Ever since I was a little girl I loved drawing and creating images from my imagination. I was caught up in following the latest fashions and accessories. I tried to predict the trends, colors, and styles for the upcoming seasons. I loved helping my Mom cook and prepare our family dinners. It is so gratifying to take a bunch of random ingredients and combine them to make a delicious feast for everyone dear to you to enjoy.

I attended Syracuse University and studied art. It was there that I discovered my love for metals and my passion for working three dimensionally. I graduated with a BFA in metalsmithing from Syracuse University with a GPA of 3.7 in 1993.

After graduation, I moved to Fort Point, an artist district in Boston, MA. I landed an apprenticeship with a traditional European jeweler in the JEWELERS BUILDING of Boston. I was able to hone my bench skills and work with precious metals like platinum and gold, and precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. I apprenticed for three and a half years. I studied flatware forging at night for a year at one of the last production flatware forging companies in the US. I was gradually setting up my own studio and producing my own line while studying.

In 1997 I started my own company, Kristen Alexandra, my first and middle birth name. I have been self-employed for the last 10 years. I exhibit in 10-15 competitively juried fine craft shows a year. I have shown at the highly regarded Smithsonian Museum Craft, the Philadelphia Museum Craft Show, the Washington Craft Show, and the American Craft Expo in Evanston, IL. I sell my work to galleries throughout the US.

Articles about my work and me have been featured in national publications like BRIDES magazine 6 times, Woman’s Day Magazine 2 times, CraftsReport 3 times, METALSMITH Magazine, Yankee Magazine, and several major newspapers.

I was asked to submit a piece for the FEEDING DESIRE: Design and the Tools for the Table, 1500-2005 exhibit, a six month international show at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum of New York City in 2006. Additionally, my fork was chosen to be included in the book printed to document this exhibit. The book is sold in bookstores nationwide.

I have received many prestigious commissions. My proudest include a commission from The Women’s’ Education and Industrial Union. I created a handmade whisk given to Julia Child for her years of altruism. For the last 6 years, I designed and constructed the awards for Habitat for Humanity- NYC’s Donor Recognition ceremony. Any individual donating over one million dollars is awarded my handmade hammer at a ceremony held once a year. Conde Nast Publishing hired me to devise a virtual family tree fashioned in metal for the centerpiece at wedding receptions. The tree was featured on a full page in BRIDES magazine.

HGTV filmed a half hour segment on my studio, my work, and me. I fabricated two pieces to illustrate to viewers the steps and amount of work that goes into constructing a fork and accessory. The episode has aired repeatedly over the last 2 years.