About Us
Shelli Kahl aka “Shell-Bell”
“My jewelry is representative of the way I live my life…free spirited, passionate and uninhibited by the boundaries set by others. As with my life, there is an overall plan for each piece…but I’m not concerned with exact details of how to arrive at the finished product. I understand that goals can change, and I welcome the natural twists and turns that both life and my jewelry take as they arrive at the next finish line. I learned along the way that I wasn’t molded in the same fashion as most and am happy to present an art form that is as non-traditional as myself. The untamable texture in my jewelry is akin to the trials and tribulations of my life…which are exactly what gives it the unmistakable personality and beauty that is truly mine”. - Shelli Kahl
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Shelli married the love of her life, Timothy Kahl, on 10/10/10 in Sedona, AZ. Though Timothy is modest about his role, he is truly the "wind beneath her wings". Shell-Bell Designs in its current state of success would not exist without him. From building her countless studios and displays to being the “face” of the company, Timothy has made it possible for Shelli to focus on her gift of making beautiful jewelry. In 2014 Timothy joined Shell-Bell LLC full time, leaving a successful 25-year career in the commercial lighting business. In 2022 they purchased their dream property, a home nestled in beautiful Butte Creek Canyon, CA with amazing creek frontage in their back yard. They have a Bernese Mountain Dog “Maggie” and two cats “Smokey” and “Bandit”.
Timothy & Shelli
What’s that Texture?!
Reticulation is a torch-created texture which is achieved by repeated of heating and cooling of sterling silver sheet metal. During this process, much of the copper alloy is burned away from the surface...leaving a lower melting temperature inside the sheet. This differential allows for melting the inner layer without breaking the surface tension and thus creating amazing ripple-like textures on the surface. This is the "canvas" for both Shell-Bell Designs jewelry.
Gold Fusion is a prioprietary method created by the late Charles Duncan in which 14 karat gold is fused to sterling silver without the use of solder. As a student and friend of Charles Duncan, Shelli had the opportunity to apprentice with him and learn this unprecedented method of fusion. Shelli also learned from Charles the arts of reticulation and re-crystallization of sterling silver, which are the foundations upon which the gold is applied.
"I often think of him as I'm working and try to summon his guidance (okay, I beg out loud) for skills we only touched upon in training. Amazingly, there aren't any gaps. When I think hard enough (or listen hard enough?) I find that he taught me everything I need to carry on the work. He truly left me with an amazing gift." - Shelli Kahl
