Blog - Organic Metal Jewelry Gallery Toronto

Organic Metal Jewelry Gallery Toronto 10th Anniversary Summer Schedule

At Organic Metal Jewelry Gallery have a fun and interactive summer planned.

Ten whole years, evolving and growing.

Thank you for your interest and support!

This summer we have the classic Evening Intro
Wednesday May 9th 285.00 5 projects

The Weekend workshop
Sat and Sun May 19&20th 265.00 3 projects

Wedding Band Workshops 265.00 best project of all!
Sat & Sun May 26th &27th
also
Sat & Sun June 2nd & 9th

Cuttle fish casting workshop 265.00, two projects.
Sat & Sun June 9th &10th

Enamelling Workshop 265.00 two projects.
Sat & Sun June 23 &24th

Five Day Intensive 565.00 TEN projects!!
Intro
Mon-Fri June 4th-8th

Intermediate 565.00 Ten projects or SELF DIRECTED.
Mon-Fri June 11-15th
or
Mon-Fri July 3rd-6th

Hope you can join us for one of our classes!

We are open 10-10 Weekdays and Saturdays to celebrate
the 10th year of Organic Metal Gallery

call 416 533 8127
to register for any class above or
schedule your own
(minimum 4 people)

Organic Metal Gellery Weekend Workshop Sat & Sun May 19th & 20th

organic metal gallery toronto

Hello Jewellery Lovers,

We have a Weekend Workshop Scheduled for
Sat & Sun May 19th &20th!
Two Days-Three Projects!
10- 3 Both days,
265.00, plus tax.

Also
6 week Intro Evening Class
Starts
Wed May 2nd
6 Weeks -5 Projects.
285.00 plus tax

(Material for First Project Included!)

Call 415 533 8127 to Register.

Take Care,

Robin

Organic Metal Gallery is home to various goldsmiths, jewelers and iron workers who incorporate fluid, natural shapes as well as geometric forms with semi-precious and precious stones, found objects, a combination of metals and techniques to create outstanding art pieces.

There are eight benches in our studio where independent young artists have the benefit of one another’s strengths and imaginations and the fever of a full studio inspires and motivates stellar creations.

Every passerby with an idea or sketch is encouraged to transform it into a reality with the artist of their choice and building the perfect gift for themselves, a daughter, brother, parent, sweetheart or friend. Each piece of work purchased has a guarantee of satisfaction – we will work with the client until they are delighted with their own design or one of ours.

In our studio, in addition to the resident artists, we host lectures, weekend workshops, and classes on all manner of subjects. our introductory classes are always filled to capacity. We also have casting classes, lapidary classes, wax carving workshops and guest lectures on special techniques.

The lively, contemporary bustle of College St. has shown great enthusiasm at our arrival. We are also excited at our new endeavor and this great new location. We hope to see you all soon.

Archive

April 11, 2012 by organic

What is “Organic” Metal?

Our Gold
is “Fair Trade, Fair Mined”
sustaining a lush eco-system and preserving a traditional way of life for an indigenous people.

Our Silver
is 100% Re Claimed and Recycled, and Refined using most advanced processes with lowest toxicity and least impact.

Our Stones
Local Semi-precious Gems and Canadian Diamonds are found in our peices.
as well as Lab grown Stones and created Gems.
Conflict Free Stones are exclusively used.

ORGANIC
has become for us More than simply the Process of Crafting.

Organic Metal Gallery”s Artisanal Approach is forging a Higher Standard for Ethical Jewellery

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy forever only if Everyone involved from the ground up -and including it- up benefits in its creation.

Oro-verde, Columbia; Harmony & Strong, U.S; Polar Bear, Moissonite, Colvard Stones

Archive

March 4, 2012 by organic

My Organic Metal Gallery Jewelry Experience

Organic Metal Gallery Toronto

This is my story as a customer of Organic Metal Gallery and Robin Gray the owner.

First, I live 7 months of the year in Antigua Guatemala with my wife and then home to Canada for the more pleasurable summer months in Toronto.

I met Robin Gray about a year and a half ago, I was getting married and needed a wedding band. You understand guys are bad at this and I looked at many custom jewelry stores in the greater GTA. I kept coming back to Organic Metal Gallery and yes I got my wedding band from Robin.

Since that time I have had Robin design a few other pieces for my wife. My wife had a silver bracelet she had gotten in Morocco many years ago it was one of my wife’s favorite pieces to wear. I took this thin bracelet and asked Robin if she could make me something similar. Hard when the detail was fading on this bracelet yet Robing prevailed and managed to make two almost identical bracelets to match the old favorite of my wife. Today my wife wears the three almost constantly.

