Artist Statement
Kimberly Hillin Kostal
You could say that I have been creating one way or another for a long time. I danced most of my youth; ballet, jazz, modern and interspersed that with fast pitch softball & cheerleading during high school and college, I graduated with an AA in Fine Arts and taught dance through several City Parks & Recreations Departments. I've even had the pleasure of dancing at Bumbershoot a few times.
In my mid 30's I stopped dancing and started looking for new mediums to express myself. I discovered GLASS, WIRE and PMC. I also took as many classes in different mediums that I could find to fit the bill. I then took a glass bead class at Pratt in the early 90's while also being very lucky to take classes at Fusion Beads with teachers who are nationally known for their glass and bead work. Since then, I've put together a small studio in one of our bedrooms, bought a kiln and started lamp working; making glass beads. After years of wire and jewelry classes, I met the "Queen of Possibilities" Peg Gyldenege and my love of PMC was created. Over the years I’ve sold my jewelry at the Woodinville / Kirkland public markets, Burien Strawberry Festival, Mill Creek Festival & Northgate Festival.
Life inspires me. Everyday we see, hear, smell & feel our way around. You don't get the same impressions wearing earbuds! Get rid of them. You start a project but adapt it to what is happening to and around you. I started to create a bracelet with a cat charm, but my little Yorkie made her way into my inspiration. I see myself selling jewelry to a gal/guy wanting a one of a kind piece of jewelry. They're not afraid to pay for quality work; a premium product. It represents my ability to connect with my customer and give them that same sense of whimsy and/or design.
In my mid 30's I stopped dancing and started looking for new mediums to express myself. I discovered GLASS, WIRE and PMC. I also took as many classes in different mediums that I could find to fit the bill. I then took a glass bead class at Pratt in the early 90's while also being very lucky to take classes at Fusion Beads with teachers who are nationally known for their glass and bead work. Since then, I've put together a small studio in one of our bedrooms, bought a kiln and started lamp working; making glass beads. After years of wire and jewelry classes, I met the "Queen of Possibilities" Peg Gyldenege and my love of PMC was created. Over the years I’ve sold my jewelry at the Woodinville / Kirkland public markets, Burien Strawberry Festival, Mill Creek Festival & Northgate Festival.
Life inspires me. Everyday we see, hear, smell & feel our way around. You don't get the same impressions wearing earbuds! Get rid of them. You start a project but adapt it to what is happening to and around you. I started to create a bracelet with a cat charm, but my little Yorkie made her way into my inspiration. I see myself selling jewelry to a gal/guy wanting a one of a kind piece of jewelry. They're not afraid to pay for quality work; a premium product. It represents my ability to connect with my customer and give them that same sense of whimsy and/or design.