- Story by Sean McIntyre Photography by Lia Crowe

As a student attending VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Emily Carr Institute of Design in the early 2000s, Talia Tanaka was surrounded by inspiration. Artisans and workshops offered her a window on diverse skills, while the vivid colours and eclectic shapes of market produce stoked her imagination.

B次元官网网址淚t was a magical place to study with all sorts of creative places and a very inspiring environment,B次元官网网址� says Talia. B次元官网网址淚 spent a lot of time in the market being inspired by Mother EarthB次元官网网址檚 jewellery.B次元官网网址�

Despite the immersive nature of Emily CarrB次元官网网址檚 former Granville Island campus, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until Talia found herself in a flea market on the other side of the Pacific Ocean that her path forward became clear.

Tanaka recalls walking through the rows of a market in Kyoto while living in Japan after graduation. By chance, she happened upon a table heaped with antique war medals. Sketchbook in hand, she began to jot down the first strokes of what would eventually evolve into her unique line of jewellery: Love Medals.

Military medals have historically honoured the bravery, sacrifice and honour of soldiers on the battlefield, but Talia saw no reason why recognition shouldnB次元官网网址檛 also be paid to the unsung heroes who make a positive difference in our day-to-day lives. ItB次元官网网址檚 a simple and timeless concept imbued with an entirely new and novel meaning.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important now and more than ever to recognize and appreciate acts of kindness,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all kinds. Sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 a husband honouring his wife, sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 a birth, sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 a wedding. It can be people getting them for someone overcoming odds or who needs encouragement. Or it can just be a nice way to say thank you.B次元官网网址�

The result is the bold simplicity of a traditional medal mixed with fashionable colours and heartfelt emotions of appreciation.

B次元官网网址淭he nice thing about them is that, just like a medal, you donB次元官网网址檛 have to wear it all the time, and itB次元官网网址檚 a great conversation piece,B次元官网网址� Talia adds. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 jewellery, but itB次元官网网址檚 also making moments to connect in a special way.B次元官网网址�

Talia likens her work during the past decade to a calling that gives people a chance to acknowledge positive change and recognize victories in love

B次元官网网址淟ove changes the world,B次元官网网址� she says.B次元官网网址漃erson by person. Action by action.B次元官网网址�

Having recently relocated to Victoria from the Lower Mainland, Talia has teamed up with other local businesses to produce a handcrafted, thoughtful product.

Those early markets have helped Tanaka follow her passion and grow a craft thatB次元官网网址檚 attracting orders from clients around the world. Her website lovemedals.com gives those looking to show appreciation, love or gratitude an opportunity to build their own Love Medals. TaliaB次元官网网址檚 Heart Shield series can be cast in bronze or silver with a choice of ribbon colours and specific meanings, such as friendship, romance, family, community, personal growth and more, attached. Engraving, stones and other precious metals are also all customizable

B次元官网网址淟ike any creative pursuits, it was definitely a learning process,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 think my main strategy is to make sure that I am staying true to what brings me joy: making jewellery, being creative and doing meaningful work.B次元官网网址�

Talia is enrolled in a full-time business program to help her manage the admittedly less creative side of her rapidly developing creative endeavour. Turning 40 this year offers her an entirely new perspective on school.

B次元官网网址淚 can read accounting books now,B次元官网网址� she says, adding that age provides a chance to directly apply her knowledge. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 loving studying business because I can get so much out of it now.B次元官网网址�

As her company grows, Talia is committed to staying true to some fundamentals. She feels a responsibility to make sure her products are created in the most sustainable and ethical manner possible. Working conditions, cleaning materials and use of recycled materials when possible are all part of TaliaB次元官网网址檚 own way of showing gratitude to the people and natural resources that nurture her creative endeavours.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 trying to be as transparent as I can,B次元官网网址� she says.

TaliaB次元官网网址檚 inspiration thrives amid the wild Vancouver Island landscape. She and her young son love heading out to the beach, where they surround themselves with the sounds and sights of the rugged shoreline. Closer to town, Talia has found a degree of support among artists and the general public that has surpassed her expectations.

B次元官网网址淭he interesting thing is itB次元官网网址檚 actually a lot more inspiring,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淧eople are very supportive and accepting of creative people and a lot of new ideas.B次元官网网址�

And thatB次元官网网址檚 something for which she continues to be grateful.

Love Medals site is .

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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