Girl About O-Town

Local jewellery designer Isobel Walker-Khoury sent this girlaboutOtown word of her lovely work the other day, and pointed me in the direction of  her company Frash Femme.  

Working with freshwater pearls, semi-precious gems, foiled glass, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver among other things, this local entrepreneur has been hand-crafting and selling one-of-a-kind pieces for over 5 years.   Recently, Walker-Khoury expanded into the area of custom bridal jewellery, and has helped more than a dozen soon-to-be betrothed ladies express their personal style on their wedding day.  Currently, Frash Femme is  available online and at Victoire, one of Ottawa’s most established and popular Indie boutiques.

As it turns out, Isobel Walker-Khoury is what I once heard referred to as an  “embedded creative”,  which means that she spends her most productive hours in a job completely unrelated to her deepest passion or true talents.  It also means that she – like me – harbours some pretty serious escape fantasies.  So, given this most interesting added twist,  I set out to find out more about a fellow cubicle dweller with creative ambitions! 

In short, here is a bit of what I learned about Isobel…

Hometown?  I was born in Red Deer, Alberta and lived in Edmonton until 1989 when I moved to Ottawa.  I  have loved it ever since.

Occupation? Public Servant/Indie Jewellery Designer

Passions?  Fashion, designing jewellery, mid -century modern furniture and films.

I am at my best when…   I have had a really good sleep, or a nice hot drink and some new jewellery supplies.

Wildest dream?   To travel around the world (literally) and sell my jewellery out of a backpack.

Most treasured belongings?  A vintage Eames side chair that I restored myself. 

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Perfect day?  A long day of making jewellery, while watching great films and munching on my mums mac & cheese.

Childhood ambition?  To be a writer.

What do you talk about most?    Fashion, love, films, and of course, my aspirations!

Can’t live without?   My cats, my husband and Value Village (not necessarily in that order!).

Favourite colours?  Aqua and hot pink.

What impresses you?    A unique fashion sense.  It really doesn’t matter what size a person is, if they have a unique style that suits them, I find it very sexy.

Where do you feel most at home and why?   I feel at home at Chapters.  You can find me there at least once a week flipping through books and magazines looking for inspiration. And, my non-fat decaf Caramel Macchiato is never far!

Where do you find inspiration?   Films, magazines, and my friends.

What recommendations can you make for eating, shopping, and having fun here in O-town?

Eating?   Totoya Sushi restaurant  on Dalhousie.  It has an amazing sushi pizza and the best all you can eat deal!  

Also, I can’t lie.  I am a sucker for the Wendy’s JR Bacon Cheeseburger. ( And – yes – I dip my fries in my frosty!).

Shopping?  Value Village, Victoire,  and the Ladyfest Ottawa craft shows.

All around fun?    Movies at the Bytowne Cinema and the Canadian Film Institute.  And,  I love having Rock Band parties!