Mel Smit

19kt white gold engagement ring using the clients gem from an inherited ring. The client had supplied an image of loosely woven metal as the inspiration for the piece. Super happy for this couple - she said yes of course! I always feel honoured when I’m asked to make important pieces for people, this jewellery is going to be with them for many years and will be there throughout their many adventures. ... melsmit.ca . . . . . #19kt #whitegold #engagementring #shesaidyes #clientsgem #repurposed #inheritedgem #ruby #purplesapphire #sapphire #wovenring #solitaire #ringsofig #ringoftheday #proposal #love #yycjewellery #canadianjeweller #handmade #yccliving #finejewellery #jewellerydesigner #modernbride #engaged #lifeshouldbefullofbeautifulthings #lifeshouldbefullofadventures

Third times the charm. Recently I made an engagement ring that ended up being recast a couple of times. I don’t do casting myself, I don’t have the space, equipment or desire to cast. It’s an unpleasant job, so I send my wax models out to be cast. The first time the ring was cast locally, to save time as the proposal was for a special day that was coming up fast. The casting was terrible, full of pits, as you can see in the top picture, most likely from overheating the gold.... It was so full of porosity that the ring was brittle and cracked several times. You couldn’t really see these holes with the naked eye so I took these photos with my macro lens. I finished the ring in time for the proposal date but told the client that the ring ***had to be remade***. The ring was not to my quality standard. I didn’t want this ring to go out into the world in that state but I also didn’t want to disappoint the client by missing the deadline. So, a new wax model was made and sent out to bc in the hopes of a better casting. It didn’t fill all the way, so part of the ring was missing. Then a third wax model was made and sent again. This time, the casting was perfect. It filled and had no porosity issues, so the finish was beautiful as you can see in the bottom photo. Handmade jewellery is a craft full of opportunity for things to go wrong at any stage in the process. Skill, knowledge and proper tools reduce the risk, but even the most skilled crafts person have pieces that go wrong sometimes. I am so grateful to this client for their patience and understanding of this. I feel much better knowing that the third ring is a high quality casting and will hold up to the many many years I expect it will be worn for. melsmit.ca . . . . . #thirdtimesthecharm #murphyslaw #process #castingproblems #porosity #likeswisscheese #nogood #gottaredoit #qualitystandards #sometimesfasterisntbetter #qualityoverquantity #handmade #risk #craftsmanshipmatters #albertacraft #mistakesweremade #rushjobsarealwaysinteresting #workedoutintheend #19kt #whitegold #qualityworkmanship #craftsmanship #engagementring #clientsgem #yycjewellery

Almost 20 years ago, when I was working for an iconic Canadian jewellery company, I was given a couple boxes of gemstones, mostly synthetics, that were going to be removed/thrown out by the company as they instituted a ‘no synthetics on the premises’ policy. I have mainly used them as a design tool, laying out stones with my sketches to decide where gems will go, as placeholders for gems that I have yet to order or remove from clients jewellery that is being redesigned. I p...ulled them out recently for this purpose, to lay out various combinations of blue sapphires to show a client before deciding on a design and dismantling their pieces. I have also often opened these boxes just to look through them. The gems, though mostly synthetic are pretty, but what I almost love more are the paper parcels the gems are stored in. Many of them have handwritten dates when the company did inventory counting, as you can see here. Some are labelled on the front by typewriter. I’m careful with the papers as they are old and disintegrating, with dates starting in the 1920’s, these are period pieces. Some of the first jewellery featuring synthetic sapphires was jewellery made in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. I haven’t used any of these gems in a piece yet, but I would love to do an Art Deco piece with them, maybe an Art Nouveau piece as well, perhaps even attempt a reproduction piece... melsmit.ca . . . . . #gemparcel #gempapers #inventorymanagement #handwritingfromthepast #handwriting #recordkeeping #jewellerydesign #jewellerytools #artdeco #artnouveau #periodjewellery #littlestash #littlestashofhistory #earlysynthetics #gemstones #neveroutofstyle #gladitdidntgetthrownaway #rightplaceatherighttime #theydidntknowwhattheyhad #yycjewellery #yycstories #canadianjeweller #albertacraft #canadianjewellery #timecapsule #respectthepast #writinginthemargins #messagesfromthepast #localhistory #jewelleryhistory

