Waterfront Jeweler Begging to be Different

Jeweler Designed For You set in the harbor for 20 years

By Scott Turner Gig Harbor Life Sunday, December 28, 2008

What do you get when you mix precious stones and metals with old-school craftsmanship?
Kit Kuhn, A Jeweler Designed For You.
Anyone that knows Kuhn, 47, knows that this guy’s a hoot and that he cares about his customers. Armed with a friendly demeanor, a eye for detail and a heart for creativity, it’s no wonder this Gig Harbor icon is celebrating his 20th year in the jewelry business. Kuhn’s downtown landmark shop has been a hubbub of activity for the custom-minded since he opened his doors and his heart to the harbor back in the late ‘80s. His love for his craft started in the seventh grade while living in Denver. Under the watchful eye of his art teacher he learned how to die-cast, make rings and jewelry boxes.

At the age of 13 he knew that making jewelry was in his future. “I had a jewelry class, but always found myself going back to it during lunch and after school. “That was back in the days that you could hang with the teacher, and I took advantage of that big time.” He started his business endeavors by making unique rings filled with crushed turquoise and corral. Kuhn said that he often sold them to a local jeweler for $9 who in turn would re-sell them for $18. Kuhn said his parents liked his boyish enthusiasm, but his father was constantly reminding him that he’d never make a living at being a jeweler.

A couple of years later he took jewelry classes at a college while attending high school, both in addition to re-visiting his middle school often, all during the same time period. Kuhn soon began using silver and started making pendants and more elaborate boxes that had hinges and clasps. “The stuff just sold because it was so different,” he added. In 1980 he got a scholarship to attend the Oakland-based California School of Arts and Crafts. “I only went there because of the scholarship, and the fact that my dad said I'd never do it. So I went there solely because I had to prove him wrong,” he said.

Through his 20s Kuhn traveled and learned. He worked with a top jeweler in Sweden that said if the young Kuhn could make a piece with a scenery scene that had five houses, five hills, a boat and a dock, he could have the job. He did. Kuhn made his way back to Oregon and went to a goldsmith school. He said he learned the skill of how to do a dirty job while he was dressed up in slacks and dealing with the public. “I also had to educate myself on working with people by talking to them and selling to them,” Kuhn added. He said that most artists don't know how to sell their own work. “You have to talk your work up and be enthusiastic. Even after I sell a piece of jewelry, I still keep talking about it because it comes from the passion of the heart, not just the sale.

After a handful of jobs where he didn’t really like selling, and almost going broke, he figured he’d give it a go at selling his own stuff full time. He told himself that he was going to move — one last time. He hit the harbor in 1988 with $5,000 in his pocket that would have to last him one year. “The money had to last until the sales of my jewelry started to kick in. He said that he could have taken another job to make ends meet, but knew that he’d be too tired after working all day to make jewelry in the evening. “I found a couple who said they’d give me free room and board if I would take care of their kids. So I was a Mr. Mom for a year.” Kuhn said, with laughter. He worked at making jewelry in the couple’s garage and sold it in malls and at art festivals. Soon he decided to open up his own store above what is now Spiros, he added. He got a small apartment across the harbor and paddled his kayak to work every day. In 1992, he moved into his present location right next door to Spiros. He said it was an advantageous move. Being on the street level afforded more foot traffic. Word of mouth soon fueled his business. Although his clientele blossomed, he stayed a one-man operation for the first couple of years. “I didn't want employees at the time because I didn’t want someone’s life dependent on me and my business in case something went wrong,” he added.

Anniversary year
Nowadays, Kuhn and his employees are celebrating the 20th anniversary of his A Jeweler Designed For You business. Kuhn credits his success to grassroots skills attained through apprenticeships with some of the best artisans in the world, and his knack of tell-it-like-it-is customer service (prowess). “Kit is very talented and kind, and is also a very generous citizen in our community,” customer Marcie Smith said. He also has a refreshing knack and willingness to work with and satisfy his customers, she added. Kuhn said his business is a tad different that all the rest. “We were jewelers 15 years before we ever had a store. “We weren't trained to do this because of a job or to make a store, it’s a passion for us and we love it,” he said. His well-lit store has as much moxie as his artsy jewelry and punchy humor. Rows of black walnut cabinets line the historic shop decked out with perfectly-placed gems of delight. With a wide variety of merchandise, Kuhn said he has something on hand for all tastes and price ranges. And if he doesn’t, he will make it. Between he and his two jewelers, his business is putting out some 30 custom pieces a month. A Jeweler Designed For You has a large inventory of colored stones, and direct resources to get almost anything his clients desire, he said. His business also does a lot of anniversary and wedding sets. “Seventy percent of what's in the store is made right here too. We have a good selection of items ranging from inexpensive ($18) gifts for friends, all the way up to $25,000 specialty pieces.” According to Kuhn, repeat customers are a key to success. He has some families with three generations of people that frequent the business. “We have a customer from the Key Pen that we do her jewelry, her mom's, and her daughter's. It's really neat to do different generations of the same family,” Kuhn added.

For some 20 years, Gig Harbor has been kind to him and his popular business. In January he held a huge formal thank you party for his customers as a way of giving back. “They love our work, and they keep coming back, this was a way of letting my friends know that we appreciate them. “Like our name says ... it's a jeweler designed for you. We give people options, but we truly listen to them,” Kuhn added with a smile.