Karen Skillett

About

My passion is jewelry design! I have been creating and selling jewelry for nearly 35 years. I also love working with colored clay! Over the last three years, I have transitioned from polymer clay to high fire porcelain clay. I stack different colored clay, then slice through the layers to reveal the design in the cross section. The technique, referred to as Nerikomi in Japan, requires careful planning and accidental surprise, resulting in one-of-a-kind jewelry. The fired porcelain is very hard and durable. The beads are combined with sterling silver to create the finished jewelry.

What inspires you to create?

I am inspired by everything around me! I always see ideas and inspiration in the oddest places — a restaurant menu, a garden of flowers, a random pile of pebbles!

What advice would you give to people looking to express their creativity?

START CREATING!! NOW!! Don’t worry how it looks, just do something that brings you joy. If it brings you joy to create, then you time has been well-spent! You will learn and grow and improve with practice — we all started as beginners!

How does your art connect with people?

Jewelry or any type of adornment connects with people by making them feel happy wearing it! Especially during the pandemic, when we often were contacting friends and family virtually, jewelry was one fun way to express ourselves. I also feel that the natural colors and textures of porcelain connect with people, as they remind us of nature and the world around us!