Basic Spirit

Bonnie Bond & John Caraberis have been designing and crafting pewter for over 25 years. They began working with sterling silver and semi-precious stones. This evolved into pewtersmithing with the help of other craftsmen and hours of experimentation. Their current products are made in their “Basic Spirit” studio, located in the harborside village of Pugwash, Nova Scotia. Their intent is to design and create products that touch the heart and delight the spirit. The varied designs have a touch of whimsy and the glossy finish reflects the beauty and adaptability of the metal. Both John & Bonnie believe in the possibility of a flourishing life for all. Ten percent of company profits fund charitable projects. Quoting, "Maybe it's the daily ebb and flow of our tides that renews our hope for peace in ourselves and the world. We join our individuals and businesses in celebrating the privilege we have to help foster a healthy and loving world." The pewtersmithing process begins with a drawn design which is then translated into a sculpted model. This original model is then vulcanized in rubber under heat & pressure to produce a mold. The rubber mold is used to centrifugally cast the item from molten pewter ( approx. 500F). Each product then goes through a number of finishing & polishing techniques before its completion.