Artist and jeweller Miranda Britton creates pieces that celebrate the beauty and complexity of nature. Here, Miranda shares her favourite ways to spend time outdoors in Muskoka, Ontario, advice for getting outside and unplugged, and inspiration behind her eponymous jewellery line.

I am a jeweller and multi-disciplinary artist who lives and works in rural Ontario (Muskoka to be specific, Windermere to be even more specific). I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University back in 2001 and then completed my jewellery training at the Haliburton School of the Arts in 2006 and I’ve been making jewellery ever since.

On spending time outdoors

I spend a lot of time outside. I live on a hobby farm next to hundreds of acres of wilderness and I’m an avid gardener. Doing chores on our farm is one of my favourite ways to connect with the outdoors. Waking up with the sunrise to feed the farm animals gives me the opportunity to quietly observe the wildlife and birds going about their day.

Another thing I love to do is go for walks in the forest with our kids. Seeing the way the landscape changes with the seasons, taking note of what flowers are in bloom or which trees we have lost due to wind or disease are all great ways to learn about our local biosphere.

If I’m not enjoying the outdoors on our own property, I really enjoy spending time on Georgian Bay. Although not far from where I live, the landscape is so unique with its windblown evergreens and smooth granite shores. My favourite place to access this landscape is Killbear Provincial Park near Parry Sound, Ontario.

When I’m visiting British Columbia, I am most drawn to the coast and particularly love visiting the Gulf Islands. For me, these two places have always shared a similar energy.

On creating art and jewellery inspired by nature

My work is a visual exploration of the many ways we converge with the natural world. Distillations of organic forms, fabricated from metals and worn on the body, help remind the wearer of their place within the natural world.

I strive to create pieces that honour and celebrate the beauty and complexity of nature, and also signify to others that the wearer has a respect for the land. As humans we too often forget that we are not something outside of nature, we are just one part of the web. 

A favourite moment from connecting with nature

This spring, when our family of four found ourselves in lockdown due to Covid-19, we spent a lot of time exploring outside. One of our favourite activities was splashing around in roadside ditches and creeks. Swollen with the water of spring run-off and speckled with little bits of green emerging from beneath the snow, these creeks were ever changing and a great place to connect with our landscape in a hands-on way.

Miranda’s advice for getting outside and unplugged

Start small, start local and don’t be afraid to be repetitive. Walk around your yard or your neighbourhood or a nearby trail. Visit the same places and spaces often to see how they change.

Get to know how the sunlight looks on a particular stand of trees in the morning versus the evening or compare the date that the shrub by your front door blooms from year to year. By paying attention to how the flora and fauna around you grows and changes from season to season and year to year, you are building an important relationship with your local environment and your curiosity and appreciation will continue to grow.

Thank you so much, Miranda!