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Jewellery Showcase: Fiona Macintyre
Fiona Macintyre has been making jewellery and hollowware for over 25 years. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Guelph and an Honours Bachelor of Design from OCADU in Jewellery and Metalsmithing, Fiona has worked with established jewellery designers along with museum work and teaching opportunities.
Check out Fiona's Jewellery Showcase, on display at the Craft Ontario Distillery Shop from May 16 – July 5, 2026 or shop the curated Online Collection here!
Lured by the magical transformation of a hard material into fluid forms and shapes, in her contemporary sculptural jewellery and hollowware, she honours the traditional techniques of silversmithing; hammering, forging, raising.
Currently she divides her time between teaching visual art, metalsmithing workshops and her shop and studio in Merrickville, Ontario.
We asked Fiona some questions, to get to know the stories behind her jewellery practice:
You did an apprenticeship with the celebrated and award-winning, Canadian goldsmith and silversmith, Lois Etherington Betteridge. How did this experience influence you?
I had the opportunity to apprentice with Lois during my last year at OCADU and continued to work alongside her in the studio over the years following. She is my biggest influence. She generously passed on skills and knowledge and provided opportunity to the whole silversmithing community to keep the traditional craft alive and revered. Her designs often use humour, storytelling and an element of surprise, using traditional techniques, I try to carry this on.
Can you speak about your connection to Scotland and your time there?
I'm half Scottish, twice I have gone to live and study in Glasgow and reconnect with family. I completed a one year exchange at the Glasgow School of Art. My experience there formed a lot of my approach to silversmithing, especially design. There was a real importance put on creating functional quality pieces that were aesthetically pleasing. We would spend equal amounts of time in the Charles Rennie MacIntosh library and at the design table immersed in the creative process; research, developing design as we would in the studio making our pieces.
Tell us more about the Ebb and Flow Series that you are showing as part of the Jewellery Showcase?
Ooo, yes. I really got immersed in the making of the Ebb and Flow series.
I am trying to push the possibilities of hammering, forging and forming. The push and pull of the material, opposite forces creating a whole and with hope resulting in a wearable piece.
Hollowware is quite a unique and specialized practice, can you explain the time and skills required for those who might not be aware?
Hollowware is the epitome of silversmithing. Beginning with a 2 dimensional shape, through countless hammer blows it transforms into a functional three dimensional vessel. Knowing what stakes and hammers to use, whether to sink or raise and when it's time to planish (my favourite part) are all part of learning the material's limits and possibilities. It takes hours, weeks and sometimes months. There are no shortcuts and it is truly a Labour of Love. My dad used to always say 'patience is a virtue' and I think it was to prepare me for my career as a silversmith.
You have exhibited in a number of travelling group shows across Canada. Do you have any that are special to you?
I have been so fortunate and honoured to have been included in a number of group shows with the Canadian Silversmiths Collective, an assembly of Canada's foremost in our field. Our last travelling exhibition was entitled 'Illuminations', 15 candlesticks honouring the accomplishments and contributions of Canadian women in the Arts for Canada 150. This show was featured at Craft Ontario in 2020 and was donated to the National Capital Commission’s Crown Collection in 2024.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations to share?
Next up I will be preparing for a summer show at a fine craft gallery called MonSky Creations Gallery right in my village of Merrickville. It is bird themed and I'm a bit of a bird nerd so that is right up my alley. I hope to create a mobile as well as wearable art.