Here’s another look at this gorgeous ring. The original ring that the ruby came from had the owners initials engraved inside. I cut that piece out and soldered it onto the inside of the ruby’s setting, which you can see just the edge of on the left hand side in the second photo. When looking on the inside of the setting you can read the original engraved initials, it was a great idea of the clients to tie the original ring into the new one and to keep that connection to the... person who owned it. The jewellery has been completely changed yet still holds the reminder of the special person that the gem came from. melsmit.ca/shop . . . . . #gorgeousring #handmadejewellery #redesign #rework #reuse #recycledgold #sentimentaljewellery #twotonering #ringsofinstagram #ringsofig #syntheticruby #rubyred #inheritedgems #diamonds #schmuck #bespokejewellery #jewelryaddict #yycjewellery #yycliving #canadianjeweller #madeincanada #canadianjewellery #albertacraft #madeinalberta #myclientshavegreatideas #handcarved #sograteful #thankfultobepartofthis #memento #hiddenengraving

Cocktails for Critters is coming up on October 3rd! There are a few jewellery pieces from me up for grabs in the silent auction, which is raising funds for the Calgary Humane Society. This event is usually a fantastic evening filled with generosity, fashion, good food, drinks, raffles, auctions, and of course, the animals! This year it is being held virtually and promises to be a wicked time. The tickets typically sell out, so be sure to get yours soon. In addition to ticket...s, you can add on fun boxes of food, drinks and other treats to be delivered to you, which will make the evening even more fun. www.calgaryhumane.ca . . . . . #cocktailsforcritters #gala #virtualgala #cocktailsforcritterscalgaryhumane2020 #5050raffle #fiftyfifty #silentauction #charity #supportlocalcharities #fortheanimals #fashionshow #rescuesontherunway #adoptable #fosteringsaveslives #rescuepets #yycpets #yycanimals #animalmeetandgreet #raffles #funtimes #yycevents #yycjewellery #yycfashion #yycstyle #yycliving #cocktails #critters #houseparty #partyathome #donate

Another sneak peek! Here is a taste of some patterning that I used in a second piece that will be in the Ghost Stories YYC show at the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery. This is an embossing in silver and is part of the jewellery piece/ short story Too Good to be True. ... The show is coming up this October and I’ll post dates soon. I’m pretty excited to be part of this show and to see all the work that other artists have been working on! . . . . . #ghoststoriesyyc #ghoststories #rubertoostberggallery #yycart #yyccraft #yycliving #yycstories #albertacraft #yycevents #creativewriting #shortstory #shortstories #toogoodtobetrue #artshow #yycjewellery #sneakpeek #spookytales #wip #embossing #pattern #sacredgeometry #inheritance #cursedjewellery #cursedobject #silver #handmade #schmuck #process

Sneak peek. Process shots of a collaborative piece I was working on for the upcoming Ghost Stories YYC at the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery Hands are always a bit spooky.

Happened across these photos and realized I never shared them. This is a ring I made a little while back. It was a gift for a wonderful grandmother, who wanted something with a little bit of Celtic design. We chose the triquetra, or trinity knot as the number 3 was symbolically important in representing family members. The triquetra is an ancient symbol and is found in several different cultures, but is most known for its use in Celtic symbolism. It’s one of my favourite kn...ots because of its simplicity and we paired it with a beautiful turquoise oval cabochon. It was really a thoughtful gift to have custom made, and I am thankful to have been part of such a happy moment. melsmit.ca

Recent commission to match a pair of earrings we made. If you scroll through my photos, you’ll see the earrings in there. 14kt white gold with red Mozambique garnet and a gorgeous piece of tourmalated quartz. It’s fun to work with asymmetrical pieces, and can be a little more challenging, design wise, as our brains tend to want to see balance of left & right and top & bottom. I’ve been a bit quiet on the socials lately, but I’ve been working away on several things and I’ll... share them soon. melsmit.com

Little bit of eye candy for you. Handmade pendant with a trillion cut chrysoberyl and pale green Tahitian pearl in 14kt green gold. I adore chrysoberyl for its bright, almost acidic green and it’s brilliant sparkle when cut well, like this one. This is a piece I made for myself and it’s a good day to share it since it’s the anniversary of starting my business 7 years ago. April fools seemed like a thematically appropriate day to start my business, or at least a humorous one, I could laugh whether I succeeded or failed. These days are strange times and who knows where it will lead, but it pays to be able to have a bit of humor to carry on. Beautiful things help too.

