I am going to Nova Scotia in early July. Does anyone know of any
jewelry attractions I should visit there?
LaVerne
Hi LaVerne,
Nova Scotia’s largest centre is the twin port cities of Halifax and
Dartmouth, on opposite sides of Halifax Harbour. A few jewelry
stores: James Bradshaw and Fireworks carry work by some local
designers. If you are a prospector the Bay of Fundy has some
interesting spots for sourcing local rough - but I’m not a good
source for that.
Have a great trip! I have lived in Nova Scotia for 20 years and I
still enjoy exploring.
Donna
Hi LaVerne,
In respect of Nova Scotia jewelry attractions, what Donna does not
mention is that she herself constitutes one of 'em.
In a general way we are poor, down here in the east, both in
population and in purchasing power, so luxury goods are not thick on
the ground. It’s more of a Walmart world. But in Halifax you might
take up contact with Don Bell on Division Street in Bedford. Don’s
livelihood is jewelry but his passion is knives, miniature marvels
in precious metals, mokume, gems and inlay. Don I believe counts as
one of the top three knife makes in North America. Donna has already
mentioned Jim Bradshaw and the Fireworks Gallery (in downtown
Halifax on Barrington Street) which carries pieces by a number of
artists and is as far as I know one of only two designer galleries in
the province, the other being Frida Fine Jewelry on Abercrombie Road
in New Glasgow. Carrie Lamb, the owner of Frida, comes from the
British fashion industry, designs all her pieces, commissions the
manufacture thereof to jewelry makers in the province, and when a
collection is assembled, flies it around to the more metropolitan
venues. That, at least is the way I understand it. Well worth
visiting. Tell Carrie I said so.
Back in Halifax for a moment, check around Pier 21 - that’s the old
waterfront area where the post WW II immigrant ships used to
discharge their passengers, my parents among 'em. There are a number
of artrisan workshops here, including silversmith Chris Shute.
In a broader way, the jewelry arts program at NASCAD (Nova Scotia
College of Art and Design, again in Halifax) is quite well known &
respected. I believe Charles Lewton-Brain taught there for a time.
(Charles? Am I telling lies?). They may be in hiatus in the summer
but it would be worth an exploratory phone call. The Nova Scotia
Metal Arts Guild is active in the winter months but does not meet
during the summer. Mary Fraser (mary.fraser@ns.sympatico.ca) is the
contact person.
Donna mentioned the Bay of Fundy. If you came to jewelry by way of
stones (as I did) that’s worth exploring. You can collect agates here
among the world highest tides - 60 feet difference between low and
high water at some places. You’ll find a good representation of the
Nova Scotia gem and jewelry people at the annual Nova Scotia Mineral
and Gem Show, in the village of Parrsboro, on the Bay of Fundy, the
third weekend every August. One of my own Fundy excursions that went
badly wrong is described here:
with some of my Bay of Fundy stones pictured here
Cheers and hope that helps,
Hans Durstling
In Moncton New Brunswick after a 3,500 mile drive back from Tucson.
Hi,
There is a fabulous guide/map to arts and crafts studios throughout
the province (not just Halifax), www.studiorally.ca. I hope it’s not
a conflict of interest to promote the map as I have a listing in it;
I just think it’s a great resource.
If you’d like a “hard copy” before you get here to plan your trip,
email me directly with your address and I’ll gladly mail you one.
Cheers,
Laurie
Hi,
There is a fabulous guide/map to arts and crafts studios throughout
the province (not just Halifax), www.studiorally.ca. I hope it’s not
a conflict of interest to promote the map as I have a listing in it;
I just think it’s a great resource.
If you’d like a “hard copy” before you get here to plan your trip,
email me directly with your address and I’ll gladly mail you one.
Cheers,
Laurie