Once upon a time, a young girl exploring the barn on the farm she grew up on discovered a hidden
treasure chest. It turned out to be a tackle box that belonged to her grandmother, Greta, and was filled
with beautiful shiny stones and beads and just about everything a person would need to make jewellery.
As the story goes, Greta taught herself the art and craft of jewellery making at the age of 60. And while
they never met, her granddaughter found her vocation at the age of six.
Hands-on experience
Fast forward to the modern magic of Peacock Jewellers Studio and Supply where owner and designer,
Abigail Engelking is helping a student learn to make a beaded necklace. Self-taught just like her
grandmother, Abigail’s 35 years’ experience is evident in her deft instructions to her novitiate – and
even more so in her gorgeous hand-crafted pieces exhibited throughout the shop. The walls are covered
in a rainbow display of jewellery-making supplies including seed beads, gemstones, crystals, cabochons
and findings. You’ll also find sterling silver wire for wrapping crystals (take a class!) and all the jewellery
tools you’ll need, including those for smithing and metal working.
Resiliency personified
Abigail was just getting her silversmithing school, two doors down, ready for a grand opening, when a
virus changed everything in March. In the months that followed, finding ways to stay afloat was a
challenge she and many other small businesses faced. Her first thoughts were for all the children cooped
up at home, so she started putting together crafts packages that parents could pick up curbside.
Observing health and safety guidelines, Abigail also offered one on one teaching sessions, which became
quite popular. She continued to work on custom jewellery requests, keeping that creative spark alive.
With more time on her hands, she set about doing some home renovations, creating a lovely suite with
all the creature comforts that will open as a B&B next season.
Onward and upward
Now that the shop has reopened, she will be expanding her stock to include spiritual books, healing
herbs and tarot cards. On offer will be a metaphysical medley of tarot card readings, crystal healing
workshops and more.
Most exciting, her school for instruction in silversmithing opened on October 11 th , the store’s fourth
anniversary. You can now sign up for master classes, from basic to advanced, and then set up studio
time to work on your projects on your own.
You can also sign up for Saturday classes in pearl knotting, beaded or gemstone necklaces, wire
wrapping and mandala beading, to name just a few. Or drop in on the hour with children six and older
and learn how to make beaded bracelets.