Had to share this artwork by Adam Ellis and Puppet by @katystrutz They understand the allure of shiny things.

Best 9 of 2019! Happy New Year to any of you who are celebrating! I wish you all the best in the coming new year, and the new decade. Here’s to new skills, accomplishments, connections, friendships, ideas, aspirations and goals. ... What things are you hoping or aiming for this year?

Recent commission for a milestone birthday! A handmade, modern 14kt white gold pendant with lapis lazuli and diamonds. This was made to match a previous gift of lapis and diamond earrings. I am really enjoying working with lapis as it is such a strong and bold blue. It brings a great pop of colour to jewellery and these pieces are so well cut and polished. I loved them so much I contacted the gem supplier and bought their entire stock of it. So if anyone wants some top qual...ity lapis, you know who to ask! melsmit.ca

The Gardener The sun beaming down, warming your shoulders, little green things growing all around you. Always something to do and always something changing all on its own. It’s a 'work in progress' you say, knowing full well that it can never be completed. 14kt white and yellow gold ring with vintage carved quartz, natural yellow diamond and treated green diamonds, part of the Moments show at the Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE ... Show runs from Nov2-Dec21 See more

Ila’s Moon We went to the lake after, in the night. In the wilderness, the darkness was truly dark. Only the moon, its reflection in the water, and the faint outline of the trees were visible. She had been here countless times, surely. Late night beach campfires by the lake. Laughing, the smell of fire, and the particular feeling of contentment that only comes with age. We had never come here together, but I knew she had been here, seen this place, and felt it. She was al...l around, but here no longer. . Sterling silver cuff bracelet set with moonstone and diamonds: part of the Moments show Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE Show runs from Nov2-Dec21 See more

Blossom. Slaves to time, the blossoms last only about a week; they won't wait for you. Be present and bear witness. They erupt in silent explosions, filling spaces with colour which before that moment held none. Their scents fill the air, instantly conjuring spring. Then, once the bees have frantically visited each one and their fitful buzzing ceases, the petals fall like riotously colourful snow. Walking through them as they fall, they gently graze your cheeks, a soft car...ess goodbye. It's a moment worth living in. . 14kt rose and white gold reversible earrings with Peruvian opal, pink sapphires and diamonds, part of the Moments show at the Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE Show runs from Nov2-Dec21 See more

Fun fact: the metals I use to make my jewellery are recycled! Pictured here is part of my cleaning up routine, the newly refined gold and alloying to make an ingot of 14kt rose gold. When making jewellery a fair amount of filing and sanding happens, which creates dust/filings which contain gold, silver and other metals. So periodically I collect the dust and filings, scraps of sandpaper, saw blades, and even the dust from polishing jewellery together and send it off to a loc...al refiner. They separate the metals and return refined pure gold back to me to reuse. I then alloy that again to get the correct fineness .585-.750 etc, (14-18kt, for you non-metric types) and make more jewellery. I also sometimes receive old gold jewellery from clients to remake into new pieces and when I need to purchase new material because I’ve run out, the companies I buy from have switched to recycled gold as well. So there is no need for me to buy newly mined gold or silver. Excellent! The metals I used in my current show Moments Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE are recycled metals, which is something I feel very good about. Recycling metals isn’t really a new thing in jewellery as goldsmiths have been doing this for a very long time. It’s becoming a larger part of public consciousness to be sustainable and more mindful about the impacts of everything we do, so this is more of an FYI as opposed to a new policy. Gold is relatively rare and certainly expensive, so, we treat it that way. melsmit.com

Rise Rise up. Tectonically pushing ever upward against vast forces, pushing down anything not needed. Move mountains if you have to. It will take time and effort, but you'll get where you need to be, even if that place isn't what you first imagined. The sky isn't the limit. Keep going.... 14kt white gold ring with muonionalusta meteorite, and moissanite: part of the Moments show at Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE Show runs from Nov2-Dec21

