We recently connected with Katherine Leanne and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

To me, it always feels like the project I’m currently working on is the most meaningful one I’ve ever done. I pour my whole heart and soul into everything I make.

Right now, my biggest project is my ‘Charm of the Month Club.’ Each month, I hand-forge a new charm and design custom packaging to complement it. This project flawlessly combines my love of metalsmithing with my graphic design background. Here are a few examples:

The Charm: A brass fortune cookie | The Packaging: A Chinese takeout container with my branding, filled with lo mein made from yarn and felt. The charm is attached to a fortune and presented inside the container.

The Charm: A brass and copper pizza slice | The Packaging: A tiny, realistic pizza box with my branding, complete with a faux grease stain on the bottom.

The Charm: A miniature brass farfalle (bowtie) pasta | The Packaging: A pasta box designed to resemble one you’d find on a store shelf, printed with my branding and featuring a small cellophane window that displays the charm. This one has become my best seller!

I had always dreamed of offering a subscription, maybe a mystery box of some kind. I never imagined how much effort I’d put into it each month, but when I see the final product all assembled, it’s absolutely worth it!

Katherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! My name is Katherine Leanne. It may be a little cliché to say that I live and breathe art, but there it is!

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. My mom and grandma taught me how to hand-sew when I was just 4, and I learned to use a sewing machine by the time I was 7. At 16, I stumbled into graphic design by making flyers for my friends’ bands. My mom loves sewing, crocheting, and beading, while my dad works with wood and steel. Being surrounded by art in every form at a young age inspired me to explore every medium I could get my hands on.

In 2012, I graduated from my local community college with an associate degree in graphic design while working at a small print shop. In 2016, I took a 5 day metalsmithing workshop – a medium I had always admired but never had the chance to try. From the moment I shaped the metal and used the torch, I knew I found my passion.

Today, I’m a metalsmith who creates wearable art. My designs are often inspired by nature and whimsy, with pieces that celebrate the beauty in the unusual. I work primarily with sterling silver, brass, copper, and recycled materials, carefully crafting each piece to be both meaningful and playful.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is my “Charm of the Month Club.” Every month, I hand-forge a new charm and design custom packaging to go along with it. It’s the perfect blend of my metalsmithing skills and graphic design background, allowing me to create immersive, realistic, and mundane but fun pieces of art. Some of my recent charms include a tiny copper worm, a slice of pizza, and a copper vinyl record. I love seeing how these pieces bring smiles to people’s faces and spark conversations.

What sets my work apart is the heart I put into every detail. I believe jewelry can be more than an accessory – it can be a story, a memory, or a piece of wearable joy. I’m passionate about making art that’s attainable for everyone, so more people can experience the delight of wearing something handmade and unique.

Whether you’re a collector of charms, a lover of all things whimsical, or someone who appreciates one-of-a-kind pieces, I hope my work brings a little magic into your world!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

To me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is knowing my work will make someone’s day a little brighter. Seeing someone light up because a piece reminds them of a happy memory or just makes them smile is the best feeling.

I love that every charm I make tells a little story. Maybe it’s a copper worm that brings someone back to digging in the garden as a kid, or a pizza slice charm that reminds them of late-night laughs with friends. Knowing my creations become part of someone’s story is incredibly rewarding.

Being an artist also means I’m always learning and growing. Every project challenges me to try something new and get better at my craft. Sharing my art and seeing the happiness it brings makes all the effort so worth it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal as an artist is so simple: I love creating. I love working with my hands. And I REALLY love that people love my work enough to spend their hard-earned money on it, helping me keep my bills paid. I don’t have dreams of becoming a millionaire – I dream of being able to support myself while doing what I love. So far, it’s working out really well!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katherineleanne.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherine_leanne_designs