Heart to Hand Studio The Google rating is 5

Heart to Hand Studio (Croi go Lamh in Irish Gaelic) is located on the Lighthouse Route (#331) in the idyllic coastal fishing village of LaHave Nova Scotia, located on the LaHave River as it meets the Atlantic Ocean. In 1604 Samuel D. Champlain is reported to have landed at nearby Fort Point, where the Fort Point Museum is located to share this exciting chapter of Canadian history. The river is steeped in history, particularly the early days of pirates, rum running and excitement on the high seas!

The Studio, at 3442 Highway 331, is a newly built 1,000 sq foot space, showcasing the works of Monica O’Halloran-Schut and Dave Schut. Both are metal smiths in their own right but, have worked in other mediums through the years. Dave enjoys woodworking and painting; Monica works in several mediums including sculpture, fibre and painting.

Their space includes an ‘open studio’ component, allowing them to show their visitors some of the processes they use in metal smithing as well as the tools employed. Both enjoy sharing their techniques, their ‘how and their why’.

The work featured here at Heart to Hand is a skillful relationship with nature. Using twigs, bark, leaves and most recently seaweed, sand dollars and seaweed, they create original, one of a kind jewellery using 96.0 recycled sterling silver. They also produce work in recycled copper and apply traditional metalsmith techniques of fold forming and reticulation. Each piece is original, hand made and engages a Nova Scotia narrative.

Their ’Talking Trees’ line is highly valued, particularly their Birch Bark bracelets. Each one is made from fallen birch harvested on Nova Scotia wood lots, and undergoes a process of steaming, and forming into beautiful bracelets. Often times one can discover evidence of  the life of the tree the bark was once on, with perhaps a worm hole or mark from a bird or squirrel who lived in that tree.

Their newest addition is their ’Selkie Sea Weed’ using varieties of seaweed, sand dollars and sea urchins, found on their walks from nearby Crescent or Rissers Beaches. Their unique process transfers all of the detail from these beautiful organic shapes into silver, allowing them to create one of a kind, distinctly Nova Scotian, bracelets, pendants and earrings.

Monica and Dave love what they do and look forward to sharing their love of the Maritimes with you!

Date Details/Hours of Operation

Thursday through Monday, 11a.m. to 5p.m. Other times visitors are welcome by chance or appointment