18 - Sunday, January 7, 1990 - North Shore News AFELUENCE¢ JEWELLER TONI CAVELTI ... A MAN OF UNCOMPROMISING STY ANY SAY they don’t know art but they know what they like. West Vancouver's Toni Cavelti knows both. In fact, the Swiss-born jeweller is so certain of his artistic vision he won't conform — even when what he does doesn’t fit into the prevailing trend. His stick-to-your guns philoso- phy has earned him a name as one of Vancouver's foremost jewellers and gained him an equally loyal clientele. “it’s been a long hard struggle with the odd set-back,” Cavelti, 58, says of his early days in Van-, couver in a soft Romansch accent. ‘It was difficult to convince people of what | was doing. When | first started | was told that under no circumstances can you do it your way, that you’ve got to adapt to the country. I'm very much a Canadian, but i don’t necessarily think that | had to become totally immersed in it (the culture). So I’ve been stubborn and have stuck to the principles 1 learned and brought with me to this country,”’ he says, looking more like a backroom artisan than an elite jewelry businessman. One orinciple from which Cavelti has never deviated is refus- ing to slash the price of his work. “We don’t cut prices,” he says. ‘I take great pride in what I'm doing. !f | put something in the window with a pricetag of $1,000 and then cross it out and put $690, it's a degradation of what {’m do- ing.” Eavelti never did conform to trends and never will. He quit his first job with the prestigious Geneva Jewellers at age 15, saying famous for. that the factory-line nature of the work stifled his creativity. “| wasn’t able to express myself,” he says, “We were given designs and gemstones and told to do as you see and don’t ask questions. | became a wheel in a big machine. | was very idealistic about my work and when | looked around me and saw what my co- workers were doing, it was as if someone had thrown cold water in my face. 1 suddenly realized that in Geneva I was just a worker in an industry that was just like any other.” When he arrived in Vancouver on his 23rd birthday, a friend, pessimistic about Vancouver's jewelry industry, told him to look for other work. “He told me that | had to im- mediately get myself some blue jeans. He said you've got to start as a dishwasher.” But Cavelti refused to wear denims, and refused to put his ca- reer on hold. Knowing only a few words of English, he pounded the pave- ment, hoping to sell himself to various local jewelry stores, in- cluding Birks and O.B. Allen — and was rejected by both. Recognizing his talent, a Czechoslovakian jeweler hired him on as a goldsmith. Two years later Cavelti formed his own com- pany in West Vancouver. From there the successes, followed, and so did the occa- sional set-backs. In 1957 he was awarded the Diamonds Interna- tional Award in New York, the Oscar of the jewelry industry (which he won again in 1963 and 1977). Then in 1962, he and his wife, YOO « ; CX). @ _ STEAK ayp, SEAFOOD: J Ret irr ped We’re Closing Our Doors But Just For A While! On January 28, 1990, after 18 years and more than 1.7 million happy North Shore guests, we're tearing down the North Vancouver Keg and starting again. We'll be back in the Fall of 1990 with a brand new building, outdoor dining, our great view of the city, legendary steaks and the ‘““Good Times” we're We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our guest, for all the good times! We'll be here to serve you until the 28th Then, while we're gone, come down and join us at the Coal Harbour Keg, 566 Cardero Street, Vancouver (next to the Bayshore). Call for reservations — 682-5608 Hildegard, decided to move back to Switzerland with the idea of starting a business there. ‘‘But we thought why become part of someone else’s business?’’ Instead they pooled their savings and opened Toni Cavelti Jewellers on Seymour Street. Five years ago he opened his second store in Oakridge Centre. Today with a loyal staff of 18, Cavelti still refuses to follow fads. He designs almost all his own jewelry, which he describes as “contemporary without being showy or gauche.”’ His unique style led the B.C. government to commission Cavelti to design a necklace and earring set for Queen Elizabeth in 1971, And the continuing popularity of his work was underlined _ this Christmas as he enjoyed one of his most successful seasons to date. Despite his success, Cavelti maintains a low profile both at home and at work. He lives in a secluded house in West Van- couver and is rarely seen behind the counter. The silver-haired jeweller dresses simply and doesn’t believe in covering himself with his art. “I'm relatively conservative in my taste. When | go out f don’t necessarily want to bring jewelry up as part of the conversation, ”’ he says. He does, however, receive enormous pleasure from talking about and contributing to the arts in a more broader sense. For the past three years Cavelti has served on the board of the Vancouver Opera Society, and is a former board member of the Vancouver Art Gallery. ~~ Evelyn Jacob 2 INFLUENCE 3 photo Cindy Goodman Toni Cavelti refuses to follow trends in his jewelry design, nor does he ever slash his prices. He’s obviously doing something right — Christmas 1989 was one of his most successful seasons ever. CHANGE YOUR NAME, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! FLOYD - ROSS - COLIN GERARD - LANCE - BRENDA For many weeks now the names that have been briefly analyzed in this column have not been “balanced names", i.e. although they all had some fine qualities, the negative, or harm- ful qualities caused, in varying degrees, tensions distortions, and weaknesses in their thinking with resultant harm to their health. This week the above names are what is termed “balanced” because they tune those using them to a har- monious, logical plane of think- ing that promoies happiness and stable conditions provided the surnames do not bring weaknesses to undermine the overall good. It is very important that both names are “balanced”. The above names create the following qualities: very in- telligent - responsible — depen- dable - exceptionally good business judgement - cool- headed under pressure - easy to discuss with - can stand their ground with forceful people - strong-willed - self-assured and positive - desire a high quality in their living standards. They are mostly very healthy but if an un- suitable surname is used, then they would tend to worry too much. The women would have to guard against becoming too aggressive, as this strong men- tal quality causes them to desire to manage finances and be in char ge and they would be very capable but could become too shrewd. The qualities in these names are better suited to men as they would tend to make a woman a little too masculine. Call 736-2875 to find out about YOUR NAME and if it has been holding you back, or write KABALARIAN PHILOSOPHY, 908 West 7th Ave., Vancouver, BC. V5Z 1C3. Free public presentations without obligation to be held Tuesday, Jan. 9 & 23, 7:30 p.m., 5912 Oak St. at 43rd Ave. ENROLMENTS NOW BEING AC- CEPTED FOR EARLY SPRING NAME ANALYSIS SEMINAR.