About us
Story Behind
There’s power all around us, if only we take the time to stop and see it. Designs by Nature is my answer to finding that power, passion, and perfection in the world around us through natural, raw crystal jewelry with a hint of healing.
My name is Laura Sultan and it is my pleasure to introduce you to my bohemian boutique, Designs By Nature Gems. Originally conceptualized in 2014, I was seeking balance in my life and found it in the form of raw crystals, jewelry wire, and unbridled passion for elevating natural components into supernatural accessories. As a former New Zealand mathematics teacher for at-risk youth, I always had a knack for finding the patterns between the numbers and between people. After taking a course on jewelry design I quickly realized I could transfer my teaching skills into this shining, beautiful world of adornments. What started out as a part-time passion on the weekends, turned into the bustling boutique you see before you with a variety of hand wrapped pendants, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
As is often the case with life, there are many surprises in store. In 2012, I was given a cosmic push to relocated to Canada. Moving to Toronto only emphasized the personal importance to remain connected to nature and to continue to help others connect to that natural world. As a light worker, I’ve been blessed to offer my handmade jewelry to citizens of the world in a way compliments their personal styles while also accentuating the most striking components of my raw materials. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to practice sustainable and ethical business practices as an artist and a business owner. In fact, two of the twin values of this company are minimizing our footprint by limiting our waste production and revitalizing the local economy through hiring local Torontonians, working directly with local crystal shops, and sourcing my raw materials only from sustainable sources. Now, years later, my passion and journey has enabled me to be a full-time artist who runs her business through creating unique pieces of nature-inspired, highly detailed wearable art just for you.
Creation Process
Each piece either starts with a nature derived concept or follows the organic line of a crystal. From this point, lead designer, Laura Sultan, decides which technique will best engender the passion for nature’s beauty that underlies the work. Methods used may include wire wrapping, wire weaving, wire crochet, chainmaille, or a combination of the aforementioned. The final step is the fun part - our artists physically making the piece!
No machinery is used in making of our work. All pieces are made by hand in Toronto, Canada.
Raw Ingredients
All materials are sourced from local stores in Ontario, Canada, or if that is not possible, American suppliers, in hopes to support local and/or small businesses like myself.
All metals are nickel free, lead free, and hypoallergenic. The exact metal material ranges from copper core wire, aluminum, 0.925 sterling silver, 14k rose gold, or 14k gold depending on the piece. This information can be found in the piece description.
Crystals are procured from suppliers in North America and from my travels to New Zealand, Iceland, Canada, and the USA.
Our Team
Laura Sultan
Designer & Creator
Camille M.
Designer
All of my life i have been artsy and creative, able to figure out new artistic methods and applying them. Nature has always been a big part of my life and I will forever be inspired by it. I love my position of maker here at Designs by nature gems, as it combines artistic creativity with nature
Senka Alempijevic
Studio and Production Manager
Mithika Roy
Marketing and Sales Manager
Y.J. Deborah Lee
Maker and Designer
Felix Huynh
Designer and Stock Manager
Shivika Sahani