About Us
Who we are
Boreal Workshop is a Manitoba Indigenous family business specializing in custom jewelry. We design and manufacture handmade fine jewelry and functional art objects, with specialties that include gold, silver, and copper jewelry, as well as diamond and colored stone pieces like earrings, rings, and wedding rings.
The owner, a Maskéko/Anishinaabe/Métis member of Ochekwi-Sipi, has relations in Treaty 1, 2, and 5 territories in Manitoba, alongside a few European ancestors. As a self-taught artist and coppersmith, Tanis' creations reflect her Indigenous culture and deep connection to the land and water.
The head jeweller and lapidary/gemologist, a Canadian of English and French ancestry, has roots in Winnipeg and the Manigotagan/Long Lake area of Manitoba. This accomplished goldsmith in Winnipeg excels as a silversmith, coppersmith, and gem cutter, having studied gemmology with the Gemological Institute of America. Together, our family of artists and jewelry designers brings a unique perspective to our custom jewelry offerings.
Design and production
Our work is handmade in Canada, where we specialize in crafting custom jewelry in eastern Manitoba on the edge of the Canadian Shield. We cut and facet our own gemstones using select rough sourced from around the world. The metalwork we produce is handmade by skilled artisans, typically using copper, silver, and gold. Where possible, we prioritize local sources and distributors while considering sustainability and the environment.
Our creations are deeply informed by our Indigenous and European cultures and traditions of art and craft. Having lived and worked in diverse regions of Canada, from the Arctic to the Prairies, the natural world significantly influences our art. In addition to fine jewelry and personal goods, we also produce art objects, vessels, and containers suitable for both personal and ceremonial use, showcasing our unique talent.
Our Promise
We take pride in the fact that our pieces of custom jewelry are created in a broad range of sizes and styles to suit our clients' needs and preferences. As our pieces are crafted in our workshop by skilled artisans, from start to finish, we stand behind the quality of our work and materials. We gladly replace or repair any defects resulting from workmanship or a defect in materials, although all custom work is final sale. Our design and handmade work, created by talented artists, is inspired by a variety of sources, and design considerations include meaning and/or references, visual beauty, weight, comfort, and function.