Design by Terry is a new business with a rich history! 

It was a circle of gold that got Terry  hooked. Over 25 years ago, Terry was enrolled in a fashion design course at St. Lawrence College, she also took an evening course in goldsmithing. The eminent jeweller Neil Aird took her under his wing to teach her jewellery illustration (designing and drawing). Neil suggested that she go a step beyond the design stage and create her first piece. He threw her a cube of wax and suggested she carve a ring from it.  

“I was hooked on creating my first ring,” laughs Terry, as she recalls the early days when she discovered her calling. The years that followed saw Terry studied as a diamond appraiser through the Gemological Institute of America. She took jewellery courses at the George Brown College and apprenticed at an Italian goldsmith firm in Toronto where she learned the European style secrets of working with gold to create unique, quality one-of-a-kind works of art. She has been entitled the designation Graduate Jeweller awarded by the Canadian Jewellers Institute.  

The customized design process is something that Terry takes to heart. “I meet with people in a private consultation to go over what it is they want. Designing jewellery is a very personal thing,” she continues. “I like to get a sense of the client including their personal tastes, design ideas and family history.” 

Design by Terry was recently born out of the artist’s love for the design process and her commitment to creating unique pieces of high craftsmanship that are fresh, vivid and inspiring. But her experience as a Kingston goldsmith runs deep – for 20 years Terry designed, repaired, cleaned and appraised jewellery pieces for the local family business. Design by Terry is an opportunity for her to concentrate on providing private consultations, focusing on the clients and working closely with them to create lifetime memories.  

“I do a little bit of everything,” Terry says. “I’m there for when they get engaged, get married, have their anniversaries. I’m here for the birth of their children and grandchildren. It’s like going through life with them.”   

It’s a role that still has Terry very happily hooked.  

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