Meet Kris Martinez | Owner/ Designer, Bench Jeweler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kris Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I did not really have a thought process when I started my business. I started wire wrapping after my brother passed away as a way to help me focus on something other than his death. I taught myself how to make wire-wrapped rings using silver plated wire from Michaels. I made so many rings and then pendants, that my boyfriend, Chris, said that I should try to sell some of them because my jewelry was taking over the house.

Chris’ mother had seen some of my work and mentioned to me that her church was having an arts and craft event and that I should try to sell my jewelry there. If it wasn’t for Chris’ mother, I probably would not be selling my jewelry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I realized early on that most wire wrappers use flat-back or faceted stones and they draw their designs before starting their pieces. When I started wire wrapping, I had no idea where to buy stones that were professionally cut so I used tumbled stones, which made my pieces different. I’m also terrible at drawing so I tend to let the wire take me where it’s going to go.

I am proud of how far I have come both creatively and professionally. Creatively, I started out making wire wrapped rings and now I make pendants, earrings, bracelets, and hair pieces. I’ve also learned to solder and set some stones, and I continue to learn and grow my skills and craft every day. Professionally, I went from small craft shows to being selected as a vendor for large events.

Making jewelry started out as a therapeutic activity but now it has become so much more than that. It provides me a place to show who I am to the world. I have always had a fascination with the occult, horror movies, and anything supernatural; and this show in my work. You will find lots of occult symbolism, spiders, coffins, skulls, and snakes in my work. I am trying to build a brand that allows the heathens and misfits to embrace their darker sides and to do it beautifully.

I have come a long way and it hasn’t always been easy, but I have people that continue to support me. My boyfriend, Chis, used to help me get ready for and set up at almost every event. Now that Chris is gone, I am going to have to learn how to do that all on my own. Finding events can also be challenging and the cost to vend at some events seems to be getting more expensive . Trying to get a head financially can be very challenging because a lot of people do not realize what goes into handmade items and the cost to make those items.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really haven’t gone out much and many of the places that I used to go to, no longer exist. Luckily, the Nile theater in downtown Mesa, is still alive and well. I would take my friend to see a local Punk or Metal show at the Nile. We would go to Jarrod’s Coffee Tea & Gallery, down the street from the Nile, and have lunch. Throughout the week, I would take my friend to Mill Avenue and check out some of the shops and bars, and to the Heard Museum. I would also like to take my friend down to Roosevelt Row on a First Friday to see some amazing artists.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the love of my life, Christopher Dales, who recently passed away – he always stood by my side, believed in me, and supported me. And to his mom, Ruth Dales, who gave me the push I needed to show my jewelry to the world.

Website: https://slightlytwistedbykris.square.site

Instagram: @slightlytwistedbykris

Other: Etsy- https://slightlytwistedbkris.etsy.com