What you’ll learn in this episode: Why every introverted artist should have a partner or patron to help them promote their work How Kent developed a line of reproduced pieces while maintaining his artistic passion and integrity Why young jewelers must have experience doing handwork and not just designing with CAD Why it’s important that jewelers make time to play, even if it won’t generate income How Kent has maintained his enthusiasm for the craft for decades About Kent Raible  Master goldsmith and jewelry designer Kent Raible first started working metal in 1973 in a high school jewelry class, and has since become one of the leading studio goldsmiths in the country. Largely self-taught, Kent sought out talented teachers over the years to learn different aspects of jewelry making, and also went abroad in the 1980s for two years of study in Germany. He always worked in his own studio, never apprenticed under a master, and over time developed a unique style of fabrication using eighteen karat gold, fabulous colored gemstones, and the ancient technique of granulation. His work has won many national and international awards, and has been featured in two important national exhibitions. The major neckpiece named Floating City is part of the permanent collection of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum, and his object called Pregnant Chalice was included in The Art of Gold, a survey of the work of eighty contemporary American studio goldsmiths that toured the country throughout 2005. Since the 1980s, Kent has also been teaching his craft through workshops at various institutions such as the Penland school of Arts and Crafts in South Carolina and the Revere Academy in San Francisco, California. Kent currently resides in Washington state with his wife and partner, Lynn. Additional Links: Website 1stDibs Instagram Facebook Photos: Captured Universe AJDC Theme project Tension Cosmic Clam Ring 2004 AJDC Theme project Hidden Treasure Floating City 1991 Permanent Collection American Art Museum, Smithsonian Floating City Closeup Crystal Sky City 2020 AJDC Theme project Secret Garden Floating City 2002 From the Deep Side view showing clasp From the Deep 2015 Saul Bell Award 1st place winner Transcript: Kent Raible is living proof of the adage that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. He’s spent nearly all his life honing his talents as an award-winning goldsmith, favoring ancient techniques and creating jewelry that inspires him rather than jewelry that’s trendy. He joined the Jewelry Journey Podcast to talk about how he learned his skills, why his wife and business partner Lynn was crucial for the development of his business, and why he encourages young jewelers to keep practicing their craft even when pieces don’t turn out as expected. Read the episode transcript below. Sharon: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Jewelry Journey Podcast. Today, my guest is award-winning goldsmith Kent Raible. Kent has been a goldsmith for 50 years. In addition to compiling a roster of awards, he occupies several unique niches. He’s a master in the ancient art of granulation and is known throughout the industry for the classes he holds both in person and online. We’ll hear more about his jewelry journey today. Kent, welcome to the program. Kent: Well, thank you, Sharon. I am very happy to be here. Sharon: So glad to have you. Tell us about your jewelry journey. Were you creative as a child? Is this something that everybody expected of you, what you’re doing today? Kent: Well, it was all kind of serendipitous events that brought me through this journey, but I was raised in a family of artists. Both my parents were painters. My father made his living from teaching art at the junior college level in Marin County, California, which is where I grew up. My mother was also a painter. They met in art school at the California College of Arts and Crafts, at the time, in Oakland, California. They were both Bohemian types, and they wer