Diamonds on the Water

16.51 x 3.81 x 0.3 cm

brass, Italian lambskin, cow hide, and sterling silver

Four handcrafted brass half-circles where cut, filed, hammered, and polished. Then 2 holes were drilled into each piece. From the hides of 2 different lambskins (metallic gold and rose gold) and 1 cream colour cow hide, Corey Jill meticulously hand-cut the leather into fringes. After piercing the leather, the 3 pieces were placed in between two brass half-circles, a small pieces of 14-gauge copper was slid into place, and hammered on each end, riveting each earring together. Handcrafted sterling silver hooks finish these earring off.

Corey Jill Lakusiak has been making earrings since 2009. She is a self-taught artist who uses copper, brass, leather, feathers, and gemstones to create limited-edition, handcrafted, wearable art. Known for her quality craftsmanship, clean lines, and attention to detail, her creations are simply beautiful.

Corey Jill is a 4th-generation Ukrainian-Canadian. In 1968, her father (who was born in rural Manitoba) was traded from the Ottawa Roughriders to the Blue Bombers of Winnipeg, where Corey Jill was later born. Her artistry is a reflection of life on the Canadian Prairies: colours, textures, and movements. She lives a simple life and spends most of her time outdoors. It is alone in nature where she feels most herself, exposed to the elements... communing with God. She loves to sit and observe the beauty of nature, in both macrocosm and microcosm, and this is where she receives the inspiration for her creations.

In 2018, Corey Jill was commissioned to make custom jewellery for the Manitoba Cancer Care Gala. In 2022, she was commissioned to create one-of-a-kind earrings for a bride and bridal party of an Indigenous elder from York Factory, Manitoba. She is often commissioned to make jewellery for weddings and other special events.

Over the past 17 years, Corey Jill has travelled North America with her jewellery. She has participated in events in California, North Dakota, South Dakota, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Corey Jill is a lifelong learner and is committed to deepening her knowledge of jewellery making. This year, she has begun a silversmithing course and is learning the skill of lost-wax casting.