We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Kelly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m not scared to start a new business and go through all the imperative motions. It’s exciting for me to creative something new. I usually never care what anyone thinks. If I have a vision or an idea, I’ll risk a perceived notion of stability. My education is jewelry design, gemology, and art history. But, I also have a finance and sales work background. Something I always remember from training was “everything is a numbers game.” The training taught me that if I get 5-7% of sales then I was really lucky. I apply the this to pretty much everything. I figure I need to attempt at least 95% of my ideas–and if 5% work out, great.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My signature Katrina Kelly jewelry brand is whimsical, magical, and old-world. I design fine jewelry that’s part amulet and part fashion statement. However, fashion statement’s that never go out of style. I trained with master goldsmiths in Florence, Italy and worked at a Turkish jewelry store based in Istanbul. I use many techniques I learned about from these experiences. These old-world techniques are what keep the jewelry timeless. The whimsy comes from one of my most popular collections called Wisdom Wands® For my masters, I studied how wisdom relates to architecture, space, and light. This, and some inspiration from the Magi narrative inspired the jewelry collection. The early gold wands were simple little pendants, packaged with a quote of wisdom Thus, Share and Wear Wisdom® was born. People kept coming back wanting another wand with engraving or children’s birthstones. They become my best-sellers along with my custom bridal stack rings. Some are simple, some are abstract, some are cultural, some are spiritual, some are studded with precious gemstones and others are molded in celestial shapes. They’re a modernized, less sterile take on an ancient concept. are simple, some are abstract, some are cultural, some are spiritual. When you have the gold Wisdom wands close to your heart, you are getting billions of years of energy and wisdom from the Earth. That’s what I need more than anything: good judgment, good energy, and wisdom. And–no, it’s still not easy! Every day is a hustle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Menil Collection. Rothko Chapel. Miller Outdoor Theater. Walking around Rice Universe to see all the oak trees. Houston Museum of Natural Science (I used to give tours of the Egypt, Faberg, and gem halls). Hang out at Hotel Zaza in the Museum District. Eat at Bouchée Patisserie, Bloom and Bee. In the Heights: Squable, Flower Child, Kraftsmen, Verdine, Common Bond, Eight Row Flint. Bring my pup to Preslee’s. Go play and run at Memorial Park. Go listen to Wendy Elizabeth Jones at The Rustic, her voice is incredible.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom. She is a mountain mover and overall ray of light. Her cheerleading from the get-go of my company is unforgettable and motivating still to this day. Also, every time I see a friend or client wearing my jewelry a smile hugs my heart and keeps me going.

Website: https://katrinakelly.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinakellyjewelry/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5qAg_6MG0SOplAIpdvAkw

Image Credits
Jewelry Photography by Julie Rehme Katrina Photography by Katrina Kelly

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