West Coast Gems: Camp + Quarry

(Gold Dipped Raw Purple Amethyst)

From Vancouver designer, Sarah Rankin, comes Camp + Quarry. An exciting and modern take on classic gemstone pendants, each piece ranges from only $25 to $50.

(Silver Dipped Raw Citrine Crystal)

These gorgeous gemstone necklaces sold out so quickly the first time we got an order here at the General, (under a week), we didn't even get the chance to tell you about them! Don't worry, we have more now.

(Silver Dipped Raw Crystal)

Made from raw crystals and gemstones, this line showcases the natural beauty of amethyst, citrine, quartz, black tourmaline, amazonite, picasso jasper, petrified wood, rose quartz, pyrite, green zeolite, onyx, tangerine quartz, and many other materials.

(Picasso Jasper and Petrified Wood)

Camp + Quarry necklaces come in a variety of lengths ranging from medium to long. Some pieces are silver or gold dipped to add a dose of glamor to the raw stones.

(Raw Black Tourmaline Crystal Chunk)

Wondering what the name Camp + Quarry is all about? Here's an inspired explanation from the designer herself:

(Raw Pyrite Crystal Druzy)

"CAMP: Get outside, close the computer, power down, reset, have a bonfire, go for a hike, get cold, get lost, sleep under the stars, swim outdoors, walk the dog, go."

(Green Zeolite Crystal Druzy)

"QUARRY: Mine new ideas, research, write, reveal, make, change, transform, discover new materials, lay new strata, uncover, discover."

(Tangerine Quartz)

This line also features a special piece called the "Cave Digger."(not pictured). It is so special, in fact, we have never kept one in store fore more than a couple of hours. The brilliant pendant features a  small geode with a tiny figure of a lady inside! Come pop into General 54, and see if you can catch one before it goes!

We're getting more pieces in all the time, each order with a new mix and some repeats of favorite pieces. Our only problem with Camp + Quarry is keeping it on the shelves!

Making Sense of the New (and Old) Eco-Fabrics

Eco-fabrics are a huge deal in local design and fashion right now. Keeping track of all the new, (and not-so-new) materials can sometimes be a little confusing .  

 

 (Meemoza Barcelona dress 100% Tencel)

Looking at tags is a great way to familiarize yourself with your buying choices, however, if you don't recognize the name of the fabric, you won't feel very informed. Here is a basic guide to some of the most popular "eco-fabrics" out there, and some of their greatest qualities.

Lyocell/ Tencel/ Modal:

They are basically the same thing! Lyocell is the generic name, while Tencel is the brand name of this popular new fabric. Modal is a very similar fabric. Made from wood pulp, it is a new type of rayon. It is soft, absorbent, wrinkle resistant, and easy to care for.

It can also take a myriad of forms and look like many other fabrics, including denim, silk, leather, and suede. Lyocell is biodegradable and can be recycled, and because in its processing there is no bleaching, less water used, fewer chemical emissions, and less energy consumed, it is a much more sustainable choice than many conventional fabrics.

These fabrics nearly never shrink, and barely fade or pill, so they last longer, and create less waste. Lines like Meemoza, Jennifer Glasgow Design, Les Enfants Sauvages, Atelier .b., carry clothing in these fabrics. 

Bamboo/ Bamboo Viscose/ Rayon from Bamboo

 

(Jennifer Glasgow Priscilla dress in Rayon from Bamboo)

A very popular eco fabric, bamboo grows incredibly fast, is almost endlessly self-sustaining, and plentiful, and doesn't require pesticides to survive and thrive.

Bamboo creates gracefully draping, ultra soft fabric. It also mixes beautifully with more traditional fabrics like spandex to create extra comfortable clothing, undergarments, workout wear, and bedding.

We have bamboo derived garments from Jennifer Glasgow Design, Meemoza, Spruce, and more.

Hemp

 

Hemp is an incredible resource, because it's growth requires no pesticides.

 

It's versatility as a fiber is nearly unparallelled and it can be manipulated into anything from strong tough materials (i.e. rope), to soft, thin, highly breathable dresses. 

(Jennifer Glasgow Sigrid dress in Hemp)

Some of the most charming dresses and skirts in Jennifer Glasgow Design's Spring/ Summer 2012 line are made of hemp.

Eco Polyester

 

Traditional polyester is a petroleum byproduct and is basically the complete antithesis of eco-friendly.

However, there are new polyesters cropping up that are made from recycled plastics (think water bottles), and recycled traditional polyester fabrics.

Eco-polyester is as versatile as its traditional (oil derived) predecessor, without the negative environmental and political implications.

