Artist Statement 

“Those are not bird houses dear, those are fairy houses.”
As a little girl that is what my Grandma told me when I asked her what my Papa was going to do with all the bird houses he’d made. I still think of those mystical places and fantastical creatures that filled my imagination as a child. These places and beings continue to be a strong influence in my work.

I’ve always loved using my hands to create. I have tried many different art and craft media throughout the years but I’ve always found my way back to jewelry.  I continue to seek out new techniques and improve on the ones I’ve already learned to ensure that my skills grow and my jewelry continues to evolve.

I am a primarily self-taught silversmith and lapidist. I love to cut and polish my own stones to use in my jewelry creations. There is something very fulfilling about seeing a project through from the raw materials to a completed work of art. My pieces are quite often one-of-a-kind. I start with an idea then let the materials and my instincts guide me. The final product remains a mystery until the moment I just “know” it’s done.

Throughout the years the art of designing and creating handcrafted jewelry has been a wonderful adventure and I look forward to seeing where this journey will take me.

Marie Cristine
Campbell River B.C.
Canada