Melanie Leblanc: Unique Handcrafted Jewellery

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:38:00 +0000

* Update

I am pleased to announce that during the coarse of the summer, I will be re-locating myself and my metalsmithing studio/business to the beautiful city of Toronto. From now, until then, I will either be working from my current studio in Sudbury....flogging my work at Art Venues....moving....and some travelling abroad.

I look forward to my big move and cannot wait to find out what happens next...... Hello Toronto!!!!!!

Greetings and welcome to my website.

I am extremely excited to be able to share my deep passion for jewellery making with you. Be sure to visit the jewellery section for select images of my work.

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 and the events section for updates on where I am in this big wide world.

Cheers and enjoy!

Melanie

Select commissions available upon request.

Artist Statement

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:40:00 +0000

Growing up on an island in Northern Ontario, chidhood experience and nature has been an integral part of my life. Because of that deep affinity, nature has influenced my art dramatically. As I have a prior background in the visual arts, I am deeply affected by many of the elements of design. Those elements include colour, line, form and surface.

My motivation revolves around my desire to integrate my love of nature with my passion for design. Organic objects are my main source of inspiration 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 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.

Events

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:45:00 +0000

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

May 24th & 25th
Artisans at the Distillery
The Distillery District
Toronto, ON
http://www.artisansatthedistillery.com/

June 1st 10-4 pm
Art in Bloom
David Street (west side)
Sudbury, ON

June 5th - 25th
Who's Your Daddy?...Exhibition
The Lafreniere & Pai Gallery
13 Murray Street
Ottawa, ON
http://www.lapaigallery.com/

June 14th & 15th
Beaches Arts and Crafts Show 2008
Kew Gardens Park in the Beaches at Queen Street East & Lee Avenue
Toronto, ON
http://www.beachesartsandcraftsshow.com/

July 4th, 5th, 6th
Northern Lights Festival Boreal
Bell Park on Ramsey Lake-Paris Street
Sudbury, ON
http://www.nlfbsudbury.com

July 20th
Sudbury Gay Pride Exhibition
Studio 276
276 Cedar Street
Sudbury, ON

July 18th, 19th, 20th
Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show 2008
Annie Williams Memorial Park-Santa's Village Road & Wellington Street
Bracebridge, ON
www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com

.....gone to Austria

September 5th, 6th, 7th
Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Show 2008
Riverdale Park-Parliament Street
Toronto, ON
http://www.cabbagetownartandcrafts.org/

September 13th & 14th
Queen West Art Crawl-Outdoor Art Show & Sale
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen Street West @ Strachan Ave.
Toronto. ON
www.parkdaleliberty.com

November 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Moose Show (*new location)
The CNIB Conference Centre
1929 Bayview Ave.-north of Eglington
Toronto, ON
www.mooseshow.com

Contact

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:44:00 +0000

I would love to hear from you...

705-674-4768
closed studio-by appointment only
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
info@melanieleblanc.com

Shops

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:42:00 +0000

The Lafreniere & Pai Gallery
13 Murray Street
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

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

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:41:00 +0000

Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Care

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:41:00 +0000

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 a soft cloth.

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

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:30:00 +0000

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 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.

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

Earrings

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Bracelets

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:56:00 +0000

Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Rings

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:27:00 +0000

Prices and select commissions available upon request.

Pendants

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie LeBlanc) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Prices and select commisions available upon request.