kycrilly

Hi. I'm Ky.
In case you're wondering what "Ky" stands for - it's short for "Kyra" (kai-rah).
But I lived most of my childhood and adult life with people pronouncing my name wrong (keer-rah).
I don't know why my mother didn't go with the norms and decide to pronounce it like most Keer-rahs, but she also picked my name from a Harlequin romance novel. So there you go.
One day I had the brilliant idea to start signing my name with a more simplified version (Ky) and just like that - people started pronouncing my name the way my mother had intended.

I then started looking at other ways to simplify my life in a more mindful manner. Soon my wardrobe, my beauty routine, my daily activities - even my designing - all became a quest for paring down. But removing the mental and physical clutter in my life didn't mean things had to be boring. On the contrary - I discovered a new richness and pureness that comes from a minimalist approach to pretty much everything.
I now savor each piece of clothing in my wardrobe. I find joy in using a fresh handmade bar of organic soap made with three ingredients. I love the feel of the matte shino glaze on my go-to teamug.

Hence my shop, "Ky" was born!
I have been designing and handcrafting jewelry and ceramics since 2009 - and as the awareness of how our actions impact the planet and those around us has grown - so have I. There is this movement of awakening and consciousness around everything we do and how it affects our lives and others - I can only describe it as a sort of "mindfulness". And its precisely how I want to live my personal life and run my business.

Low Impact Metal Smithing:
Traditionally, metal smithing involves many processes that use harmful chemicals and has a negative impact on the environment. We used to think that to have pretty shiny things, it was just the price we had to pay.
I think we can do better than that.
Buying local, buying less (yes I am saying this even though I am running a business!) means that maybe over time there won't be such a need for mass manufacturing.
And less chemicals! This is the heart of my personal mantra.
My small workshop uses no harmful chemicals in the handcrafting of my jewelry - and I stay away from finishing processes that use wasteful materials. That's why every piece I make is finished by hand sanding techniques and dry polishing - using no chemical polishing agents to achieve an organic silvery texture. I use citric acid, baking soda and white vinegar instead of chemical pickles and fluxing agents during the metal smithing process of each piece.
Why use real silver and gold?
A well crafted piece of solid silver and gold jewelry will literally last a lifetime. It's not plated, coated or dipped - I love the simplicity of working with these raw materials.
Our raw material comes from electronic waste that has been recycled and refined into solid gold and silver. How cool is it that precious metals can be recovered from old cell phones, coffee makers, computers and other electronic equipment to be repurposed into fine jewelry?
That means your Ky pieces are 100% sustainable, ethical and infinitely recyclable.

So with all this - I think it's very possible to own high quality affordable everyday pieces that work with your carefully curated wardrobe and your minimal lifestyle.
Pieces that are timeless but still make a statement - designs that keep sustainability in mind and a handcrafted process that has a low impact on our precious planet.

But just pick a few. It's all you need, really.

With love,
Ky