Kate Furman

August 24, 2021

Kate Furman is featured in our 2021 Exhibition 'Sticks and Stones & Broken Bones'

July 31st – October 31st

Our Autumn exhibition celebrates contemporary artists that aren't afraid to push limits by moving away from classic designs and towards recognizable imagery.

Click here to shop the entire exhibition

Q: Where did you study Jewelry/Metalsmithing and when?

A: University of Georgia BFA Jewelry and Metalsmithing 2008, Rhode Island School of Design MFA Jewelry + Metalsmithing 2012, additional continuing education from FIT NYC (rhino) and New Approach School for Jewelers (stone setting and hand engraving)

Q: What inspires your work?

A: nature, line, drawing, simplicity, rustic

Q: Do you have a favorite piece you've made?

A: I am loving incorporating hand engraving into my newest work

Q: What made you want to start making jewelry?

A: so many fun tools, the ability to make such a personal art form

Q: What is your favorite process? Why that one over others?

A: hand engraving... allows me to draw into metal

Q: Who is your favorite artist/who do you wear?

A: I love having handmade rings made by other jewelers that I meet along the way

Q: Is there an artist on your personal wishlist that you hope to own one day?

A: Judy Geib

Q: What is something you would want someone to know about your work that they might not know?

A: my work is totally handmade and 95% of the time by me

Q: When you're not making jewelry, what are you doing?

A: being outside! kayaking, hiking and I love drawing

Q: This show centers around more unique jewelry making materials. What drew you to those materials?

A: working with wood is really fun for me because I love to "respond" to that the form gives me. There are always beautiful lines in the wood that I can draw from. I love experimenting with what other materials can be incorporated with wood. I also love mixing metal with wood because of the contrast between them

Q: How do you source the materials that you use?

A: I find the pieces of wood I use while on hikes or while outside exploring. Usually something about the form captures my attention, so I collect it without overthinking what I will do with it.

when working with gemstones, I look for unusual stones. I like working with rosecut gems or unusually colored ones.

Q: The materials featured in this show are oftentimes overlooked in traditional jewelry making. What are your goals for using them in your work?

A: I like to draw people's attention to the little pieces of nature around us that are actually quite beautiful but often overlooked.

Q: How would you describe your use of imagery in your work?

A: I like about line and drawing a lot as I work. I think of chains as a line I can draw with or I respond to the lines within bark.

Hand engraving has given me a more literal method of drawing directly on metal. It is still new for me, but I am excited about what it has to offer me.

Kate Furman
She/Her

Greenville, SC

To shop her collection, CLICK HERE

Kate Furman

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