MY STORY ♥︎

Welcome!

My name is Kristin and I am the sole designer and maker behind AMARIA DESIGN.

 

My family and I are originally from Reykjavik, Iceland. In 2012, we decided to move away from our home country when my husband had the opportunity to work in Shanghai, China. It was a big change for all of us. The kids were 3 and 6 at the time, so it was fairly easy to pull up our roots and go for it. I quit my full-time job at the University Hospital of Iceland, where I worked in medical imaging, and became a stay-at-home mom. Our time in China opened my eyes to all kinds of amazing arts and crafts, and every color I could imagine.

 

After two amazing years, my husband’s company needed him to move to England, so we packed up again and moved to a small town close to Newcastle—quite a change from fast-paced Shanghai! After a year in the beautiful countryside of Northern England, we got the opportunity to move to Los Angeles. Once again, we were on the move, headed for the adventures of California. Many years later, we are still here, enjoying life, the sunshine, and of course, our cute little dog, Zoey.

 

I have been making things for as long as I can remember—from Christmas cards to knitted sweaters and everything in between. I love handmade goods, but it wasn’t until I got into jewelry making that I truly found my passion. I loved it so much that I wanted to make it my full-time occupation and share it with others. My goal is to make something unique that people are proud to wear. That's why I create pieces that are timeless, enjoyable, and cherished for years to come.

 

In 2018, I decided to go back to school to learn jewelry design. Making jewelry really motivates me, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see a piece come together. With hard work and dedication, I graduated from NYIAD (New York Institute of Art and Design) in 2020, and AMARIA DESIGN was founded.

 

I first began working with beads. I felt there was a gap in the market for modern pearl jewelry—I wanted to make something trendy, yet sophisticated and classic. I looked around the pearl market, but nothing caught my eye. Eventually, I found the exact materials I was looking for and created my first colorful crystal pearl jewelry line.

 

In 2021, I began my studies in silversmithing with the London Jewellery School. I had never worked with precious metals before, so this was a big step for me. The year-long process was entirely online, which made learning to forge jewelry long-distance a fun challenge. I graduated with a Diploma in Silver Jewellery in 2022 with merit markings. I immediately enrolled in further studies and graduated with a Diploma in Fine Jewellery in 2023 among the best in my class.

 

Today, I mostly work with silver and gemstones, designing and creating all my pieces from my home studio in California. Most of my items are one-of-a-kind statement pieces and custom orders. I take immense pride in my work and handcraft each piece with care and attention to detail.

 

I spend a lot of my time in my little studio, which seems to be growing by the minute! When I am not designing or crafting, you can find me traveling with my family, hosting friends from afar, cheering on the sidelines of the soccer field, or just enjoying life.

 

I am always looking for inspiration for my next piece or collection. I have acquired a beautiful variety of gemstones from all over the world, and I can’t wait to use all of them in my designs. Each gemstone has its own unique character and imperfections, which makes every piece of jewelry extra special.

Love, 

Kristin ♥︎