Name: Kristen Hughes

Location: Yazoo City, Mississippi

Art/Craft: Wire, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metals, Semi Precious Stone Jewelry

Website: http://www.huesjewelry.com

Before graduating from Troy University with a Bachelors degree in Art, Kristen became Wiregrass Living Magazines first intern. She became an employee of the magazine shortly after graduation continuing to shoot ads and features and design layouts for the next few years. Itching for something new, Kristen sold all of her belongings and moved to New York City on a whim. There she found her calling when she answered an ad for an assistant to an independent jewelry designer. After several courses at Manhattan’s Gemological Institute of America and a lot of time at her desk, Kristen began selling her very own line of jewelry on the streets of SOHO. After her fill of the big city life Kristen returned to her roots to work for a non-profit dance company that supports an outreach program for underserved children. Upon returning to Alabama, Kristen feared that she would not be able to continue to make jewelry as it would not be as marketable outside the SOHO district. She has been pleased to find the growing number of local festivals assist her with marketing her products. Kristen is proud of the fact that her jewelry is created simple enough to wear everyday but elegant enough for a little black dress night out.

She currently lives in Dothan, Alabama with her three loves, Jeremy, her fiancé who shares her passion for art as he is a stained glass artist, and Kilgore Trout and Abe, her four legged children.

“As an alum of Troy University it is always great to return to Troy; however, as a return artist to TroyFest I am even more excited to return”, stated Kristen. “TroyFest is a great event since it helps local rural artist sustain their careers.”

You can view more of her creations at http://huesjewelry.com/ .