Featured Artist: Kristy of ShinyAdornments

Website: http://www.shinyadornments.com/
Etsy: http://shinyadornments.etsy.com/
Blog: http://shinyadornments.com/wordpress
Flickr Profile: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinyadornments

ShinyAdornments is artisan handmade beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, handcrafted in Wichita, KS. Kristy uses sterling silver, gemstones, SRA lampwork, glass, and polymer clay beads to create her beautiful pieces. Her jewelry shop includes bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces and cocktail rings for both work and play.

Kristy says, "I make jewelry I would wear myself. The materials depend on my mood and inspiration. My goal is to create wearable items for work and play that offer an interesting statement about the women who wear them."

She candidly admits that she started making jewelry because she couldn’t find pieces to coordinate with her work attire. Along the way, she discovered that she really enjoys the creative outlet. Kristy admits, "I’ve come to crave coiling wire, which I’ve discovered creates an almost meditative state."  Laughingly, she adds, "I also love being able to hammer components into submission.  Creating little wearable expressions of color has become a stress reducing therapy for me."

Kristy is self taught, but has been inspired by many other jewelry artists. She believes in honing her skills to a fine point; saying, "You cannot even imagine how MUCH copper wire I have used practicing and experimenting with a shape or wrap, before trying it out in sterling."

Kristy likes jewelry that makes a statement; when she wears jewelry, she WEARS jewelry. Those who know her best would say she is definitely NOT a shrinking violet and her jewelry generally reflects that attitude. She loves color, and offers, "I like pieces that have heft and texture best. Or mix light and dark elements. Or both."

When asked what advice she would give to someone just starting, Kristy became very serious. "I wish someone would have just told me to make what I love. About 6 months in, I had an epiphany of sorts. I was making things I didn’t particularly like. Making things "to sell". Not fun for me and wasn’t filling the creative void nor was the act of creating them particularly stress reducing. I decided that going forward, I would ONLY create things that I loved. Items that I would wear if they weren’t purchased. So that’s what I do today."