Sterling Pines | Isabel Kranz
Sterling Pines | Timeless Royston Turquoise Necklace
This summer I stumbled upon Sterling Pines and the maker behind the scenes, Isabel Kranz. She is a metalsmith located here in Northern Arizona and her jewelry emanates a specific kind of magic, aligned with the natural world around us. Her jewelry is clean, polished giving all the attention to the natural stones she chooses, turquoise being one of her favorites to work with. There is a specific energy to her work, light and airy like the pines that touch the sky.
I got to ask Isabel a few questions about her work and the pieces she makes.
Sterling Pines | Timeless Royston Turquoise Necklace
Desert Flower Bracelet, tiger eye stone in stterling silver, Sterling Pines
How did you get into jewelry making? And how did you come upon the name Sterling Pines?
IK - I really like all sorts of precious and semi-precious stones, but turquoise is my favorite. I find the different colors in turquoise stones to be so enchanting, and there are no two stones exactly alike! It is a pleasure to work with turquoise every time.
How do you start a piece, do you have a process of gathering inspiration and so on?
IK - Interestingly, I find the most inspiration when I am about to fall asleep. Images of most of my designs come to life in the hypnagogic state- between wakefulness and sleep. Other times the stones will "speak" to me to reveal the designs.
How does your environment around you play a part in your jewelry making?
IK - Nature and life are my muses. I observe all sorts of aspects of life and qualities of nature that I translate into jewelry designs.
Mountain Summit Turquoise Earrings by Sterling Pines
Do you have a dream stone or piece of jewelry you aspire to create?
IK - I would love to be able to include gold in my jewelry designs one day. I really like the contrast between silver and gold colors. It would open up a new gateway for my designs.
Sterling Pines jewelry is currently available in the gallery, online here.