Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Jacobson.
Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been making art since I was old enough to have motor skills. When I was a kid, I loved working in my dad’s workshop. It gave me a way to be creative, learn new things and connect with my father. There is also something magical that happens while in the process of making a thing. You create a memory that you can hold in your hand. A story you can take with you. A physical record of an emotional journey.
This pursuit quickly became more than just a passion. It was my language. I was an awkward kid who was bullied in grade school but being creative allowed me to navigate through my own physical and emotional development. It gave me a respite from the worlds of junior high and high school, and it gave me the gift of authenticity and connection at a time in my life where that was hard to come by.
This led me to pursue a BFA metalsmithing, where I primarily focused on blacksmithing and small metal sculptures. My intention was to be done with school, find a job and be an artist; and I had an active studio practice for many years. I moved around the US trying to figure out what my path was and showed my work both nationally and internationally. Because I enjoyed making things, I applied for a job at a jewelry company in upstate New York and even though I had very little jewelry making experience (outside of art school), they hired and trained me to work on the bench and taught me the foundation of everything I currently know.
Because I struggled with what my path should look like and how best to continue to be a practicing artist, I decided to apply to grad school. In 2009, I received an MFA in Sculpture – where I focused on large scale installation-based work. After grad school, I moved to Chicago and was hired by another jewelry company. As someone who was deeply in debt and who was used to working multiple jobs, I started my own business out of my one-room studio apartment in Berwyn, IL. I put all my clothes in boxes and put my jewelry bench in the closet so my landlord wouldn’t find out. That was nine years ago and I have continued to grow my business organically – one client at a time, one piece of equipment at a time, one new skill at a time. I have continued to further my education by becoming a graduate gemologist, learning CAD and continuing to expand my material knowledge through countless classes and webinars. It is an exciting time to be a maker now with all the technology that is available. I love to learn and there is lots of new information and processes out there. To this day I continue to research and invest in equipment that gives me the most creative control.
I love jewelry because of its virtually infinite potential and its wearability. It is also so much more sustainable than the large-scale installation-based sculpture I spent years chasing after. It finally occurred to me one day that instead of going bigger, I should consider going smaller – and this is where I am today. My work embraces my fine art background by combining traditional metal-smithing techniques, industrial fabrication processes, and computer aided design. My goal is to garner the best from all worlds to create something truly beautiful and significant. Because I have come full circle in my education, I feel very fortunate to have such a unique vantage point on the possibilities of things to come.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think running a business is always a challenge no matter who you are and sometimes every week is a new adjustment. Even when things are going well, you must constantly reevaluate to make sure you are acting in the business’ best interest while staying true to your mission. I am still a young company and I continue to grow my business organically while also working a primary job, so this has led to numerous challenges because as everyone knows there are only twenty-four hours in a day. While I have been incredibly fortunate with the opportunities that have been presented to me, I still struggle with managing two jobs, being a present mother and wife and balancing an artistic pursuit with a stable income.
One of my own personal challenges that has informed my business practice has been my own struggle with substance abuse and now long-term recovery. Because of this, I decided early on that I wanted the business to more than just a paycheck. Because I was given a second chance I believe in the power of paying it forward. My business has made a commitment to not only be involved in fund-raising efforts but to also to donate five percent of my production line profits to charities that mean the most to me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kelly Jacobson Studios story. Tell us more about the business.
My company focuses primarily on jewelry but I will make almost anything out of metal since I always enjoy the process of creating. The biggest thing that sets me apart is my ability to truly customize whatever someone wants. I start from scratch no matter what, so I can build a piece to any size, in any material and to fit any budget. I’ve made engagement rings for $1500, and I’ve made engagement rings for $30,000. I use CAD software and 3D printing so that my clients have the opportunity to see exactly what something will look like before it ever gets made. I try to make the process fun and easy and because I do not have a brick and mortar store I can often make something at the same price or cheaper than just buying something from a retailer.
The biggest sense of pride and enjoyment for me is being able to help other people express themselves. Besides, getting something exactly how you want it, a custom-design approach also allows you to incorporate your own materials or your personal touch into the piece. Whether it’s grandma’s diamonds or your father’s ashes, if you have a something that is sentimental, you can use it. Or, if you want to incorporate your child’s birthstones or engrave your fingerprint on your wedding band, you can do that too.
Every piece I make has a story and it the best part about it is that isn’t my story – it’s your story. My goal is merely to help you get there. What started as an online business, so I could sell a few earrings has evolved into more of a custom design platform so that I can help people make their own memories and tell their own stories. It is a lovely and meaningful pursuit and I feel fortunate to be able to provide that to anyone who wants it.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe that the jewelry industry is moving towards more one of a kind pieces and fewer mass-produced items. Big box stores and name brands will always have their place but I find that people (particularly younger generations) care more about sustainability, businesses with a smaller footprint and a more unique and personalized product. The ubiquity and affordability of computer aided design and manufacturing is leveling the playing field. Because of this shift, I have just as much technical capability as much larger company. What seems new to the industry now is already being taught in grade schools and high schools across the world, so the jewelry industry is going to have to embrace the change whether they want to or not.
Just as social media has changed the way we communicate with each other and exist in the world, these technologies are equally impactful. They are becoming increasingly cheaper and more readily available and they are not only changing the way we make things, they are changing the way we think about things. It is a fascinating and exciting time where we are crossing media platforms, breaking conventions, and reinventing what it means to be a maker. I look forward to what’s next.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellyjacobsonstudios.com
- Phone: 630.286.9117
- Email: kelly@kellyjacobsonstudios.com
Image Credit:
James Cryer Photography
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