Organic Cotton

 

Traditional cotton is often heavily treated with pesticides. Organic cotton is still cotton, it's just not chemically treated.

Commonly thought to exist only in unbleached, natural forms, organic cotton now comes in all manner of colors and finishes. 

Silk/ Peace Silk

 

Silk is, of course, an old classic. Inherently natural because it comes directly from the silk worm, it is an animal product and is not worn or used by most vegans because of the common practice of boiling the worms to retrieve the silk. Peace Silk, or cruelty-free silk, is now being produced by collecting the discarded silk created by the worm once it has already left to become a lovely flying thing.

This process is 100% cruelty free, but, because it is so meticulous, peace silk tends to be extremely expensive. Even traditional silk has a very small environmental footprint. Warm in winter, and cool in summer, silk is breathable, beautiful, and incredibly tough.

Linen

 

Linen is made from flax which requires few to no pesticides to grow. It is strong, breathable, and lasting, so it's innate quality is also an eco feature.

We have a huge variety of linen clothing at General 54 right now from lines like Jennifer Glasgow, Dagg and Stacey, and Birds of North America.

 

(Birds of North America Swan skirt in Linen)

Hopefully, this sheds a little light on many of the friendlier fabrics available. It`s also important to remember that a locally made product is most always much more environmentally sound than something produced overseas. General 54 carries only high quality Canadian made products, and our designers strive to use at least some recycled materials, repurposed jewels, or eco friendly fabrics.   

Broken Doll Clothing from Calgary!

We have a brand new line in store! Broken Doll is the creation of Calgary designer Leah Bohnet. The line has a fantastic mandate; attractive, affordable, sexy clothing as comfy as pajamas! She also uses eco fabrics like tencel, modal, bamboo, and organic cotton in several pieces. 

 The Knox cardigan is a great nautical-inspired summer evening cozy up item. Also light enough to be sun protection on hot days.

 The Chai is made of bamboo with a touch of spandex. It's airy and light for summer, and we'll also have it in white.

 The Harlow is your summer jacket. Soft and pretty, it's an everyday piece to throw in your bag for nightfall.

The Goulding cardigan is a linen mix. Pleasantly light and loose, great with super short shorts! We also have it in navy and white.

Artist Profile - Sheena Purcell Jewellery

   

What do you make?

I make handmade jewellery, mostly in sterling silver, with a vintage yet modern feel.

Do you use any recycled or repurposed materials in your designs?

I use some recycled silver in my cast pieces, and sometimes I make custom wedding rings using gold from parents' or grandparents' old rings or jewellery. It's nice to be able to carry along that history in a new piece of jewellery.

 

 Have you ever done custom work?

I do a lot of custom work. I make lots of custom stamped tie clips, but besides that I do lots of wedding rings, engagement rings, or just unique pieces using a stone or an idea a client brings to me. I love brainstorming and working together with a client to really come up with something wonderful that they will cherish forever.

 

 What are the your major inspirations for jewellery in 2012? What's new this year?

In the past year I made a new collection using vintage lace, cast in silver or bronze. So I am continuing to work with that theme but pushing my possibilities and creating stone settings with cast lace, and also creating much larger pieces with the cast lace. Also coming up in 2012, I am excited that my work will be carried at the Anthropologie store opening here in Montreal and online. Besides that, I am working on launching a new collection in collaboration with my jeweller sister, Caitlyn Purcell. It is great to finally be able to design together.

 Who is your favorite local designer/ jeweller/ crafter?

Is it ok to have more than one? So hard to choose! I love Les Enfants Sauvages , Norwegian Wood, and for winter, Cavale.

 What does an average day of creating look like for you?

It starts with email, Etsy, Facebook. Then I get to work making orders in the afternoon, and running to the post office before its time to start creating a tasty feast to feed my two little boys. I try to avoid working at night unless its really necessary. I tend to make mistakes and injure myself if I try to make jewellery when I'm tired. 

 Do you ever find it hard to give up your designs for sale after spending so much time with the pieces?

Nope. Maybe I used to when I was still in university, but not anymore. I love to see how happy people are and the connections they make with my work. Plus, I have been running my jewellery business full time for less than a year now, I always had a side job before. So, every sale I make means more and more time that I can actually do this full time as my "real job"!

 What was the first piece you ever made?

I remember making a pair of earrings for my mom when I was about five years old. I went to a neighbor's house, who was a jeweller, and she helped me make them. I used pearls and turquoise beads. They were so wonky but my mom wore them for years and she still has them.