Where the Wild Things Roam

36.83 x 3.81 x 0.88 cm

copper, deer hide, Italian lambskin, rooster feathers, crystals, hematite, and sterling silver

From thought to thing, "Where the Wild Things Roam" started with 14-gauge copper wire that was hammered, filed, sanded, and shaped into two hoops, 1 large and 1 small. Hand-cut charcoal deer hide lace was attached to the large hoops using 20-gauge copper wire, and meticulously cut into fine fringes. Dangling off of the large copper hoops are carefully crafted vintage crystals and hematite gemstone beads on copper chain. Long fringes of hand-cut metallic rose gold Italian lambskin, paired with Canadian rooster saddle hackle from 3 different rooster tails, are combined together in a copper tube, which hangs from the small copper hoops. Finished with handcrafted sterling-silver hooks. This earring design was originally created in 2012, and has been refined time and time again, evolving into this latest edition.

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.