Kinson shows off a necklace and earrings she made. She also made her bracelet using a Peyote stitch.
Crystal Kinson is a Winter Haven resident who takes rods of colored glass and, with the help of a blowtorch, transforms them into unique, wearable art.
Kinson makes most of her glass beads for her bracelets, necklaces, earrings, fountain pens, fan pulls, cell phone charms and other designs.
In addition to these creations, she also makes necklaces and bows to dress up one's dog. Her interest in keeping dogs looking their best extends beyond her hobby - she is a professional dog groomer by career.
Crytal K Designs can be found at the following locations:
The Art Cottage, 185 Ave. D, N.W., Winter Haven, 863-294-2350
The Red Geranium, 68 Fourth St., N.W., Winter Haven, 863-291-8585
Hand Picked of Winter Haven Florist, 1503 Sixth St., S.E., Winter Haven, 863-299-8271
Chalet Suzanne, 3800 Chalet Suzanne Drive, Lake Wales, 1-800-433-6011
Bead Safari, 5367 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, 863-859-6236
Crystal Kinson stands by a table display many of her designs.
Crystal Kinson works on a fountain pen at The Art Cottage. Many of her creations, shown around her, currently are on display at the Winter Haven original art gallery.
"Sherbert Sunrise" is a piece Crystal Kinson made for an exhibit at the Harbor Side Restaurant in Winter Haven. Inspired by the colors of the sunrise over Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes, Kinson incorporated handmade beads of all colors into the necklace, bracelet and earrings, which she considers to be her favorite of all of her work. "I finished it in May, but it took three months to come up with the idea," Kinson says. "It was a difficult design."
Kinson assembles beads on a fountain pen. Even though Kinson says it is difficult to part with her artwork once she has invested time inot making it, she says she keeps very few of her pieces. "One of my favorite things about making the jewelry is being able to give them to people," she says. "It's a nice way to let someone know you are thinking about them, and an inexpensive way to give someone a very unique, personal gift."
Crystal Kinson has been making lampwork beads for about a year and a half. She says she became interested in the art form after purchasing an earring-making kit from a local craft store. "At that point, I was hooked," Kinson says.
Kinson says one of her favorite aspects about making jewelry is having accessories that match every outfit. "It's nice to be able to go into a store and see a pink dress and know I can make a necklace that matches it," she says.
Kinson says the prices of her designs start at $15, with some pieces costing about $200. "I like to have them at a price where they are affordable for everyone," she says. "But, of course, the prices increase depending on how much time it took and what kind of materials went into it. I sometimes use turquoise, onyx and peridot in my pieces."
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