"I recently worked with Kate to create a custom ring and I could not be happier with the results! From start to finish, Kate worked with me to design the ring, select the stone (a natural Brazilian bi-colored tourmaline - green/blue), and personalize the hand engravings. She is such a good listener and works very well with clients. Kate had great communication throughout the process and sent photos and videos while the ring was being produced. She also invited me into the studio multiple times to work on the design and select the perfect stone. The result is an heirloom ring that is so unique, beautiful, and personal. I will cherish this wearable work of art. Thank you, Kate!
If you are on the fence about hiring Kate to create a custom piece of jewelry, do it! You will not regret it."
-Jen Belshe and Ric Standridge, Greenville, SC
This ring was created with a bicolored green tourmaline. It was set in hand carved and cast 14k yellow gold, and it was hand engraved with a rose and vine encircling the ring.
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“When I received a family heirloom diamond I knew exactly who I trusted to transform it into the most beautiful pendant! Kate was so amazing to work with. I loved the creative process. Getting to sit down in her studio and bring my idea to life was so fun! And y’all, the result is simply STUNNING!
My pendant turned out even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. I seriously can’t believe that I get to wear something so gorgeous everyday (and my daughter loves to remind me that it will someday be hers).
I can 100% recommend Kate! You will not regret trusting her to create a unique and stunning piece of wearable art.”
-Crissy Freeman, Greenville, SC
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A tiny diamond glinting from the ring band, a dainty hand engraved vine encircling the gemstone and a softly brushed gold surface texture are just a few of the many details that can be given to your jewelry.
Detail can even be subtle. An elegant form with a soft texture can often highlight that gorgeous gemstone. I can also incorporate natural elements, such as cast twigs or hand engraved vines, into the band itself
When looking for what to add to your collection, pay close attention to the unique details that make each piece special. I know you will see something that surprises you!
Well, here are a few interesting things I can share with you about the precious metal GOLD…
Although gold is naturally yellow, gold jewelry can actually come in different colors, such as various shades of yellow, white and rose pink.
24k gold is pure, natural gold. In jewelry we alloy (mix) it with other metals to make it harder and/or less expensive. As the karat number decreases, so does the purity of the gold.
Pure gold can be stretched into thread and even used in embroidery. (Wow!)
It is often used symbolically, as in jewelry, or monetarily, as in gold coins.
But for my purposes as a jeweler, I love gold because I think it is beautiful. It holds up well as everyday jewelry. Of course it needs occasional maintenance, but all jewelry does.
Did you know that sapphires come in just about every color?
Blue, yellow, pink, white, silver, green...
And they are September's Special Stone!
Sapphires make great jewelry. Only diamonds are harder than sapphires, which makes sapphire the 2nd most durable gemstone.
Some gems are not recommended for rings, but sapphire is a great choice for one. (I happen to be making my own sapphire ring currently. You will have to stay tuned for more details on that though.)
Sapphire designs can be traditional or really unique. That is because you can pick a traditional cut and color (example: blue, round) or you can mix it up (yellow, rosecut - as in the example pendant above).
What kind of sapphire design would you like? If you are celebrating anything big this month, it is a great excuse to treat yourself with this gorgeous gemstone.
October is the month of the opal.
Did you know?
-Opal can be quite an array of colors
-There are 5 main categories of opals
.white opal
.black opal
.fire opal
.boulder opal
.crystal opal
-Each category has its own color spectrum!
-It's play of color has inspired writers to compare it to fireworks, galaxies and even volcanoes.
What does all of that mean? It means that no matter what your taste is there probably is an opal out there for you.
If you are celebrating a birthday, baby delivery, anniversary, graduation or another meaningful event, you are lucky enough to have the pearl as your birthstone!
Did you know that pearls can be formed in saltwater or freshwater? Regardless of which water source, the mollusks that produce them cannot thrive in polluted water, so your pearls are sure to come from some pristine and beautiful places.
Saltwater pearls can come from Japan, China, Australia, Indonesia and even the Philippines. Freshwater pearls are primarily from China.
How do you care for pearls?
Pearls are pretty soft and should not be stored right up next to other jewelry. They could get scratched easily. They are best stored in their own padded jewelry box.
