Meet Kathleen Doyle-Murphy: Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathleen Doyle-Murphy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There was never a time where I did not want to be my own boss. I knew it would be in creative field but it took quite a bit of exploring to find the right fit. The search included studying photography, owning an ice cream truck (for a hot second) and being involved in the lively restaurant world for over 35 years. The current phase of my life started about 15 years ago. A dear friend and I had started making little necklaces for family holiday presents. We had met for happy hour one night and I brought my trinkets to show her. Unknown to me, the woman sitting beside us happen to be a local boutique owner. She watched as we poured over my first attempts of jewelry making…for fun, of course. She then leaned over and said “I’ll take 2 of these, 5 of these, 3 of those, etc.” My light bulb moment…oh my god, is someone going to pay me for this ?!? From here it took me quite awhile to transition from “hobbyist” to a full on business. I’m old school. I like to learn things on my own, which although is a source of pride, it can slow things down a bit. My business, James and Jezebelle has now expanded to doing huge trade shows that allow me to reach stores all over the US.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a one woman show. No one tells you when you start your own business that you now have to wear many hats. At least no one told me. Of course what I enjoy the most is not the business/marketing/paperwork side of the job, but creating. The whole process starts with a trip to the gem show. YES !!! I look forward to it for months. Imagine, entering an enormous building filled with people from all over the world selling their gem stones. Like a kid in a candy shop. I have a basic plan going in but I also allow time and money to source out stones I didn’t even know I needed. From there I go home and pour over ideas of what I can do with them. Sometimes start to finish on a piece is quick and easy. Sometimes the stones are calling for the technique of hand knotting. This is a very time consuming process. Although it can feel therapeutic, if I am using tiny stones it can take many hours because I knot between each stone. I think that is something that sets my “non metal work” pieces apart from others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay, pre covid… One of my favorite places to eat is SAFTA, in Denver. So good. Also, you cannot beat JAX in Boulder. It’s the original one, great seafood and such a fun environment. I love taking people in to the mountains. My favorite hike is Blue Lake/Indian Peaks Wilderness, off the Peak to Peak Hwy. In the Fall you can’t beat heading to Estes Park to see and hear the Elk bugling. If you’re lucky you may see a moose in the area 🙂 If you are heading out of the mountains you gotta stop at BREAD BAR in Silver Plume for a cocktail.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this to the first boutique that bought my jewelry…CHELSEA in Boulder, CO It is a sad sign of the times that they just closed their doors a couple months ago. They were an institution in Boulder for more than 20 years and will be missed. Thank you Melanie and Jessica, and all the ladies throughout the years. And, of course my hubby !!!

Website: https://www.jamesandjezebelle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_and_jezebelle/

Image Credits
Kellie Brown Sherri Holdridge