Christine Mackellar was raised on a large dairy farm in the midlands of England. While that may be an inauspicious beginning for our latest Featured Artist, it was perfect preparation for a contemporary jewelry artist working long hours without immediate gratification. Furthermore, understanding evolutionary cycles made it natural for her to manipulate and transform materials.

According to Christine, flat sheets of metal and lengths of wire have infinite possibilities. Her core technique is fusing gold to sterling silver, creating subtle color variations within intricate surface patterns. She textures the surface using hammers, engraving tools, and a rolling mill. Gem stones and bimetal are used for contrast, adding to the infinite possibilities.

Christine has broad ranging talents. Her art jewelry has been published in numerous books and magazines and she has been a Niche Award Finalist five times. In the early 1990s she managed a cooperative in New York City and in 2008 she curated a show at the Brooklyn Historical Society. She even created an ornament for the White House Christmas tree in 1993. Today she maintains a design and production studio in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, just like she has since 1980.