Meet Kathleen Krucoff | Jewelry Designer & Craftsman

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

Hi Kathleen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think being willing to take risks is essential for personal growth. In my case, I am more of a calculated risk taker. For example, at one stage of my life, I decided to go back to college to finish my degree. My parents couldn’t understand why I would give up an established career in the insurance industry to start over in another field. Yet, I knew it was something I had to do; something I wanted to do. I finished my 4 year degree in Computer Science, which opened a whole new world of opportunity for me.

Having worked in both Insurance and then the IT fields, provided a wealth of insights for me. Those experiences helped me to pursue my real love of being creative. When I left the corporate world in 2019, I was able to follow my passion and dream of becoming a full time artist.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey as an artist wasn’t a direct route. I opted to work in the corporate world most of my life and worked on my art at night and on the weekends. I explored many mediums from fiber to macrame, crayons to oil paints, stained glass, and finally metal. If someone had told me that I would become a jewelry designer and craftsman, I wouldn’t have believed them.

I was introduced to metalsmithing in 2008 and took to it immediately. My maternal grandfather was a farrier and I’d like to think because of him, the desire to work with metal exists somewhere in my DNA.

It hasn’t been an easy road, because it took me most of my life to figure out that metal was my true medium. My work is considered earthy and organic. When I started making jewelry, I wanted to create pieces that were as unique and interesting as the person who wears them. I like to think of my work as personal adornments that allow the wearer to express their personality.

I have learned to stay curious. Failure truly is the greatest teacher. Never be satisfied. I feel I need to constantly learn and strive to do better. If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t trying. It’s vital to have that thirst for expanding your skills and knowledge.

One of the things I’m humbled to be able to do is make jewelry from WWII airplane artifacts for the National Museum of WWII Aviation in Colorado Springs. To work with metal from airplanes that flew in that war is a true honor. With each piece I make for them, I do my best to pay homage to the people who served.

I think my story is one of never give up, never stop trying. If you put your mind to it, you can do it. Sometimes it’s sheer will and determination on my part. And yes there are frustrations and days where I hit ‘the wall’ and want to quit. But, the important thing is that I am not a quitter and I refuse to give in to that feeling. So, I’ll listen to music, prayerfully meditate, walk in nature, and get myself centered, then back to the studio with a renewed spirit, knowing I’m doing what I am meant to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Given the itinerary I have here, we would need several weeks, but I know they would have fun.

Since I live in Colorado Springs, we would visit Garden of the Gods. Give them some time to adjust to the altitude and then a trip to the top of Pikes Peak for the great views. Brewery tours would include Bristol at Ivywild, Goat Patch, and Pikes Peak Lager House. Eateries in the Springs would be Odyssey Gastropub, 503W, The Public House at The Alexander, and Phantom Canyon. It’s always fun to visit The Broadmoor and explore their shops and restaurants.

Time permitting, a trip to Denver to visit The Denver Art Museum, The Denver Aquarium, and the Botanical Gardens. Lunch or dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen.

As an extra special addition to the trip, we would be to spend a few days even further north to visit Estes Park and plan a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way back to the Springs, a stop in Loveland/Ft Collins with a meal at The Mayor of Old Town or Henry’s Pub. A walk through Benson Sculpture Park to enjoy all the art work. Of course another brewery tour to include New Belgium, Odell’s, Horse & Dragon, Verboten, and Loveland Aleworks to mention just a few of my favorites.

After that I think we would need another week to recover.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s hard to limit my shout out to just one person, because there have been and are several who played and continue to play key roles in supporting and mentoring me.

The first person is my mother. She recognized my artistic gifts long before I ever believed I had them. She encouraged me, paid for classes, and told me I could do anything I set my mind to do.

Next would be my husband, Dan, who is that constant, unwavering rock who listens, offers guidance, and is a talent in his own right with his photography. He is the exclusive photographer of my work.

A huge shout out goest to an extremely gifted artist/friend, Deborah Steddom, who helped me to understand and believe that I am an artist. I took one of her drawing classes and I learned so much about being in that artist mindset from her, plus much, much more.

And more important than all of these is the Divine Creator, God, who gave me the gifts to become an artist.

Website: https://www.kathleenkrucoff.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenkrucoff/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathleenKrucoff

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathleenKrucoffArtJewelry/

Image Credits
Daniel Krucoff