Mali Stone Earrings by: Chris Carlson

Artwork Description

Artist Information

"There is something quite personal about the art we choose to wear.
That is why I consider it an amazing meeting of the minds when someone selects my work
as a means of expressing their personality.
It is more than a pleasure for me to find inspiration in a rock, a tusk, a shell, an ancient bead...It is an honor
I have a profound respect for these ‘found objects' whose origin is nature."

Chris Carlson has been involved in the creation of fine craft for most of her adult life. 

During the mid-70's, she studied with nationally and internationally known weavers at the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Academy of Arts.  During the 80's, the birth of her son and the gift of an SLR camera shifted her attention to fine art photography where she found inspiration in the pure, unembellished documentary style of the WPA photographers.  Strong darkroom skills and sharp eye landed commercial work and a Photographer's Forum magazine award.  Later she worked in the Public Relations Department of Stetson University.  Ironically, it was a photo assignment to cover events at an on-campus Native American Pow-Wow that lead to her switch to jewelry and metal work.

The lure of turquoise prompted her to investigate jewelry making.  She's been a member of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths for fifteen years and has served on the board of her local chapter for more than ten years.  

Finding inspiration in natural materials and ancient culture, her designs may feature beautiful semi-precious stones such as turquoise, exquisite coral and pearls, ancient tribal river rocks, fossil walrus and Woolly Mammoth, or just a modest beach stone.  With meticulous attention to detail, she blends fiber techniques such as hand wrapping in leather or waxed linen with lapidary and traditional and creative metal techniques.  Her work is known for its contemporary design with primitive spirit.

Her work is included in the international jewelry collections of two Lark Books, 500 Necklaces and also 500 Earrings. 

Since she began exhibiting jewelry in 1993, Chris has participated in hundreds of art shows including Milwaukee's Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Gasparilla, Melbourne Art Festival, Disney's Festival of the Masters, Oakbrook (Illinois) Invitational Fine Craft Show and many others.  She has won numerous awards and enjoys the support of the many loyal clients and customers who visit at art shows and at her studio in historic downtown DeLand, Florida.