Kelly Ormsby

I am overwhelmed by the abundance of color Nature freely gifts us! Art, intentional design, captivating beauty. For a long time I thought of them as glimmering luxuries. But after observation, it has become clear that the experience of these elements is more valuable than I assumed. Pain, violence, destruction, and loss are all guaranteed. Art and craftsmanship illuminate the righteous side of our humanity , as we see our own souls reflected back to us in the greatest works. When people enter a beautiful space, a common exclamation is, “I could live here”. One of the favorite parts of my job is hearing women say “this is so me”, and to watch them stand taller and hold their chin high. May the corridors of your heart be flooded with this dignity. Thank you to all who have made my career possible and who celebrate beauty. Forever in service to the Muse.
-Kelly Ormsby

The pine walls of Kelly's studio are covered with textiles, folk art, strands of turquoise, antlers, books, and other inspirational works. This cabin where she crafts every piece of jewelry. One of her greatest pleasures is to be surrounded by things that are not only energizing to look at, but are a joy to interact with. "Sweeping the porch feels like much less of a chore when using a broom that was made from a whimsically spiraled tree branch, and taking out the trash isn't as monotonous when the bin is a hand-painted flower pot." Kelly ruminates. Here, even the coat hooks have a story behind them. The ordinary can be extraordinary! These small design elements are constant reminders of the importance of craftsmanship and beauty.

Kelly has been intentional about discerning why certain places, objects, and people leave an impression on her, while others quickly fade. "There is a museum in my hometown that features Western Art. I'd spent many hours walking the museum's four levels before I was able to articulate what kept drawing me back to this space. I realized that every layer of the building had been thoughtfully designed. Walls that held art were painted in bold, delightful limes, reds, and bright blues. The wooden floors echoed back your every step. This attention to detail made it an honor to be there, and inspired me to think clearly and walk confidently."

While in college, she repeatedly visited the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. "There I witnessed cool mountain streams meandering around massive boulders and serene crystal lakes. Along the main roads I stopped into small furniture and art shops where they carried items like I had never seen. The wholesome spirit of the wilderness was cherished and expertly crafted into functional objects. Lamps and chairs were not only practical, but also provided an effortless, familiar luxuriousness. The organic materials made them surprisingly relatable." The landscape of Kelly's home state prompted her to explore the American Southwest. The colorful culture of those who live there was as inspiring as the landscape itself. The oasis of color, culture, and art brimmed with hospitality and warmth.

"I have set about to incorporate these delightful discoveries into my jewelry and everyday life. The studio building is reminiscent of a cozy Adirondack cabin. The turquoise door, strands of chili peppers, and colorful pottery are reminders of the Southwest. It has been over a decade since I began making jewelry. The search for eye-catching components is in step with my search for natural beauty. I have discovered that the Southwest is rich in treasures such as turquoise, crystal, bone, antler, and glass beads, and it encourages me to design boldly. There is great freedom in realizing that the more colorful, textural, interactive, and wild my designs have become, the more natural they feel to the wearer. I love to see women beam with confidence as they try on a piece and say, "This is me!"

Art, intentional design, captivating beauty. For a long time I thought of them as glimmering luxuries. But after observation, it has become clear that the experience of these elements is more valuable than I assumed. Pain, violence, destruction, and loss are all guaranteed. Art and craftsmanship illuminate the righteous side of our humanity, as we see our own souls reflected back to us in the greatest works. When people enter a beautiful space, a common exclamation is, "I could live here." One of my favorite parts of my job is to watch women stand taller and hold their chin high. May the corridors of your heart be flooded with this dignity. Thank you to all who have made my career possible and who celebrate beauty.

Crystal Visions:

The journey has been tumultuous. Companions have defected.

The last recognizable landmark passed ages ago. Instead of the anticipated oasis, lonely wilderness lies ahead.

This unforgiving landscape is traversed only by the long suffering.

This is when the Crystal Vision becomes our necessity.

The knowledge that, somewhere, beauty thrives and abundance exists becomes our sustenance.

Small tokens, busy collecting dust on the shelves of our memories, must be re-examined, held cautiously to the light.

We are spurred forward by these reminders of previous deserts crossed, natural wonders marveled at, and fiercely intimate connections past.

A hope is ignited.

More than that, a silent knowledge.

Beauty beyond our vision lies ahead.

Step forward, courageously, into the wilderness.