KATHY’S CREATIONS CURRENTLY OFFERS CABOCHONS WRAPPED
IN STERLING SILVER AND 14K GOLD FILL, BRACELETS, AND RINGS.
Earrings are still on the back burner. She’s excited about returning to the lapidary
school this month for a course strictly on bracelets. She has wrapped some Spanish
Reales, coins and some china, as well. “I can also cage an item, such as a marble or
a small shell or crystal.”
Generally, customers choose stones from what Kathy has in stock. Her
suppliers are from all over the world, so there is no guarantee of getting two
identical pieces in the same sizes much less the identical same color or pattern.
“In stones, each pattern is unique to that stone, thus no two will be identical.
If someone wants me to get a specific stone in a specific color/shape, it may be possible; but, if I have to order it, it could take a month or six weeks to get it.”
People love Kathy’s designs because they are one-of-a-kind and high
quality… And, they’re made by hand with lots of love. Her husband had a design room built for her at their home two years ago. “I can go back there into my
own little world… A place of calm, a place of peace. When that room was built –
even before I started designing and getting set up – I asked God to anoint it. No
matter how stressed I am, I can go to that room and there is peace.”
Customer favorites seem to be the cabochons. Kathy shares, “The crazy lace
agates are always attractive, as well, because the design of the natural stones
and color comes in such a variety. I’m also partial to Malachite, which is a
stunning emerald green banded stone.” Her personal favorite so far has been a
sliced druzy agate that had a crystal column down the middle. “I wrapped it in gold
and held my breath the entire time. It was one of my first pieces. I was stunned by
the natural beauty of the stone itself and felt honored to be able to wrap it. Some
stones just humble me. If the beauty of the stones that we see here on earth dazzle
me, what will the walls of Heaven be like? I love buying new stones, taking something
simple and plain, turning it into a piece to be desired.” Depending on the size of
each item, the complexity of the design, and how much wire is needed, it typically
takes about one and a half hours to make each piece. Sometimes, Kathy also uses
Swarovski crystal accents.
Her greatest reward is seeing the expression on someone’s face when they wear
one of Kathy’s Creations for the first time. Also, she loves it when men are astounded
by their beauty. “It makes me proud, thankful, and humble at the same time.”
Kathy Riggan has lived in Florence for the past 36 years. Originally from Four
Oaks, North Carolina, Kathy is married to Ed, and together they have four children: Mary Patterson (Tucson, AZ), John Paul Patterson (Buffalo, NY), Tim Riggan
(Fredericksburg, VA), and Shannan Kelly (Greenville, SC).
SHEMAGAZINE.COM
APRIL 2016
97