Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Markey.
Hi Kristina , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Kristina, I go by Meddlewares or Stina’s Meddlewares. I live here in WNY with my little fam, originally from Eastern PA and have lived/traveled throughout the States and overseas.
3 years ago I had an unexpected major surgery that put me off my feet for a handful of months! Fun. My other half, lovely Travis, is really the one who set me up with a bench out in the garage to give me something to do once I was physically able to get out there. For most of my adult life (now 40) I had interest in making jewelry, just didn’t know how to start or really the direction I wanted to go. Once I hobbled my way out to the garage, I started to first work with silicon and dried flowers. Fun but wasn’t speaking to me. Then I had this piece of brass that I found on the ground while living in Columbus, Ohio in my early twenties. I held on to it cause I knew I wanted to do something with it. I rummaged through my shoe boxes of treasures and old penpal letters of yesterdays and found it! I didn’t do too much change to it except cut it in half, sand it down and drill some holes in it. From there I looked and dove into the realm of forks, spoons, tins and anything along the metal side to turn into jewelry!
At first I only made earrings, because I love earrings, and within the last year branched out to rings, bracelets and necklaces. My set up is now in our basement and my collection of tools, tins and silverware have grown quite a bit. If it wasn’t for Travis’ support earlier on with building me a work bench and buying a little battery operated dremel I probably wouldn’t have found this amazing, creative, wonderful, supportive community here in WNY!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’d say for the most part it has been a pretty smooth road. A few bumps with the first year of trying to find my people and the right fit of vending opportunities.
I guess an obstacle is trying to stay within budget and not buying new tools because I am excited to expand my skills. Or randomly find amazing mediums that I want to work with and try not to spend an arm and a leg on it because I try to keep my prices pretty affordable.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in handmade jewelry that is made from repurposed material. I take mostly metal objects and upcycle them into one of a kind, statement pieces. From earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, all chic and eco fabulous!
Definitely known for the “thinking outside the box” statement pieces.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t let that little pesky voice in the back of your brain tell you can’t do something. Pick up that pencil, hammer or throw that clay and create! The world needs more handmade creators in this age of digital.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Meddlewares.com
- Instagram: @stinas_meddlewares
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B9Ahmh35m/
