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About
Artist Statement
Modern Heirlooms
Simplicity. The patina of time. Finding beauty in the unexpected. Each piece of jewelry in my collection is hand crafted to create one-of-a-kind, modern heirlooms that reveal the subtle intricacies of nature, often overlooked.
Simplicity. The patina of time. Finding beauty in the unexpected. Each piece of jewelry in my collection is hand crafted to create one-of-a-kind, modern heirlooms that reveal the subtle intricacies of nature, often overlooked.
Nature and unusual materials inspire me: the juxtaposition of fossilized coral offset by the pure minimalism of refined metalwork, the contrast of light-reflective druzy quartz against the opaque slate of vintage gunmetal chain.
Eliminating the non-essential is a guiding principle behind my work, and the vital relationship between color, texture, pattern and material is the root of my design process. Every piece is carefully considered, whether it's hand carved in wax and then cast, or hand fabricated from sheets and spools of metal. My values align with the slow-fashion movement, which is based on sustainability and ethical practices; qualities that transcend trend or season.
The jewelry is crafted from ethically sourced materials and vintage elements. I work with 100% recycled precious metals and purchase stones from small, family-owned mines, and individuals who hand collect, cut and polish the materials themselves. Each stone captures a moment in time; every piece tells a story.
Ethical sourcing requires a transparent supply chain. The stones I use have a clear and trackable mine-to-market custody chain. The vintage elements are reclaimed, repurposed or have been passed down through generations: copper-flecked firebrick from an old furnace, salvaged chain, my grandmother’s glass buttons. Everything is carefully researched, so there's an understanding as to where they come from and whose lives they may impact.
My ancestors were coppersmiths, sheet metal workers and artists. I feel a
strong connection to the materials I work with, knowing that my
Great-Great-Grandparents worked with them before me. Through my commitment to bespoke craftsmanship and ethical practices, my work advocates a sustainable model of quality, heirloom jewelry.
Kirsten believes that positive change is happening in the industry regarding the use of ethical materials. The number of jewelers demanding recycled metal and ethically sourced stones is growing. She knows that asking questions, voicing concerns to suppliers and keeping the dialog open within the jewelry community are all crucial steps in bringing about these changes. Sharing ideas, sources and links is also important and that's why she communicates her perspective and research on her personal blog and maintains an extensive list of eco resources.
Kirsten knows that studio jewelers and metalsmiths have the power to influence the mining industry. She uses her voice to aid mining reform efforts and to help generate industry demand for responsibly sourced metals. She is part of a large community of jewelers involved with Ethical Metalsmiths, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people to responsibly sourced metals and gemstones.
Kirsten was the contributing eco-jewelry expert on Season 2, Episode 6 of The Lazy Environmentalist on the Sundance Channel with Josh Dorfman. She shared information about ethical material options and sourcing.
SELECTED TV/VIDEO
Sundance Channel - The Lazy Environmentalist, Eco-Jewelry Expert
ABC7 News - The View from the Bay
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson, Quarry Books
Style, Naturally by Summer Rayne Oakes, Chronicle Books
The Eco Chick Guide to Life by Starre Vartan, St. Martin's Griffin
Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano, Harper Collins
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Background
Kirsten graduated in 1995 from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her studies included various craft techniques, with a primary focus on jewelry fabrication, casting, welding and metalworking. She was taught the art of stone cutting while living in Los Angeles. She has established her professional studio in San Francisco.Kirsten believes that positive change is happening in the industry regarding the use of ethical materials. The number of jewelers demanding recycled metal and ethically sourced stones is growing. She knows that asking questions, voicing concerns to suppliers and keeping the dialog open within the jewelry community are all crucial steps in bringing about these changes. Sharing ideas, sources and links is also important and that's why she communicates her perspective and research on her personal blog and maintains an extensive list of eco resources.
Kirsten knows that studio jewelers and metalsmiths have the power to influence the mining industry. She uses her voice to aid mining reform efforts and to help generate industry demand for responsibly sourced metals. She is part of a large community of jewelers involved with Ethical Metalsmiths, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people to responsibly sourced metals and gemstones.
Kirsten was the contributing eco-jewelry expert on Season 2, Episode 6 of The Lazy Environmentalist on the Sundance Channel with Josh Dorfman. She shared information about ethical material options and sourcing.
