Ever wanted to wear your favourite vice? Well now you can! Toronto-based, designers (and twin sisters) Courtney and Tara Neray, of Slashpile Designs, created an amazing line of drug molecule jewellery, perfect for every science geek, coffee addict, chain smoker or other hooligan! I recently had the opportunity to interview them about where they get their inspiration, what it's like working with your sibling and what other deviousness they're up to.
Do you find it easier or harder to work together because you're sisters?
We actually work really well together, since our skills seem to compliment each other. Courtney is much better at the business/branding/marketing side, and Tara is better at the jewellery fabrication. We spend a LOT of time together, so sometimes that can be difficult, but we often feed off each other when we're brainstorming ideas. Being twins, we have always had a really good relationship and connection--as children we had to share everything and we always got along really well.
How did you get into jewelry design? Did you always know this was something you wanted to do?
We have both been artistic for as long as we can remember, and have always loved making jewellery (whether it was beading or using shells and rocks we found). Tara went into the Material Art & Design program at OCAD thinking she would end up studying fibre/textiles. Jewellery was really hard, but after second year she realized that she loved the challenge of silversmithing and jewellery making. Courtney studied industrial design at OCAD, and still has a passion for product design. When we finished school, we realized that it was a really good fit for both of us to work together on Slashpile Designs.
Your molecule designs are really great, what gave you the idea to make them?
The molecule line came from a project in Tara's production class at OCAD. She had to make ten different jewellery pieces that were different, but all fit together visually. She thought that molecules would be interesting visually, while using the same components to create many different shapes. During research, she came across a picture of the alcohol molecule, and decided to tie all the pieces together by using drug molecules. This concept fits well with both of our design styles-- we like to make pieces that people can connect with individually and always try to incorporate some humour.
When we started in-house production of the molecules, Courtney helped develop the line further by designing the water molecule line and our new molecule cufflinks.
You both studied in Toronto, do you feel that's impacted your design work at all?
In school, we were surrounded by a lot of amazing jewellery artists. Tara learned all her technical skills from them and was really inspired by all the work around her. Most of the work around OCAD was either really high end or more conceptual, to be displayed in galleries rather than being worn. That made her realize that she wanted to make pieces that are more accessible and wearable for everyday.
Being a part of the Toronto craft scene has allowed us to show our work with a lot of amazing artists in all different media. Being around so many people who are starting businesses similar to our own has helped keep the creative juices flowing and has offered us a lot of encouragement.
Do you have a favorite piece you designed?
I think this changes every time we design something new. Right now, we're really excited about making the lost and found stacking rings. The process is the same for each ring, but we have so much fun picking out stones that came from old pieces and have a history (and come in so many awesome colours and shapes!) and matching them together in different sets.
Do you do any other work besides your jewelry lines?
We both walk dogs and Courtney works as a bartender. It helps to have some extra income to take a bit of pressure off an up and coming business, but we still need a lot of flexibility to make sure we can spend enough time making jewellery, meeting clients, and marketing.
We also need to make time for our various hobbies/activities, including karate, roller derby and snowboarding-- it makes for a very busy schedule, but it definitely helps us stay motivated, make connections and come up with ideas for our business.
What do you have planned for the future of Slashpile?
This summer, we plan to do fewer trade shows, and focus on putting our work in more stores across the country to allow us to reach more customers. We also plan to develop more products for men.
Where in Toronto can people find your jewellery?
The list of stores we are currently selling in is available at www.slashpiledesigns.com/shop. The best selection of our work can be found at Corktown Designs and Made You Look. Our Etsy shop is also a great place to check out from any location.
Comments