Osborne Village jewelry designer David Rice closes his shiny shop

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/04/2015 (4180 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

March 31 marked a sad day in Winnipeg’s fashion scene.

David Rice, a longtime jewelry designer and Osborne Village fixture, closed his shop after 45 years of dazzling and wowing Winnipeggers with his unique and stunning works of gold and silver.

Over the years I don’t know how many times I stopped by his Osborne Street boutique and peered through the windows in awe of the gorgeous trinkets on display.

Then, as a fashion columnist, being able to write about the latest collections by this pioneering Winnipeg metalsmith and share his breathtaking designs with other jewelry lovers was truly joyful.

I had the opportunity to chat with David about his career, the boutique and his thoughts on being one of the city’s most celebrated jewelry designers.

 

Q: You’ve had a very long career in jewelry design. What prompted the decision to close the store?

A: There is no singular reason for closing our shop. But turning 68, the changing retail environment for small businesses, the shift to online purchases, all played a part.

 

Q: What is your fondest memory of your time in Osborne Village?

A: The day that a young Swedish art student walked into my store and wanted to buy a silver heart. She started working part time, became my friend, my companion, my partner and my wife of 38 years and the mother of our son.

 

Q: Over the years, how has Winnipeggers’ perception about custom jewelry changed or evolved?

A: When I started working in early 1970, the hippie movement had brought, among other things, a renewed interest in handcrafted work in clay, metal, fibre, glass and wood. Also Scandinavian design was finding its way to North America. Both influenced me and my decision to become a craftsman, a metalsmith.

 

Q: Will you miss having a flagship store in the Village?

A: I will miss having the shop in Osborne Village; it has been a part of my life for decades. Such a beautiful space to work in, designed by Nancy Maruca two decades ago and still looking fresh and modern. Since announcing the closure of the shop, dozens of clients have come in to say thank you for being part of their lives; from their engagement, wedding, anniversary, birth of a child, birthday, graduation, and so on, I have created jewelry to carry the memory of each occasion. It is the interaction with these wonderful clients that I will miss most.

 

Q: Do you have any sage advice for up-and-coming jewelry designers?

A: Follow your passion, don’t quit your day job and be prepared to work very hard.

 

While David Rice may no longer have his Osborne Village shop, his jewelry can still be found at a few select retailers, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Gallery Shop.

 

Got a suggestion for a future column or trend worth following?

Email Connie Tamoto at connietamotofashion@hotmail.com.