Kristin — Designer & Founder of KVK Designs
Handcrafted jewelry inspired by natural materials and global artistry
The KVK Designs Story — 26 Years of Creativity
I'm Kristin, the creator of KVK Designs. My creative journey started early—at age 11, I was accepted into the Boston Ballet Company. That experience shaped my lifelong appreciation for creativity, discipline, and attention to detail. ✨
After my ballet career ended, I studied art and communications in college, but I never stopped creating. My journey into jewelry began with a single natural stone necklace I made from pyrite. When the owner of the gift shop I managed asked where I found such an unusual piece, I told her I made it myself. She immediately invited me to sell my work in her store, and I knew I had found my calling.
What started with those first sales grew into a full line of jewelry carried by local boutiques and select retailers.
In 2000, I took KVK Designs online, building my very first website myself on Bigstep. I had no formal web-design training—just a laptop so slow I could have baked a cake while waiting for a page to load, a lot of determination, and a willingness to figure things out as I went. I started small, offering the pieces that were at the heart of KVK Designs from the beginning: natural stone jewelry, hematite rings, and unique gifts.
Over the years, KVK Designs has grown and evolved through several versions of our online home, but the heart of the business has remained the same. Now, 26 years later, I've intentionally returned to those roots—bringing together natural stone jewelry, handcrafted and artisan pieces, and distinctive gifts while continuing to create small-batch, handmade designs directly for my customers.
Today, KVK Designs operates as a dynamic, hybrid studio. I personally design and handcraft many pieces in my studio, often working with talented friends and family—including Nick, my bench jeweler, and Becky, my mixed-media partner.
To bring more global artistry to my customers, I also work with skilled artisan collectives in Nepal, Thailand, Guatemala, Kenya, India, and several other countries. Whether I am designing a piece from scratch or selecting a traditional craft, I work closely with these partners to ensure every item reflects a shared love for heritage and quality. 🌍
From the initial design and global collaboration to the final photography and customer service, I am involved in every step (usually with my office cat, Lulu, supervising nearby). 🌙
Thank you for supporting 26 years of handmade creativity, independent business, and beautiful storytelling. 🤍
— Kristin
"We love bringing our designs to life using a mix of family, friends, and digital composite models in enhanced settings. Please note that while some of our background scenes and lifestyle styling are digitally optimized, our product photography always features the actual physical jewelry or gift item you will receive."