Meet the Maker: Alex Hume of North Star Silver

Maker: Alex Hume of North Star Silver

I create artisanal jewelry using recycled and reclaimed metals and ethically sourced stones. I make an effort to source my stones from North America to further reduce my ecological footprint. My jewelry pieces are made from scratch using traditional silversmithing techniques. Each piece is one of a kind and built to last.

I believe in the power of symbolism. Jewelry can be a powerful talisman that offers a tangible connection to the earth, when it’s built meaningfully using earth-derived and eco-friendly materials. My jewelry designs are infused with symbolism and inspiration from the natural world. Wild animals, trees, wildflowers, moons, and of course North Stars feature prominently in my work.

 

The wonderful people who give my jewelry a home share my passion for the natural world and I feel a deep affinity with many of my customers. We have further built community through my Be the Change initiative – which is a collaborative effort to support community organizations working towards making the changes we want to see – Indigenous social justice, old growth forest conservation, rape prevention, and supporting young mothers are just a few of the causes we’ve supported with proceeds from several of my jewelry collections.

 As a mom to two little ones, when schools and daycares were suddenly closed in March 2020, it felt like having the rug pulled out from beneath our feet. I was forced to shift my work to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and my partner consolidated his 40 hour work week to the remaining four days of the week. It’s a demanding schedule and the hardest part is that it’s nearly impossible for our whole family to spend time together.

 Many, many people asked me why I didn’t put my work aside and collect emergency benefits from the government. The answer is simple, and is two-fold: firstly, I love my work. Creating jewelry is my livelihood, and it’s also an important form of self-expression that helps to connect me with like-minded people who share my love of the outdoors and my commitment to sustainability. Metalsmithing is both an art form and a craft – and I thrive being constantly challenged. The second reason is that I want to set an example for my daughters: that they can follow their dreams no matter what the obstacles are; that their goals are worth prioritizing - no matter the difficulty.

 

 

Supporting local makers mean investing in people and the planet, and voting with your dollar. It shows that you believe in slow art and craftswomanship. It supports families and communities rather than massive corporations who hold a disproportionate amount of wealth and have a disproportionate footprint on our planet. It means you can align your values with your purchases and make a difference where it really counts – at home!

Learn more about Alex's work here

 

Maker's Grant

← Older Post Newer Post →