It’s not just the lakes and wine that sparkle in the Okanagan. Off Highway 97, just follow the DeLong Studio signs in the Trout Creek neighbourhood of Summerland, where you’ll find a quaint cottage within a picturesque residential yard. Once you’ve trod the pathway into the amazing DeLong Studio, chances are you’ll return. Celebrating its 25th year, DeLong Studio specializes in handcrafted, original sterling silver jewelry and custom-cut semi-precious stones. Charismatic owner John DeLong, manager Sue May and staff make you feel at home as you explore the extensive collection. With some work fabricated in-house and others created by an international team of artisans such as silversmiths and leather craftspeople, you’ll be dazzled by the rings, chains and necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, cufflinks, gemstone knives and corkscrews, scarves, leather accessories, and watercolour art cards. Among the designers, there are many expatriates from England, Australia, Spain and United States living in Mexico and locals from Taxco, Guadalajara and other locations with their relationship with DeLong ranging 10 to 20 years. When John is not in the shop or in the back designing, he’s off on buying trips to Mexico, the Arizona Quartzite Show, or Tucson Gem and Mineral Show to keep in touch with world trends. To mark the 25th Anniversary, DeLong Studio will feature many sales. After all, such beautiful items are best enjoyed rather stored in a drawer! Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm, April 1 until Christmas, DeLong (www.delongstudio.com) ships worldwide. DeLong jewelry is also available at the Penticton VQA Wine Shop year round, and in wine-touring season at 8th Generation Vineyard and Thornhaven Estates Winery.
~ Roslyne Buchanan