Kendra Lynn Sterling

I am Kendra Austin, a jewelry artist and radical lady living in Arizona with my husband and two dogs.

As a child, I collected rocks and gems. When I was 9 years old, I took my first lapidary class. In high school, I took my first jewelry class. I spent every dollar from my job at the movie theater to buy jewelry-making tools, and I still use some of them today, 20 years later.

One of my first obsessions was making chains. I love art that exists because an artist made simple but precise elements over and over again, without necessarily innate talent but a preternatural patience that brings the piece into being through sheer indefatigability.

When I found myself without a place to make traditional fabricated jewelry, I started wire wrapping at my kitchen table, and this became my second obsession. The design and architecture of wire jewelry challenges and intrigues the math nerd in me, and delicate filigree has always been part of my aesthetic.

Kendra Lynn Sterling is a pay-what-you-can, zero-profit operation that donates all proceeds to charity. If you choose to make a purchase, please consider donating an additional amount based on your ability to pay and your belief that art is valuable. Most importantly, please enjoy your art fully once you receive it. It was made by hand, with care and love. Learn more on our Donations page.

These days my jewelry inspirations focus on textures, filigree, hollow forms, wire wrapping, and chains.

I’m also passionate about processes and procedures. Luckily these type-A tendencies come in handy when it comes to jewelry making, and I’m happy to share my notes with the class. If you’re also an artist, head over to my tutorials page and take a look.