Meet Kathleen Groppe | Ranch manager and jewelry designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathleen Groppe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My career path has taken several turns along the way. I would describe my professional life as scientist (molecular ecologist), turned homeschool teacher, turned ranch owner and jewelry designer. My path has always been passion based. I discovered the world of gemstones and jewelry design while I was recovering from a relatively major surgery in 2004. My mother, who was caring for me at the time, brought me a stack of Sundance catalogs. I poured over the catalogs for hours at a time wishing to create each and every piece of jewelry in them. Around the same time my sister-in-law won a gorgeous red coral necklace in a drawing at Neiman Marcus. I coveted her necklace but knew I could not afford to buy one for myself. Not long after my surgery I found myself in a bead shop in San Antonio. I was overwhelmed by hundreds of strands of gemstones, each calling my name. My passion for stones was ignited that day and has only grown over the years.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was lucky enough to set up shop on Etsy just two years after its inception. In those days I could look at every piece of jewelry listed. I printed out photos of my favorites and studied their design- color combinations, texture, findings, etc.. I never copied other pieces (not even my beloved Sundance pieces) but I was inspired by them. Eventually, I develop my own style which tends to be simple and minimalistic (like the decor in my home). I rarely use complicated patterns. I let the stones speak for themselves. The pieces I make span the range from delicate gold and gemstone, to southwestern, to big statement pieces. Most have only one focal point. It may be a great pendant or a specially cut stone. I allow the eye of audience rest on that focal point rather than try to take in multiple elements.

My work is informed by my life experience. I have been blessed to have spent a good 20 years of my life traveling frequently. I spent 7 years living in Switzerland while earning my doctorate at the University of Basel. On the weekends my husband and I would travel to the Alps to hike or ski. There I would soak in the indescribable beauty of nature and at the same time study the style of European women, which tends to be classic and understated. I also traveled to many of the great cities of Europe- Berlin, Prague, Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Venice, Copenhagen to name a few. I studied style in great department stores, in little boutiques and on the streets.

Being raised in costal California, and having traveled to many great beaches, I gravitate toward shells, pearls and coral in my jewelry. These days though, instead of buying freshly harvested coral I repurpose vintage coral beads.

In 2011 my husband and I purchased a piece of land south of Dallas, Texas. We renovated the land and purchased adjacent parcels to create what would become Lake Trail Ranch. It is a small (by Texas standards) cattle ranch. These days my work is heavily influenced by the southwestern style favored by women ranchers like myself. I use buckets of turquoise in my work, as well as repurposed Native American vintage pendants.

For a short while, after I was tapped by Zulilly, an online department store, to be featured in their flash sales, I scaled up my jewelry production. I hired a manager and 35 jewelry creators and together we produced and sold thousands of pieces per week. It was fast and furious and fun, but, in the end I badly missed creating one of a kind pieces of jewelry. Eventually I went back to being the sole creator of my work. I am still passionate about creating jewelry and can’t wait to get to my studio each day to “work”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first day we would start in the Bishop Arts District. We would have lunch at Lockharts (if my guest craved barbecue) or at Paridiso.(if we wanted Mediterranean food). After lunch we would visit some of the multitude of trendy shops there. We would also have a foot reflexology massage at YaYa foot spa. We would end the day at Trinity Groves for either drinks or dessert. The second day we would have lunch at The Dove’s Nest in Waxahachie. Later we would shop at the various antique stores and boutiques near the old square. The third day we would take a road trip to Waco to visit Chip and Joanna Gaines Magnolia compound. We would have lunch at Magnolia Table. After lunch we would head to BSR surf resort to watch world class surfers ride epic waves from a beachside cabana. The fourth day we would visit the Dallas Museum of Art. After viewing the exhibits we would have a lite lunch under the massive Chihuly sculpture. We would then visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science for the afternoon. We would have dinner at the Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse on Ross Street downtown. The fifth day we would go to Fort Worth to visit the Kimball and the Amon Carter Art Museums. We would then head to the Fort Worth Stockyards Hotel for lunch. After lunch we would head to Maverick’s Fine Western Wear, among other Stockyard shops, for some shopping. The sixth day we would head to the North Park mall in Dallas for some lunch at Eataly and some more shopping. Later we would luxuriate at the Waterpark at The Hilton Anatole. For dinner we would take in the view of Dallas from the Anatole’s Seer Restaurant on the 23rd floor of the tower. The last day we would spend at our ranch. We would pet horses, visit cows, ride the 4 wheel drive vehicle around the property, make lunch in the wood fired pizza oven, take a dip in the “cowboy cool pool” and finally we would do a little fishing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have had many mentors along the way. I have a special place in my heart for my friend Aaronetta Pierce from San Antonio, Texas. She thought enough of my skills as an artist to commission a special piece for her dear friend Maya Angelou to wear to Oprah Winfrey’s Headliners and Legends luncheon in 2006. Her doing so was one of the greatest honors she could have given me.

Website: ofearth.etsy.com

Instagram: kathleengroppe

Facebook: Kathleen Groppe