About the Artist
Megan has always been enamored with turquoise since her youth and is creative at heart. It wasn't until she took a silversmith class at a local studio that she found the craft she'd been yearning for years. Santi (her husband) built her a bench for Christmas, and Megan saved all her money to buy tools and silver. So, in the heart of quarantine and the cold winter, Crooked Trails was born in December 2020.
Megan intentionally crafts each piece in her studio nestled near the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. She draws inspiration from the snowy mountains to the high desert mesas and expansiveness and hardiness of living in the West. Like humans and nature, the jewelry she creates balances the line between earthy and ethereal: delicate and beautiful yet rugged and wild. When you wear her jewelry, she wants it to remind you of your beauty and adventurous spirit. Her jewelry is timeless and will last a lifetime. These are pieces that you will continue to wear each day on your adventures.
Crooked Trails jewelry is hypoallergenic and made with Sterling Silver and Gold filled. Megan ethically sources her stones from small lapidaries based in the US. Sustainability is an essential aspect of my business, from using silver scrap to creating unique rings to the packaging materials she use.
The Founder & Artist
Megan
Megan is the founder and leading creator at CTS. She was raised in Wisconsin. She always craved more adventure and knew her small town couldn't contain her. She went to school for Elementary Education and French in a small town in Iowa. These formative years brought her to farms in Togo and France, to the desert of New Mexico, rural villages in Alaska, and homesteads in Iowa. She's worked as a barista, farmer, landscaper, and a former 5th-grade public school educator. Now, she works part-time as a forest school teacher and for a local nonprofit Alta Community Enrichment. She is happy to spend more time creating jewelry and growing her business. Other than jewelry, Megan loves to garden and go birding. She also loves to thru hike and recently thru-hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail and Oregon Coast Trail. She brings creativity and rustic style to Crooked Trails.
Better Half, Get-it Done Guy
Santi
This business wouldn't function without the help of this guy! Santi is originally from Chile. He grew up traveling to SLC for prosthetic care and ski racing. He has competed in two Paralympics. He attended school in Utah where he studied Health Promotion and Education. Santi has extensive knowledge and education in search and rescue, rope safety, and avalanche safety. More often than not, you will find him in the mountains whether recreating for fun or guiding in the backcountry. His most recent feat is the first disabled descent of the Grand Teton. In his free time he loves to ski, climb, mountain bike, kayak, and snuggle with Luna, our dog. Santi brings a meticulous eye and polished look to our jewelry.
The Boss
Luna
Luna is the quintessential part of Crooked Trails Silver. She was adopted in April of 2020 and is believed to be a mix of Border Collie and Heeler. In her free time, she loves to play frisbee, go skiing, swim, and snuggle with her humans. In Crooked Trails, she brings joy, laughter, and checks all your orders before they are shipped out. Every piece of jewelry is Luna approved.
Where did the name Crooked Trails come from?
The name Crooked Trails comes from the Edward Abbey quote above. Santi read this quote in his vows when we eloped in the Uinta mountains with a few friends in July of 2020. Just like our love story, jewelry has led me on a wild path that has led to the most unexpected yet beautiful moments in my life from meeting friends, to selling in unexpected places, and to leaving my full-time teaching job to pursue my dreams. I take this essence of winding paths in each piece I create.