to have a reminder of her in my workshop everyday. She recently sent me this picture of her new tattoo which is SOOO her, an excerpt from a TS Eliot Quote:

Because time is only time,
and place is always and only place
and what is actual is actual only for one time
and only for one place

What a cool chick eh?

My second piece of art, is one I would like to have, and it’s a jewellery item, because I couldn’t answer this 'Talk About' question without mentioning this jewellery artist and her work. We all know and love her, it’s Andes Cruz. This piece of jewellery is really how we ‘met’. I can’t remember who approached who, but we arranged to do a trade (notice I don’t use cold hard cash to acquire my treasured art works? Haha). I saw her Trillion Techno Ring and couldn’t remember seeing a piece of jewellery I wanted so badly....EVER! So we agreed, and I made her my Heart Ach necklace. She contacted me with a frantic message saying she had almost finished my ring and then melted it! Poor thing. Hopefully she doesn’t see this as a reflection of her skills, I have melted quite a many pieces, and actually don’t mind that I still don’t have the ring, as the story is the reason we met, and that is worth far more than the ring itself. :)

I hope you've enjoyed my first entry into the 'Talk About' blog. I will be blogging a lot more now as I have internet at home! Ya!

Stay tunned for a new ring I made for my boyfriend's father by reclaiming some old pieces of jewellery, and many other interesting projects. :)

Rickson

Ahhhh... Claddagh

2010-01-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

This is my brand new Irish Promise Necklace now available in my online store: www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com.

Here I would like to show you how I made it, painstakingly I might add. The Celtic love knot for the arms was sooo challenging! But I love a challenge and the end result was so satisfying!

So I start with a drawing. My client gave me a drawing and I worked with it till we found something we both liked. I then traced the image with tracing paper, cut it out and use it as a template to then trace/scratch the basic shape into a sheet of green wax.

Then I cut it out with a wax blade in a saw frame and then proceed to find the shape with a wax file. One I've gotten the basic shape I go in with a scalpel and any other useful tools I have to get the details I want. (dental tools are perfect for this stage!)

Then I had the challenge of the Celtic love knot! Wow this was hard! I spent an hour or so just scratching the pattern in to the wax, but I couldn't get it to show! I would look at it under the loop (magnifying glass for jewelers) and could see the design, but couldn't see it with the naked eye. Finally I jumped in with the wax pen and delicately added strands of wax where I had carved the pattern and bingo! I got it. And I was so happy! I am just overwhelmed with how perfect it looks! Ya!

Anyways, from there I was home free. I set the diamonds right in the wax because you can do something called 'Stone in casting' with diamonds and other hard stones that can withstand the heat of the molten metal rushing round them. But you need to use high quality diamonds or they might crack.

After casting the piece in silver I clean it up with a variety of tools, going from course grit to fine, and to polish with a pink wheel. I also glued the fresh water pearl with 5 minute epoxy, and wonderful glue used in jewellery production. And Voila! A beautiful hand crafted traditional Irish Claddagh pendant.

I know this piece is more conventional then some of my other work, but I really love it! I think it's because of the detail that went into it, and how it's got the classic elements of Celtic Claddagh jewellery, but has something just a little extra special; it's made by Head, Heart and Hand! :)

I hope you enjoy it and my process. Feel free to comment here or contact me for custom orders, questions or comments at:

RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca

Thanks for your interest,

Rickson

Handle It

2010-01-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

So I have been working with this wonderful man David to create a custom, orthopedic, silver, Egyptian inspired Cane handle! And we have been having soooo much fun!
We have been studying all of the aspects that are important. He wants to be able to screw the handle on and off different canes and he is getting a custom Black painted oak shaft made and I am making the silver handle.

I've posted some of the images I've collected. Everything from Silver octopus handles (from bing images) to traditional plastic orthopedic handles, which we both agree look like a bulls scrotum! Haha.

One of the most interesting things I've looked into is Lybian Desert Glass which David mentioned he would LOVE to have encourporated. It's a bit of a pipe dream, but I thought I'd look in to it anyways, and it's facinating. Here is an exerpt from
Travel Adventure, Mystery of Egypt's Sand Sea - GoNOMAD The exact origin of the glass is still unknown. A plausible theory suggests that the sand, which is
almost pure silica, was fused by the intense heat of a meteor impact, But no crater, let alone a
partially fused or aerated piece, has ever been found. which suggests a less exciting origin: a supers
saturated lake of silica that slowly dried into pure natural glass hard enough to resist a scalpel’s
mark.
http://www.gonomad.com/features/0009/egyptsilica.html
Screen clipping taken: 11/17/2009, 4:59 PM

Apparently you can visit the desert and find thousands of clumps of glass! I've posted an image of one I found on Ebay. David said he's bought a piece, so I will get to see it in person! He also purchases some lapis, what a hunk! haha

Another interesting aspect of this commission is researching Egyptian Art. I've become enamered by the mythology around Dung beetles because David also really likes them. This is my favourite piece of info:

The Scarab artifacts of Ancient Egypt, based upon the Scarabaeidae family dung beetle, was the most popular amulet of ancient Egypt. In the ancient Egyption mythos, the sun (Ra) rolls across the sky each day and transforms bodies and souls. The dung beetle's rolling of dung into a ball for the purposes of laying eggs (which would be later transformed into larva) was seen as an earthly symbol of this heavenly cycle. This came to be iconographic, and ideological symbols were incorporated into Ancient Egyptian society. Pasted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarab_artifact>

So as designing has evolved we've settled on an anubis head, and a tunnel of sand for the scarab to live in. This way David can be rough with his handle, as he's mentioned he enjoys opening doors with his cane), since the stone scarab will be protected by the lips of the vagina like form in the front. You can see my material exploration and some placticine models I've made to get a feel for the forms. :)

I hope you enjoy my research, I will be posting more on this project in the future. To commission your own piece you can email me at RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca, or visit my website: http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/ and request a custom item.

