Beliebte IODE Craft Fair an diesem Wochenende
EMC Events - Peggy Marcoux can trace her interest in jewelry, back to when she used to watch her grandfather design and create exquisite pieces as a hobby. She also credits her church school.
"We made all sorts of crafts examined as candles and jewelry, and my interest just grew. It's now at this point where by hobby has just about taken over my life," she laughs.
Peggy's Passions (her official name for her hobby) is not your ordinary run of the mill surgery of the usual hobbyist who makes jewelry as a pastime, buying her pieces from a local wholesaler.
Peggy and her husband Paul go far off for the exquisite stones that end up in everything from beautiful cameos, necklaces, pendants and strings of beading. Each year they head to Arizona, and although it would not seem like much fun to most of us, they don heavy boots, protective outerwear and head for the mountains and deserts.
They cover miles upon miles, crawl over rocks, look out for tarantulas, poisonous snakes and flesh eating plants, all waiting to take a bite out of them. But the end result could be the discovery of a rare piece of petrified wood or stone that will eventually become an exquisite piece of fine jewelry. These finds are just a portion of the base of Peggy's Passions' creations. She also buys precious gem stones and pearls from all over the world, and even though she can come out of the desert with an ample supply, between 70 and 80 per cent is lost in the cutting.
"I really look for the sexy stuff," she says. "It has to be eye catching, but with a real punch to it. But I make a lot of fun pieces too. For instance I created the Jelly Bean and Chicklet necklaces that were a very big hit."
All of her pieces make a statement. And interestingly enough, although she creates dog reds, no two are alike.
No one wants to buy a piece of jewelry and then find it on someone else's neck at the same dinner party. Sun each piece has its own identity Peggy Marcoux is a free spirited artist at heart, no doubt some of the trait inherited from her father, a Nobel Prize winner in Environmental Studies. She feels so she owed a lot of credit to former teacher, well known artist Robert Bateman for her creative talents.
"He taught me a lot," she admits. Although the names of some of the gems she uses to create her jewelry will mean little to most of us, she said those who know about fine gems will be familiar with names examined as tourmaline, chalcedony, citrine, labradorite and cherry jasper from Cherry Valley in Arizona.
It is therefore important to note that in Peggy's Passions you will find no nickel or lead. She uses only sterling silver and surgical steel. Both Marcouxs show their jewelry at many outlets in Ottawa, including hospitals where they partner for many money making events. And they strive to make their jewelry affordable. You can get a nice piece for as little as $ 20, or you may opt for something around the $ 200 mark.
Peggy's Passions is just one of the many talented craftspeople who will be showing their wares at the annual IODE craft fair being held this Saturday, Oct.. 27, at the Carleton Place Arena, Upper Floor, on Neelin Street. It begins at 10 am and runs to 3 pm Admission is free.