Each piece of MeritMade jewelry is crafted from sterling silver or gold. I use traditional metalsmithing techniques combined with a modern and minimal design aesthetic. You will often find unique stones, fossils or found materials used as centerpieces that reflect a scientific and childlike curiosity.
Doing something the hard way is not the fastest method and obviously not the easiest. When done intentionally, doing something the hard way can produce the most satisfying, honored, and treasured items in our lives.
Our contemporary society is flooded with mass produced and disposable jewelry. MeritMade strives to provide an alternative. I strongly believe in quality over quantity. I believe that design can be beautiful, classic, and reverent to the materials. I believe in creating future heirlooms that are meant to be worn and loved.
Thank you for reading more about MeritMade, for choosing the sustainable route, and supporting the tradition of skilled work.
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xo - Kelly
Education: BFA in Metalsmithing/Jewely from the University of Kansas
Apprenticeship: Kizer Cummings Jewelry
Awards:
1st Place 3-Dimensional Art - Autumn and Art (Wichita, KS) 2019
Mayors Choice - Summit Art Fair (Lee’s Summit, MO) 2018
3rd Place Overall - Art in the Park (Columbia, MO) 2018
Art Shows & Exhibitions:
Uptown Art Fair (Minneapolis, MN) 2019
Columbus Arts Festival (Columbus, OH) 2019
Art Westport (Kansas City, MO) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023
Plaza Art Fair (Kansas City, MO) 2017, 2019
Lined. Layered. Linked. Exhibition - The Smithery (Columbus, OH) 2018
Art in the Park (Columbia MO) 2018, 2019
Vail Arts Festival (Vail, CO) 2018
Powderhorn Art Fair (Minneapolis, MN) 2018
Autumn & Art (Wichita, KS) 2018, 2019
Historic Shaw Art Fair (St. Louis, MO) 2018
Summit Art Fair (Lee’s Summit, MO) 2018
Sager Reeves Gallery First Friday Pop-Up Exhibition (Columbia, MO) 2018, 2019, 2023
Media:
Make48 Interview 2019
KCUR 89.3 Interview 2017
Subaru Drive Magazine Cover 2016