Krystal Munday is a self-taught silversmith who creates from her home studio. She’s always been fascinated by making things with her hands, from beading necklaces when she was seven to making scrapbooks and painting many, many walls.
“So sorry, Mom,” she jokes. “At eighteen years old, I became a service advisor. As the time passed, I continued this career because I was great at it. But to my realization, I loathed it.”
In 2017, her husband gifted her a silversmithing class at the Schack Art Center in Everett.
“Much to my surprise, lighting up the torch for the first time was fascinating,” Munday shares. “In the following months, my life was completely consumed by all things silver. Whenever I was not at my day job, I was in my home studio learning, creating and melting a lot of jewelry. I have developed my skills as a self-taught silversmith through countless hours of practice in my home studio.”
That passion led Munday to start her own handmade jewelry business, Silver Borders.
“I never really intended to begin this journey, nor did I ever realize that I was capable,” she says. “If it was not for my supportive husband, I would still be on the service drive fixing Fords. He is my biggest fan and my inspiration. He has taught me to never look back at what was, only at what could be.”
Munday’s jewelry creations are inspired by the beauty found in nature. She uses sterling silver and incorporates natural gemstones. She fabricates each piece by hand and uses a lot of tools and a torch to create.
“You can see the evidence of my own hands that created each piece for you,” she comments. “My jewelry is one-of-a-kind and unable to be perfectly replicated again. My dream is that my jewelry will become treasures that you can cherish for a lifetime.”
Munday approaches her work as an art form and a trade.
“The design isn’t only in the aesthetic, but also in the durability and craftsmanship of each piece. Some pieces that I create can take a couple of hours, and some will take days.”
For example, her Utah Variscite Cuff took about three days to complete. The cuff began as recycled silver that she then melted down to an ingot. She then manually rolled out the silver ingot to form the base of the cuff. She used the silver shavings from filing down the cuff to add texture to the piece.
The most rewarding part of her business? That she’s able to build a piece of jewelry from scratch, which gives her a sense of achievement.
“Also, when my jewelry finds that particular person that loves it as much as I do… that is what keeps me inspired and motivates me to keep making. The most fulfilling moment is when I see my hard work worn by those who receive it.”
She also admits that running a business can be very demanding and requires a significant amount of time and energy.
“The most challenging part is I spend a lot of time wearing many hats from design to creating and website design to accounting,” she says. “Oh yeah, and everything in between.”
Munday loves to sell at markets.
“There’s something about the feeling of having someone admire your product, pick it up or try it on,” she says. “It makes my heart so happy. I live in a community where art is celebrated and creativity thrives. It is amazing how artists do not compete but instead inspire and support each other.”
Her advice to all fellow creatives out there: “Start your journey now, and see how your life can change.” Munday’s certainly did.
It’s quite the journey from where Munday started, both in life and geography. One question she’s constantly asked: “Where are you from?”
Pacific Northwesterners seem to adore her southern accent, acquired while spending her first 34 years living in Angier, North Carolina. In 2016, she and her husband Aaron moved to Washington. They currently live in Everett with their two pit bulls, Aiko and Occhi.
When not working away in her studio, you’ll likely find Munday at art markets, inline skating, hanging with family or exploring the PNW.
“What I adore most about living here is that within an hour or less, you can access the mountains, the beach and the city,” she says. “After six years, I am still overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounds us here. Oh yeah! The weather is pretty amazing, also.”
Follow along on Munday’s silversmithing journey on Instagram or her website, where she keeps a running list of upcoming markets.
Corinne Whiting is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow her work and adventures here.
https://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/silversmith-krystal-munday-found-her-passion-in-handmaking-jewelry-silver-borders
