Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Krull
Hi Kristin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thanks for having me! My story goes back to 2009 when I started selling my handmade gemstone jewelry right off my body. This helped fund my BFA degree in Spatial art from San Jose State. The jewelry I make merges 2 important factors to my well being— mindfulness practices and my love for beautiful, unique objects such as semi-precious gems, pearls, crystals and vintage pendants. I can’t believe it’s been 16 years.. in that time my jewelry has had a long running presence in the San Francisco Bay Area and here in Minnesota. I love to do pop-ups and jewelry trunk shows which have attracted upper-middle class women. My work has also been featured in various local fashion shows, and has been spotlighted in magazines such as Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, British Vogue, Lucky, and Delta Sky. I also have a long list of adoring customers who love my custom pieces. Recently I’ve been getting a lot of requests to recreate vintage and estate jewelry among surviving family members. I even made a piece once called ‘Grandpa’s Buttons’, which turned out surprisingly well. The family loved it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pre-pandemic, Camba Jewelry [pronounced khaam-bah] was sold in over 30 boutiques in Minnesota. Most recently I’ve had to focus more on maintaining an online presence, as so many stores that carried my jewelry closed their doors post-pandemic. Picking the right platform to sell my jewelry seems to change frequently, especially as trendy apps come and go with the tide.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets my creative style apart from others, especially now, is that I specialize in one-of-a-kind pieces that, for the most part, are “over the top”. Big, bold, and colorful is where my attention lands, and I always insert something unexpected– whether hidden or highlighted– in a design. I love incorporating elements of nature: tiny bird charms, a bee stuck in Baltic amber, tree branches, insects, lightning, raindrops, etc. But these are not usually the focus of a piece– they are usually woven into the details. You have to dig to find it. I am endlessly intrigued by mystery, and that resonates with my customers.
How do you think about luck?
I suppose luck works in my favor as a result of continuous encouragement. I was convinced as a child that my art work– whether it was a drawing, painting, a book I created, or a plastic beaded safety pin (shout out to 80’s aestethic!)– was above average— or worth another look, let’s just say. When you are told something over and over, you start to believe it, you become it.
Pricing:
- average sale in 2024: $120
- earrings range from $24 – $80
- One-of-a-kind necklaces: $220 – $650
- Highest priced item: Hand-faceted Ametrine Necklace, 410 carats, $1200
- most expensive necklace sold: $1000, green amethyst necklace
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cambajewelry.etsy.com
- Instagram: @camba_jewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CambaJewelry
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/cambajewelry
