JEWELRY HANDMADE IN SONOMA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
MY STORY
ALCHEMIST AND ARTIST
Kristen Vartan
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
As a jewelry artist, my practice stems from a lifelong love of alchemy, art and science. I made my first jewelry pieces while I was studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Biology.
I applied this knowledge as a winemaker, first in California and then in New Zealand. It suited my methodical analytical character, allowing me to be intuitive and creative too. After 20 years working with the earth’s natural elements and rhythms, I learned to harness the raw energy of transformation and create in harmony with nature.
During 2015, I travelled to France where I had the opportunity to learn perfume making and felt renewed excitement for a different type of alchemy. I created an entire line of perfumed candles and was ready to launch it into the world when the landscapes of California were devastated by wildfires. The world did not need more fire.
Feeling lost and traumatized by the raging infernos, I turned to jewelry making committed to using fire to heal the trauma. It was a process of surrendering and pushing past my fears. After all, fire itself is an element of transformation, a catalyst for change. It's also powerful and frightening.
But fire also allows me to take things that are unloved and broken, break them down and transform them. Fire changes their energy and creates beauty from a pile of scrap. Not unlike seeing the first green sprouts bloom from the ash.
By honoring the natural cycles of gifting and rebirth, I transform the silver from raw materials, adding thoughtfully sourced local gemstones and treasures, to create beautiful heirlooms.
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This process suffuses each piece with strength and spirit, designed to bring out your unique sparkle.
Mountain & Sea
Pebble & Flame
Hand forged in fire, the soft, molten stones shimmer
like pebbles found at the
water’s edge.
Wing & Petal
Delicate handcrafted petals unladen with pretense. Harmonious drops cradling meaningful gemstones.
BESPOKE SERVICES
If you can’t find the perfect piece in my store, contact me in at my Californian studio. I can design and craft a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece to honor a loved one, or celebrate your unique style.
