Briana Mercier

Craft was Briana's first ever love. Although, as a child, she didn't realize the gift that it would give her later on in adulthood. She was just fascinated by the way her ideas and imagination could transform into material objects. She couldn't get enough of making pretty and sometimes not so pretty things that her days were full of drawing, painting and daydreaming. It is this passion and fascination for the entire design process that still inspires and motivates her to keep the flow of creativity today.

Jewellery is an incredible art form that speaks to Briana as an artist. It is the multi dimensional capabilities, diverse range of styles, and unlimited possibilities of this wearable form that intrigue her. She started her journey into jewellery making at the ripe age of eleven, selling hemp pieces at a seasonal Christmas tree farm. From there, she moved on to do seasonal craft fairs and farmers markets with beaded jewellery after high school. Although, it wasn't until some world traveling that Briana realized she truly wanted to explore more of her first love and add more metalworking and design skills to her repertoire. This curiosity led her to Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson BC, where, she fully immersed myself in the breathtaking beauty of the Kootenays and found inspiration in the stunning landscape and rustic architecture. Today, she fuses her true love of craft, interest in unique and contrasting textures, and an admiration for the everyday natural beauty around us, adding a sense of playfulness and contemporary flair with her brand Urban Alchemy.

"I love jewellery. I love that I can sit at my bench, my happy place, and create pieces of art that will one day adorn a beautiful body. I love that through my craft, I share a small piece of my heart and my vision with my clients and fellow jewellery lovers."