About the Artist

What happens when you take the palette and patterns of vintage costume jewelry and apply a modern design sensibility? Buzz Jewelry! Does limiting Buzz Jewelry's components to salvaged vintage materials result in eco-friendly products that show recycling can be fashion-conscious and fun to wear? You tell me.

Steering clear of quickly and easily accessible new materials, Kristen spends countless hours searching for neglected jewelry pieces and reclaiming their treasures of Lucite and other plastics, pressed glass, carved wood, and enameled metal. She joins these vintage and recycled artifacts with only the bare necessity of modern findings, such as earring hooks and pins that are difficult to salvage, to craft limited-edition jewelry that is unique yet highly-wearable.

Every piece of jewelry is designed and handmade by Kristen, influenced by her design background and her fascination with architecture and interior spaces and their relationship with the natural world around them.

Kristen was born in Maryland and grew up in Virginia, eventually relocating to Ohio for school and settling in Cleveland. Her family has a long Appalachian history and pride in this culture, and Kristen grew up sewing, quilting, and making other crafts with her mother, sister, and friends. In college she began designing jewelry and, influenced by the values of her childhood like simplicity and frugality, she naturally turned to recycled and discarded materials to make up her creations.

The materials speak to her as well. Kristen loves that fashion didn't take itself too seriously during the 1920's through the 1970's. The rise of costume jewelry allowed women to express their individuality and personal style. Sure, this jewelry typically featured glass or the newly-invented plastics rather than precious stones, but this is what made it so special – adornment was finally within reach of every woman, and what they wore chronicled the changing styles and tastes of a century. The bold colors and whimsical shapes were combined with an attention to detail and craftsmanship that seems lost today... until now.

And, since most abandoned vintage jewelry is made of plastic, a serious threat to the environment when discarded, Kristen feels like she's giving back to the planet by re-utilizing these man-made materials instead of putting a bunch of new stuff out into the world.

Kristen also likes to think that these beads, chains, and other treasures are grateful to be worn with pride once again.