Melanie LeBlanc

Toronto, Ontario

Since 2003, Melanie has pursued jewellery-making exclusively. She works out of her home studio full-time and part-time out of a studio/gallery with metalsmiths alike in Toronto, Canada.

Found objects, mostly organic in nature, are used as research material. Gathering these objects alludes to her childhood spent on an island. When working with discarded and ethically sourced metal and stones, Melanie finds the process fulfilling. She appreciates the social and environmental aspect of re-using material and giving them a new life.

Her preference is to create jewellery/objects that are one-of-a-kind and completely handcrafted. The idea of her jewellery being personally handmade is just as important as the memories behind it. Melanie’s exploration with unusual alloying, casting and fabrication techniques is constantly evolving. Reclaimed karat gold, sterling silver, bronze and shibuichi (Japanese alloy) are her current metals of choice. She also adorns her pieces with stones and pearls.

Metal is often considered cold, stagnate and mechanical but she chooses to challenge that notion. The work is complete when the forms she creates seemingly come alive and begin to develop a life of their own.