A few people asked about the construction of Let’s Go! at the reception so I thought I would share a pic I took during the process of making it. Started with making the base and domed cap, which I alloyed the gold and poured ingots for, rolled out, cut and domed. I alloyed the gold and poured ingots, rolled them out and pulled the wire to size. Soldered on the vertical wires, then added the balusters, fit in the railing. After that, the cap was soldered on and the twisted w...ire ‘basket weave’ was wrapped around and soldered into place. In total there are about 57 solder connections in this piece, almost all are ‘hard’ or high temperature solder with just a few connections made at the end with ‘medium’, no ‘easy’ or low temperature solder was used. Soldering is a skill and heat control skills are important when constructing complex pieces, not just for the first construction but also if the piece needs to ever be repaired in the future. I’m pleased with how simple this design looks in comparison to how much work went into it. The show is on until Dec 21, at the Blackboard Gallery in cSpace! See more

Had an excellent evening last night at the reception to my show at the Blackboard Gallery in cSpace! So many people came, familiar faces and new friends, it was lovely to see you all! cSpace is a really interesting place, bringing together all kinds of creatives into one building, jewellery, ceramics, fibre art, painting, furniture/woodwork, glass, printmaking, a writers guild, the francophone community and even a farmers market on Saturdays. Last nights evening was a great ...showcase of all of these great people and their craft. I love this place. Kept the reception as local as I could, with locally grown veggies, BC red wine and mead from the Chinook Honey company here in Alberta. Support local whenever you can! If you missed my reception, not to worry, the work will be up until Dec 21, so there is still time to go check it out! Thanks to Kendra Ohama for snapping this pic of me by my new jewellery!

The reception for my show is this Thursday Nov 14, 5-8 pm! Come check out my new work, I’ll be there and with the other events going on in the building, it’ll be a great evening! The show runs until Dec 21. On The River... On the river, the sounds of the rushing, gurgling water swirled around me. I hadn't bothered to check the time; it was one of those summer days that seemed to stretch forever. The kind of day when, though you don't accomplish anything in particular, you still feel a sense of quiet fulfillment. Looking up through the leaves of the trees arched over the river, I could see the sky ablaze with colour and light, marking a glorious end to another day. Blackboard Gallery cSPACE

Sparks & Magic . One of my earliest memories of him is filled with fireworks. He bought them for New Years, and I had never seen them before. To a kid it was like some kind of magic: sparks and colour flying everywhere. I was dazzled. I was filled with wonder, and so was he. He was always enchanted with explosions, the power of them. For all the years I knew him, you could hardly begin a conversation that didn't end with some mention of them. And every mention was filled ...with the same wonder. The magic never dulled with age. I'm grateful to him for the memory, for showing me that life is worth living when you hold on to wonder. . Sterling silver ring with gold plate, set with rutilated quartz and red diamonds: part of the Moments show at Blackboard Gallery in cSPACE Show runs from Nov2-Dec21 Spectrum Imports Inc. See more

Let’s Go! I couldn't see because of the blindfold. This was, afterall, a surprise. I could feel grass beneath my feet and hear people nearby, speaking plainly, but an unidentifiable, soft whooshing sound obscured their conversation. I tried to listen harder, but we stopped then, and my companion took off the blindfold. Suddenly, I was dwarfed by an immense hot air balloon. "Let's go!" they said. "It'll be an adventure!" Their smile beamed.... I grabbed their warm hand in mine. "Yes!" I said, and it has been an adventure ever since. . 14kt yellow gold with carved ‘balloon’ quartz, part of the Moments show at The Blackboard Gallery @sraeblackboard in cSpace @cspacekingedward Show runs from Nov2-Dec21 See more

Went to two craft shows today! Sublime and New Craft Coalition. Both were excellent shows in great venues. There is so much great craft in Calgary, and from people who come to our city’s markets. This is only a small sample of two craft artists that were at the shows today that I absolutely adore. I picked up a few note cards by Lisa Brawn (truth be told I would love to pick up as many woodcuts from her!) Seeing them in person is the best as photos don’t do them justice, the ...relief carving and metallic backgrounds really make the woodcuts outstanding. I also have a decision to make. Which of Fei Su’s Omnomnom brooches should I pick for my collection?!?! They each have so much character and fantastic details. I’m leaning towards the bottom middle one. There were beautiful textiles, glass, ceramics jewellery, printmaking, woodworking and even a local chocolatier. We are so blessed to have such creative people who have such a passion for what they make. What a great day! See more