Niki Leist describes her jewelry creating process as a way of connecting to something other than herself — a creative journey that starts with the maker and is carried on by the wearer. Her love for jewelry design began while cutting stones and creating jewelry in high school, and she is happy to pass along her metalsmithing knowledge as a teaching artist. Since receiving her Bachelor in Fine Arts from Arcadia University in 2010, she has honed her craft as a metal and silversmith. Niki lives in Philadelphia where she creates art and works to support her local community.