Meet Kate Wilkonson of Arcatus Jewelry in Highlands

Years later, I ended up moving to Bend, Oregon to work for a jewelry designer. Production was mostly large scale wire wrapping orders which went out to companies like BCBG and Anthropologie. Having to place weighted heating pads on my hands after 14 hour days in an attempt to get my fingers to straighten out took its toll. So, after a nudge from the family, I made the decision to go back to school to learn more traditional metalsmithing techniques. Off to San Francisco, I went where I studied at The Revere Academy.

It was in a very informal workshop in Denver while learning to carve wax, when I feel like I first learned the language that I’d been seeking. It was that skill that finally made me feel like I could get into the world the ideas that my brain was dreaming up.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ha! No, I would not at all say that it’s been a smooth road. More of a winding mountainous road with many roadblocks to encounter. Battles such as self-doubt, worth and trusting my vision often arise. That makes me think of a conversation I once had with My Dad. He acknowledged that the path of an artist is not like the one of a businessman or lawyer, it’s not linear. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still trying to be ok with finding the beauty in that and not getting stuck in comparison. I think I know in my heart that those diversions create depth and experience and at the end of the day, I think those are beautiful things.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Arcatus Jewelry – what should we know?
I am passionate about custom work because, being a minimalist at heart, I often struggle with the idea of putting more ‘things’ into the world. So, I place my emphasis on creating pieces that have more intention and more story behind them. The hope is that together we can co-create heirlooms that feel timeless and sentimental as opposed to ‘on trend’ or easily disposable.

I love that it feels like I am truly co-creating with my customers. They often let me into some of the sweetest and deepest parts of themselves and their lives. It could be a piece that honors a relationship they had with their grandmother. Or, talking through typical jewelry processes with a man who is nervous and ready to propose. Each piece becomes something unique and that is such an incredible journey to get to be a part of. It feels like this work helps create connections and I think the world needs more of that right now.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
One of my challenges with jewelry is that it can be pretty solitary. You encounter a lot of people with home studios or who work on off-hours so people that speak your language are rare. I’d like to give a shout out to Cheyenne Hughes whose company is Beast of Burden here in Denver. He does a great job of trying to get us all together and form a community from the solitude.

Shannon Vogel was a friend I met years ago on a work trip and from day one, she’s always been one of my biggest supporters. Talk about a huge heart and willingness to share her experience. She’s been a soul sister and ally from the first moment.

Another person that I’d like to recognize would be Gabe Ratliff. An old and dear friend who has taken it upon himself to be a steward for us creatives who sometimes have a hard time talking about our work. He recently started a podcast called The Artful Entrepreneur and I head there when I’m in need of inspiration.

Often when I travel, I come home wishing that I called somewhere else home. It never fails though, that when I walk out of yoga studio and see a friend or run into someone on the street that I recognize how lucky I am to have such community here. There are many people who support this process and I just wish I could recognize them all by name.