It is also important to put on your lotions and perfumes before putting on your pearls to keep the chemicals off of their surfaces.
Lastly, it is a good idea to gently wipe off your pearls with a soft, damp cloth after you wear them.
So if you are looking for something special this month, let’s get together to talk more about making you a custom pearl piece.
What?! June babies get more than one gemstone?
That is correct! Those of you who are celebrating a special occasion in June actually get 3 gemstone options.
One of my personal favorite gemstones is moonstone. It is known for its special glow and its bluish sheen against white.
Why do I like this gemstone so much? I love the color. You can style it with so much because it is neutral. It can be set in any color metal and still be beautiful and it is still a really unique and underappreciated gemstone.
It can be found in the United States, Brazil, India, Tanzania and more.
The best way to care for moonstone is by cleaning it with warm water, gentle dish soap and a soft bristled brush.
Moonstone is so unique that I love to work individually with you to design it! we can custom design the exact piece of moonstone jewelry perfect for you.
But wait!... You nontraditional brides want to consider this gemstone!
Alexandrite is the third gemstone option for those of you celebrating a birth, wedding, anniversary or graduation in June alongside pearl and moonstone.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of alexandrite is that it changes color in different light! It can change color from blueish-green to purplish-red in fluorescent to incandescent light.
Currently most alexandrite comes from Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa.
Because larger pieces of this gem are so rare, it is one of the most expensive colored gemstones. Its rarity makes it so unique!
Alexandrite holds up well to wear and tear and is therefore a great option for a ring. You non traditional brides want to consider this one! Just like your upcoming marriage, this gemstone changes and reflects its environment.
A ring, especially an engagement ring, is meant to be worn daily, so it needs to be made with a gemstone that can hang in there with you like this one.
Artisphere Kate Furman Jewelry Booth 37
Step into Summer with a New Look and a Special Promotion (available only at Artisphere)
Once these pieces are gone, they are gone!
(insert pics of some of the silver pieces that I’m trying to sell)
Artisphere 2021 is taking place May 7 – 9 in downtown Greenville, SC. The daily hours are as follows:
Friday, May 7: 12-8:30
Saturday, May 8: 9-8:30
Sunday, May 9: 10-6:30
Due to COVID, you will need to purchase entrance tickets and reserve your time at:
https://artisphere.org/tickets/
But don’t worry! You will receive your $5 back at Artisphere in the form of a festival gift card.
I can’t wait to see you there!
P.S. If you can't make the festival in person, I will be hosting virtual shopping events with the same promotion for the following week!
]]>I cast it into gold and let her try it on. I set the ruby, hand engraved the rose and vine and set the tiny diamond.
It was ready!
Although this was supposed to be a Christmas gift from my dad and me, she quickly talked him into giving it her 3 weeks early. Thank goodness she did because she died 2 days after Christmas.
I’m so glad she was able to enjoy it for those final weeks, and now I will forever see her when I wear it.
What a story this ring has from start to finish! That is what a custom ring can give you. It gives you a story, memories and meaning that you just wouldn’t get in a generic piece of jewelry.
If your jewelry tells a story, write it to me! I think it is inspiring to hear all that jewelry has to offer. 🥰
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Your ruby ring is from that time you treated yourself because you deserved to.
Your sapphire ring contains your grandmother’s gemstone, but it was reset to reflect your style.
Your diamond earrings are the ones your mother wore every day of her adult life and that she passed on to you to remember her by.
That is what my jewelry is. They are good quality, unique, and handmade investment pieces. As you collect them over the years, they begin telling your story.
Because you want these to last a lifetime and more, I work in precious metals that will not tarnish or lose value.
I source gemstones that are as unique as they are beautiful.
I spend hours with each design, while sketching it out, carving it by hand, setting its gems and carefully polishing its surface.
I source necklace chains that are gorgeous but can still hold up to wear.
What custom projects do you have in mind? Explore my custom page to learn more about my process, and email me to discuss the ideas that pop up for you!
We all have jewelry sitting around that we never wear. Some of it was purchased when we were much younger and our fashion was questionable. Some was given to us by older family members, but it is just not quite our style. And what about that piece of jewelry given to you by your ex?
