About Us
Who we are
Boreal Workshop is a Manitoba Indigenous family business. We design and manufacture hand made fine jewellery and functional art objects. Specialties include gold, silver, and copper jewellery, diamond and coloured stone jewellery, earrings, rings and wedding rings.
The owner is a Maskéko/Anishinaabe/Métis member of Ochekwi-Sipi, with relations in Treaty 1, 2, and 5 territories in Manitoba and a few ancestors from Europe. A self taught artist and coppersmith, Tanis' work reflects her indigenous culture and connection to the land and water.
The head jeweller and lapidary/gemologist is Canadian of English and French ancestry, with roots in Winnipeg, and the Manigotagan/Long Lake area of Manitoba. An accomplished goldsmith, silversmith, coppersmith, and gem cutter, he has studied gemmology with the Gemological Institute of America.
Design and production
Our work is hand made in Canada. We cut and facet our own gemstones using select rough sourced from around the world. The metalwork we produce is handmade, typically in copper, silver, and gold. Where possible we use local sources and distributors, and consider sustainability and the environment.
Our work is informed by our Indigenous and European cultures and traditions of art and craft. We have lived and worked in diverse regions of Canada, from the Arctic to the Prairies, and the natural world are intrinsic to our art. In addition to fine jewellery and personal goods, we produce art objects, and vessels and containers suitable for personal and ceremonial use.
Our Promise
We take pride in the fact that our pieces are created in a broad range of sizes and styles to suit our clients needs and preferences. As our pieces are created in our workshop, 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, all custom work is final sale. Our design and hand made work is inspired by a variety of sources, and design considerations include meaning and/or references, visual beauty, weight, comfort, and function.