Kate Eickelberg

Kate earned a BFA in sculpture from Pratt Institute and worked as a production assistant for some wonderful jewelers afterwards. The years as a modern apprentice were an incomparable learning experience that she draws on in her own creative life. Kate is particularly interested in exploring the idea of preciousness; the things we’ve collectively agreed have value and those that are special just to a few of us. She pairs traditional goldsmithing techniques with found and given objects that aren’t usually noticed for their beauty, such as steel ball bearings and antique iron nails, designing thoughtful pieces with a different perspective. Kate is delighted by engineering the interactive parts of her pieces; wearing them is as much about the tactile quality as the refined aesthetic.

Kate feels very lucky to live and work in beautiful Oakland, California, where there is a strong, welcoming community of makers.