I can help! Let’s take that discarded jewelry and make something new with it. Your grandmother’s diamond means way too much to be forgotten about in the bottom of your jewelry box. That aquamarine is just too gorgeous to not be shown off. And that jewelry from your long lost love… well, let’s just give it a fresh new look.
Custom jewelry is the future. I can take your old jewelry and create something that is new and just for you. Book an appointment with me to discuss your pieces and what you want. We can start with drawing designs right then and there.
To begin the process, we will look at the jewelry you have and discuss all of the options. I will show you images of jewelry I have created, jewelry that I have in stock and will draw fresh designs specifically for you. As we narrow down the ideas, we will discuss budget and the pros and cons of each metal type.
Once we have picked the design, I will hand carve it in wax for you to see. This is opportunity to make small adjustments to be sure your piece is perfect for you. I will cast the wax into the metal of your choice and will set your original gemstones into the design!
And if you want to start totally fresh, I can find you the diamonds and gemstones of your dreams. Looking forward to meeting with you!
]]>What is your happy place? Where do you go to be you, to heal and to grow? Let me be vulnerable with you for a moment...
This past year has been an extremely difficult one for me and my family. I lost my grandmother first, then my mother and then my grandfather in the past 6 months.
It has meant a lot to me to be able to share these experiences with you as they have come along. Sharing them and talking through them has helped me heal. I really appreciate you listening and your support for me!
Something else I have become very grateful for during this time is my studio. I am able to go there to leave the world behind, get into my head and just create. Creativity is such a healing force! Do you have a creative outlet or a space that is just yours?
Losing my very artistic mother has taught me how important creativity is. She had cancer, and I watched her come to terms with it through drawing. She would sit on her screen porch and just draw for hours. It was her meditation just like creating jewelry is mine now that I am learning to live without her.
Now I want to tell you how I can help you find an outlet for your creativity! I teach weekly drawing and jewelry classes and occasional weekend workshops at Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) in Greenville, SC.
My personal history with GCCA is extensive and very meaningful, which is a story for another day. I now dedicate every minute that I teach there to my mom, who took almost all of my classes while she was alive. I saw her thrive there, and we made so many amazing memories together in that building.
I have also met so many men and women there who have become my family and who I have seen completely grow in confidence and talent through classes and the community. So many students have nervously entered my classes saying that they haven’t touched a drawing pencil since grammar school. Within hours, they again believe in themselves and have found their own personal mediation through making art.
I sincerely believe that finding your creative outlet is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Please let me know if I can answer any questions about GCCA or my classes. I would love for you to join us!
Thank you for listening to my story, and I want to hear yours! Together we can create beauty to heal ourselves and those around us! I am here and would love to get to know you as you are getting to know me as well.
-Anne Kaiser, Atlanta, GA and Liberty, SC
I met Anne several years ago when she reached out to me looking for private drawing classes. She had kept diaries and travel journals for years and wanted to add drawings to them moving forward. She saw my artwork at Art & Light Gallery in Greenville, SC and realized that my style was exactly what she was looking for!
So Anne began taking private lessons with me. Her journals are now full of color and line and her skills have skyrocketed! As we got to know each other she began also falling in love with my handmade jewelry. She really appreciates my handmade aesthetic and always picks up really cool designs! Anne has great style if I do say so myself!
Most recently Anne has been taking my drawing classes at Greenville Center for Creative Arts. It has been so fun to work with her in these different situations and get to know her over the years!
]]>-Liz Rundorff Smith, Travelers Rest, SC
Wow! This is a thoughtful testimonial that I will cherish and read any time that I am feeling low. It means the world to me that a fellow female artist would call me her "artist goals!" Liz is crazy talented herself. This honor is a dream come true!
I want to create beautiful necklaces, rings, bracelets and art that make my clients feel special, that honor nature and that inspire those around me. In my opinion, jewelry is not just about wearing something pretty. Each handmade treasure should be full of thought, creativity, craftsmanship, quality and art. When you shop handmade fine jewelry, you should get a lot more than just something pretty to look at! I make my jewelry to empower women. When wearing my jewelry, women should feel unique, special, loved and one of a kind.
And as a side note, I love that Liz notices my tattoos with my jewelry! I drew my tattoos based on my jewelry and made jewelry from my tattoo designs. It is all linked together as I believe art always is.
