The jeweler

 

 

 

 

The artisan jeweler of Togolese origin, Mr. Patrick Ayao MISSODEY has 30 years of experience in the artisanal manufacturing of jewelry. He moved to Montreal in 2013 and completed his jewelry training at the École des Métiers du Sud-Ouest de Montréal (EMSOM). He then completed this training with private tutoring classes with Mr. Yves St Pierre, a professor at the École de Joaillerie of Montreal (Jewelry School of Montreal), which allowed him to acquire expertise in the sizing of fine stones.

Prior to this complementary training on the standards of contemporary jewelry, he acquired professional experience in artisanal jewelry through apprenticeship with a master jeweler in Togo from 1985 to 1991. He then worked as a gold refiner in Mali from 1991 to 1995 before venturing on his own to create jewelry from 1995 to 2013 in Mali and then afterwards in Senegal. He owned a gallery where he exhibited and sold his jewelry. 

Thanks to his jewelry-making experience in various African countries, to the benefits he derived from the knowledge of his ethnically diverse friends and partner jewelers, and to the technical skills he acquired during his training in Canada, Patrick specializes in the creation of original and unique jewelry using a blend of ethnic and contemporary techniques. Hence his slogan, “Métissage ethnique…métissage de techniques!” (or, “Ethnic blending… and technical blending!”). Most of his creations are made of 18k gold, 925 sterling silver, and fine stones including diamonds, sapphires, garnets, rubies, and more. 

His creations largely reveal two styles:

  • the delicate and fascinating art of the filigree, which consists of making a pattern through finely twisted gold or silver threads, as in the Vogan collection
  • the weaving of metal threads, represented in the Baobab collection.

Patrick is often inspired by nature and certain geometric shapes to give life to jewels that will bring a touch of elegance and refinement. His know-how includes making chains and other jewelry by hand, as in the Sika collection. In addition, he offers reparation services or transformation of old jewelry.

Patrick has already become known through the exposition and the sale of his jewelry during his participation in EMSOM’s “Gems Show” in November 2014 at Place Bonaventure in Montreal. He participated in the International Young Entrepreneur’s Show in 2015 and 2016 at Place Bonaventure. He regularly organizes private sales of his creations in Montreal. More recently, he participated in the Montreal art show from December 10-18, 2016. He would like to become known outside of Montreal and to increase his market share by participating in exhibitions in Ontario.

Since his arrival in Montreal, he has had the opportunity to pass on his knowledge in the field of ethnic handicraft jewelry. Indeed, Mr. Mathieu Cheminée, a jeweler and professor at EMSOM, having recognized Patrick’s artisan jeweler talents, invited him to serve as an Assistant several times during his courses at the Montreal Jewelry School, where Patrick gave demonstration on rings and bracelets forged with hammer and anvil, as well as filigree techniques.

Patrick appears in the book written by professor and jeweler Mr. Mathieu Cheminée, entitled, “Legacy: Jewelry Techniques of West Africa”. Photos and text describe Patrick’s techniques of weaving a chain by hand.

After moving to Canada, Patrick has not forgotten his jeweler friends in Africa, who continue to work in rudimentary conditions. Patrick does not hesitate to contribute to the modernization of jewelry techniques in Africa, by voluntarily engaging in the charity project, Toolbox Initiative, Patrick travels with project leaders to Senegal, Benin, and Togo to identify jewelers in need, give jewelry-making demonstrations, and distribute new jewelry-making tools. In the age of cutting-edge technology, making jewelry by hand requires passion, patience, and love, so many qualities that Patrick puts at the service of his clientele. By purchasing jewelry made by Patrick, customers contribute to the validation of this beautiful trade which unfortunately is at the verge of disappearing.