Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Brackett.
Kat, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains in a small town called Boulder Creek. My parents we always very supportive of me being an artist as they both have creative backgrounds. I remember taking a bracelet making class when I was about 9 years old…and that helped create my love/addiction for making and wearing lots of jewelry.
Years later I sort of lost touch with making jewelry and I specifically remember enjoying making signs for a yard sale my Mom was having when I was about 12. Making the signs sparked so much joy which landed me on the career path I later went to college for.
I graduated college with an associate in Graphic design in 2005 and moved to San Diego where I pursued a graphic designer position with a body jewelry manufacturer, which was a total dream job of mine. The company sadly went out of business three months after I started working there. I had trouble finding another job and ended up landing a sales position with a very large Bead and Jewelry supply store where I reignited my love for making jewelry. While working for the Bead Store I began to make jewelry again and started teaching classes and repairing jewelry for customers. I love it so much I started making jewelry at home and remember sitting on the floor in mine and my husband’s very first apartment…where I made a pair of spiral earrings. I showed them to him and said I can totally make and sell these. He responded with an eye roll and a “mhmm okay”. The next day I sold the earrings off of myself to a customer at the bead store. I came home and showed my husband the twenty dollar bill and said “bam!, I told you I could do it”.
That sale gave me the fire to continue learning different jewelry making techniques and stones. I also found that a co worker of mine had been working on the side for a local jewelry designer and was getting paid to duplicate designs. I was so excited to find out that was even a thing! That night I went on craigslist, found a designer who was hiring for a jewelry production artist. I sent off my resume and was asked to come in for an interview. I was hired just a few days later. I quit my job at the bead store and started working in Encinitas, where I immediately fell in love with a 9-5 making jewelry. I learned to make jewelry for retailers around the world. I also quickly became the buyer for all of the gemstones and materials we used to make the jewelry which helped me to quickly learn that I was skilled enough to have a similar business of my own, with my own designs. Just short of a year into my job, I was let go. It was 2008 and the economy was really tough.
My husband and I decided to move back home to Santa Cruz where I found a job with a bridal Jewelry designer. I continued to make my own jewelry designs on the side when one day a co worker of mine offered me a space on one of her tables at an event where she was going to sell her own designs. My first pop up even was in 2010 on a 2ft by 2ft space on a friends table…. I have been doing pop-ups and growing my business ever since.
From that small table to Art and Wine festivals and more I designed my own website. I was skilled in graphic design and able to design and make all of my own graphics and more. I’ve had a few business names, but Haus of Metal was the name I landed on and was really beginning to make a name for myself locally. Stores were starting to ask to carry my line and sales online were growing when I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to invest in my business. We moved forward with the partnership which unfortunately lasted just shy of 5 months. Our relationship ended and the business name went with it. The current name ” Nomad West” (TM) was born and My husband and I moved back to San Diego. The name change was a total blessing in disguise. Business is better than ever and as of November 2017 I am officially self-employed.
Now about my designs. They come from the heart and are inspired by my unique style. I am also certified in Reiki and crystal healing and each piece is attuned with loving and healing energy for the wearer. I include semi-precious stones that I feel drawn to and I am working on a collection that includes some esoteric symbology.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a self-taught jewelry designer. Each piece is handmade by me out of brass and some include semi-precious stones. I find inspiration in my surroundings as well as Egyptian art. As I mentioned before, I am a reiki practitioner and I attune my jewelry to assist the wearer on their journey. I have received comments from friends and customers who say my designs bring them a sense of peace, love and calm when they wear them. Inspiring them to never want to take them off at times. I create these unique pieces with love and I love the way they make people feel when they put them on.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Success to me is sharing my gift with the world and through my gift I am able to help myself and others heal. The most essential quality that has helped me to achieve success is passion. You don’t need to be a salesman to be successful, you need to show that you’re passionate.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Over the last year I had signed up to do every pop-up event possible. This year I have decided to step back and focus on the wholesale and online side of my business. You can shop online and find a list of Retailers nationwide on our website: www.NomadWest.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NomadWest.com
- Email: contact@nomadwest.com
- Instagram: @nomadwest
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomadwestdesign
- Twitter: @nomad_west
Image Credit:
Sarah McAllister – The Empress Photography ( image with model in floral outfit)
Kat Waterman – ( Model with shaved head )
Chris Ace Photography – (Model in ripped jeans)
Sarah D. Photography – (Model in yellow)
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
