Kristin Nelson | kRi kRi Studio

Originally, I earned a degree in ceramic sculpture and made large sculptural works in clay. Though I continued to sculpt and show my work in galleries, I also made smaller vessels which I sold in NYC.

One day I was asked by a window designer for Barneys NY to use one of my large pieces for a display. In the end, Mrs. Pressman, chief buyer for the Chelsea Passage, asked me to make a collection of dishes to sell at Barneys instead. I thought it was a one-shot deal, but the relationship lasted for 15 years!

My first vases were bud vases, designed for Barneys Japan, and were decorated in the Kri Kri style which is ornate and whimsical. For my current range, “VIT ceramics”, I use thin, raised
white stripes, to create a signature style. Colors are chosen to harmonize with flowers and
foliage.

The collection has blossomed over the years, and the shapes, designed for single stems and
small bouquets, have evolved into bases for lamps and hanging pendant lamps. This direction has opened new possibilities in decor including making lighting fixtures for the exclusive, Soho House Hotels.

Kristin, or "Kri Kri", as she is also known, says, "By thoughtfully creating objects, small or large in my Seattle studio, I am fulfilling my passions for sculpture and interiors. In this way I hope to
bring warmth and beauty to everyday living".