SELECTED TV/VIDEO
Sundance Channel - The Lazy Environmentalist, Eco-Jewelry Expert
ABC7 News - The View from the Bay
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson, Quarry Books
Style, Naturally by Summer Rayne Oakes, Chronicle Books
The Eco Chick Guide to Life by Starre Vartan, St. Martin's Griffin
Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano, Harper Collins
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Solo Exhibition, D&H Sustainable Jewelers, San Francisco, CA
Solo Exhibition, Gallery of Jewels, San Francisco, CA
Solo Exhibition, Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts, Ojai, CA
SWELL - Future Friendly Design, Vancouver, BC Canada
Composting Good and Evil: Redesign for Sanctimonious Sinners,
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA
Celebrating Nature: Craft Traditions/Contemporary Expressions, Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA
SELECTED MAGAZINES
Metalsmith Magazine
Jewelry Quorum
Plenty
Lucky
Natural Health
Martha Stewart Body + Soul
Solo Exhibition, Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts, Ojai, CA
SWELL - Future Friendly Design, Vancouver, BC Canada
Composting Good and Evil: Redesign for Sanctimonious Sinners,
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA
Celebrating Nature: Craft Traditions/Contemporary Expressions, Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA
SELECTED MAGAZINES
Metalsmith Magazine
Jewelry Quorum
Plenty
Lucky
Natural Health
Martha Stewart Body + Soul
San Francisco Magazine
Coco Eco
SELECTED ORGANIZATIONS
Ethical Metalsmiths
Global Green USA
Madison Dialog Group
No Dirty Gold Pledge
Metal
I use recycled silver refined by Hoover & Strong. They provide socially and environmentally-responsible products and services. They respect basic human rights around the world and protect the environment by conserving energy and recycling. All precious metals at Hoover & Strong are recycled from the Earth’s existing metal supply. They do not buy metals from mining companies. In 2009, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a globally-recognized independent third-party certifier and sustainability expert, certified the recycled metal content in Hoover & Strong’s HARMONY Metals™ line.
Selected Stones
Montana Moss Agate is one of the alluvial agates, rain and wind constantly reveal these stones - they are naturally unearthed and found in gravel deposits and along lake-shores, scattered over a huge area along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. The beauty of this is that the Agates cannot be claimed, mined and dug-out by large mining operations.
Chinese Writing Stone was discovered when the government was blasting through the rock to build Interstate 80 in Auburn, CA. A few local families were allowed to take as much material as they could before the freeway was completed. These same few families sell the stone in small batches to this day.
Fossilized Coral, Wood, Bone and Fern
These materials are millions of years old (or hundreds of millions in some cases). All the organic matter has been replaced with minerals (most often a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the object. These fossils are naturally unearthed - so no mining or large scale operations are involved in the extraction of these materials.
Fossilized Walrus and Mammoth Tusk
Only the native people (the Yu'pik) that live on St. Lawrence Island are legally able to surface mine and sell fossilized ivory. The walrus was to the Yu'pik what the buffalo was to the Native American - every part of the animal was used. St Lawrence Island is so far north it has no trees - so the tusk was the only material hard enough for tool making. These tools were eventually broken, discarded and then buried by time - and dug up thousands of years later. 60% of the fossil tusk I use comes from broken tools and artifacts that are around ten thousand years old. This recycled, fossilized material provides the Yu'pik with a viable source of income and no living animal was harmed in it's procurement.
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin - aged between 30 and 100 million years old.
Horn
Many animals grow and shed their horns/antlers naturally every year. This process repeats itself for the life of the animal.
Sustainable Nuts & Seeds
Betel, Forest Bismark, Piassaba, Jessenia Palm, Raffia Palm, Nubian and Stilt Root Palm
These nuts or “vegetable ivory”, are from different species of palm which grow in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia and parts of Africa. They are sustainably harvested from the forest floor when the cabeza containing the nuts ripens and falls. They are a renewable resource; their native habitat is preserved and sufficient seeds are left to perpetuate the palms.
Recycled
Copper firebrick is a byproduct of the copper smelting process. It consists of the copper that stuck to the fire brick walls of the smelters in copper ore processing plants in Northern Michigan. Most of these smelters are no longer in operation.
Recycled glass beads are handmade from colored glass bottles and glass factory shards. The growing desire for these beautiful frosted beads encourages recycling efforts worldwide and supplies a viable income for many impoverished areas.
