Jewelry Designer and Metalsmith
Karen Klinefelter is a Vermont artist who began working in metals as an apprentice nearly twenty years ago. After a rewarding long-term position as assistant to award-winning jewelry designer Timothy Grannis, Karen established her own studio in 1999. Her jewelry is inspired primarily by patterns and textures in nature and in manmade objects.


Flutter Earrings
Delicate earrings on ear wires, with a crosshatch pattern.
Available in sterling silver or 18k gold.
$140 / $890

About the Jewelry
"I started out creating jewelry for myself. My life is active and outdoors as much as possible. I want pieces that are easy and comfortable, yet unique. They need to go everywhere I do. I don't want to be taking them off for a yoga class or to ski. I'd like to make everyone's favorite pair of earrings!"


Wrist Wrap Silver & Leather Bracelet
Decorated sterling silver provides the perfect complement to this adjustable colored leather cuff.
Fits up to a 7.5" wrist.
$210

The Thai Jewelry Collection
"This collection began after an experience in Bangkok in 1998. I had only two days left of my journey before I had to return home. I was wandering the streets of Bangkok trying to absorb as much as possible of the incredibly rich street scene in the short time I had left.

"I came across a street vendor with interesting jewelry and fell in love with one particular ring. Typical of my usual conservative nature, I decided to sleep on it and make my decision the following day, my last day in Thailand. The next day, I walked down the street in anticipation of seeing the ring again. I rounded the corner only to find that the vendor had not returned that day.

"I returned home with the ring in my mind's eye and recreated the image. The ring and the process have given me such great pleasure that I continue to add to the collection. The designs remind me of elements of the overwhelming energy and intense visual feasts of the cities of Thailand."


Cube Earrings
Cast and hand fabricated earrings on ear wires.
Available in sterling silver or 18k gold.
$100 / $1100

Third world travel is Karen's favorite opportunity to gather inspiring visuals. Studio time often consists of creating collages of several elements, then breaking the complex designs down into their simplest strongest components revealing the final design.

"Most of my third world travel has been in Asia. Nepal is my favorite place on earth. I've also traveled in India, Thailand, haiti and Chile. Most of the cultures I've experienced have ancient aesthetics that are rich in color and pattern. They tend to be very busy..and probably somewhat the antithesis of my minimalist designs. However, the lifestyles of the people who live in the more rural villages in these countries are very minimal by necessity. They live very modestly and sparsely. Most of them have very little and yet they have faith and value for what they do have. They inspire my 'less is more' design sense."