Hey folks- I’m Ursula- a river guide with a passion for silversmithing!
A little about me:
I was born in a landscape of deep blue lakes, rocky shorelines, and swaying old pines, in northern Ontario. As I grew, so did my love of the natural world. I spent as much time as I could canoe tripping and exploring, and eventually chose wilderness guiding as my profession. As a river guide, I spend summers exploring wild places in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. The wilderness is where I feel most inspired and content.
My jewellery-making journey began in 2018 in Nepal, where I was paddling and trekking. Wandering the streets of Pokhara, I was intrigued by street sign advertising silversmithing lessons. After a few lessons, I was hooked! Since then, I've been teaching myself the craft, refining my process, and loving every minute of it.
The Process
The process:
Every piece starts with .925 silver and ethically-sourced stones. Whenever I can, I use reclaimed .925 sterling. Each stone is hand fitted and set, and each silver overlay is hand cut using a fine toothed metal saw. This is a slow process and results in authentic pieces imbued with heart, soul, and a rustic aesthetic.
I work mostly with silver and turquoise, especially earthy, natural looking stones. I love incorporating flora, fauna, and rugged landscapes into my work!