Jude Radwanski is the creative genius behind Firefly Art Jewellery, a new expanding endeavour of polymer clay and design that keeps her constantly at her new studio space in the Hammond Building on Main Street.
Radwanski moved into her studio space over a year ago, and she is excited to show it off during her first time participating in the Moostletoe Studio Tour on Oct. 19.
The studio gives Radwanski plenty of room for her creative process for each piece of jewelry, which she designs from the bottom up.
She works with polymer clay, blending and creating her own colours for something unique. She then includes a number of techniques — some pieces are painted or foiled, or pressed with a carved design plate — to create the interesting look she has in mind.
“I'm inspired by things that look like they came out of an archaeological dig, something that has age to it or maybe it looks like an ancient item or an old piece of pottery,” said Radwanski. “Something that looks like it came out of nature, in its shape, but then accenting it with a colour that you might not normally see.”
Her summer collection was the first time she started selling her work, and it featured bright pops of colour with the geometric shapes. It’s the reason she chose polymer clay as her medium — for the variety.
“When I went to school for silversmithing. . . I liked the work, but there was no colour, there was no pattern, there was no contrast or texture,” said Radwanski. “I started working with clay so that I could put colour, design, and pattern into it, and now I'm really happy. I feel like I'm in kindergarten, playing all day long.”
Radwanski has been hard at work creating her winter collection, which has a more subdued colour palette and some entirely new designs.
She has created a new, two-part style of earrings — at the request of customers — as well as some wide, chunky necklaces that feature a two-sided design for versatility.
Radwanski is also expanding her horizons by participating in a number of upcoming craft shows — including Wintergreen in Regina and Sundog in Saskatoon. She has even been selected as an emerging artist by the Saskatchewan Craft Council.
As for the future, Radwanksi only wants to see growth. She is busy not only creating new pieces but also putting together her social media presence, to break into the online market and hopefully set up an online store in the next few months.
And for now, after hosting a studio tour trial-run for a handful of personal friends earlier this month, Radwanski is ready to open her space up to the Moostletoe crowd. Firefly Studio is located on the fourth floor of the Hammond Building, at 310 Main St. N, in room #408.
