Meet Kristin Groener | Metalsmith

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

Hi Kristin, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
For me, good work-life balance means getting to go to work in my pajamas! It’s a question of how can I feel the most liberated, and how can I best nurture my body, mind, and spirit.

When the pandemic, hit I was working at 3 different jewelry studios in Northern California. The state went into lockdown in March 2020, and all the studios closed indefinitely. While I loved all my jobs, I’ve always been a homebody, and commuting to work wasn’t my favorite. So, getting to stay at home and work on my own jewelry collection felt like a blessing!

I ended up moving to Red Lodge, MT outside of Yellowstone National Park, where the sky is vast, and the town is small and quiet. Now, I work entirely for myself from home, and I’ve discovered that this is how I find balance. Not having to commute means I have more precious time to use as I wish. Working alone grants me the freedom to stay in pajamas all day (a major time saver, haha!). Jokes aside, after working for others for so long, the whole pajamas thing feels like a much-needed unwind from all that hustle. I can also take a walk anytime I need some movement and run errands without needing permission. The kitchen is as important as my studio, and I flow back and forth throughout the day to stay nourished.

Although owning a business comes with its stress and uncertainties, I’ve grounded myself in a rhythm that supports my health at all levels. We’re never truly in balance, but it’s the act of balancing that is constant. And that looks completely different for every person. For me, it’s the quiet of the mountains that has allowed me to be more in tune with my needs. I do my best to keep that conversation open with myself as I work towards my goals.
 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work revolves around using Turquoise and Montana Agate stones set in silver, bronze, and gold. I’ve coined the term “Psychedelic Western” to describe the style that sets me apart. I love using organic swirling shapes that play against the hard nature of metal – I find that contrast fascinating. My work tends to be bold. I love making big statement cuffs, large rings, and pendants on heavy chains. I love jewelry with weight to it!

My prayer is that I’m connecting people back to the earth through the beauty of metal and stone. In a world where everything is becoming so artificial, I find it so special to work with materials that become heirloom pieces lasting generations. Jewelry can hold so much meaning, and being a part of others’ stories is very meaningful to me.

Metalsmithing is all about practice and taking bigger risks. I recently made a “mega” cuff that was so large I needed to invest in a new torch and soldering setup! I was nervous at times that something would go wrong, but it turned out great. The learning truly never ends in this profession, and that’s something I find wonderful. I’ve learned to keep my head down, work step by step, and not get overwhelmed. I’ve also learned to never rush! From breaking saw blades to melting bezels, I’ve done it all, and I’ve learned that patience is absolutely key.

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?
This question is easy for me to answer because my mom visited for a week-long trip last summer! In Red Lodge, MT, we have a lovely Main Street with cute shops. Paris Montana is a must for funky glam Western fashion, we have a great retro candy shop (we buy the chocolate-covered Oreos!), the oldest operating movie theater in MT, and Market 5555 is filled with a large assortment of goods made by local artisans worth checking out.

My favorite restaurants are Prerogative Kitchen, Black Canyon Bistro, The One-Legged Magpie, Las Palmitas for great tacos, and The Red Box Car for burgers and shakes.

There are many great hiking spots (bring bear spray!), Tuesday Jam Night at the Snow Creek, the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, and my absolute favorite, pig racing at the Bear Creek Saloon & Steakhouse!
Driving the Beartooth Pass is a must, and spending as much time in Yellowstone National Park as possible is breathtaking at every turn.

My mom and I really loved the Montana Grizzly Encounter outside of Bozeman. You get so up close to the grizzlies, and the guides share so much information. We also took a day trip to walk and shop around Bozeman. There are so many cute shops!
This is a wonderful area to visit in the summer, and if you enjoy winter sports, it’s a great place to visit in the winter too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I hands down credit my parents for all my success! They have supported my dream of being an artist since I was a little girl, and I don’t know where I would be without them. Following a creative career isn’t easy, so without their help, I might be doing something totally different. They truly are the best, most loving, and supportive people, and I will always dedicate everything I do to them.

The reason I pursued a path in jewelry making is entirely due to the work of Pamela Love. Her jewelry touched me deeply over a decade ago, and over the years, I built up a small collection of her work through birthday and Christmas gifts. It’s amazing how the work of one person can be powerful enough to shift the life of another!

I also need to shout out my jewelry mentors! I was lucky to work for the most talented, kind, supportive, and inspiring people while in CA. The Bay Area has a unique jewelry community – incredibly supportive and helpful. I’m fortunate to have many people I look up to and can turn to for help! Sarah Swell, Amanda Hunt, Luana Coonen, and Nick Engel.

Website: www.gogijewelry.com

Instagram: @gogijewelry

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gogijewelry

Other: TikTok: @gogi_jewelry