Central Connecticut's Green Jewelers
Caroline and Al Krafcik create jewelry from recycled metals
Caroline and Al Krafcik are a jewelry-making couple who live and work in Connecticut. Beyond The RockZ consists of Al making jewelry and Caroline running the online business. Caroline and Al both love vintage jewelry and repurpose it in every way imaginable. They restore heirloom and vintage pieces, either faithfully or with a twist, and they integrate vintage metal and stones into entirely new pieces. Not only is their use of materials good for the environment, it helps to keep precious jewelry in the family---in one form or another. This is a particular plus for brides and grooms who are looking to keep their weddings like Kermit: green and sentimental. They've answered some questions for us about inspiration and reuse in a down economy.
How did you get into making jewelry and how has your business changed over the years?
Al: As far as I can remember, discovering and collecting stones,shells and unusual finds have always been exciting. I remember as a young child spending hours drawing plans for making imaginative characters out of modeling clay before working with it...I've dedicated close to 30 years now within the fine jewelry business mostly as a goldsmith and diamond setter as well as diamond and fine gemstone buyer, and for a short time overseeing a production facility. Right now it’s our growing online presence that I’m finding to be the most challenging and exciting.
Caroline: For both of us childhood experiences are very much a part of who we are artistically. When I was little, I enjoyed creating dollhouses from cardboard boxes, fabric remnants and found objects. When we were first married I would do restringing work for Al, which happened to beat the same time I was involved in gemstone bead collecting. Those are still organized in a stack of clear boxes, waiting to be strung because I think it was collecting the beads that excited me the most! A few years ago we lost our bernese mountain dog to cancer, and I needed the therapy of a new project. I spent months figuring out a way to create reversible pendants, combining mixed media and photographs of old stained glass, which Al and I both love. During that same time I learned simple website creating and discovered the satisfaction of putting work out there on the Internet.
Caroline: We both grew up in Fairfield County, but in different towns, so did not know each other as kids; however, summer days were very similar. We spent many summer afternoons searching for treasures on Short Beach in Stratford. Al's childhood shell collection in an old jewelry box is still intact. The thrill of a unique discovery, a special find: This is something we’ve always shared, and so we enjoy nature hikes, antique hunting, flea markets, old book stores, and we’re lucky that Connecticut is home to so much still waiting to be explored.
Al: Using antique tools to emboss images from the 1800s onto modern pieces that I hand create is something we think of as a special find. These antique tools are history in my hands. It's an incredible experience that we're excited to share with others. I design and fabricate the pieces, and Caroline is very much there with her what-if questions, ideas on the next piece and then also the details of the business side.
Has being environmentally conscious helped you gain traction on the web?
Al: Traction is taking time, but we do get regular questions about the materials and processes used...There are a lot of people focused on minimizing their carbon footprint and making choices that will make a difference, and we are seeing more and more of this. On the web there are no overcrowded parking lots and stores. There's direct communication with either Caroline or me. We handle every facet. And I think contact with the artist makes for a more personal experience.
Caroline: We know the value of "made by hand" and believe in the small workshop where old-world craftsmanship still thrives.
Do you find that more customers, especially brides and grooms, are becoming more
concerned about the impact of their choices on the environment?
Why is your business called Beyond the RockZ?
Caroline: A few years ago we went to the Wadsworth Atheneum for a showing of Sam Wood's rediscovered silent feature, starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson, Beyond the Rocks. It was very enjoyable. The title stuck in our heads, and to us the words imply there's something to explore, a secret find ...
Al: And there's the double-meaning that there is something beyond the usual "rocks". It fits.
Send to friend
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Post new comment