Kirsten started her studies in Fine Arts at Langara College in 1991and eventually received a BFA in Sculpture and Printmaking at UBC in 1998. While working as a children’s art instructor, she continued to expand her interests by taking various courses in the arts including ceramics, textiles and jewellery. She decided to pursue the latter art form through the full time Jewellery Art and Design Program at VCC in fall 2002.

Kirsten’s early work in sculpture and printmaking explored the history of her family by revisiting old photographs and film. More recently, in jewellery her focus changed to using nature as her inspiration, in particular seed pods. Although the forms in much of her work continue to be inspired by nature, for her final project in the Jewellery Program, she returned to the subject of family. Paying homage to her grandparents and the disparate aspects of their lives, "Memory Boxes" examines the preciousness of memories and how they evolve after a person is gone.

Kirsten's "Memory Boxes" will be shown at the Circle Craft summer show, Spin from August 2-28 at the Pendulum Gallery, 885 W. Georgia, Vancouver.