We recently connected with Arn Krebs and have shared our conversation below.

Arn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to make mokume gane after exploring similar processes in other materials like blown glass and ceramics. I explored layering of various colors of glass which was stacked and fused and then cut to reveal patterns, similar to millefiori. I also explored layering and stacking with stained porcelain and then working the materials to create patterns and forms. From here I began teaching myself mokume gane in metals, starting with base metals and working up to precious metals. I think that my engineering type thinking and my skill with materials was a huge asset to me in making this work. I was frustrated to find that a lot of people who were working in the field when I was learning were not interested in sharing the knowledge. There was a lot of gatekeeping. Steve Midgets book on mokume was my main resource and the rest was trial and error. I make it a point at this stage in my career to share the knowledge and I support a healthy degree of competitions in the industry.

Arn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Born: 1973

Arn’s lifelong immersion in nature and adventure, his education as an artist, and his years of experience making fine jewelry as both a designer and a master craftsperson all come together in mokume-gane.

Arn received his BFA in Metalsmithing from Montana State University, and his MFA from the University of Hawaii. Then, he worked at Skylight Jewelers in Boston, Massachusetts as a bench jeweler and goldsmith. His Mokume Gane rings and jewelry stand out as superb examples of this ancient art form and as exquisitely elegant examples of modern design.

Arn is endlessly inspired by the repeating patterns he sees in nature. He has found a particular love for the ring form as it is the most represented image in nature and is ripe with symbolism. Arn works to bring this beauty to his work through his deep appreciation of color and pattern. Arn draws patterns day and night and works with his materials to make the metal represent what he sees in his mind. The process is part alchemy and part engineering, and it seems that Arn is indeed marrying the two.

It is important to Arn that the ethics of equality and environmental care are attended to within our business and that all of our products are made by hand here in the US and custom each time. Arn strives to deliver a product that will be cherished for many generations to come and that represents the best we can offer aesthetically, materially and design-wise.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being in the creative field comes with a lot of risk and struggle, undoubtedly. But for me this was the only path I could visualize and the pull was strong. The reward comes from being self directed and able to make things that I see in my minds eye into reality. The creative process taps into the flow state which is that place where you lose track of time, forget to eat, and find the bliss of forgetting all the mundane things for a time and just being engaged in the work. The feeling of being in this state is what makes this work so rewarding. The other aspect that I really love is the connection with the clients and the creation of this completely unique, exquisite objects that will be mementos and tokens of the love and commitment they have found with another. I feel so lucky to be trusted with this work and to be a part of som many stories.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think that to people not in a creative field it can feel mysterious as to how artists came to have this profession. The fact is that most creative people I know feel endlessly driven to make. It’s not so much of a choice as a need. The reason why this need persists is a mystery to me but I know that it has a mind of it’s own and you basically just need to find a way to hold on and stay on that ride in whatever capacity you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://arnkrebs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arn_krebs_mokume/
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/arnkrebsmokume
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arn-krebs-5537381a/
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@ArnKrebsMokume

Image Credits

Jason Wessel photo credit