Interview with the artist - Tim from TJR Jewellery

By N Valentine Studio

Featured artist - Tim from TJR Jewellery near Toronto

Clean classic lines make my mouth water every time I see this artist's work. I've always been a bit of a crow when it comes to stones. Something sparkly with gorgeous color always catches my eye. The lovely lines of these pieces show the stones off in each and every piece.

My current favorite is this London Blue Topaz ring.


How long have you been working in your medium?
I have been involved with lapidary and jewellery making since 2003.

What drew you to this medium?
Opals. I have always loved the colours and patterns found in opals, so I bought some opal rough and joined a lapidary club. I then realized I needed to learn jewellery making to make use of all the beautiful opal cabochons I had made!


What is your favorite thing about your art?
That I am able to create. I was never very artistic growing up - I was more on the analytical side of things (ended up becoming a professional engineer, go figure!). I have found making jewellery to be very therapeutic to my soul.


What's your favorite piece?
I really don't have a single favourite piece - I love the items I have made for my family, and I love any piece that I successfully complete when trying a new technique.


What's the hardest piece you've ever made?
Any custom order piece I make for someone - I always find them difficult to make (so concerned about interpreting a customer's expectations properly). I would much rather just make what I desire and hopefully sell it to someone who can appreciate it.

What’s the one favorite tool you cannot live without?
One tool?!? Impossible to be just one - I need my saw, I need my torch, I need my flex shaft, I need my...


What’s your favorite thing about your workspace or studio?
That it's mine and that it is a dedicated space for jewellery making.


What is your other craft?
Lapidary.

Who or what inspires you?
My two favourite jewellery artists/authors have to be Tim McCreight and Jinks McGrath. Their work is very inspiring to me.

What's your favorite inspirational saying?
"To succeed, we must first believe that we can" - Michael Korda Given that many of us artisans are self taught, we must believe in ourselves, and our abilities.

What's one thing you've never done you always wanted to do?
I want to learn how to pavé set gemstones one day.


Don't forget - it's the SATeam Wrist Candy Holiday Giveaway and you can win a fabulous charm bracelet if you enter until November 28th! Click here for more info!

The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.