]]>You may be wondering why I have always wanted to hand engrave jewelry. Well, I have always loved drawing and illustrating. For every jewelry class I took while getting my Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of Georgia, I also took a drawing class. During my time getting my Master of Fine Art degree at Rhode Island School of Design, I referenced drawing and line in almost all of the jewelry I created. I have always been looking for ways to incorporate these two skills.
I have been drawing custom house and pet portraits for years. And this year, I illustrated my first children's book (coming soon!) for Asheville, NC author, Beth Roberts. As much as I love these projects, I would love to more closely incorporate my drawings and jewelry.
When I was first exposed to hand engraving many years ago, I fell in love at first sight. The "bright cuts" into yellow gold were gorgeous. I knew right then that I had to learn how to do it. As a hand engraver, you can literally draw into metal. You can include ornate patterns, floral elements, vintage motifs and so much more. I began learning how to do it by practicing traditional, ornamental patterns that you may see along the edges of vintage engagement rings. After a lot of practice, I began coming up with my own drawings and figuring out how to break them down to be hand engraved.
Hand engraving is done by using a series of tiny cuts (literally shoveling out tiny shards of metal) with tiny very sharp metal hand tools. I carefully dig the razer sharp corner of a rod of steel into the surface of metal and delicately scoop out metal curls. It is extremely difficult, but I am loving it!
I am so excited to have now released my first set of hand engraved 14k yellow gold stud earrings and pendants. My "Rose" and "Fern" designs are based on my simple black and white illustrations. The stud earrings are very small and easy to wear. They are around 9mm in diameter each. The matching pendant is around 12mm in diameter.
I really hope you enjoy these new jewelry designs as much as I do! Stay tuned as my illustrations and hand engraving develop!
]]>-Eli Warren, Greenville, SC
]]>I don't mean just a wedding ring but a fashion ring. This is my friend and Greenville, South Carolina photographer, Eli Warren, wearing his new custom men's ring. This rustic, artisan ring fits right into his personal branding. Notice that he wears his ring on his pointer finger, and the darkened sterling silver matches the greys of his tattoos. Eli was looking for a ring that he could wear everyday and that would compliment his personal style. He did not want it to look like a wedding ring, so changing the finger it was worn on fixed that!
What jewelry does your man want to wear? Here are some ideas to consider!
-Is he the artsy or hipster type? If so, wearing a ring on his pointer finger may be exactly what he needs. An oxidized sterling silver band like Eli's may be just the ticket! The finish can be customized and even changed over time. It can be rough, smooth, shiny or matte! This is where his personality comes into play.
-Is he outdoorsy and into hiking, biking, skiing or kayaking? He probably wants a ring that references his love of the outdoors. Try a wood bark or water textured ring! If he is rough and tumble, there is a chance he could lose it, so sterling silver may be best financial option. That way if it has to be remade in the future, it will not break the bank.
-Is he a more minimal and quiet businessman? How about a cleaner design in white gold or palladium? The texture can be smooth and not in your face. The shine can be dulled down just enough that it isn't flashy. The sky is the limit, even for the quiet type.
-Some men like gemstones in their rings. How about a black onyx cabochon? Onyx is not too sparkly or over the top. It can be just enough to say, "I am unique" without making your man uncomfortable.
Whatever his interests, I have you covered! I love working with clients to design and create the perfect heirloom
]]>Well yes, it is for expensive up front, but it lasts. You don't have to worry about the plating wearing off in a year! Did you know that most jewelry stores won't even try to fix gold plated or vermeil jewelry? That is because a jeweler's torch or laser will burn the plating right off. And forget about polishing it! I want my jewelry to last generations as good quality heirlooms and not just a few months.
Plus gold means value. Saving up for a special piece of jewelry has so much more inherent value to you and in its materials. It is way more likely that you will treasure a piece that you had to plan for, save for and care for. I want my designs to be truly adored for generations to come, and I want you to feel special and loved every time you wear it.
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Anyway back to my story, drawing has also been my passion as much as jewelry has. I have continually searched for ways to incorporate the two. Hand engraving has given me a way to literally draw on metal through a series of my tiny and precise cuts. I literally scoop shards of metal out in order to draw different kinds of tiny lines into the surface of metal. I can only consider myself a very beginning hand engraving student at this point, but I am so excited to keep practicing.
