KATHY MILLAR
Living Assistant
Junior Kelly Voyles can usually be seen happily rushing around campus, carrying building materials to the sculpture studio, socializing with friends, or attending a sorority event.
An art major with a sculpture emphasis and a multimedia minor, Voyles has been perfecting her intricate jewelry-making style during her last few years at Pepperdine. She stays busy in the sculpture studio, tending to the various projects on which she is working.
Voyles has made a number of pieces during her life, and she sometimes sells different works to boutiques. She is all about sharing her passion with others.
She often receives compliments on her unique and hand-crafted jewelry pieces that she wears to class, such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
So, I hear you make your own jewelry. How long have you been doing that?
Since I was little, I made friendship bracelets out of thread and stuff like that. Basically, I made jewelry out of anything I could find. I was always playing with my mom’s old jewelry. I have been stringing beads since I can’t even remember.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have a twin brother, and I have an older sister, and an older brother who is 26. My sister actually encouraged my jewelry making. She got married this past summer and she had 11 bridesmaids, so I ended up making necklaces for each of them as bridesmaids’ gifts, and I got a good positive response from that.
How would you describe the pieces of jewelry you like to make?
The jewelry that I like making are made of found objects. I see that as environmental stewardship. I find things that would otherwise be seen as trash and make them into something that’s beautiful and wearable. But I also do boutique jewelry in terms of selling pieces.
So you sell jewelry to boutiques. How much do you usually sell your jewelry for?
It all depends. My most expensive piece was around $200. Whenever I travel, if I can find pieces that I can make into jewelry, I buy it. Like, I have a piece that is made out of silver that I bought from Africa, so that necklace is going to be a little more expensive. I would say my prices are pretty reasonable, because I am just starting out.
What is a general price range for your jewelry?
I would say anywhere from $30 to $100, depending on if it’s earrings or a necklace or something like that.
What kinds of stones do you use in your jewelry?
In terms of specific stones, I use a lot of turquoise, mother of pearl and semi-precious stones. I most enjoy using bone, found seashells, pieces of wood and scraps of metal that’s mixed with leather, wire and pewter. My jewelry are not gaudy pieces — they are as earthly as possible.
So what project are you currently working on in the Pepperdine sculpture studio?
I am currently working on a giraffe that will be about 7 feet tall. It’s made out of collected driftwood from Sycamore Beach up north near Ventura. It’s an outdoor piece just to stand tall. It was reflective upon on my trip to Africa two summers ago.
Since you’re a junior, have you thought about what you want to do after graduation?
Yes. Actually, my passion is fine art photography, so I was looking at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara to study fine art photography. But I also just really enjoy working with my hands and being in the Pepperdine sculpture program.
09-28-2006