Ryan Taylor is an adventurer. It says so right on his business card. No other title would be fitting for a man who has travelled to the Choco rain forest in Colombia to validate his sources and educate himself on sustainable community development and artisanal mining techniques; who has donned (on separate occasions) an elf suit and space boots for fundraisers that synthesized philanthropy with social media; and, who has led two successful companies and is readying the third: the Fair Trade Jewellery Company. Guided by a respect for legacy, Ryan has drawn on a rich family history in mining and prospecting. He grew up hearing the stories of his father, great aunt, uncles, and his grandfathers, who lead their lives in the industry. The FTJCo is borne out of those tales and Ryans passions: community, craftsmanship, design, and the environment. The FTJCo was established in 2008, but the seed idea and much of the research came to founder Ryan Taylor in 2006. A Graduate Goldsmith he has studied under designers, jewellers, goldsmiths, and artists like Reena Ahluwalia, Karl Vigelius, Adam Paxon, and Paul McClure. As a result, the designs of the FTJCo hold fast to emphasizing high standards in quality, material, and narrative. Each commision is crafted locally at the Cabbagetown atelier in a sophisticated, yet inclusive space. True to its name, the fair trade of source materials used in Ryans designs help promote sustainable community development locally and in Colombia.
