Life is Crazy Beautiful. - Kristan

MCHs February Featured Artist Kristan of SilverWishes.

Metal Clay Artist Kristan's love for nature shines through her beautiful creations! Her style is nature-inspired and earthy -- leaves, trees, fishes, birds and her signature horses!


When did you first become interested/how long designing?
I became interested in silver clay when I read about a fascinating new material in an art magazine several years ago. I'm always eager to explore new techniques and art forms, so a friend and I took a class at the local art guild. I was hooked! I love exploring the many aspects of working with the clay; carving, sculpture, using leaves to make incredible impressions, design, form and function.

What was your first piece of metal clay jewelry?
Our first project for the class was a simple stamped charm. Of course, I had other ideas and launched into making beads! I eventually made a bracelet with them and it's still one of my favorite pieces to wear.


What is your greatest ambition as a metal clay artist?
To continually grow and challenge myself as an artist. Each new piece is my current favorite... until I start something new! I'm always challenging myself to try a new technique or style, sometimes discovering new methods and techniques in the process. My second greatest ambition is to keep our cats off of my worktables:)

What inspires you?
Everything! I'm always inspired by nature and horses, but I also find inspiration in random places; I keep a sketchbook and try to capture the ideas when they come. Often the original idea evolves into something much different. It's wonderful to look back through my book now and see all the ideas that have become beautiful pieces of jewelry! (And of course some ideas that will remain buried in the pages:)


Why did you pick the name SilverWishes?
That's one of those random flashes of inspiration! I'd spent days playing with different names only to discover that each was taken. It was getting pretty frustrating. One night I was mindlessly drawing in my sketchbook, thinking about art and the creative process and it just came to me. Divine inspiration!

What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewelry?
Designing jewelry that is beautiful but also comfortable, durable and easy to wear. I can be pretty hard on my jewelry; I sometimes wear a piece for weeks or months at a time. I want it to be gorgeous and tough at the same time:)

Check out Kristan amazing work here today! Kristan is sponsoring our blog giveaway this month with her Artisan Silver Horse Earrings made with earth-friendly silver:

To win these unique earrings, here are the rules:

Every person is eligible to enter the blog giveaway with up to FOUR (4) entries. How can you get an entry? You can do any of the following and then let us know that by leaving a comment under this feature so we can keep track.

1. Follow our blog = 1 entry
2. Check out featured artist and post favorite piece on the blog = 1 entry
3. Heart featured artist’s shop = 1 entry
4. Follow featured artist on Facebook = 1 entry
5. Make a purchase = 2 entries
6. Refer a friend = 1 entry
7. Tweet about the giveaway using key word metalclayheads = 1 entry
8. Share the Metal Clay Heads blog giveaway link on FB (Go to http://www.facebook.com/MetalClayHeadTeam and click Share) = 1 entry
9. If you voted and commented on our last challenge = 1 entry

The giveaway will run for two weeks. We will announce the winner on February 25th. Good luck!