Vintage
Vintage components are ideal, as no new resources are being tapped or exploited. Recycle, repurpose and reuse!
I repurpose vintage glass and plastic buttons, mother of pearl belt buckles, chains and stones. My Great-Grandparents owned and operated a lace shop and collected vintage buttons and buckles; these treasures were passed down to me. I also collect vintage components from antique dealers all over the US.
Cast Silver Collection
Metal
I work with Snell Casting, a local, family run company with over 40 years of experience. They are environmentally aware and source their supplies responsibly. They strive to create a shop environment that is safe and comfortable for their employees, as well as environmentally sound.
SELECTED ORGANIZATIONS
Ethical Metalsmiths
Global Green USA
Madison Dialog Group
No Dirty Gold Pledge
Materials
One of a Kind CollectionMetal
I use recycled silver refined by Hoover & Strong. They provide socially and environmentally-responsible products and services. They respect basic human rights around the world and protect the environment by conserving energy and recycling. All precious metals at Hoover & Strong are recycled from the Earth’s existing metal supply. They do not buy metals from mining companies. In 2009, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a globally-recognized independent third-party certifier and sustainability expert, certified the recycled metal content in Hoover & Strong’s HARMONY Metals™ line.
Selected Stones
Montana Moss Agate is one of the alluvial agates, rain and wind constantly reveal these stones - they are naturally unearthed and found in gravel deposits and along lake-shores, scattered over a huge area along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. The beauty of this is that the Agates cannot be claimed, mined and dug-out by large mining operations.
Chinese Writing Stone was discovered when the government was blasting through the rock to build Interstate 80 in Auburn, CA. A few local families were allowed to take as much material as they could before the freeway was completed. These same few families sell the stone in small batches to this day.
Fossilized Coral, Wood, Bone and Fern
These materials are millions of years old (or hundreds of millions in some cases). All the organic matter has been replaced with minerals (most often a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the object. These fossils are naturally unearthed - so no mining or large scale operations are involved in the extraction of these materials.
Fossilized Walrus and Mammoth Tusk
Only the native people (the Yu'pik) that live on St. Lawrence Island are legally able to surface mine and sell fossilized ivory. The walrus was to the Yu'pik what the buffalo was to the Native American - every part of the animal was used. St Lawrence Island is so far north it has no trees - so the tusk was the only material hard enough for tool making. These tools were eventually broken, discarded and then buried by time - and dug up thousands of years later. 60% of the fossil tusk I use comes from broken tools and artifacts that are around ten thousand years old. This recycled, fossilized material provides the Yu'pik with a viable source of income and no living animal was harmed in it's procurement.
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin - aged between 30 and 100 million years old.
Horn
Many animals grow and shed their horns/antlers naturally every year. This process repeats itself for the life of the animal.
Sustainable Nuts & Seeds
Betel, Forest Bismark, Piassaba, Jessenia Palm, Raffia Palm, Nubian and Stilt Root Palm
These nuts or “vegetable ivory”, are from different species of palm which grow in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia and parts of Africa. They are sustainably harvested from the forest floor when the cabeza containing the nuts ripens and falls. They are a renewable resource; their native habitat is preserved and sufficient seeds are left to perpetuate the palms.
Recycled
Copper firebrick is a byproduct of the copper smelting process. It consists of the copper that stuck to the fire brick walls of the smelters in copper ore processing plants in Northern Michigan. Most of these smelters are no longer in operation.
Recycled glass beads are handmade from colored glass bottles and glass factory shards. The growing desire for these beautiful frosted beads encourages recycling efforts worldwide and supplies a viable income for many impoverished areas.
Vintage
Vintage components are ideal, as no new resources are being tapped or exploited. Recycle, repurpose and reuse!
I repurpose vintage glass and plastic buttons, mother of pearl belt buckles, chains and stones. My Great-Grandparents owned and operated a lace shop and collected vintage buttons and buckles; these treasures were passed down to me. I also collect vintage components from antique dealers all over the US.
Cast Silver Collection
Metal
I work with Snell Casting, a local, family run company with over 40 years of experience. They are environmentally aware and source their supplies responsibly. They strive to create a shop environment that is safe and comfortable for their employees, as well as environmentally sound.
