- City
- Toronto
- Booth
- Exclusively Online
Natalie Ho
Hi! I'm Natalie, and I make jewellery. I have a background in mathematics and used to work at startups, where everything was led by speed and force. A few years ago, I left to see what would happen if I led my life with gentleness and patience instead. The result has been a very delicate style of work, balanced by the strength of enduring metals and stones. I'm deeply inspired by gardens and the way they help humans engage with otherwise lost landscapes and nature.
All of my designs are entirely handcarved, with very fine, miniature details extending through to the sides or reverse of each work. Each one is essentially is a micro-sculpture (with most of the flowers measuring only millimetres across!), requiring extremely gentle yet precise movement of material. This carving process is originally done in jeweller's wax before being cast into precious metal. From there, it is a traditional goldsmith's process of metal polishing and stone-setting.
Inspired by my studies of bird-and-flower painting, classical Chinese gardens, and bonsai, each work is organic yet intentional - the smallest of stories, told by the turning of the seasons. Flora and fauna are arranged in beauty and harmony - miniature portraits of an environment or ecosystem at their healthiest. Through these tiny, precious sculptures, I want to encourage people to engage with our natural world as they would engage with fine art - to look closely, spend time absorbing the details, and allow for more complex feelings to unfold beyond initial impression.
Above all, my favourite part is being able to create for other humans and those that they love... mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, partners... and themselves! I hope my jewellery brings you the feelings I have when I am inspired - the kind of feeling you might get from the dappling of light, leaves outlined by the sun, or the reading of a poem.
