Tracey O'Sullivan

For me, lapidary and metal work elicit a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Anticipation of what is possible… the challenge of figuring out how it might work… and then taking the leap to do it. Of course, they both require patience and perseverance when things do not go as planned, and that is a part of the process. With stone and metal, I’m as excited when I see the raw material—bursting with potential—as I am when I look at the finished piece.

As a lapidary artist and silversmith, I make contemporary jewelry using stone, metal and glass. Stone carving, forging, stamping, lost wax casting and enameling are some of my favourite techniques. In 2017, I began doing lapidary and making jewelry to compliment my career in education and research. I received my training in metal work and jewelry techniques at École de joaillerie de Montréal, after an introduction to lapidary at the Ottawa Lapidary and Mineral Club. Currently, I work out of my studio in Chelsea, Québec.

The metal I typically use is sterling silver, and for some pieces I incorporate gold. For enamel, I use copper or fine silver as the base. For my pieces, often the stone or enamel piece is the starting point for the design. For other pieces, the design springs from an interesting shape or concept—often integrating organic and fluid curves.