The People You Meet: Danielle Sweeney - friendships & jewellery design reaching new heights...

University seems like ages ago. Having said that, over the course of those years-gone-by – through moves from country to country, through travel adventures, job changes, fashion changes, boyfriend changes, and all of the ups and downs that life has to offer, one thing has remained constant – and that is the friendships forged on the snow-covered campus of McGill University, Montreal. I’m so excited to share a little story about how I’ll be taking the spirit of one of these friendships with me up the slopes of the spectacular Himalayan panorama in the form of a unique and very specially designed piece of jewellery.

I was recently contacted by one of those friends from my ‘formative’ years at McGill (where I studied geography, honed grappa-drinking skills, and fed a hunger and a passion for poutine and skiing). My partner in crime and dear friend for many of these adventures was the tremendously talented Danielle Sweeney.  Several months ago Danielle, who has gone on to become a tremendously talented jewellery designer and setting up her own fabulous jewellery design business, Danielle Sweeney Design, got in touch with the offer of custom designing a ring which captured the majesty of the peaks and the lines which join the mountains making up the Himalayan panorama – a panorama stitched together by peaks which include Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori…

Danielle Sweeney Design

When we parted ways at graduation from McGill University, Danielle went on to complete the Jewellery Arts Program at George Brown College in Toronto. In 2004 Danielle established her own business, Danielle Sweeney Designs, and was awarded the Made You Look Entrepreneur Award, given to the graduating student who demonstrates exceptional skill and entrepreneurial drive. After three years as a resident designer at Toronto's Made You Look Jewellery Studio & Gallery, Danielle and her husband moved to Sydney, Australia where she is based today and continues to run her custom designed jewellery business. Danielle completed the Gemmological Association of Australia's Practical Diamond Grading Course in 2010.

Her gorgeous designs made in precious metals and gemstones range from custom-made engagement and wedding rings to ready to wear earrings, cuff links, pendants and necklaces. Each design is made in limited number and is entirely created and finished by hand. Danielle is inspired by both urban and natural landscapes, translating inspiration into wearable, sophisticated works of jewellery highlighting the intrinsic beauty of metal, natural gemstones and pearls.

Danielle's work has been featured in Flare Magazine, The Globe & Mail, Fashion Magazine online, Rouge Magazine, Dolce Vita Magazine and in Toronto Fashion Week.

Beyond the ‘mountain ring project’, Danielle has also created collections focusing on coastlines with each bespoke piece engraved with your choice of coastline, from the sunny beaches of Sydney, to the icy shores of the Canadian Arctic. 

I’m incredibly honoured to wear this beautifully designed piece of jewellery on my journey to the roof of the world..!

Danielle Sweeney Design
info@daniellesweeneydesign.com
+61 434 893 716
http://www.daniellesweeneydesign.com.au