Stocking Stuffers Under $150

From Left: Justin Rivard s/s totem beads, Earl Muldon s/s pendant, Justin Rivard s/s keychains

The holidays are moving by fast, and you might find yourself frantically searching for goodies to fill your stockings. So, we've taken the liberty to compile a list of small, original gifts to help you out - all for under $150.00!

Women:

Justin Rivard 14k Yellow Gold Stud Earrings, Various Designs, $150.00
Earl Muldon, Sterling Silver Circle Pendants, Various Designs, $120.00
Don Lancaster, Sterling Silver Earrings, Various shapes and designs, $50.00
Justin Rivard, Sterling Silver Hoop Stud Earrings, Various Designs, $50.00 
Justin Rivard, Sterling Silver Totem Beads, Various Designs, $30.00 each
Silk Scarves, Various Artists and Designs, $30.00
Silk Shawls, Various Artists and Designs, $35.00 

We also have a range of small pendants and earrings by artists Carrie Matilpi, Graham Henry, Don Lancaster and Harold Alfred from $20.00-$50.00, and many others under $100.00.

Men:

Justin Rivard, Sterling Silver Money Clip, Various Designs, $125.00
Justin Rivard, Sterling Silver Cufflinks, Various shapes and Designs, $130.00
Justin Rivard, Sterling Silver Keychains, Various shapes and designs, $100.00

..and more!

Corinne Hunt, Reading Glasses, Eagle design, Various Strengths and Colors, $60.00
Andy Everson, Memo Pads, Various Designs, $5.00 each
Andy Everson, Sticky Notes, Various Designs, $8.00 each
Andy Everson, Journals, Various Designs, $9.00 each
First Nations 101 Book by Lynda Gray, $20.00

Barnacles to Butterflies: Unusual Imagery in NWC Silver Jewellery

Image: Kelvin Thompson, sterling silver + 14k yellow gold bracelet, Crabs, 1 3/8" x 6", $2,400.00

The online preview for Barnacles to Butterflies is now available on our website.

We are very excited to show our audience the diverse range of unusual designs that Northwest Coast artists have applied to sterling silver jewellery. While much of the imagery within silver jewellery created by British Columbia's First Nations engravers is based on family crest symbols, artists from the pacific Northwest have a long history of using their surroundings as inspiration. From Kelvin Thompson's spectacular Crabs bracelet to Clint Work's playful  Sea Urchin earrings to Dean Hunt's abstract Mushroom pendant, these Northwest Coast artists have created a selection of imaginative pieces that are really quite unusual.

Featured artists include Harold Alfred (Kwakwaka'wakw), Gwaai Edenshaw (Haida), Dean Hunt (Heiltsuk), Sharifah Marsden (Ojibwa), Carrie Matilpi (Kwakwaka'wakw/Carrier/Cree), Jeff Pat (Coast Salish), Justin Rivard (Cree), Kelvin Thompson (Ojibwa/Saulteaux/Haisla), Sonia Triebwasser (Kwakwaka'wakw), Barry Wilson (Haisla), Derek Wilson (Haisla), Dan Wallace (Kwakwaka'wakw/Haida) and Clinton Work (Kwakwaka'wakw).

Barnacles to Butterflies will be on display at the gallery from September 22nd - October 13th, 2012. We welcome you to join us at our opening reception on Saturday, September 22nd from 3-5pm.

Northwest Coast Native Bracelets: Variations in Sizes and Materials

John Brent Bennett, sterling silver bracelet, Dogfish, 1" x 7", $600.00 CAD

Bracelets have always been important potlatch gifts and are often symbols of rank. Prior to contact with European settlers, bracelets were made of dentalia shell, horn and copper, which was the only local and quarried metal at the time. When colonial activity increased, bracelets were made from gold and silver coins that were traded, hammered flat and cut to shape. This hammered and processed metal was then engraved with both figures for the market and traditional Northwest Coast Native crest symbols. These early coins are easy to identify because the metal is generally very thin and springy.

Today the most common materials used for engraved cuffs are sterling silver and 14k yellow gold. Some artists, such as Steve Smith, have also been expanding into other materials like maple and birch wood. While many of the designs and techniques are traditional, European jewellery techniques have now also been explored including stone-setting and repousse. 

Most of the bracelets that we carry in stock at the gallery are 6" in length. This length tends to fit most wrists, but can also be shaped and molded to fit a particular wrist. We are able to order custom sizes for wrists that are larger or smaller than 6" length.

Currently in the gallery, we have a wide selection of bracelets ranging in size from Justin Rivard's sterling silver baby bracelets (available for $120.00 CAD each) to larger 7" bracelets such as John Brent Bennett's Dogfish bracelet (available for $600.00 CAD).

Hand-Carved Pandora™ Totem Beads

The wide range of decorative beads available for the popular Pandora™ charm bracelets have inspired some Northwest Coast Native artists to expand their jewellery repertoire. Artists are now creating miniature, hand-carved beads which add an original, artistic feel to the Pandora™ bracelet.

You may already be familiar with the work of Justin Rivard, whose carved totem beads measure 3/8" x 1/2" diameter and can be worn as a lone bead, or stacked
amongst others to mimic a totem pole. These beads depict various crest symbols and are available for $30.00 CAD each, while the stoppers are available for $80.00 CAD each.

Coast Salish artist Travis Henry decided to adapt the function of the bead by creating them to be just large enough to glide easily onto the Pandora™ charm bracelet. Travis' beads can be worn in this way, or on a chain as a necklace. They measure 3/8" x 1/4" diameter and are available for $35.00 CAD each.