"I love creating one of a kind wearable artwork"
Jewellery that captures the beauty and elegance of our natural world
The Jewellery
Working in a variety of materials, Melissa especially likes exploring her ideas through silver, gold, gemstones, pear, pcycled bicycle inner tube and reclaimed leather. Her handmade jewellery includes one of a kind wearable art pieces, limited production jewellery, and special commission works.
The Business
Melissa started her handmade jewellery business after graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) in 2009. She has won numerous awards including "Best Integration of Theme and Execution in "Bond" Zilberschmuck Art Jewellery Gallery's sixth national juried exhibition and "Best of Show" in Influx Jewellery Gallery's 2010 annual juried exhibition. Her artwork has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.
The Artist
Melissa Pedersen is a Canadian jewellery artist from Calgary Alberta. The anticipation of spring after the long winters in her home town, has motivated her to annually fill her sketchbooks with designs about growth and the celebration of life. One of the most important influences on her work is the garden. Memories of her mother’s garden as a child, and Melissa’s own garden today provide her with a continual source of inspiration.
"As a child my mother kept a very large, beautiful garden. She would plant colorful flowers and grow vegetables from seeds. After the long winter my mothers garden would come alive, the little pale green shoots seeming to have a pure innocence, unaware of the optimism they created. In a short time the empty earth would be celebrating, full of lush life, vibrant petals and bursting blooms.
It is in the garden that I find my inspiration, especially in the spring. The sprout, budding leaf, and seed pod are symbols I use deliberately in my practice. These elements of new life represent for me perseverance, potential and hope. I realize life has many winter seasons, but it is also full of cycles. When a spring season enters my life I choose to treasure it, and use it as a reminder for the future. By capturing different elements of nature and using them in my handmade jewellery I am able to preserve what may only be here for a fleeting moment."