Rachel Kedinger

Rachel Kedinger makes tools to use in her own practice to construct yet other functional implements. Here you can see how she uses her own handmade dividers to scribe a circle which she then shapes on a swage block with her own ballpeen hammer. Finally she uses her own hacksaw to cut off small pieces of rod that then hold the bowl to the handle of a serving utensil.  In making objects that people will utilize in their daily practice, Kedinger aims to focus on adding details that create a better experience in use, as well as making them long-lasting–outliving herself even. You can see these tools up close and personal in our exhibition! “Tools of the Trades” is part of Handwork 2026 and runs through February 28, 2026 at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles, CA.  Check our event listings for related talks. 🎥 @sawdustwoman @rkedinger @handwork2026 #contemporarycraft #americancraft #craftinamerica #craftinamericapbs #metalsmithing #handmadetools #toolmaker

If feels good to reflect on the past and think about where I am today because of all the experiences, good and bad, that taught me how to make decisions that have brought me to where I am today. I am grateful for my accomplishments and the people who have gotten me here. I am excited and hopeful for the future and I will continue to make and teach as long as I can. Here’s a story that American Craft Council published in their recent “Home” addition of their magazine. Thank you @craftcouncil and @anitrabudd for this lovely story. And thank you to my endless peers, mentors, and loved ones who continuously inspire me. Cheers to accomplishing goals and setting new ones! Lots of big things coming in 2025 that I can’t wait to share with you all!!

Q&A | Rachel Kedinger Philadelphia-based artist, former Penland Core Fellow, and recent Penland instructor Rachel Kediner primarily makes utilitarian objects out of metal. We recently received some enameled steel dishes from Rachel that put the fun in functional, and asked her to answer a few questions about her current studio practice. Q: Do you listen to anything while working? If so, do you have a go-to playlist, podcast, book, etc.? A: Recently I have been listening to Rebecca Ross audio books, borrowed from the public library in Philly. They are always set in a magical world that transports my mind to a different place filled with creativity and wonder. It is exciting and addicting. Q: Do you have any tools with sentimental value? A: I was recently part of the “Tools of the Trades” show at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles and sent my handmade hacksaw, ballpeen hammer, and a couple of other handmade tools. I didn’t realize how heavily I relied on these tools until they were gone. No tool can replace a handmade tool you made for yourself. Q: Is there something you are trying now that challenges you? A: I have most recently been interested in tiles and how many small parts can create something large. While planning this new work it has been a challenge to remember the large picture and constantly keep that in mind while giving all of my attention to each individual piece. Q: What artist (visual or otherwise, living or dead) do you dream of sharing a studio with? A: I would absolutely love to share a studio with my mentor Frankie Flood. He is an inspiration to many with patience and dedication that spans many years and countless students. Bean Dish | Maroon Vitreous enamel on press sheet steel 5.5H x 5W x .125D inches Triangle Dish | Blue Vitreous enamel on press sheet steel 5H x 4.625W x .125D inches Scalloped Circle Dish | Mint Vitreous enamel on press sheet steel 5.5H x 5.5W x .125D inches Pod Dish | Light Blue Vitreous enamel on press sheet steel 5H x 5W x .125D inches To purchase Rachel’s work please visit the link in our bio. #penlandgallery #penlandschoolofcraft #contemporarycraft #metal

I’m completely obsessed with these tulip flowers. I spent the morning playing with them and photographing them around my house. @offbrandbratzdoll and I had such a great time at @hollandridgefarms yesterday. Arranging these flowers made me so happy. I’ve been busy lately doing a lot of house work, mainly electrical. I also just moved my studio to a new space in Philly and I’m working on a new website! Lots of things are happening. In our world where tragedy is around every corner these flowers were just the inspiration and little break I needed. 😌💐🤓

Just a few great memories from 2025. It certainly wasn’t an easy year and feels like a 3 lifetimes ago but I still had a good time, as I always do… ❤️🎈🎊

Birthday Boy!!! There’s too many good pics to choose from. Wish this incredible human a Happy Birthday!! He deserves it all ❤️ @crabmasterjay

A recently completed set of enameled plates for @baltimorejewelrycenter annual auction fundraiser Ornamenta 🍊🍋🍓🫐 #Ornamenta2026 #BJC #baltimorejewelrycenter

Twas’ a good night 🎃🍭😈

Who thought that hacksaws could be so beautiful? Imagine working from steel stock to craft something so precise and complex, yet still elegant. Once returned, the artists will continue to use them in their own workshops.  Four of these (the most decorative ones!) were made by Thomas Latané, who began forging steel and working wood with hand tools while in high school in the early 1970s. He remains fascinated by pre-industrial tools and technology, being more impressed by the accomplishments of early craftspeople with simple tools than the potential of modern power equipment.    Of the most ornate one, Latané says, “My main interest in creating this tool was the ornamentation. I added decorative detail everywhere I could imagine it.” 1. Thomas Latané, Unadorned Hacksaw, 2011 @thomaslatane 2. Thomas Latané, Rigid Frame Jeweler’s Saw, 2013 3. Thomas Latané, Ornate Hacksaw Frame, 1991 4. Rachel Kedinger, Hacksaw, 2015 @rkedinger 5. Thomas Latané, Adjustable Jeweler’s Saw Frame, 2013  6. Anna Koplik, Hacksaw, 2019 @arkoplik 7. Seth Gould, Jeweler’s Saw, 2020 @sethgould 8. Seth Gould, Hacksaw, 2025 “Tools of the Trades” is part of Handwork 2026 and runs through January 24, 2026. @handwork2026 #contemporarycraft #americancraft #craftinamerica #toolmaker #forgedandfiled #thomaslatane @thomaslatane @sethgould @arkoplik @rkedinger

If you’re in LA tonight you should definitely stop by and see the opening of the Tools of The Trades, American Handmade Implements & Devices at Craft In America Center. @craftinamerica put together a beautiful show with some very talented makers. I created these four tools while at Penland School of Craft from 2015 - 2017 with @sethgould and @sarah_marriage . I am so grateful for their instruction. These tools are beloved and I use them daily. It was such an important lesson to learn to make tools, to make tools, to make the things I wanted. @sawdustwoman was so generous in helping me make a video complication of these tools use seen in this post. I appreciate the important work of sharing these implements filled with skills, sweat, and probably tears. Cheers to making, preserving hand skills, and tools!! Thank you @craftinamerica for putting this together. The show will be up until January 24th 2026.

Penland School of Craft @penlandschool is such a special place to me. These enameled steel baskets are center pieces for the annual fundraising auction in one week! I really enjoyed designing and making these for such an important, pivotal, place. The funds raised are to support the many programs and scholarships Penland offers to makers from around the world. If you are interested in bidding on one of these please see the Penland website on how to be an absentee bidder. Support for this kind of organization is important now more than ever. The theme this year is 80’s, so in light of that these colorful baskets could carry any lovely summer harvest from your garden to your table. 📸Photos by the amazing @darby.240 Dimensions: 7” x 7” x 5” #enamel #steel #colorful #handmade #artist #nonprofit #kitchenware #design

Last week was the highlight of my summer! What a wonderful trip to Wisconsin! We celebrated my Mom’s 75th birthday and had lots of laughs , cheese, and old fashions! I couldn’t ask for anything less. 🥰🥰🥰