Behind the Process

Maybe you've read this article about me on JourneyWoman, telling the story of when I had one of my true loves, solo travel, wrestled from me in the Summer of 2020.

I was a newly retired art prof looking forward to exploring the world. I don't foresee being able to pick it back up anytime soon. It's 2025 now and I've come to terms with it. I've had to. I learned quickly how to turn things around and own it. It wasn't without moving through many exercises though first and finding ones that hit ... and fit my lifestyle. 

Join me in Skool where we do all the things that help make things right again. And yes I sell things I make, but I'm also here to show you how to make & do the things, too.  

The Process

The TeaGardenJewelry collection is a contemporary, fine jewelry, take on the capsule wardrobe. Each piece has been purposefully designed to be multifunctional, to pair cohesively with one another and to last lifetimes.

The collection is comprised of both .999, pure silver and .925 sterling silver, eco-silver (silver that has been recycled), semi-precious gemstones and beads sourced from ethically-motivated suppliers. I’ve used recycled silk and silicone that is BPA-free, non-toxic, 100% food-grade, and FDA-approved.

I am a registered member of Ethical Metalsmiths, The Community for Responsible Jewellery, a group dedicated to impacting the field of jewellery design through education, connection and action. 

I run a one-person, small-scale, sustainable business. My studio is in my home.

See Videos on how the Pop-In's work here. Here's the post with more information and with ideas on how pieces can be mixed and matched ... and with ways I've found to wear them with other jewellery.

How It's Made

The Maker's Journey

My studies in jewelry-making include silversmithing, bezel setting, chain-making, soldering/fusing, riveting, texturing, wax casting, hammer-forming, metal clay, enameling/cloisonné.

For 25+ years, I was a foundation art professor at Sheridan College (Oakville) in their Art Fundamentals Program where I taught drawing, painting and design classes.

During this time, I was an active Member of the Arts & Letters Club (Drawing Studio) and a presenter at FATE (Foundations in Art: Theory and Education), an International association dedicated to excellence in arts education for both studio and art history.

In 1998, I was seconded to Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore) as a Foundation Arts/Drawing Consultant in their Digital Animation Program.

Prior to this, I worked at OWL/tv as a storyboard artist, as well as in film and claymation (Animation Group).

I continue exploring metalsmithing on-line through The Jewellers Academy (London, England) and Lucy Walker Jewellery (Kuala Lumpur, Malasia).

Follow my adventures in jewelry-making on the shop blog oneseedwonders.ca

brendaintoronto.com is a website I update periodically where you see some of my art, ceramics and writing portfolio.

Photo Gallery

Work in Progress