Melanie Leblanc: Unique Handcrafted Jewellery

Welcome

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The latest......

Happy Spring!

I am currently in the midst of finalizing my Summer / Fall 2010 craft show line-up. Please check my events section for regular updates.

Be well.

m

_________________________________________________________________

I am extremely excited to be able to share my deep passion for jewellery making with you.

I welcome your feedback and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I assure you that I would love to hear from you.

Please do not forget to check out the shops section for details on where you can find my creations at galleries near you.

Cheers and enjoy!

Melanie

Artist Statement

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Born and raised in Northern Ontario, I grew up on a rocky island where the dramatic landscape and environment greatly influenced my life. My childhood experiences have given me a deep affinity with the natural world and have become an integral part of my artwork.

Experimenting with the concept of transforming emotion into any visual form intrigues my imagination.

As I have a prior background in the visual arts, I am deeply affected by many of the elements of design. The elements most evident in my recent work include colour, line, form and surface.

My motivation is intuitive and revolves around my desire to integrate my love of nature with my passion for design. Organic objects are often used as research material and I enjoy the challenge of using inorganic metal as a medium. I create one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces as well as select custom work undertaken in my own style. Karat gold, sterling silver and bronze are my current metals of choice and I will often incorporate more than one metal into a single piece of jewellery. I utilize various fabrication and casting techniques in my work. I also adorn my pieces with stones and pearls.

Metal is often considered a cold, stagnate and mechanical material and I challenge that notion by creating warm and natural sculptural beauty. I reach completion when those natural forms I create seemingly come alive and begin to develop a life of their own.

(triptych by Harriet Carlson www.harriet.ca)

Events

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so far....keep checking.....

June 6, 2010
Art in Bloom
David Street (west side of Paris)
Sudbury, Ontario
http://www.cmha.sudbury.on.ca/About%20Us/Art%20In%20Bloom.aspx

June 13-14, 2010
Beaches Arts and Crafts Show
Kew Gardens Park, Queen St E and Lee Ave
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.beachesartsandcraftsshow.com/

September 11-13, 2010
Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Sale
Riverdale Park
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.cabbagetownartandcrafts.org/

Contact

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I would love to hear from you...

647-427-4468
closed studio-by appointment only
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
info@melanieleblanc.com

or, I also work out of the below location part-time...you may want to contact me first to make sure that I will be in the studio that day.

Made You Look Jewellery Studio & Gallery 1338 Queen Street West (north side)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Shops

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You are welcome to contact myself for a viewing or visit the locations that carry my jewellery exclusively.

The Lafreniere & Pai Gallery
13 Murray St.
Ottawa, Ontario
613-241-2767
www.lapaigallery.com

Made You Look Gallery & Studio
1338 Queen St. West –North Side
Toronto, Ontario
416-463-213
www.madeyoulook.ca

Anne Sportun / Experimetal
742 Queen St. West
Toronto, Ontario
416-363-4114
www.annesportun.com

MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster St.
Barrie, Ontario
705-721-9696
www.maclarenart.com

Art Gallery of Sudbury
251 John St.
Sudbury, Ontario
705-675-4871
www.artsudbury.org

Artists on Elgin
168 Elgin St.
Sudbury, Ontario
705-674-0415
www.artistsonelgin.ca

Gold Direct Jewellers
1643 Lasalle Blvd.
Sudbury, Ontario
705-524-4653

Jewellery

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Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Care

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I have often been asked about jewellery care and, specifically, how to best care for the jewellery I personally create.

In time, some of the metals incorporated into my pieces may naturally experience a slight change in colour.

If you wish to maintain the original lustre of the piece, simply polish it lightly with an ultra soft cloth or jewellers cloth-available in most jewellery stores.

It is advisable to stay away from any commercial polishing compounds as such products are chemically harsh and often contain grit, which may sometimes damage or alter the appearance of soft precious metals.

If you prefer to leave it in its natural state, the unique jewellery piece will continue to change various colours as it takes on a personality of its own.

To each, their own...

Bio

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Melanie was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario.

After completing high school she studied and received diplomas in Graphic Design and Visual Arts at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario.

Following a summer of painting at Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Melanie completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts programme at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. After returning to Ontario she entered the Jewellery and Metals programme at Georgian College in Barrie where she completed the three year course with Honours.

Melanie has also received numerous prestigious awards and is a proud member of the Metal Arts Guild of Canada and the Ontario Crafts Council. She is currently continuing her interest in jewellery making and working out of her home studio full-time and part-time in a commercial studio/gallery with metalsmiths alike in Toronto, Canada.

Melanie currently exhibits and sells her work in shops, galleries and craft venues across Ontario.

Earrings

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Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Bracelets

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Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Rings

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Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Pendants

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Prices and select commisions available upon request.