Nature inspires three decades of jewelry creation

The Peninsula Gateway, 2006

Michelle Rogers-Moore

Local designer gives away jewelry at this month’s art walk

After designing jewelry for 32 years in the harbor, a lack of ideas is still not a problem for Kit Kuhn, owner of Kit — A Jeweler Designed For You.

It’s quite the opposite — he has so many ideas rushing through his mind any given week that he often forgets some before he has the chance to bring them to life.

Kuhn said he draws his ongoing inspiration primarily from his surroundings.
“A lot of times it comes from looking at nature,” he said.
Kuhn said it’s all about simplifying lines found in nature. Looking at the rings in a tree stump, Kuhn is able to focus on one slice of the stump and remove some of the lines, creating space for a few gems.

Negative space, as Kuhn calls it, is also something he works with. A lack of space in a piece of jewelry can be used to create its own design.

Whether spaces are full or void, it all comes back to the simple lines.
“When something’s very simple and clean, our eye actually moves through it,” Kuhn said.
He explained that most jewelry designs are too complex and that people aren’t able to truly see the art of the pieces.
To aid in creativity and originality, Kuhn said he will spend up to a month re-figuring a single shape.
“There’s thousands of possibilities,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn also experiments with gems and stones. He often sets stones flush with the jewelry because it gives the appearance of a single design. When a gem is set in prongs, it’s almost like looking at two separate pieces, he added.

Kuhn often sketches his ideas onto trace paper, makes several changes and then gives it to his two employees who also create jewelry at the downtown shop. He allows them to be involved in the design of a piece if they choose.

The trio is currently producing about 35 new pieces monthly, Kuhn said.
To see Kuhn’s work in action, visit this month’s downtown art walk,where Kuhn will be donating an original piece of jewelry, a sterling silver freeform pendant with a suspended 6 mm cultured pearl, he created just last week to one art walk participant who obtains a passport (at any downtown gallery) and fills it up from 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday, April 1. The prize is valued at approximately $100.

Last month’s winner from the passport drawing was Michael Kenyon of Olympia.
Artist demonstrations will take place during the art walk at the following galleries:
Ebb Tide Gallery, 3004 Harborview Drive, 851-5293. Featured artist: Joan Sain, acrylic/watercolor and Ellen Miffitt, 3D collage and precious metal clay jewelry.

Gallery Row, 3102 Harborview Drive, 851-6020. Featured artists: Marjorie Mankin, watercolor, collographs; Susan Apple, etchings and mixed media, watercolor, pen and ink; and Joy Alford, mixed media abstract paintings.

Kit – A Jeweler Designed For You, 3104 Harborview Drive, 851-5546. Featuring: 2 karat diamond in a bezel with 20 small diamonds surrounding, in an 18 karat gold pendent.

Water’s Edge Gallery and Framery, 7808 Pioneer Way, 858-7449. Featured artist: Sharon Carr, watercolor.
Birdnest Galleries and Framing, 7716 Pioneer Way, suite A, 857-6341. Featured artist: Renee Healy, watercolor.
Preuit Collection, 3115 Harborview Drive, 851-3792. Featured artist: Gayle Franko, dichroic glass jewelry designer.
Harbor Gallery, 3177 Harborview Drive, 851-8626. Featured artist: Ann Stockdale, silk, oil and watercolor.
Peacock Hill Gallery, 9106 Peacock Hill, 851-7336. Featuring: Oil paintings.

Reach Lifestyles coordinator Michelle Rogers-Moore at 853-9243 or by e-mail at michelle.rogers@gateline.com.