
Throughout the ages, many things have been said of her. She’s a force to be reckoned with, a beauty beyond human imagination, a gust of unpredictable brutality, and a solace to souls wearied by the ways of men. An inspiration so whole and universal, she stretches across boundary lines, continents, class, and culture. She is Nature, the the forever muse.
So many makers past and present have looked to nature as a guide, an instruction in elegance and strength. Just as nature invents herself according to her surroundings, many demonstrate that influence by sourcing only local materials or ingredients to create their work. Nature, too, is a model of resourcefulness, creating with whatever comes her way, a dewy garden, or the wonders of a desert. Our feeble hands can make nothing without her help.
An avid pupil of Nature’s lessons, Keri Rowe Tooke is a learned adventurer, duly humbled and emboldened by the vast curiosities and glory of her surroundings. Her delicate craft is the embodiment of some of our most treasured values: community, ingenuity, and a commitment to what her heart beats to do. She’s also the first international maker we’ve met, bringing a unique perspective to creating meaningful work in Vancouver, BC. Canadian by birth, she possesses a naturally adventurous spirit, with balance and grace marking her stride. As for her craft, I think that Keri tells it best. “I believe that everyone is creative. For me, I am a jeweler.”
Like most independent makers, Keri loved working with her hands from the very beginning. “I was always that crafty kid, whether it was beaded necklaces, or friendship bracelets, so I feel like I always had that in me since I was a child.” Ah, friendship bracelets. An indisputable rite of passage. Simple in form and execution, but for so many young girls they are the first symbols of their creative ability, to bring forth something unique into the world, and above all, represent the unmatched loyalties of girlhood. For Keri, these bracelets were a natural juncture of creativity and community, a powerful combination that would later lead to the creation of her burgeoning brand, Coastal Chains.