Proud member of OJC, Erin Wallace of Erin Wallace Jewelry welcomes our questionnaire and images of her working away. Learn more about what Erin Wallace shared with us!
Q: Why did you choose jewelry?
A: Jewelry chose me! While traveling to view artwork in Florence, Italy, I came to realize that jewelry was calling out for me to explore. I came home knowing jewelry was for me, signing up for one class, then another, and then a certificate in jewelry making.
Q: Where did you learn your craft?
A: I developed my sense of design completing a B.A.H. at the University of Guelph, where I studied sculpture and printmaking. Then seven years later followed up my design training with a jewelry fabrication program through Fleming College at the Haliburton School for The Arts.
Q: If you could invite a few people (living or dead) to your studio for a day, who would you ask and why?
A: It would be neat to go back in time, and be a fly on the wall watching my grandfather work as a blacksmith, perhaps some of my skills are inherited. I would also like to invite deceased Danish Designer Georg Jensen for tea to pick his brain regarding aesthetic and business.
Q: List three words that describe you as an artist.
A: Insightful, dedicated, effective
Q: What else inspires your work?
A: My work is inspired by life’s experiences including my sculpture education, my travels throughout North America and abroad, and the timeless aesthetic of talented predecessors.
Q: How do you usually choose materials for your pieces?
A: I have always been drawn to work with wood and metal. Now I mostly choose sterling silver as my metal to create my designs, I work in gold from time to time and I appreciate the warm colour of bronze.
Q: What is your most precious tool?
A: My eyes, to watch where my hammer hammers, to see where my saw cuts, and explore how to perfect the designs I develop.
Q: Why is the Ottawa Jewelry Collective important to you?
A: I feel it is important to have a network of like-minded individuals to support your goals, push you further, and develop new opportunities together.
Q: What part of Ottawa and surrounding areas do you call home?
A: I grew up in the west end of Ottawa and I now call the Westboro neighbourhood home.
A: My Forest Collection is inspired by the Canadian landscape along with geometric elements. I feel influenced by the natural world as well as my travels across Canada and the world, and hiking.
Q: Describe a technique you use in your work.
A: In my Heirloom Collection I oxidize the silver, prematurely aging the silver, creating a balance between the black texture with the white metal.
Q: Where can we find you jewelry?
A: In Ottawa at Magpie Jewellery's three locations (Westboro, the Glebe, and Rideau Centre), and The Ottawa Art Gallery; In Toronto, Corktown Designs in the Distillery, and Craft Ontario Shop in Yorkville; artisan craft shows around Ottawa and www.erinwallace.com.
Q: Where can we find you jewelry?
A: In Ottawa at Magpie Jewellery's three locations (Westboro, the Glebe, and Rideau Centre), and The Ottawa Art Gallery; In Toronto, Corktown Designs in the Distillery, and Craft Ontario Shop in Yorkville; artisan craft shows around Ottawa and www.erinwallace.com.
Q: What do jewellery and a good party have in common?
A: With previous experience in event planning, I appreciate that to make beautiful jewelry or to have a great party one needs dedication to preparation, support of relationships, and to celebrate a good cause!
Connect with Erin on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ErinWallaceJewelry
Twitter @EWallaceJewelry
Instagram @erinwallacejewel
www.erinwallace.com
Twitter @EWallaceJewelry
Instagram @erinwallacejewel
www.erinwallace.com
Looks great, Erin!
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