Meet Karen Edgerly of KarenEdgeStudio in Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Edgerly.

Karen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I discovered silversmithing when I was 13 years old, I took a class at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, where I grew up. I was hooked. I took jewelry classes all through high school and college, where I majored both in science and art. I then went on to be an environmental geologist and a science teacher. I taught for 20 years. My plan was to go back to silversmithing when I retired, but eight years ago a serious health issue changed my path. Faced with looking at my mortality, I knew I had to leave teaching and start the career I had wanted to do years before. I took a sabbatical and then classes at the community college in silversmithing. I took over my teenagers’ tv room and created a studio. And my business has grown organically from there, along with my health. It has been an amazing journey. I love what I do and the journey I am on.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would say it has been a relatively smooth road, but the struggles have been my own internal ones and in becoming a businesswoman. I have yearly goals to improve my silversmithing skills. I am constantly working on my skills. When you are in your own business, you are always learning how to best sell your work. The creative community has been incredible and always willing to help other creatives. At my first art show, it was 100 degrees outside and on concrete. Another artist came by and introduced herself and gave me pointers on how to set up my booth better for my next show. I am constantly learning from others.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the KarenEdgeStudio story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is making silver and gold jewelry. I like imperfection and for my work to say it was handmade. I majored in geology and love stones. So, almost all my pieces have precious and semi-precious stones set in them. I am so proud of how my company has grown in the eight years, I am now in three states and every year have added a new gallery. I feel that I am spilling out with ideas, I have wanted to do this for so long that new ideas and designs are always there. Some work, some don’t. I think what sets me apart is both my science and art mind. I see the jewelry from both sides of the brain, the perfection of setting tiny faceted stones to more random aspect of the fusing metals and seeing what pattern emerges. My jewelry has an organic classic feel.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My bad luck turned into good luck – when I first got sick I was in shock. I eat healthy, exercise, etc.. But because of my health I left teaching (which I had loved) and started my jewelry business. My health improved and my business has grown. All really good luck. I sometimes wonder if my body got sick to kick-me in the butt to start what I always wanted to.