An Unexpected Passion:
About 10 years ago, I saw a necklace in a museum shop in Montreal. I really wanted it, but it was too expensive. When I came home from vacation, my best friend said to me "why don't you make a similar one yourself? I'll show you how to do it."My shop grew together with my customers. Most of them are regular buyers, they make suggestions, provide feedback, and they tell me what works and what doesn't. Being creative is a collaborative effort, all you need is to be willing to work hard and to have an open mind. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported me over the years!
Our Mission:
- Cecile Raley Designs is dedicated to all things sustainable and fair.
- Our castings are made from recycled materials, and our gems are untreated and locally sourced whenever possible.
- We promote local artisanship and fair wages.
- We strive to understand how our gems and materials are sourced, and we provide full disclosure about our production to our customers.
Our Staff:
Yvonne Cecile Raley, Ph.D. - Owner, creator, lover of gems. A philosophy professor by trade, Yvonne got "sidetracked" into jewelry in 2008 by making beaded jewelry for her friends.
Karen French - Administrator: Karen is responsible for our shipping, catalogs and prices, as well as some client interaction.
Johanna Wood - Social Media/Graphic Designer: Johanna is also a Jewelry Designer, with her own brand and Etsy shop.
Our local artists:
Pierre B Inc - Setter
Ethan Sweet - Setter
Vasken Baghdad (Goldmaster Jewelry) - Goldsmith
Alex Pugachevsky - Engraving
Taba Casting - Casting Service
Our Office Kitties:
Lucy (Non-working shop member)
Toby (2006 - 2021)