California based artist Traveling for Unique Art
Gnome Homes made and Art centers visited in the name of joy.
About Crystal
Crystal Lee Lane, Squibbykins
(formerly Crystal Lee Martinez) is a multimedia artist based in California where she hand builds imaginative gnome homes, fairy houses, and sculptural forms bringing whimsy and texture to the clay.
Yes- she answers if you call her Squib, Squibby, or Squibbykins…..
Her nickname comes from Girl Scout Camp in the early 2000’s where she claimed the ladder from Unit Counselor to Waterfront Director and still volunteers annually for Family camp and work weekends to open and close camp for the season!
Trained in Communications at UC Davis, she finished up undergraduate with a summer of learning about the warriors and monks of medieval York. The symbolism of medieval England cemented a lifelong love of British history. She began working in the bay area in her early 20s in quoting and high end sales, only finding art after motherhood with “me time” studio art coursework at De Anza and Cabrillo Colleges, followed by 5+ year Membership and MANY 6 week classes at Higher Fire and more recently attending Workshops at Mendocino Art Center.
Mediums: Small Bronze and Lost Wax Casting, CNC, Laser, 3D Modeling, Fine Metalworking and Enamel Cosine. Professional certificate in professional lighting and photography and GIA Diamond and Gemstone Certified.
Her International Ceramic debut was in 2024 Stoke on Clay in Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Crystal incorporates every drop of meaning and perfection she can into half of her work. The other half is play- testing and working twords the eventual masterpiece. Recently alternative Pit and wood firing techniques have explored rustic, expressive surfaces. Her high fire porcelain work emphasizes intricate patterning and experimentation with new methods.
Active in the ceramics community through Higher Fire community studio, occasional workshops, NCECA and CCACA conferences to see regional artists, Crystal centers collaboration, shared learning, and the joy of making personal connections in her work.
Exploring the whimsical world of Squibbykins- Crystal Lee Lane
Studio Tours coming in 2027
My new studio in Aptos, CA is under construction!
Studio is COMING, for now say hi if you see me working at Higher Fire
Aptos, CA, USA
Interest list
Public studio time coming- stop by once I’m all set up!
