Designer
Helen Chantler has always compulsively made things. Born in England, she grew up in South East Asia. She’s traveled over much of the world, drawn to art-from the tribal to the finest masters. She was born with a passion that has driven her to experience and understand different cultures and the human journey.
She landed in Santa Fe in 1986, after receiving her degree in South East Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She found a job in a designer jewelry studio where she was taught bench jewelry skills. From the day she started, she had to make the pieces that she designed, and then sell her work to make a living. During this challenging time, she became a prolific, even frenetic designer. She learned quickly: always a new idea posing greater technical challenges.
In 1995, Helen formed her own company, Reflective Images; and today she remains the Creative Director. As a teenager, she traveled on a motorcycle through Bali, enchanted by its beauty and rich artistic heritage. In conceiving Carousel, she returned to Bali, collaborating with artisans who carry a tradition that is thousands of years old.
Helen has enjoyed designing the Carousel particularly because of her love of pattern and color that the resins enable. She’s also happy that she can produce Carousel with 100% recycled precious metal.
She lives with her husband, Marc Choyt, who as a co-owner of the company, focuses on marketing and ethical sourcing issues. Together, they enjoy slow food, wilderness backpacking, travel, yoga, gardening and going to the local farmer’s market.
To see more of Helen’s work, visit our other websites: www.celticjewelry.com and www.artisanweddingrings.com. To learn about how her companies’ activism is supporting ethical jewelry sourcing and production, visit www.fairjewelry.org and see our press releases.