This year my wife and I left for Guatemala in the fall as always for those constant warm winter days of Guatemala. Considered the never ending months of Spring Time in Guatemala. I e-mail Robin monthly and decided I needed a Bracelet for my wife’s birthday. Robin suggested I give my wife some options from Organic Metal Jewelry’s web site list of hand made Bracelets. Due to the fact that Robin had made the past Bracelets my wife’s hands are not large thus a Bracelet must slip over perfectly not to fall off. My wife made a choice.

Back to the e-mail with Robin with a choice I thought my wife would love. Robin finished the Bracelet and I had friends escaping the Toronto winter for Guatemala and asked them to meet Robin and pick up the Bracelet so they could bring it with them when they came to Guatemala. Which they did. It is stunning.

Now my wife is a little kid when it comes to gifts, you know she could not wait to see this piece. As always Robin and Organic Metal Jewelry hit the mark right the first time.

Thanks Robin.

Jim/Lis

Archive

December 30, 2011 by organic

Jewelry Classes at Organic Metal Gallery all about hand made

Handmade jewelry is jewelry which has been assembled and formed by hand rather than through the use of machines.

Art jewelry is created with a variety of materials, not just precious metals and gems. In the late 19th century, René Lalique revolutionized jewelry design through his emphasis on imagination and technical virtuosity over precious materials and the imitation of past styles. Additionally, he experimented with industrial techniques, plastic and glass. Art jewelry should be compared to expressions of art in other media such as glass, wood, plastics and clay. Art jewelry however has not yet created such a large following and is a relatively small niche, where jewelry is mostly bought by collectors and museums.

Image by Craft*ology via Flickr

Though many consider art jewelry still part of crafts as opposed to real “Arts” (with its appropriate art critics) things are changing considerably, in particular in Germany. In the 1960s and 1970s the German Government and the commercial jewelry industry decided to foster and heavily support modern jewelry designers, and thus creating a new marketplace. They focused in particular on combined contemporary design with their gold smithing tradition and jewelry making. At present art jewelry is no longer a niche market and many designers are sold in regular jewelry stores.

Archive

December 12, 2011 by organic

Crushing on Robin Gray

interview by Melissa Brazier
Robin Gray is the mind behind Organic Metal Gallery, a store meets workshop that’s promotes young Toronto artists. Inspired while she was teaching in Japan, Robin walked into an open studio. Soon after she quit her job and started spending all her free time there. Upon returning home, Gray enrolled in George Brown’s three year Jewellery Art program. A week after graduating she was strolling down College Street and spotted places for rent, a month later she opened the store.

What was your vision for Organic Metal Gallery when you started out?
I wanted basically to just be able to work in a place where I could do my own work. There were a number of different people who originally came in with me with the same sort of idea and found that they didn’t want to continue. Then a number of people that came in and saying ‘hey can you teach me what you’re doing?’ So, it sort of evolved from wanting to do something collaboratively, to wanting to do what I wanted to do regardless of any setback, then to other people wanting to learn what they could from me. I find that I make more friends everyday because people that come in and have work done, and come back repeatedly. We end up establishing a relationship which is nice.

What do you think the relationship between fashion and jewellery is?
To be honest I’m not sure. I think fashion tends to be about expressing yourself so in a sense jewellery is about that too. But, because fashion changes so rapidly, I’m hoping that the jewellery that I make is more timeless, so people will want to wear it forever. In designing it, I aim to make it really personal, express each person. I do quite a bit of custom work so I try to get people to express themselves and create something that they’ll keep forever. In one sense I can see how they are related, in another sense I think they are almost the opposite.

How does your design process work?
It starts from the kind of person you are. I just keep making things that interest me. When I make something, I tweak it and change a little bit. The more I make, they all seem to become related because of who I am and what I’m interested in. I don’t actually sit down and say, ‘hmm…I’d like to design something today’. I make something and I just change it. My process is just doing it.

What makes your art stand out in Toronto’s jewellery scene?
Probably the theme of it at the moment. It’s a little bit more user friendly and earth friendly. My personal flexibility and the opportunity that I give people to actually see the process as it happens and actually design part of their own jewellery is also a factor.

Archive

December 12, 2011 by organic

Organic Metal Gallery Classes Begin December 19th

Just in Time for Christmas classes begin Dec 19th for the 5 Day Elf Workshop at Oragnic Metal Gallery In Toronto on Queen St.

5 Day Elf workshop
Mon-Fri Dec 19th-23rd, 10am-3pm
we will be MAKING 10 GIFTS
565 plus materials

6 Week evening Class
5 projects (1st project included in course cost)
285.00 plus materials
Starts Tues Jan 4th
(Makes a nice Gift Certificate!!)

Wedding Band Workshop
One Day (Band Ring) 165.00 plus materials
Two Day (Lost wax Casting) 265.00 plus materials
To be announced
OR call (416 533 8127) to book your own date.

