It tells stories through jewelry.

It tells stories through art for your walls.

Every piece begins with a walk.

I wander the forests, beaches, and quiet places of California, gathering textures, plants, and moments from nature before preserving them in clay. Every piece is handcrafted in my Santa Cruz Mountains studio—from the first impression to the final finishing touches.

The Alter Ego

Jester Swink is my creative alter ego—the name behind every handcrafted piece I make.

It was gifted to me by a writer friend who saw something playful, grounded, and a little unexpected in both my work and my personality. It became the name that gave me permission to step away from the corporate world and toward a life built around making things with my hands.

Today, Jester Swink is where creativity, craftsmanship, and curiosity meet..

The Slow Way

In a world of mass production, this is the slow way.

I believe the things we live with should carry a story, invite us to slow down, and become part of our lives for years to come.

Nothing is mass produced.

Nothing is outsourced.

Every texture is gathered.

Every impression is pressed by hand.

Every piece is made slowly, intentionally, and one at a time.

Process Over Perfection

Clay is wonderfully honest.

It doesn't always do what I expect.

It cracks.
It shifts.
It surprises me.
That's exactly why I love it.

From my studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, I create handmade metal clay jewelry and ceramic wall art inspired by the textures, plants, and quiet beauty of the natural world. I work with both metal clay and ceramic clay because they transform completely in the kiln. No two pieces ever emerge exactly alike... and I never want them to.

The unexpected isn't a flaw.

It's part of the story.

The Rose That Started It All

Some pieces become signatures without ever intending to.

The silver rose pendant began as an experiment... silver clay pressed and sculpted one petal at a time.

The first one cracked clean in half.

I honestly thought I'd ruined it.

I spent nearly an hour carefully coaxing it back together, hoping it would survive the firing.

It did.

Years later, it's become the piece people ask about most.

Funny how the hardest things to make often become the ones we treasure most.

Jewelry for the Body. Art for the Home

I don't see these as two different collections.

They're simply two expressions of the same artistic language.

Some pieces are meant to be worn.

Others are meant to become part of your home.

Each one is inspired by the same landscapes, shaped by the same hands, and created with the hope that it becomes part of your everyday life.

Not something saved for special occasions.

Something lived with.

Why It Matters

People don't come to Jester Swink looking for another object.

They're looking for meaning.

For craftsmanship.

For something that feels considered.

For a piece that reflects resilience, creativity, and connection.

Mass-produced fills a house.

Collected tells your story.

I hope every piece I create becomes part of yours.

Beyond the Studio

One of the greatest joys of this work is seeing these pieces leave my studio and become part of someone else's story.

You'll often find me at Bay Area art and wine festivals throughout the summer and fall, where many of my collectors first discovered Jester Swink.

I also teach metal clay and ceramic jewelry classes for anyone curious to experience the creative process firsthand.

And through An Evening with Jester Swink, I bring the studio to you—an intimate gathering where jewelry is passed hand to hand over wine, conversation, and a shared appreciation for handmade work.

I'd love to meet you.

Whether online, at a festival, in a workshop, or around a table filled with clay, thank you for being here.

With gratitude,
Rae

Shop new creations →
Find me at upcoming events →
Host an evening with Jester Swink →
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Cheers,
Rae