Introducing Arcatus jewelry and accessories for cause. We teamed up with Kate Wilkonson, jewelry designer and owner of Arcatus jewelry, to bring you an exclusive line of beautiful jewelry – essential for accessorizing this fall and 100% inspired by a cause for good – Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the dream of finding a cure for childhood cancer.  So here’s the deal on Arcatus and the jewelry we love to wear right now.

arcatus earrings and necklace

We at ahlivv have all been sporting our new and exclusive  line of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Inspired jewelry for some time.  Those pieces, along with Kate’s original line of totally unique and colorful jewelry – never fail to get noticed.  The more our friends and family see what Kate has made, the more we all hear ” Wow. That girl has talent.”  Indeed, she does.  So if you pay attention, you may just notice there’s something a little different about Arcatus jewelry and the way Kate combines shapes and colors, textures and movement.  She brings stones on a ring to life.  She makes metal have a kind of personality! More than just inspired, Arcatus jewelry is that inspiration come to life.

So, I met up with Kate on a hot, muggy summer day.  We drank green tea smoothies at a local Denver eat and perused her collection in a local showroom.  Then we got down to the brains behind this beauty and her incredible jewelry line.  Find out what Kate and Arcatus had to say when that green tea went to my head and I wanted to know the truth behind t

Me, ahlivv: Bottom line,Kate.  You have to been inspired to design and sculpt jewelry.  Right?! Otherwise it’s just the same old crap.  So, what inspires you and how do you find that inspiration in a world of cheap knock offs?

Her, Kate: (Subtle unbothered laugh)  I find a lot of my inspiration in nature.  The texture of bark on a tree, the slight assymetrical nature of a branch.  Though most of the time I just let my mind wander and think of new ways to combine textures, colors, shapes.  I love sleeping because lots of times I’ll dream up a new idea.

Me, ahlivv: So you aren’t afraid of the world of Crap?

Her, Kate: Oh, thats funny.  Truthfully, I remember when I was in college studying fashion.  I found myself with zero inspiration and felt like everything I made, like everything out there was crap.  I woke up one morning after spending the night dreaming of a fashion show.  There in the show, were these beautiful garments and edgy designs that eluded me in an awake state.  I was overcome by frustration because it didnt’ make a bit of sense – why? Why could I dream these amazing and splendid products when I couldn’t come up with that kind of thing on my own.  Then I realized that I had come up with them, just not during daylight hours.  That was pretty cool.  And so I love to dream.

Me, ahlivv: How did the company part go? I mean, you have these great ideas and then you want to make your own line of jewelry.  So, how did you get started – how did you come up with the name Arcatus?And what does it mean?

Her, Kate: Truthfuly, when I decided to do this. To really do this, the hardest part was picking a name.  I didn’t want to use mine as I felt like I didn’t want my name to be tied to any one thing or things.  The words and combinations I came up with were… well, pretty bad.  And the feedback was crazy – If one person liked it another would hate it.  Then one day, my friend emailed em and said only “perhaps Arcatus?”  He’s a poet and a wordsmith and had been creating combinations of words for me for awhile at that point.  So that is Arcatus – essentially a quiet place for reflection and meditation.  I love that and, of course, the fact that the name was created by someone so dear to me.

Me, ahlivv: Don’t worry, we will get the dish on him later. How about this jewelry thing? How did you start this endeavor to become a jewelry artist?

Her, Kate: Officially a few years.  But truthfully, forever.  It’s in my blood.  My Mom started me beading when I was little.  It’s the type of thing you just know.

Me, ahlivv:  And with that dna, you have produced such an inspired line of jewelry.  So of all of the many pieces you have, what is your favorite piece and why?

Her, Kate: The large, sculpted leaves have become my staple piece.  I wear them almost everyday.  They are classic., symbolic, meaningful and natural.  I love that they can be fancy or a little fun add to spice up Mondays.

Me, ahlivv: Truthfully those get so many comments.  Elegant, subtle.  But bold and sassy.  So what types of mediums (materials and metal) do you usually use? And what types of things – styles, objects, materials – are you interested in?

Her, Kate: I typically use Argentium Silver because it is the same a Sterling silver but tarnishes less quickly.  That and 14K gold fill.  I steadily fall more in love with copper.  And I am a huge fan of Silver plated antique platters.  I love the engraving, design and history inherited within them.

Me, ahlivv:  From antique platters to nature and silver and gold, why is your jewelry different?

Her, Kate: Wow, that’s a tough one.  I make pieces to be worn all the time. Pieces that are elegant yet funky and maybe just a little “off,” in a good way of course!

Me, ahlivv:  Haleluyah! We love that.  That “off”-ness is the backbone of innovation.  If you can admit it, you are probably half way there.  Ok – so who else is off? I mean, who is your style icon or that one person you look up to in jewelry design?

Her, Kate: I wouldn’t say that I have a style icon, or “off” icon for that matter.  I try to utilize what I like and what I find comfortable.

Me, ahlivv: And what does that look like? Or rather, how would you characterize the style of your jewelry? (and what about your own personal style?)

Her, Kate: Modern, contemporary, hopefully innovative.  My personal style is pretty lo key.  Fun, funkier pieces paired with jeans and hoodies.  I no fan of shorts so I try to rock skirts and dresses as much as I can in the summer.  And always one or a few pieces of cool , kind of out there jewelry.  Love the statement pieces.

Me, ahlivv: Who do you look up to in the jewelry field?

Her, Kate: There are lines that I love, people that do things differently.  I believe that if you want people to support and respect what you do, you need to do the same.  Buy a piece from someone who’s style like you like, even if you can go home and make it yourself.  I think it makes things that much more special.  It’s a pretty bad feeling when someone knocks off your style and it takes business away from you.

Me, ahlivv: Enough shop talk, what do you like to do for fun?

Her, Kate: I love to see live music, be outdoors.  Snowboard and do yoga.  But my favorite is making things!! I’m have come to realize that I am not that good at sitting there doing nothing, so I try to always be producing something.

Me, ahlivv:  Besides the fact that you are hot off Burning Man (don’t worry we won’t let that slide – updates to follow, right Kate? ),  anything else you would like to tell us and ahlivv girls about you and your beautiful creations? Anything and everything worth knowing and loving about Arcatus?

Her, Kate: Thanks.Thanks for your support!  It feels nice to have you stylie, modern, confident ladies behind me!

Me, ahlivv: DITTO to that!

And so that’s that. Kate and Arcatus in a nutshell. Well not really. We will be adding tons of Arcatus love to the ahlivv Shop as months progress.  Right now we are thrilled to partner with an amazingly talented woman to raise money for childhood cancer research and the dream of finding a cure.

So don’t fret, if you havent’ bought your Alex’s Lemonade inspired jewelry – accessories for good – don’t worry – you can still shop at ahlivv.com for accessories for good.

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