No ordinary jewellery

Nicole Sjostedt

In just two years, Trudy Wynans has taken her jewellery line, Toodlebunny, from Christmas craft fairs to upscale Vancouver boutiques.

“‘Toodles’ is my boyfriend’s name for me, and one Easter he called me Toodlebunny,” she confesses with a giggle.

Trudy’s success has allowed her to quit her day job and focus full time on her inspirational collections. With asymmetrical necklaces and mismatched earrings, it’s the kind of jewellery that has you hooked from the moment you lay eyes upon any one of her pieces.

“I started out with very simple, clean designs, and it just evolved from there,” says Trudy.

With no formal schooling in jewellery-making, Trudy has educated herself by trial and error. When asked if she had any design mishaps along the way, she pauses for a minute, then sheepishly says, “I did a bunch of necklaces in gold plate once, and found that when I wore them, they tarnished really badly.”

When you see and feel Toodlebunny jewellery, you know that every piece is constructed to perfection, and quality is not something Trudy is willing to compromise, even if the price of materials is high.

“When I came across 14-karat gold fill, I could feel the quality in the metal by touching it. I then made a few pieces, and they sold really quickly, so that’s when I made the decision to work with this type of metal.”

Trudy’s designs incorporate beautiful charms, crystals, and beads, and whatever else she deems interesting from her travels and her day-to-day sourcing. Her favourite piece in the collection is the feathery bird set. “I have a thing for birds, ’cause everyone likes birds,” she says with a smile.

Toodlebunny designs have a story-like continuity to them, as different pieces can easily be mixed with one another. New pieces in the works include a convertible necklace and possibly some couture pieces, if time permits. “It’s kinda cool,” says Trudy, as she nods with satisfaction.

Toodlebunny earrings range in price from $42 to $98, and necklaces from $70 to $185. Trudy may describe her line of jewellery as “quirky and whimsical,” but her customers will say Toodlebunny is simply divine.

Visit Toodlebunny Designs at www.toodlebunny.com .