About

Hello!  My name is Laura Cerlon.

I grew up watching my Mom, a professional seamstress, make exquisite outfits for women.   I was inspired to make my first dress at the age of 11 and was hooked for life with the need to explore and express my creativity.

As my sewing skills steadily improved, I became less interested with trends and leaned towards the timeless elegance of master couturiers.  I loved Dior (especially 1950’s), Saint Laurent, Chanel.  

 

I collect vintage sewing patterns.  This 1950's Balmain jacket was truly a passion project.  I made 3 cotton muslins to ensure the fit was perfect.  The fabric, by Roberto Cavalli, was a surprise find in a small, hole-in-the-wall fabric store in Coimbra, Portugal.  Buttons, sourced at M.J. Trim in New York City, were part of my stash, waiting for the perfect fabric pairing.  The ribbon is from Mokuba, a Japanese ribbon store.  Note, the buttonholes are hand-bound.

This project exemplifies what I love about creating.  This took many hours to make, but I relished every moment.  The details you can’t see, the inside structure, are so amazing.  When I wear this jacket, I feel fabulous and invincible. 

I love the process of creating, from planning out a project, sourcing the fabric and findings, executing each step to the best of my abilities, to ultimately creating something that I am not only proud of, but that brings joy to others.

In my journey, I scoured Toronto’s Fashion District for fabrics and findings and stumbled across shops that sold crystals and stones.  I quickly became enchanted with these and that led me to a few courses about the healing benefits of crystals, adding a new element to my craft.  I explored how I could incorporate crystals and stones into my creative endeavours. 

As I neared retirement from my corporate career, I looked forward to more time to explore my creativity.  This led to silversmithing classes, and I discovered a new chapter to my creativity, working with this soft, white, natural element.  Metalsmithing allows me to join my love of crystals and stones, gifts from mother earth, with my love of silver. My jewelry can be worn simply because it brings the wearer joy, or it can be worn to take advantage of the healing benefits of the crystals; a secret known only to the wearer! 

I like to refer to my jewellery pieces as "perfectly imperfect".  I make each unique piece by hand in my home studio.  I am also proud to have worked hard to source my materials, be they crystals,  stones, silver, fabrics, leathers or findings, from ethical vendors from all over the world.

Hawkpink was born when I found a way to marry my love of sewing with my love of metalsmithing.  I like to refer to my handbags as "one-of-a-kind art bags".  Each piece is unique, featuring a sterling silver focal point set with carefully selected cabochons and crystals.  The bags are made with fabric or buttery soft leather chosen for their special qualities.

My goal is to enjoy the creative process and delight my customers with my art.   

Laura