Introduction by Toby Cote:
Melody is a world-class international jewellery designer. Her industrial-organic aesthetic combines abstraction with a truth to materials reflecting detail and quality of workmanship. She is a juried member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council and has been recognized in numerous competitions including Dimensions 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2019 as well as the Lewton-Brain Foldform International Competition 2012, 2015, and 2018. Her designs have been published in numerous design magazines recognizing her in the top echelon of jewellery design gaining international accolades. Four of her works make up part of the SK Arts Permanent Collection. Melody Armstrong Jewellery is represented in numerous galleries across Canada as well as in private collections including in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Germany, Belgium and the United States. You can learn more about Melody on her website at melodyarmstrong.com and visit her Etsy shop at etsy.com/ca/shop/MelodyArmstrong.
Interview with Melody Armstrong
Melody Armstrong Jewellery
Website: melodyarmstrong.com
Instagram: @melodyarmstrongjewellery
Facebook: Melody Armstrong Jewellery
What kind of artwork do you create?
Unique & Contemporary Handcrafted JEWELLERY!
I work with traditional and non-traditional metals, enamels and stones.
What first drew you to your medium?
My jewellery has an Industrial-Organic aesthetic combining abstraction with a truth to materials that reflects both my attention to detail and quality of workmanship. I delight in my use of contrasts of surface treatments to highlight the elements I have imposed throughout the metal. Vitreous Enamel, anodized metals, or gemstones creates bursts of colour and reflection while the patina oxidizes much of the metallic surfaces, providing a sense of distress, corrosion and age.
The mysterious quality and technical aspects of Jewellery really attracted me to this metal medium. I also love the contrasts between textures and oxidized surfaces against shiny polished metal and sparkly gemstones.
Where did you learn your craft?
In 1999 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Distinction, with a Jewellery and Metals Major from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB (now called the Alberta University of the Arts). My inspiration has an industrial influence mixed with organic sensibilities.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
Lately I am inspired by the spontaneity of the metal as I fuse and melt, it is always a surprise as to how it will evolve. I am also inspired by customers and students design ideas.
What do you hope people will gain from interacting with your work?
Joy, appreciation and gratitude.
I hope my clients love wearing my jewellery as adornment and as a fashion statement to define their personality.
When making custom orders, I am grateful for their delight and sentimental value they apply to the new pieces.
How do you get through artist’s block?
- Go for a walk and let my mind wander.
- Visualization.
- Sketch and draw.
- Browse Pinterest and Instagram.
Who are your mentors?
Tell us a story about a particular piece:
HINGED PYRITE CUBE BRACELET – Melody Armstrong, 2011, sterling silver, anodized titanium, 14k yellow gold, iron pyrite, pierced, anodized, riveted, hinge construction, soldered, bezel setting, oxidized, 2.2 x 20.5 x .9 cm.
The Hinged Pyrite Cube Bracelet is a great example of my highest achievement, very technically challenging, and authentic to my artistic approach and sensibility.
When fabricating this bracelet, I was almost finished putting the hinge pins in when one of the soldered hinges broke at the solder seam. As all the stones were already set, I had to make two more units from scratch to complete the piece. I still own this bracelet.
Support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board was received for this project: Independent Artists Grant, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 2010
Exhibited:
- FORM-Four Regina Jewellery Artists, juried group exhibition, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK. 2011
- Dimensions 2011-Saskatchewan Craft Council juried exhibition, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK. Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK.; The Sam Waller Museum, The Pas, MB.; Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, Red Deer, AB. Touring exhibition 2011 – 2012.
- Dimensions 2011-MERIT AWARD: Melody Armstrong for “Hinged Pyrite Cube Bracelet”, jewellery. Sponsored by Fastprint.
Published:
- Art Jewelry Magazine, Kalmbach Publishing Co., March 2012, International
- The Crafts Report Magazine, Peer Perfection, Jones Publishing Inc., October 2013, International
- Art Jewelry Today 4, Schiffer Books, 2016, International
- International Metal Jewelry Artistry Awards 2018, Honorable Mention [second place], Milwaukee, WI, USA and was published in the October 2018 issue of Bead&Button magazine, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
How has your art/craft practice changed over time?
As a Jewellery Instructor and years of practice I have become better technically. I have also developed as an artist to become more spontaneous and intuitive in my creative processes.
Who are your art heroes or current influences?
- Todd Reed
- Sydney Lynch
- Claudio Pino
- Luigi Mariani
- Tai Vautier
- Elizabeth Garvin
- Pawel Kaczynski
What are you currently working on?
Rings, rings and more rings. I love making rings the most. Quite a few custom orders have been coming my way recently, some repurposing old gold and diamond jewellery into new pieces to share with family members.
What is your typical studio day routine?
I don’t have a specific studio routine. On teaching days, Tuesdays and Thursdays, I devote the three hours between classes to working on projects at my bench. As deadlines approach, I spend more time in the studio. If I am working on pieces that I can’t wait to see how they turn out, I will be busy finishing them. I also spend time photographing my jewellery and uploading them to my Etsy Shop.