biography 2

In Krista's Own Words

--Every piece I make is one-of-a-kind. Each woman is a unique being, so it follows that what they wear should bring out their originality.

--I use only gemstones, pearls and rare beads. I don't use 'precious' stones and use very, very little metal. I'm serious about these choices. Metals draw energy and heat indiscriminately while gemstones, on the other hand, absorb and convert energy. This isn't hullaballoo, it's fact. Now, diamonds and other precious stones, are a different matter, and much more grave. I'll put it simply - they derive from a largely unscrupulous industry. Having been deep in that trade, I know too much and so elect to only utilize materials with which I feel comfortable.

--Every stone is hand-selected, often drilled and polished by me. Sometimes I'll hand-chip or rework a stone entirely.

--My work is architectural, with each piece designed to lay a certain way on the body. For example, a long necklace can be frumpy unless you drip it into the belly button, or lower! I usually size my customers individually.

--I'm obsessed. I make jewelry day and night, and always keep at least 200 ready-to-wear pieces in the showroom at all times. Clients like my insanity - they come through often to see, or snag, what's new.

--My pieces definitely cross style boundaries -- most of my 'girls' can be worn with a tee or a gown (they all have names, by the way). I also try and make many pieces convertible, with parts that come off or go on. Gives more bang for the buck.

--My product is for every and any woman, in style and price. I'll also custom design to any budget. With clients from 7 to 77, moms and students to socialites and celebs, I know I'm really blessed.

Krista drumming in Senegal, W. Africa. Her Godmother, Seynabou, proudly on her left.

(continued)

Although a beading hobbyist for many years, Krista's primary focus and expertise was business -- she was the Executive Vice President of a marketing, advertising and business consulting firm. Therafter, she became a top-flight VP within a $530 million diamond manufacturing and distribution company. But with the economic climate toppled in Asia, Ms. Claudene left the diamond industry to open her own consulting firm.

After three years of working nearly around the clock, Krista took a long overdue trip. For a full month, Ms. Claudene visited Senegal, Africa to feed her love for and knowledge of West African culture. Even though her trip was focused on dancing, drumming and visiting friends and family, she also found herself feverishly rumbling in marketplaces to purchase an unreasonable quantity of gemstones, beads and artisan pieces (being just a hobbyist at this point, it would have taken her ten years to use as many as she bought!). Her godmother there, Seynabou Diouf, laughed in delight at her purchases, claiming that Krista "really must give in" and become a jeweler full time -- "because you have the power to help women over there feel their beauty."

Krista paused, thinking those convictions were sweet, strange, and unrealistic, and so she returned to NY to continue her consulting firm's sizeable work. Then, just days after her return, she witnessed first-hand the tragedy of the Towers, and in them the loss of many beloved clients and friends. She was deeply shaken by her losses, and certainly unable to motivate business in a City devastated. Ms. Claudene volunteered at Ground Zero during the day and, each night, she would attempt to regain some peace and calmness -- she turned to jewelry making.

Night after night, she worked to create pieces that represented what was inside of her, what she was feeling, and what she wanted to give to the world. She put her mind toward positive things, and her mind travelled back to Africa, pondering the way West African women adorn and love themselves just as they are. Krista returned with not just gemstones, but with a realization -- when a woman understands her intrinsic, inner beauty, she is not afraid to adorn her outside. In fact, when she adorns her outside, she is celebrating what lies within.

Armed with this fact, and propelled in afterthought by her godmother's conviction, Ms. Claudene began selling handmade waist beads on the street. (Waist beads are still her passion-product, as they adorn the very biological center of "female.") Perceiving a strong attraction to her styling, she began making necklaces as well, using the larger gemstones she purchased in Africa. Although gemstone jewelry was not popularized yet, young designers saw the spark and, in only eight short months, she was styling fashion shows and developing an "A" list client base. She birthed her corporation, "Jamm Rek" which in Wolof, the language of Senegal, means,
I have peace inside.

Jewelry has become her way to share and illuminate her conviction in the beauty, inner strength and peace within women. In Africa, drawn to the gemstones, especially since they support local economies and humane mining practices, she uses the medium of jewelry to redefine what Americans consider "bling" and make women, as her godmother said, "feel their beauty." Indeed, she is set to adorn this country's women, one by one, with her magical creations. Her customers will tell you —with her strength and energy, she may well achieve it!


Bio credits: Natasha Reilly, Lisa Diomande