“The building blocks of places we love so deeply, hold not only community in our city but also art,” McKenzie Lellman, the jeweler and ideator of Eclectic Sol Studio in Eau Claire, said. “(I find) beauty in the structures on land and the living beings within it.”

Since the launch of Eclectic Sol Studio in 2023, “Kenzie” has always leaned on intuition and the abundant creativity which has enveloped the city she calls home, since childhood.

Born into a lineage of makers which span woodworking, photography, music – even baking – Kenzie’s childhood was akin to a living fairytale, where every day was plucked from a storybook.

It’s no wonder that her newly expanded home studio, in the heart of Eau Claire, has evolved to be her own envisioning of these safe places which allow for new ideas – and customized jewelry pieces – to flourish.

Glimpses of natural ephemera and jewelry from Eclectic Sol Studio – both of which are likely to be found in the pockets of Kenzie Lellman, founder of the brand. (Submitted photo)

Kenzie Lellman, pictured above with a sketch pad in her home studio. Lellman first studied visual arts in college, prior to the inception of her accessories business. (Submitted photo)

“Growing up, I was a collector. My pockets were always filled with any little treasure I could find, which was usually rocks and leaves – with the occasional worm here and there,” Kenzie said. “As I got older and learned more about rocks and minerals, I began collecting crystals.

“Fascinated with them, I knew I needed to learn to make jewelry.”

Prior to her full-time ventures in jewelry craftsmanship, Kenzie would describe herself as a visual artist first. 

The fine arts studies of Kenzie’s collegiate years have found their way back to her narrative – what she describes as a creative “homecoming” – through her latest exhibition, “Deeper Than A River.”

“Art is to be explored alone, but it’s almost more beautiful to be explored as a community.”

kenzie lellman

founder, jewler of Eclectic Sol Studio

Currently gracing the walls of SHIFT in downtown Eau Claire (615 Graham Ave.), the coffee shop has adorned a blend of original fine-art pieces with complementary jewelry pieces signature to her past and future collections.

Together, akin to the streams which flow through the valleys of Eau Claire and this region, the gallery installation acts as a love letter and mark of resilience; a duality between the life-giving opportunities the city brings and its hardships, too.

“Community is something that keeps becoming more and more of a focus for me, but especially after feeling the hurt our communities were feeling,” Kenzie said, as she reflected on the growing concerns of the country’s sociopolitical climate and its impacts in her home town. 

“I also wanted these pieces to not only feel like slivers of hope but also a homecoming of where it all began.”

"Through The Thread," by Kenzie Lellman, pictured above. The colored pencil and gouache piece references the invisible threads between global infrastructure and humanity. (Photo by Skyler Rivera)

"A Dance Of," by Kenzie Lellman, pictured center. The watercolor and colored pencil piece pays homage to the labyrinth of Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. (Photo by Skyler Rivera)

Through layered mixed media works and colored pencil, Kenzie depicts the quiet landscapes and native flora of the Chippewa Valley; the winding currents and Phoenix Park labyrinth are rendered in vibrant scarlet tones – paired with aviary creatures local to the region. 

Every creation serves as a testament to the ways in which movement, time and place influence the stories we carry within us.

For any visual art on display at SHIFT – and made-to-order inquiries at the gallery’s art reception this past April – its proceeds will be returned to the city of Minneapolis, Minn. – to aid families and citizens affected by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts.

“I want my jewelry to look like these gemstones are just coming out of the earth.”

kenzie lellman

Made to order earrings by Eclectic Sol Studio, pictured above. While she carries a deep love for the luster of 14K gold fill materials, an ever-changing landscape of material costs has guided her most recent collections toward the brilliance of sterling silver. (Submitted photo)

As Eclectic Sol Studio continues to grow, Kenzie’s home studio, too, has seen physical transformations alongside her rotation of new and customizable connections. A peek inside reveals the very same ephemera and memories which Kenzie has carried since her youth.

New French doors offer gifts of natural light for each jewelry product, a sparkle test prior to wear.

Of course, gemstones of all shapes, sizes and colors remain the anchor of her work. Plus, the addition of studs, hoops and pendant earrings adds a new layer to the minimalism juxtaposing the contemporary experimentation of her bracelets, rings and other accessories.

Gemstones at the core of each ring, pendant, bangle and other accessories by Eclectic Sol Studio are ethically sourced with seasonality in mind, Kenzie said. (Photo by Skyler Rivera)

The introduction of naturally-shaped studs, spiral hoops and pendant-style earrings brings a fresh dimension to Eclectic Sol Studio– a modern contrast which juxtaposes the experimental nature of her bracelets, rings and other accessories. 

“In every piece of art I make, jewelry piece I design – or interaction I have – I feel into everything so deeply, so the craft and art practices for me are a way of living,” Kenzie said. “It all kind of starts from whether it’s a gemstone or curated colors that I really want for a season.

“I want my jewelry to look like these gemstones are just coming out of the earth,” she continued.

Eclectic Sol Studio has become the primary vocation for Kenzie and ultimately serves as a vessel to deepen her roots within the Eau Claire community, she said.

She envisions a future of collaborative exploration, alongside fellow visual artists and makers.

Later this summer, she added, Eclectic Sol Studio will unveil an ever-evolving collection – the “Strata Collection” – with one-of-one gemstone pieces and craftsmanship which connects to the foundations of her work.

For those of us, like myself, who first encountered her artistry at local vendor markets, there is a shared anticipation for her return to these familiar landscapes in the seasons to come.

“I put so much heart and intention into everything I do and I want my art to reflect both what the story they were designed from,” Kenzie said. “Art is to be explored alone, but it’s almost more beautiful to be explored as a community.”

To learn more about made-to-order and new jewelry collections by Eclectic Sol Studio, follow the jeweler’s social media platforms online (@eclectic.sol.studio). “Deeper Than A River” will continue to show at SHIFT (615 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) through June of this year; pieces are available to purchase in-person or via email, eclectic.sol.studio.art@gmail.com.