Kún forged her artistic mettle apprenticing as a woodworker and upholsterer during her early twenties. Dedicating thirteen years to building mortise and tenon constructed furniture from reclaimed wood, her respect for materials and craftsmanship in their reverential structure, is planted deep.
Growing up in the suburban Midwest, opportunities to explore craft and industrial arts were scarce. Kristy became increasingly interested fine craftsmanship in wood during college, and withdrew from university classes in construction engineering to pursue a study with master woodworkers on the West Coast. The apprenticeship she landed shortly after, with furniture craftsman Whit McLeod, would be the foundation of a lifelong passion for Craft in many forms… In learning, sharing, and collaborating with an expanse of mediums and artists.
“My life as a craftsman began in a woodshop, transforming reclaimed and historic wood into finely crafted furniture. The selection and processing of the wood, joinery, construction and finishing were a fulfilling pursuit for many years. The skills I developed during this period are reflected in obvious ways in my current work, e.g. hand crafted frames, upholstery methods used in mounting felt, and in some less obvious ways… My process for joining wool fibers and making dry connections before felting is uniquely my own technique, developed and inspired by the joinery used in the furniture I built.”
Ten years ago Kristy began the transition from wood to wool. The change in materials fostered a change in lifestyle; A quieter environment with materials that require more gentle and personal attention, rather than tools and industrial equipment. This allowed her to work closer to the home while raising her daughter and provided a studio environment that was a safer and friendlier place for visitors. She operated a handful of studios and businesses over these years, each becoming a treasured place to foster ideas, share materials and techniques, and host local and international instructors in a variety of industrial and textile arts. “I’ve taken this time to work slowly through my own ideas, learn from others, and develop a sustainable practice of my own in felt making.”
