Who is Ellen?
I endeavour to live an elegant life in every way.
I create handmade jewelry from delicate to earthy ... from simply classic to graciously opulent.
You are sure to find something that suits your style.
Hi! I'm Ellen.
I am a solo artisan who designs and hand makes every piece of jewelry.
With my hands and my heart I create, using the finest gemstones and precious metal wires.
I love my delicate wire wrapping and being a perfectionist, I am meticulous.
It is my highest goal to have my clients love their pieces as much as I loved creating them.
I am a solo artisan who designs and hand makes every piece of jewelry.
With my hands and my heart I create, using the finest gemstones and precious metal wires.
I love my delicate wire wrapping and being a perfectionist, I am meticulous.
It is my highest goal to have my clients love their pieces as much as I loved creating them.
How it all began ... the short story.
I have always loved rocks, sticks, fabrics, things found and old, textures, designs and above all, elegance.
That 'je ne sais quoi'. I call it understated elegance or simple chic.
I always admired my mother's 'french' style.
That 'je ne sais quoi'. I call it understated elegance or simple chic.
I always admired my mother's 'french' style.
Mom, Ria & Ellen ... Ice Cream!
I was born Elizabeth Suzanna Adriana Musch Van Baren in Rotterdam, Holland.
I came to be called Ellen for some reason and it stuck.
I was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where, amongst so many things I have done,
I was involved in displays for department stores, floral design, then jewelry and diamonds.
In 1994 I opened my own antique shop in New Westminster.
Age of Elegance was a great success!
In 1996 we moved to Calgary, Alberta, I opened in Inglewood, Calgary at 1319 9th Avenue.
In 1998 I chose to move to the country and took my shop to my own acreage where we
renovated a 1000 square foot quonset building for that purpose.
I loved being high on that ridge and seeing the Rockies from my windows every day.
Not long after I saw the opportunity to do very well on Ebay with my knowledge and expertise in Antique China.
I did so well that I closed my retail shop and sold exclusively antique china,
specializing in teacups and sets that were over 100 years old.
I'd had a dream for years to live in a small town in an old train station, schoolhouse, church or other unique building.
In 2000 my dream came true and we bought the 100 year old Baptist Church building in Nanton, Alberta.
Once again I had the privilege of working from my home and, what a home!
Front Hall of the back Church. Lovely!
Built in 1904, this lovely old building was made of hand hewn timbers and was actually two churches joined together.
The original was one of the very first buildings ever built in that town and it had soaring tin ceilings and such amazing wood everywhere! I loved the old poured glass windows and the way the sun would shine through them.
I took my Ebay business there and began to make a home in my 5000 square foot building.
I always found myself in the “back” little church so, we renovated it into our main living space.
I loved it!
The original was one of the very first buildings ever built in that town and it had soaring tin ceilings and such amazing wood everywhere! I loved the old poured glass windows and the way the sun would shine through them.
I took my Ebay business there and began to make a home in my 5000 square foot building.
I always found myself in the “back” little church so, we renovated it into our main living space.
I loved it!
100 year old bricks made into a path at the church home.
In 2004 we sold that church to a photography studio and I bought my very own 100 year old farm house on
2 acres at the edge of Nanton.
It had huge hedges all around and in the back, an unobstructed view of the Rocky Mountains. Beautiful!
2 acres at the edge of Nanton.
It had huge hedges all around and in the back, an unobstructed view of the Rocky Mountains. Beautiful!
I retired for a while and just renovated my house…painting, ripping up old carpets, cleaning enormous
picture windows and trying to keep warm in such a big place.
My plan was to open my own antique shop again right on my own property.
First, I decided to take a holiday to meditate and freshen my mind. I took a solo trip to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico.
Life changed in a most unexpected way.
I met my beloved Daniel who came to Canada for 6 months.
We decided that we wanted to live in Mexico so I sold my house and everything I owned
except for a few personal treasures.
picture windows and trying to keep warm in such a big place.
My plan was to open my own antique shop again right on my own property.
First, I decided to take a holiday to meditate and freshen my mind. I took a solo trip to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico.
Life changed in a most unexpected way.
I met my beloved Daniel who came to Canada for 6 months.
We decided that we wanted to live in Mexico so I sold my house and everything I owned
except for a few personal treasures.
We moved to San Miguel de Allende in the mountains of Mexico.
* * *
I met a girl in a kitchen who wore a ring
that she had made right there in San Miguel at a class taught by Billy King of Sterling Quest School.
She raved about it...how fun it was. She said I should go.
Some months later, I did. I learned to silversmith.
One day, on my walk home I dropped in to a bead shop and took a quick lesson on how to make a wirework necklace.
I absolutely fell in love with fine wirework and gemstones.
Someone fell in love with that first necklace and I sold it!
I was on my way.
* * *
I met a girl in a kitchen who wore a ring
that she had made right there in San Miguel at a class taught by Billy King of Sterling Quest School.
She raved about it...how fun it was. She said I should go.
Some months later, I did. I learned to silversmith.
One day, on my walk home I dropped in to a bead shop and took a quick lesson on how to make a wirework necklace.
I absolutely fell in love with fine wirework and gemstones.
Someone fell in love with that first necklace and I sold it!
I was on my way.
My Studio in San Pancho, Nayarit in 2010
We lived in many places in Mexico over the years and I always sold my jewelry.
In 2012 we returned to Calgary, Alberta, Canada where we live today.
My deepest thanks to that girl in the kitchen, Melissa... and,
to none other than the best teacher anyone could want...Mr. Billy King.
I am living a life of joy!
Ellen
