Artist Bio
Inspired Jewellery
Inspired Jewellery
Zelda was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa where she met her husband Richard who had a dream to one day live in Canada. Since they both wanted to travel they started their journey together in England where they lived for 8 years and visited 24 European countries before moving with their two young children to settle in Canada.
Zelda was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa where she met her husband Richard who had a dream to one day live in Canada. Since they both wanted to travel they started their journey together in England where they lived for 8 years and visited 24 European countries before moving with their two young children to settle in Canada. Starting out on the East Coast, Canada became the gateway for her creative journey. Zelda was taught the art of creating in precious metals at the New Brunswick College of Craft and design. She was the recipient of two awards of excellence before being offered a full time position as a bench jeweller for a jewellery studio in Fredericton NB. Over the following four years her work was further refined she enjoyed the freedom to design and construct production jewellery lines whilst gaining invaluable knowledge of the finishing techniques and the quality standards that are evident in her work today.
Zelda’s desire to create one of a kind and custom designs grew. In 2011 she established her own studio. Relocating to Alberta she joined the Bragg Creek Artisans. Zelda was a member of the Alberta Craft Council, Arts in Bragg Creek and a founding member of The Painted Moose Artist Collective.
Together with her family Zelda resides in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island where she is once again surrounded by the ocean and the BC mountains.
Inspired Jewellery
Inspired Jewellery
Inspired Jewellery
For me, Jewellery is a visual expression of that which makes us happy. It is an emotion put into reality something tangible, the evidence that our memories are real that times gone by actually happened, a life passed has really been. It serves as a connection from generation to generation, it makes people feel a sense of belonging, it h
For me, Jewellery is a visual expression of that which makes us happy. It is an emotion put into reality something tangible, the evidence that our memories are real that times gone by actually happened, a life passed has really been. It serves as a connection from generation to generation, it makes people feel a sense of belonging, it helps them feel loved. This is why I love creating custom jewellery. I am inspired by the beauty to be found in people that we discover through relationships, the truths about our creator revealed when observing nature; the beauty He so carefully designed to surround us with. My jewellery is a personal celebration of His promises found in scripture which brings me joy, this I hope to pass on to my viewers.
Precious Metals and technique
All my jewellery is handcrafted in solid sterling silver & 14k gold unless it is clearly specified otherwise.
I receive silver in the form of sheet or wire and manipulate it by means of forging, filing, soldering and sanding before the final stage of polishing which is determined by the desired end results for each piece.
None of my jewellery is plated. I use traditional hand finishing techniques to ensure good quality in craftsmanship. None of my jewellery is mass produced and many are one of a kind inspired works of art.
Painting
Inspired Jewellery
Painting
As a young girl Zelda recalls watching her father paint he was good at it and she wanted to paint like him. As a child she doodled a lot and throughout high school she loved taking art classes. It was much later in 2004 that their relocation to Canada made room for a career change and she was lead to Jewellery and Metal Arts which demand
As a young girl Zelda recalls watching her father paint he was good at it and she wanted to paint like him. As a child she doodled a lot and throughout high school she loved taking art classes. It was much later in 2004 that their relocation to Canada made room for a career change and she was lead to Jewellery and Metal Arts which demanded all her creative focus to master the skills. In Alberta Zelda was one of the founding members of The Painted Moose Artist Collective. For the first year she share a workshop space with the painter on shift. It was there that her desire to create in colour was revived. Once again she found herself admiring the painters work whilst creating jewellery and serving customer at the gallery shop. The years of Covid and its isolation came which allowed her time to explore this desire. She wanted to paint colour because it is in such a contrast to woking with metal. Paint is soft, squishy, gentle and colourful. Life was feeling far too serious so she doodled with paint and loved it.
"I am drawn to create feelings rather than what the eye sees. Sometimes I strive to create realism and end up with hints of both impressionism and abstract shapes. I look forward to seeing what emerges.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know my work I hope that it brings you joy."
Zelda Bird