The first part of her life was spent in little mining towns in the United States.
Kathy Brandon was born in Silver City, New Mexico and grew up Silver Valley, Idaho, where her father mined silver for the Sunshine Silver Mine.
"I really think I was destined to forge silver into wearable art," Brandon says. "I've kind of got silver in my blood."
Her passion for silver has now culminated in a business she recently opened, called Workingsilver. Brandon's new store, located near the Brewery District in Sapperton, is a retail outlet that sells silver, stones, supplies and tools for crafting jewelry. The space also includes a studio for classes she is offering on the art of jewelry making.
Brandon took up jewelry making as a hobby about 12 years ago. (Locally, Brick & Mortar Living, located downtown, sells Brandon's creations.) In her 50s at the time, Brandon, who worked as a clinical social worker for 25 years, had always liked working with her hands. When she started tinkering with silver and creating wearable art, she became "infected" by it.
She kept taking classes, developing her skills and went from there. Her passion really took off when she lived on Gabriola Island for three years. Her crafting flourished in the artistic island community, and she started her silver-supply business - developing an ecommerce website where she sold her goods.
When Brandon and her husband moved back to the Lower Mainland, they picked New West because they wanted to be in an urban area. They bought a condo in downtown New West ("Love it," Brandon says) and have settled into life in their new home, though Brandon admits setting up the business has kept her busy.
"It's been a marathon. I've been working on it for about four months, and people say, 'Wow, that's really good for starting a new business," she says.
Classes at Workingsilver start on April 10, and include Beginner Silversmithing, Bangles, Enamelling on Copper, Surface Techniques, Prong Set Ring, Spinner Ring, Watercoast Pendant and Chain Making.
Visit workingsilver.com for more information on upcoming classes. The store has an official grand opening on Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at #102-131 East Columbia St.
