The Falcon   |   Volume 81, Issue 26

Published 6/02/10   |   Log In

Senior's jewelry exhibit displayed original work

Senior Karianne Gwinn sells handmade jewelry from her home in the University District.
Photo credit: PERRY AZEVEDO/The Falcon.

Unique, customized art created by crafty student

By KYLA ROHDE, Sports Writer

Published: June 2, 2010

What began as a handmade jewelry showcase directed toward her 16 housemates, senior Karianne Gwinn has turned into a quest to see how many people from SPU she could attract with the event, she said.

Gwinn exhibited her assortment of handmade jewelry on May 25 at her home near University District. Between 7 and 9 p.m., customers, housemates and fellow Seattle Pacific peers sifted through Gwinn's house.

The open house displayed the jewelry in various arrangements. Dozens of rings sat atop a tall podium, draped with a gray sheet. Above that, a picture frame covered with wire rested at an angle, holding a half dozen pairs of dangling earrings.

Gwinn plans to draw in customers by word-of-mouth from her housemates, she said.

"Most of my customers are my housemates, but hopefully people will see their jewelry and like it," Gwinn said.

Still in its early stages, Gwinn's jewelry business has been a process of trial and error, an environment for her to be creative and experiment with different materials, she said.

Her process of artsy experimentations as more than just a hobby began in December and has led up to the showcase, Gwinn said.

"It started off as just me making jewelry for myself," Gwinn said. "Someone at SPU saw my jewelry and complimented me on my designs."

After realizing that others appreciated her work, Gwinn decided to make a small business out of her artistic jewelry talent, she said.

"I'm one of those people who look at something and think, 'I can make that,'" Gwinn said.

Inspired by creative pieces of art that she comes across, Gwinn has created a variety of jewelry ranging in colors and materials of blue and red, wood, lava and marble. Each creation can take up to an hour to craft, Gwinn said.

"Most of my ideas are inspired by things I see at street markets, mostly the Fremont Market," Gwinn said.

Unlike the handmade jewelry sold in the Fremont Market, Gwinn's pieces hold a much less hefty price tag.

"I keep my prices between $5 to$15 for earrings and rings," Gwinn said. "I was at a street market recently where a pair of earrings cost $40."

Although the rings and earrings mostly demonstrate an earthy style, Gwinn is familiar with customizing jewelry to better fit each individual, she said.

Junior Madeline Caryl said the dark hues accented against bright greens and reds remind Gwinn of earth and nature.

"I think everything mimics nature because that's what I'm drawn to," Gwinn said.

Caryl said she attended Gwinn's jewelry showcase to support Gwinn.

"The style of the jewelry is just so Karianne. It's earthy plus urban and bohemian mixed in," Caryl said. The particular style is exactly what drew Caryl in.

Caryl noticed one of Gwinn's handmade rings while on a recent road trip. After learning that Gwinn made the jewelry herself, Caryl became interested in purchasing a ring.

"The rings are my favorite; they're so fun and unique," Caryl added.

Although Caryl bought a ring for herself, as well as a pair of earrings for a friend, she was interested in Gwinn making a custom ring in the near future.

"I really liked that the jewelry is homemade," Caryl said. "It's fun to support someone we go to school with."

In the process of branching out, Gwinn dreams of selling her crafts at the local street markets, she said.

"I would love to sell my handmade items at the different markets in the future," Gwinn said. "If I were to do the street market, I would want to team up with someone else."

Regardless of whether or not Gwinn branches out to street markets, she plans on continuing her hobby, she said.

Due to the showcase, Gwinn has made multiple sales within the SPU community, she said.

"This is a really weird gift to have but the rings and earrings are fun to make," Gwinn said. "I really do enjoy it."

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