Celtic Creations

At Celtic Creations Jewelry Studio & Gallery, we are a family of jewelry artists who create unique and meaningful pieces of jewelry inspired by nature and the art of various ancient cultures. Our studio is located on the beautiful northern coast of California, where we draw inspiration from the breathtaking natural surroundings and the rich history of the region.

My wife, Shani, and I are the proud owners of the studio, and we are joined in our work by our two sons, Connor and Caiden. Together, we create jewelry using a variety of techniques, including hand fabrication, lost wax casting, champleve enameling, and cameo carving. We take pride in the fact that we personally complete every step of the jewelry-making process, from designing and carving to enameling and beading, ensuring that each piece is truly one-of-a-kind.

Our jewelry is influenced by a wide range of cultures and time periods, from the intricate symbolism of Celtic and Native American art to the ornate designs of the Renaissance and Egyptian art. We specialize in custom Celtic wedding bands and medallions, but we also create a wide variety of other pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more. Many of our designs are inspired by nature, including flowers, animals, and other elements of the natural world.

Our Techniques

One of the techniques we use to create our jewelry is champleve enameling, which involves carving recessed areas into a piece of metal and then filling those areas with ground glass. The glass is then fired in a kiln at 1500 degrees, melting it into place. After the glass has cooled, we grind away the excess and fire the piece one last time for a final polish. This technique allows us to create intricate, multi-colored designs that are both beautiful and durable.

Another technique we use is cameo carving, which involves hand-carving the faces of our pieces from opal, mother of pearl, or antique ivory piano keys. This technique originated in the 15th century French court and was called a Commesso. Unlike a traditional cameo, which is carved from a single piece of material, our cameos are finished with a complete design on the back, creating a reversible piece of jewelry.

Our Background

Our education in jewelry-making began in high school and continued through a series of apprenticeships around the country. The most influential of these was our year and a half at the Lady of the Lake Foundation, a small, private jewelry school founded and run by well-known spiritual artist and author Heyoka Merrifield. Heyoka taught us to bring spiritual meaning into our jewelry using symbolism and ceremony, and his influence can be seen in many of our designs.

We have been making and selling jewelry at art shows and galleries since 1991, and we are proud to have established a reputation for creating high-quality, meaningful pieces of jewelry. Whether you are looking for a custom-made wedding band, a unique piece of jewelry inspired by nature, or a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art, we are dedicated to creating jewelry that is both beautiful and meaningful.

Visit Our Studio

If you are in the Mendocino area, we invite you to visit our Studio Gallery, which is located upstairs on the corner of Main St. & Kasten, above the Gallery Bookstore. Here, you can see our jewelry in person and meet the artists behind the work. We look forward to sharing our passion for jewelry-making with you and helping you find the perfect piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one.

Sincerely,

Chris and Shani Christenson