Moose Spotlight: Classy Meets Playful Jewelry Creations
"Jewelry should be made from a happy hand."
- Kelsey Anne, @kelseyannedesigns
MEET THE ARTIST
@kelseyannedesigns on Instagram
Meet jewelry artist Kelsey Anne. She has been working with jewelry for a year now and began silversmithing for seven months. You can find her creations on Instagram @kelseyannedesigns 💚
For Kelsey, it was her 3-year-old son who enjoys everything inspired her to create jewelry. She realized she lost herself and wanted to put something back into her life just for herself.
When she had COVID and had to quarantine away from her husband and son for 10 day, Kelsey said Instagram scrolling sucked her in to beautifully handmade jewelry. She wanted to try! At first, it was with polymer clay. Six months later, her husband gave her a beginner kit for working with silver and stones. "My first piece was awful. And I love it every day. My growth reminder," she added.
Kelsey shared that her first sell was to her old college roommate, "She supported me when she knew I wasn’t a professional yet, hadn’t spoken to her in almost 10 years, yet she boasted about my work and showering me with compliments." 💚
Other than the obvious, there's a really special meaning behind Kelsey's brand name. She shared, "My grandmother passed away during COVID and I was given her name as my middle name. Kelsey Anne is me. But she would be my biggest fan if she were alive. She would never let me give up. I will never give up on my journey."
Let's take a look at some of Kelsey's beautiful creations ✨
Turquoise Jewelry by Kelsey Anne of @kelseyannedesigns on Instagram
ARTIST'S DESIGN STYLE
"The first time I saw the solder flow all the way around my bezel as it attached to sheet metal," Kelsey said when asked if she remembers her very first AHA moment. She explained, "It’s like a fire took over my body, but the calmest fire ever. I immediately realized I could do what I have wanted to do my whole life but never gave myself the openness to try." 🔥
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Kelsey said she would buy many different stones, trace them, and let them sit. She plays with designs in her head. "As I put my son to bed every night I turn off the lights and envision the stones I have. Most of my ideas come during that time. It’s calm. Ocean sounds with glow in the dark stars overhead." She explained, she's finally listening to her heart and doing what it wants.
Asked to describe her own design style, Kelsey said it's difficult to answer. She doesn’t feel like she has a particular style - she follows what vibe the stone gives off. "Sometimes it’s classy and refined. Sometimes it’s playful. Truly I follow what the stone is telling me."
Here are a few more beauties by Kelsey!
Handmade Turquoise Jewelry by Kelsey Anne of @kelseyannedesigns on Instagram
JEWELRY DESIGN TIPS, TRICKS, AND HANDY TECHNIQUES
What's one design tip you one to share with your fellow artists?
"If you have a beautiful stone you want to use but don’t know how to set it or what to make it into, wait. Take your time deciding. Rushing will cause you to dislike the end results and you’ll feel discouraged. Go slow."
One piece of technical advice on creating.
"Things heat up. Don’t touch the hot stuff. The urge to “just adjust a bit” will always be there. Your fingerprints may not be."
Any words of encouragement or tips to those who are starting out in the world of jewelry-making?
"Don’t limit yourself to making pieces you know someone will like or only you like. A piece you mess up on, or strongly dislike, may not be your cup of tea, but could be someone else’s perfect cup of coffee. Don’t fight with the materials. If you’re feeling frustrated, walk away, take a break. Jewelry should be made from a happy hand."
Lastly, here is Kelsey's message to the universe:
Follow her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyannedesigns/
Check out her Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/KelseyAnneDesignsCo
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