In June 2010, I was offered a job in Edmonton Alberta with one of our regional offices and I decided to accept. A short 8 weeks later I was moved across the country to a new city full of strangers, leaving my friends, family, and Drakestail temporarily behind me. There were some bumps in the road and moments where I felt lonely but overall, I really enjoyed my time out West and am so thankful for the opportunity given to me.
Despite the physical seperation between Robyn and I, the plan was for me to continue to bead and create out West, to find local art shows and to ‘grow’ the Drakestail business, as they say, best laid plans… I spent almost 2 years in Alberta and I didn’t make a single piece of jewellery that wasn’t just for myself to wear. Robyn carried the torch here in Ottawa and kept creating and attending shows. We’d discuss the business decisions via email or Skype and I was still involved in the background but creatively it seems I took a sabbatical. Looking back now, though I think it odd, I feel this was really good for me.
I have been back in Ottawa for about 6 weeks now and aside from settling into a new home with new roommates and settling into a new day job I find myself with the desire to make jewellery again and have in fact made a few pieces. I am approaching the creative and the business process of being a partner in Drakestail Jewellery with refreshed creativity and renewed purpose. I am looking forward to our summer season art shows as well as to new adventures in jewellery creation.

Roxanne