Willow Shack Studio - willowshackstudio@gmail.com

To say that we are a product of our environment is too true. I was born in Williams Lake and brought up on a hunting lodge in the interior of B.C. My dad, a hunter, was a man of few words but with a true talent for creating and improvising. I watched him work in his wonderful shed, a memory that I still hold dear. My mother, who would sew our clothes, can our food, cook and clean (without electricity or running water) and still have time to read aloud to my father every afternoon. Both unknowingly taught me to use what you have, make what you need and take time for family. In 2006 I started making jewelry from vintage and antique flatware. I was then inspired to make all my jewelry from reclaimed materials. I added button, silver plate trays, old keys and bullet caps to my line. I am always on the lookout for more ideas. For as long as I can remember, I would look at an article, whether it be an old picture frame, a broken rake, reclaimed cupboard doors…….ok…you get the idea and wonder what I could reuse it for. This would lead to either using those items for displays in my Studio or up-cycle jewelry. This also led to a lot of stuff hanging around my house, so I opened Willow Shack the up-cycle studio in 2011. The Studio is part of the Nanoose Bay Studio Tour www.nanoosebaystudiotour.com. Check out this website and mine at www.ethantaylordesigns.com , you will not be disappointed! and the rest is history.