Maria Cristalli

(American, born 1964)

Maria Cristalli is a blacksmith artist who creates hand-forged sculptures. She also creates architectural and decorative metal objects such as hardware, gates, and railings. Cristalli notes, "I get inspired by working at the forge. I love the material, the process and the experimentation that I can do with fire, hammer and anvil." Cristalli has been blacksmithing for over thirty years and has apprenticed with master smiths. She lives in the woods outside of Cle Elum, Central Washington.