This is a very difficult skill that will take years to develop, so I hope you all stick around to see my progression! As I get better you will start seeing engraving on my rings, pendants and more. I cannot wait!
Check out these pictures of my jewelry engraving practice in my store in Greenville, SC!
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Well that's simple!
Nature is my biggest artistic and personal inspiration. I grew on a small mountain in Northwest South Carolina. I did not realize how blessed I was to grow up there until I was older. Every evening our front porch faced the most gorgeous sunsets, and we could see the mountains all the way in Tennessee. After school and on weekends, I explored our 6 acres by trekking through the woods with our dogs, searching for lost treasure including a rusted old moonshine still and hoping to glimpse a fish come up for a bug in our murky pond.
As I grew older I began to enjoy nature through hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, riding horses and just being. Being in nature balances me. It gives me clarity and calm, and it reminds me of growing up in a solid and loving family.
I use my art and jewelry to honor the things that mean the most to me, including the outdoors. Nature comes in many forms, but the twig is a classic. It is simple and recognizable. I have found that wearing it as jewelry shows that you are "down to earth" (literally!), but it also shows that you are a classic beauty. Molding and casting twigs has given me a visual language that I can relate to many people with. Many of us have our own memories associated with twigs. I love that my designs with twigs can mean so much to many different people.
Line and drawing have always been an important design element for me. The linear aspect of a twig makes it the perfect "line" to create jewelry with! You can fine my illustrated studies of the twig through my website, business and life in pen and ink, metal and even as tattoos!
Live your art, right!? That is what I aim to do every day.
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In this photo, you will see Ryan's sculpture on a rock base in front of my jewelry store and art studio at 547 Perry Avenue in the Village of West Greenville. Ryan previously made my Kate Furman Studio sign you can see on my building in the background.
This sculpture is actually for sale. Once it is sold, Ryan will replace it. So we have dubbed this a rotating exhibition. More public art in Greenville is never a bad thing!
If you want to take a peek in person, swing by!
"I love the organic and sculptural feel of Kate’s jewelry. I especially identify with the coastal influence in her jewelry because I grew up not far from the coast. Her jewelry is so versatile. I can layer different pieces from her collections as well as mix and match with my other jewelry. It is a joy to wear her pieces!
“Whenever I want to add a unique piece of jewelry to my collection, I always go straight to Kate Furman's jewelry store! If she doesn’t have exactly what I’m looking for, she always comes up with just the design I had in mind.”
The Twig Heart was a hit! Not only did my mom love it, but so did everyone who saw my post. I loved it too because it so simply illustrated my love of nature. I became so intrigued, that one day I started drawing it on paper and later on t-shirts and even on my skin!
Come to shop for my twig heart in my Greenville, SC jewelry store!
]]>My mom is a painter and artist, so I was surrounded by art as a child. My dad is a businessman. He began a successful commercial real estate company. When I discovered metal jewelry classes at the Fine Art Center, a high school program in Greenville, SC, I realized it was the perfect route for me to combine my love of art with my interest in business (both clearly passed down from my parents). I loved that jewelry was portable, wearable, sturdy, ageless and involved so many skills, tools and techniques to make. And so it began!
I received my BFA from UGA and my MFA from RISD both in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. In between schooling I worked as a whitewater raft guide and immersed myself in nature as much as possible. I worked for jewelers in New York City and in Greenville, SC, where I currently reside.
Now I work full time in my jewelry store and art studio and teach classes at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts. I am living my dream! I get to continue learning and challenging myself as well as handmaking luxury, high end jewelry and art that gets to last for generations to come. I love making non traditional engagement rings, artisan wedding rings and non diamond engagement rings.
Through my experiences as woman who has been divorced and now happily remarried, I have learned that self-love is important. I know that I can treat myself to something that makes me feel happy and confident. I deserve it, as you do. And I know that I can make you the perfect piece that is as unique and quality as you are. I am looking forward to meeting you, so please reach out!
This is me with my husband, Ben. This picture was taken at Pawleys Island, SC.
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