Enjoy, Rickson

Quiet As a Bird

2010-01-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

I found this dead bird the other day and couldn't resist picking him (don't know the gender, thought of him as a he) up to draw in the park. It was the most surreal moment. I had been sketching ideas for a bird pendant as I have been feeling very 'fertile' lately and wanted to do a piece with eggs. I had been thinking about ways to research birds as they are hard to view in the wild, when I saw this bird lying next to Brampton City Hall. It had obviously died recently and I pondered whether it was just knocked out. But I could feel through my gloves that his neck was broken from hitting the window I assume.

I instantly thought of my jewellery artist friend from my BA at OCAD Annie Tung, because I saw her learning taxidermy on her facebook page. You can see her latest piece on her website http://www.shesmiledandran.com/ . I also thought of Julia DeVille http://juliadeville.com/ a jewellery artist I interviewed during my MA in Birmingham UK. She does beautiful work, also with dead animals, and I loved the idea I got from her, that when she taxidermy's an animal it's like bringing it back to life.

Personally, I am not at the stage, or place in my life where I could or would want to literally take the body of this bird and cut, or use it in my art. I thought about it, but I would rather just study it. Even placing it in a box till I got to the park made me feel guilty. And this blue jay kept coming by and yelling loudly and I couldn't help but feel he was calling to his friends saying, 'an evil human has got one of our deceased!'

I got over that and drew him and gently handled him. First with gloves, then I got bold and held him in my bare hands. I couldn't help but feel like my interest in eggs, fertility, birth and death were all connected, and I started to think that maybe I wanted to come to terms with my own mortality before having children. Or maybe when

you have children you do look at your own mortality, because it is inevitable that they will live longer than you, if they live to be your age.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy my drawings and photos. As you can see I returned him to the earth and thanked him (or her) in my mind for the time I had with him.

I did some research and thought he was a warbler and have since found out from Ken Vickerson a jeweller and Professor at OCAD http://www.metalartsguild.ca/profile/KenVickerson that he is a Golden Crowned Kinglet, which he believes is a type of warbler. He also informed me of FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program) a volunteer group who among other things lobbies owners of office towers to turn off their lights during bird migration seasons as the lighted office towers lure the unsuspecting migrating birds to collide with the buildings downtown. Very interesting group you can look at here and donate if you like. http://www.flap.org/

I am going to continue my research into birds and fertility and hope to incorporate it in my work.

Enjoy, if you have any interest or ideas on my process or my thoughts, feel free to comment. :)

Rickson

RicksonArt.com

RicksonJewellery.etsy.com

RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca

New Life, New Blog

2010-01-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Now that I am a full time artist and am not in school I have decided to post my research, experiences and goings on in relation to my art, design, photography, jewellery etc on here, for you the people. I have always enjoyed researching but found it a nuisance to organize my research in a way that teachers, professors, and academics in general could follow my thought process. Now that I am 'free' I am finding myself wanting to record my research in a way that the public…you….can enjoy it. So if you are curious about the creative process in relation to art and design then tune in to my blog! :)

I just finished moving into the new (to us) apartment my boyfriend and I are renting. It's walking distance to the Library (where I am now) the post office (for Etsy business deliveries) and the GO station (for trips to Toronto). And I haven't even told you the best part…wait for it…it's got an extra little room for …that's right…my very own STUDIO! I am in self indulgent artistic heaven!

I've uploaded two images of my studio and bench in their very young and messy state. I bought the jeweller's bench for $60 from a watchmaker (Thanks Steve!) and raised it with bricks and wood (temporarily, I couldn't wait to start working at it). And my grandmother gave me her old sewing desk. Isn't it nice to work at something someone else has used? I love it. :)

I am at the library now about to upload some of my most recent research and models, I am looking into birds, insects and one of my old favourites…bones. :)

Enjoy!

Rickson

Full Time Artist!

2010-01-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

Free at Last!

I just finished my Masters in Jewellery in the UK and have returned to Canada and I couldn't be happier! Not that I didn't love my Masters experience but working on my art and jewellery full time outside of school is exquisite!

I will be infusing plenty of energy into my online presence in the coming year so stay adrift with all the changes to my jewellery art page:

http://www.ricksonart.com/

and enjoy my new blog (you are reading it :) where you can delve into my designing and making including my drawings, wax carving, silver jewellery, art, sculpture and photography! So exciting. I will also be applying to exhibitions like mad so hopefully you can see my work in person too!

For now you can still view my piece 'One Tear' at Luke and Eloy Gallery's exhbition Paper or Plastic until January 16th in Pittsburgh. Here's a very interesting article about the exhibition:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/museums/s_652704.html

My work will also be on dispaly at this years Talente exhibition in Munich as part of Schmuck, a huge city wide jewellery/art extravaganza! However I will not be attending in person because I am travelling to Houstan Texas to model a brand new piece yet to be unveiled, in a show called SNAG in Motion, part of the Silversmiths of North America's Guild. Also a huge jewellery show! SO excited.

Also I have been working on my Etsy page so any fellow etsiers let me know any comments or suggestions and I will do the same. :)

http://www.ricksonjewellery.etsy.com/

That’s all for now. I love being an entrepreneur! I hope you enjoy learning more about me and my style!

Rickson
www.RicksonArt.com
www.RicksonJewellery.etsy.com
RicksonJewellery@yahoo.ca