Clouds + Ladders Jewelry

Exclusive jewelry made for the Clyfford Still Museum shop with Still's paintings as an inspiration. CLOUDS + LADDERS + THE STILL is marked on each piece, a symbol of this collaboration.

The making process involves soldering the brass frames or hiring a foundry to cast them in bronze, filling them with high quality polymer clay, and then a multiple step sanding/finishing process to create the smooth, matte finish that makes C+L jewelry so unique. Each piece may show differences in color or texture, which should be considered a part of what makes owning a piece of handmade jewelry special and unique. Handmade in San Francisco.

The designer of Clouds + Ladders jewelry, Kate Joseph, is inspired by her love of modern art and design to create contemporary wearable art pieces. Believing that jewelry can empower and facilitate self-expression,  her designs invite each customer to personalize one-of-a-kind keepsakes. 

Despite a background in painting and sculpture, Kate chose a career as an Occupational Therapist and making jewelry as a creative hobby. However, fate had a different plan - an employee of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art spotted her jewelry at a handcrafted goods market in 2018.

Her inspiration comes from the world around her: landscapes, the moon, plants, and the work of artists she admire. Another source of inspiration is that she collect vintage books and magazines about crafts. Kate feels a kinship with other artisans from various cultures and backgrounds, especially those who make traditionally so-called ‘women’s work.