My jewelry design philosophy is based on a strong, lyrical interplay of line, texture, color, movement, and light. With the exception of the occasional use of lobster clasps, all parts of each piece of Celestienne jewelry are made by hand, including not only hoops, spirals, fringe, custom shapes an d coils, but also the components and connectors: hook/eye, toggle clasps, and french hooks. Winding and asymmetric organic lines found in nature as well as abstract geometric shapes inspire and inform my aesthetic - a juxtaposition of raw and refined elements. Precious and semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls, crystals and hand-painted wooden pendants add color and drama, weaving a unique story into every piece.
The shop's roots reach back into the year 2001, when, after having graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the University of MN with a degree in art history and studio art, I began my exploration into learning various techniques of jewelry making with 'Runa', a line of hand-painted wooden pendant necklaces and earrings inspired by Scandinavian folk art. Eventually I wanted to expand my jewelry creations to include gemstones, beautiful wire/metal work and a greater range of influences: Celestienne was born in 2012.
Since 2002, under the names of Runa, Lillian Jade, and Celestienne, my jewelry has been carried by boutiques in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin; most recently represented by Corazon and Ingabretson's in Minneapolis MN, Audacious Alchemy in St. Paul, MN, and the Apostle Islands Marina in Bayfield, WI.