Group classes or four or more welcome.
Book your own date.

Archive

December 9, 2011 by organic

Organic Metal Gallery The Ring Thing

posted by Alanna Davey on 2011.02.09, under Accessories, Fashion, LuvZ

If you have a girlfriend, but are not ready to pop the question…let her know that jewelry is not totally out of your realm- by putting a fun coloured rock on her right hand this Valentines Day.

LuvZ | this pink Tiffany tourmaline bobble, surrounded by crystal clear diamonds. It is one of the most stunning rings I have ever seen. But, if you happen to be on a budget you can get some serious bang for your buck at OMG. This solitaire topaz is a great find, and for only $259.00 you are getting a genuine stone in a silver setting. I’ll take one of each please

Archive

December 9, 2011 by organic

Store Feature | Organic Metal Gallery

Love this display cases at the front of the this wonderful studio/gallery/store
Displays
Barbed-wire like sterling silver short necklace, stunning!
Just some of the custom-hade designs of Robin Gray
Most custom-made designs
Work stations where classes are taken and where Robin creates her lovely pieces
More of the workshop located at the back of this wonderful studio
Love the open-brick wall on both sides, serves as great panelling!
Wonderful piece from another designer
Some more creations of other designers
My favourite little piece, the sword pendant on a chain! Just my style! Love it!
Stunning choker-style necklace and pendant all sterling silver and rose quartz ($265)
Long barb-wire style necklace all in pure sterling silver! Just perfect! ($1200)
Demonstration piece of material that can lead to make a particular sized ring
More demonstration pieces
This little bugger just happened to be perfectly preserved when it died and Robin is planning to encase it into a necklace! Cannot wait to see it!

This is both a ‘Store Feature’ and a ‘Not to be Missed’ feature!

Greeted by an extremly behaved Golden Retriver, who is designers Robin Gray’s dog, I had the wonderful surprise to stumble upon this brand-new studio meets gallery store on a walk on College St. and could not believe my eyes!

Owner and custom jeweller Robin Gray, owns and operates out of this great venue and honestly, could not have chosen a better spot! Prior to this location on the north side of College St., Robin was situated on the south side, further east of where she was and had a great 8 years. This new move was perfectly chosen, and the layout has clearly been a success!

With the re-opening of this location Robin will have a reception on Saturday May 29 from 4:00-8:00 PM. I better see some of you there! 578 College St!

Robin, designs and creates all her pieces right out of the back of studio and has them all for sale within the front of the studio. Show-casing not only her designs, but also of a few other designers, Robin has experienced quite the success!

What’s better, is that Robin offers classes and mini courses of creating your own jewellery! She currently has ‘6 week Intro Evening Class’ which has you go through 5 projects. They are: creating a band ring, wax carving & casting, Bezel setting, acid etching and roller printing. Price for the course is $265.00 which is wonderful because YOU create your own jewellery and you have the option of incorporating YOUR OWN DESIGNS! Class dates are Tues, Wednesday or Thursday and run from 6:30-9:00 PM.

You guys REALLY need to check this place out, such wonderful unique pieces and it’s worth every penny! For more info and shopping ONLINE please visit Organic Metal Gallery.

A super huge thank you goes out to Robing Grey for giving me the opportunity to show case such a wonderful little gem in ‘Little Italy,’ and all the best! See you Saturday!

Julio Reyes

Archive

December 9, 2011 by organic

Holiday Shopping Guide: Organic Metal Gallery (OMG)

by Sabrina Maddeaux

Still nosing around for the perfect holiday gift? Check out the Toronto-based Organic Metal Gallery (OMG). OMG is an artisanal jewelry studio working with ethical metals, Canadian diamonds and local, semi-precious stones with original designs made from recycled sterling or fair-trade mined gold. It’s the only one of its kind in Canada!

OMG is a place where you can find that perfect gift combining several seasonal trends. Compress several gifting ideas (eco/green, bespoke design and timeless jewelry) into one! If you don’t see what you want in store, you can even join a class or workshop to make a loved one a token of your affection (or maybe take a class together for a unique shared experience)! The OMG artisans are also happy to consider custom-made jewelery requests.

Most impressively, OMG offers a guarantee of satisfaction on all their product…. they work with clients until they’re happy, greatly reducing the risk of unnecessary holiday stress (leave that for the big family dinner).

The OMG studio was born in 2002 out of a desire to promote young designers and their work, as well as create an interest within the community around metal art. It includes eight benches in their studio where independent young artists have the benefit of one another’s strengths and imaginations and the fever of our full studio can inspire and motivate stellar creations.

You can shop OMG online here. OMG is located at 578 College Street, Toronto.