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.

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.

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.

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

Holiday Shopping Guide: Organic Metal Gallery (OMG)

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.