meet kate

“Our innate connection to certain colors is as true as the sky is blue, beauty draws us in…beautiful jewelry in complimentary colors can evoke a feeling of self-confidence, bring a glow to your face and brighten your spirit.” -Kate

Since I was a little girl I loved to collect beautiful stones, sea glass and shells worn by the ocean and time. I arranged these precious items in designs pleasing to the eye, some random, some expected, stacking rocks, sorting shells according to their color and shape. To this day some of my most treasured items are displayed in my studio as a source of inspiration. Entranced by the beauty, energy and connection I felt towards these things, I hoped that someday I could incorporate my passion for stones, shells and other natural objects, color and design into my life’s work.

My love of color and design led me to attend California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California where my major was graphic design. Among many other subjects I also studied color theory which enabled me to tap into the power and connection I felt with certain colors.

After Art College I became a licensed massage therapist at the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, California. Through lessons in massage therapy I learned about the mind-body connection. My love of stones and gems and interest in massage led me to learn about the healing properties of stones and their affect on ones energy.

Over the years, in my free time I continued to be creative in many ways making jewelry, painting, doing photography and giving massage but left the art and massage world behind when I began a career in retail management. Grateful for this opportunity, I learned many aspects of what it takes to run a business. Although successful in retail management, something was missing. I yearned for a career where I could connect with my spirit.

The need to be creative, to connect with people through beauty and art was overwhelming. In 2005 I began taking jewelry classes and immediately received compliments on my designs. A year later in 2006 I started my jewelry business Kate Peterson Designs part time, incorporating my love of stones, color, design and the healing element they provide. Running my jewelry business while continuing to work full time in retail management proved challenging so with the encouragement and support of friends and family, in October 2007 Kate Peterson Designs became my full time venture. The support was overwhelming. Those who knew me and my artistic abilities were sure this was the right path to take. I had found a way to bring my passions to life.

Today, Kate Peterson Designs is an up and coming jewelry company who’s focus is to provide women with pieces of adornment that are not only beautiful works of art, but pieces that allow the wearer to connect to themselves on a deeper level through the beauty, color and energy of the materials. The pieces are all hand made using only the finest semi-precious stones, pearls, shells, wood, bone, crystal and hand textured, hand stamped sterling silver and gold components. Many pieces incorporate hand fused fine silver components and hand made precious metal clay (PMC) components.

As I look back….the steps in my journey make sense. Through each step, I picked up pieces I needed to lead me to where I wanted to be, where I am now. As I am ever evolving so is the jewelry I create for you. Just know that each piece holds in it a wish for you to find joy, peace and balance in all that you do!

“adorn & flourish”

 

-Kate