About Crista Grasso, Criscara Founder and Designer

Crista Grasso, Criscara Founder and Jewelry Designer

Hey there, thanks so much for stopping by!  Making jewelry has been a huge passion of mine ever since I was a child and I feel so fortunate to be able to continue to do what I love every single day and personally design every piece of Criscara jewelry. 

Inspiration for my designs comes from so many places - travel, nature, fabrics, architecture, music, art, quotes, books, you name it.  I think the world is such a magical place with beauty in the most unexpected places.  I have designed new collections from the seat of an airplane while jetsetting to Trinidad, on a cliff in Cali (but not too close to the edge, because - heights!), and in countless coffee shops while enjoying my morning espresso.

Continuing to make our jewelry in the USA is super important to me!  I care deeply about the quality of our jewelry and about supporting local businesses working to keep their craft alive.  Did you know that Rhode Island used to be the jewelry capital of the world, producing more than 80% of fashion jewelry?  That declined significantly in recent decades with the shift towards overseas manufacturing, but there is a revival underway and we are happy to be part of it, partnering with some of the best craftsmen in both RI and on the West Coast.  Everything is done locally to bring my designs to life - from the creation of the molds and castings, to the plating of the metal, to the setting of the stones, and I love knowing that the quality and craftsmanship of Criscara jewelry is exceptional, all because of the amazing people we work with. 

To me, jewelry is the ultimate form of self expression and individuality, and it makes me so happy every time you share how much you love your Criscara jewelry! 

I can't thank you enough for your continued support! XO, Crista

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Some fun facts: 
  • Obsessed With: Espresso! Just like jewelry, more is more when it comes to espresso.☺  
  • Makes me Feel Alive: Music!  I am a total workaholic but I always make time for concerts and festivals. And have taken some epic road trips following my fave bands around the US.  
  • Personal Style: Boho with a hint of rock n' roll - easy and effortless clothing with layers and layers of Criscara jewels - of course!
  • Location: I am currently based in CT with my husband, Jeremy, and 2 dogs.  I travel often, and love spending as much time as possible in CA.

 


 

Curious about the team behind the Criscara brand?

 


Meet Kate

Located in Hawaii, Kate handles customer service and brand collaborations. If you've ever DM'd us on Instagram or emailed us, you've probably talked to Kate. She is the ultimate Criscara babe, living a nomadic lifestyle and pursuing her dreams. She works closely with our amazing brand ambassadors, coordinates all of the collaborations we do, and does all of the behind the scenes work that goes into releasing our new collections.

Fun Facts: Kate lives in sunny Honolulu, HI and loves to travel, having been to all 50 states and 5 continents. She loves yoga, watches Friends any chance she gets, and is always in search of a good spicy margarita. 

 

 

Meet Kiley

Located in CT, Kiley handles all things operations. She is a master at organization, figuring out just about any random thing we throw at her, and keeps things running smoothly. You have her to thank for the super quick shipping and the hand written notes included with your orders.  She has amazing attention to detail - and it shows in every piece of jewelry she makes.

Fun Facts: Kiley's favorite city is Old San Juan, she is a self proclaimed book nerd, loves playing Monopoly with her kids (and trying to win!), and singing loud and off key to musicals. She enjoys seeking out the "non-touristy" local beaches of the Caribbean and Mexico. (Kenobi and Chewbacca are obsessed with her)!


Meet Jen

Located in sunny California, Jen handles wholesale.  She works closely with Free People and the other specialty boutiques who sell select styles of Criscara jewelry.  You can visit our showroom, and be the 1st to see our new jewelry collections, in her space in the Cooper Design Space in downtown LA.

 

 

 

Meet Kenobi and Chewbacca

Endlessly entertaining and always adorable, Kenobi and Chewbacca keep the studio fun! When they aren't sitting by our side while we are making jewelry, or at our feet while working on the website, they are creatively finding new ways to get us to give them carrots, or playing with the toys they continuously scatter around the workspace.  They've also been known to crash photoshoots (check out all the #bts pics on Insta) - choosing to snuggle up with the models just when we are about to get the perfect shot.  We think they have a not-so-secret crush on our muses. ;)

Fun Facts: Kenobi was a rescue and we think he hit the puppy lottery when we found him.  We know we did!  We got Chewbacca as a puppy and our family has 2 of his brothers.  It's Yorkie madness when they are all together.

 

Meet our Muses

Read the interviews with the women and brands who inspire us! 

They are all AMAZING and we are so honored to get to know them better and share their stories through our interview series.

 

 

 

Meet our Ambassadors

We can't get enough of how they style their Criscara jewels and we are so grateful for their support! 

Check out their photos on Instagram.

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