Discover: Tela Bella Jewelry
“I love creating jewelry that is practical for busy, active people, and is effortless to style.”
Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?
I am Kelsey Burris, a Jewelry Designer and Founder of Tela Bella Jewelry. I grew up in Colorado, with very adventurous parents. They taught me early on how to ski, camp, and raft, which fed my love of Biology and Geology. If I am not at home making jewelry, or at a market selling jewelry, you can find me outside going on an adventure or gardening. I am a bit of a tom boy, but jewelry always makes me feel girly and beautiful. I love creating jewelry that is practical for busy, active people, and is effortless to style.
I have the pleasure of sharing this business endeavor with my Kindred Spirit (and Sister-in-law), Pamela. She grew up outside of Austin, Texas and moved to Colorado 13 years ago. She helps with all business operations with a focus on manufacturing, photography, and website development.
How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.
I have learned to make different styles of Jewelry throughout my whole life. I taught myself macrame as a kid. I learned beading techniques while living in Germany and selling my work under an artist in her artisan shop. I learned wire wrapping while living in Maui. I learned metalsmithing from a metal arts school here in Denver. My finished designs are built around earthy gemstones, they are delicate, and timeless. We handcraft each piece in our home studio in Morrison, Colorado.
“I am inspired by the mountains, canyons, an ever- changing Colorado sky, and by all of the plants in my garden!”
Where does the name of your business come from?
Tela Bella was born when I started making jewelry for a gallery that buys and sells ancient art. I have the pleasure of getting to work with beads as old as 4,000 years old, from ancient civilizations all over the world. I wanted my brand name to carry some of this history from where we started, so I decided to use Latin and Italian (the oldest languages with our alphabet). Tela means textile or design, and Bella means beautiful.
How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?
Some of our more complex designs that require forming, metalsmithing, stone setting, hammering, and polishing can take many hours or even days to complete. Many wire wrapped and intricately beaded items also take many hours. Some of our more basic pieces take about 20 minutes to manufacture.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by the mountains, canyons, an ever changing Colorado sky, and by all of the plants in my garden!
What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?
I recently got to make an engagement ring for a good friend of mine. This was my favorite piece to make because the design process was really fun, and it was so meaningful. The stone is an Aquamarine, mined from Mt. Antero and faceted by the family who mined it.
What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?
"Can you make a custom piece for me?" The answer is YES! I make a lot of custom pieces. I will make any thing from new designs, to remaking lost items, to redesigning with your grandmothers old beads. I love the creative challenge, and I love getting to see you love your jewelry (new and old) to the fullest.
What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?
“I recently got to make an engagement ring for a good friend of mine. This was my favorite piece to make because the design process was really fun, and it was so meaningful.”
I am a dog foster mom (and foster failure)! I love dogs, and I will absolutely ask if I can pet your dog if I see you walking near me. So, if you see me at a market this summer, please bring your fur baby in to say hello to me!
Something unique about Pamela that most people don't know is that she and her husband spent the last 3 years building their own home, the whole ENTIRE thing!
What’s your favorite beverage to sip on?
I love a good Red Wine.
What’s up next for Tela Bella Jewelry?
We are excited to be expanding into new stores and new mountain towns!
