Celeste Friend
Celeste Friend Designs

Originally trained as a professional philosopher and having spent many years teaching in universities and colleges, most recently at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, I spent most of my adult life dealing with the abstractions and conceptual problems that are the bread and butter of philosophy. But in 2004, on a lark and almost by accident, I signed up for a metal arts course at Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute in Utica, NY. The practicality and concreteness of working with metal to shape and texture it in order to make it conform to an image in my mind was a welcome return to the practical and material roots of my New England ancestors. I come from a family of artists, craftspersons, and people who are very comfortable working with their hands and turning raw materials into functional and beautiful objects. Making jewelry full-time feels more true and 'right' for me than being a philosopher ever did. I am drawn to simple shapes embellished with rich textures, and like to think that I am making jewelry that we can continue to wear for many years to come. I am now working full-time on creating and running a jewelry business, Celeste Friend Designs, out of my home in Utica, N.Y.

--Celeste Friend

Contact Information:
Name: Celeste Friend Designs
Address: Utica, NY
Email address: celestefriend@gmailcom
Phone: 315-725-5987
Website: CelesteFriend.com