Like most children, during sunny days I filled my pockets with shiny river stones and shells. At night I watched the moon rise, a silver sphere with pockets of shadow. These are the things, along with copper (which seems almost liquid to my eyes and fingers) that inspire my jewellery designs — the natural things of earth and sea.

Stones have always held my imagination, drawing me to them, their creation embedded in the universe’s impetus to become.  When Earth herself began swirling, her core becoming dense with molten elements, the mysteries that started with an infinitely small spark of energy had begun to manifest. In the 13 to 15 billion years that followed, the semi-precious gemstones I use in my jewellery were created.

The organic shape of shells has changed little from fossils found embedded in limestone worn away by wind and water. Abalone swirls with blue and green hues, highlighted (it seems) with the rosy glow of dawn and dusk, while mother-of-pearl glistens like the moon’s reflection in water. Coral, like shells, come from biological processes that result in mineral matter. Shells and coral find their way into my jewellery.

Finally, I sometimes include glass baubles, man-made crystals, and fair trade Kazuri beads in my creations. Compared with the eons it took for stones to form and the ancient art of pottery-making, glass is relatively new. Inspired by rock quartz, the making of clear glass was not perfected until the Middle Ages.

So these are the materials you’ll find in my jewellery: stones, coral and shells, sterling silver (a reminder of Grandmother Moon), copper (probably the first metal to be used by humans, according to the Smithsonian), and occasionally glass, Swarovski and Czech crystals, and fair trade Kazuri beads of African clay. The patterns that I tend to replicate from nature are curves and circles. When you hold these pieces of jewellery — made to adorn your body and sooth your soul — imagine all that has gone into their making.

Juried art shows: Expressions 2009, John M. Parrott Art Gallery, May 7-28 (“Mask with Whiskers,” cuttlebone cast pewter (sans lead) with braided thong and sterling silver findings)

Venues (galleries and shops): 

• Daylily Studio, Napanee (2009)

• Gallery ArtPlus, Belleville (since 2007)

• Gallery on the Bay, Arden (since 2008)

• Galloping Goat, Black River, Prince Edward County (PEC) (since 2008)

Venues (events):

• March 28, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lion’s Hall, Napanee

• April 30-May 3, 2009: Tett Creativity Centre artisans show and sale, Kingston

• Mid-May to Mid-September:  HandWorks, Bloomfield (PEC) (2008-ongoing)

• June 14, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lion’s Hall, Napanee

• May 24, 2009: Lilac Tea & Art Show, Tyendinaga Public Library, Melrose

• July 30, 2009: W.I. Show and Sale, Arena, Picton (PEC) (annually since 2007)

• August 16, 2009: Women’s Art Festival, Kingston (annually since 2007)

• September 13, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lion’s Hall, Napanee

• October 3-4, 2009: Tweed & Area Studio Tour, Kathryn’s studio at 6770 Old Hwy 2 (between Shannonville & Marysville) (annually since 2008)

• October 17, 2009: Trent Hills Grannies for Africa Jewellery Show and Sale, Campbellford (annually since 2007)

• November 8, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lion’s Hall, Napanee

• November 28-29, 2009: Creativity Kingston, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour (annually since 2008)

See Kathryn’s creations...

• Ongoing: Gallery ArtPlus, Belleville

• Seasonal: Galloping Goat, Black River, Prince Edward County (PEC)

• Summer Saturdays on the lawn, HandWorks, Bloomfield (PEC)

• Show dates: March 28, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lion’s Hall, Napanee

• April 30-May 3, 2009: Kingston Potters' Guild & Friends show and sale, J.K. Tett Building, Kingston

• June 14, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lions' Hall, Napanee

• July 30, 2009: W.I. Show and Sale, Arena, Picton (PEC)

• September 13, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lions' Hall, Napanee

• October 3-4, 2009: Tweed & Area Studio Tour, Kathryn’s studio at 6770 Old Hwy 2 (between Shannonville & Marysville)

• November 8, 2009: Napanee Artisan Guild show and sale, Lions' Hall, Napanee

Kathryn’s studio-workshop will open at 6770 Old Hwy 2 (5 km east of the village of Shannonville) during summer 2009 – watch for a grand opening notice. For further information, email jewelleryartisan@yahoo.ca, or write c/o P.O. Box 367, Shannonville, ON K0K 3A0.