EDMONTON, AB | A metalsmith and lapidary artist, Alison discovered fantastic rocks around the Bay of Fundy while attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax. She was instantly inspired to learn to cut and polish the stones along with the art of metalsmithing. She taught herself to create 925 silver settings for her hand-finished stones. She continues to use Nova Scotian minerals, but also hand carves Ethiopian Welo opal and loves to feature raw gemstones and crystals.
Common techniques seen in her work include handcrafted filigree, hammered texture and the use of organic elements. Her inspirations are many and various, often coming from international travel. Philosophy and ethics are lifelong passions for Alison and she currently works with high quality rough stones from her personal collection as well as two ethically friendly sources.
Ethical Sourcing
Alison plans to test the market with fairly traded rough gemstones, and hopefully, to transition entirely to these truly ethical gems. One source of these rough fairly traded gemstones will be Tanzania, which is an East African country, and hoe to incredible stones and gems. Tanzanian women have organized and become educated, to get fair prices for their stones. Each stone is traceable back to the woman who mined it. Not only does this bring income, but it allows women to challenge gender disparities and damaging environmental practices.
