Kathy was born in Glenview, Illinois to James and Janice Pardi. We moved to Columbus, Ohio where my father started his dentistry practice and as the eldest of 4 children I learned to share, teach and dream. After graduation from Ohio Dominican College while working at The Columbus Dispatch newspaper, I met my husband, Tom, and started a family. In 2003 we moved across the United States with two children, Christine and Tim, and three cats. I immediately fell in love with the sunshine, the mountains, and the wide open spaces. In 2020 Tim married the love of his life, Jordynn Akins, and we are thrilled to have her in our family. Tom is now retired and in between jewelry shows we travel to Ohio, Illinois, and North Carolina to visit family.

 

My passion for beading was ignited the first time I encountered the Tucson Gem Show in 2007. Friends, Pauline Fredericks and Sandra Parker invited me and I’ve never looked back. The types of beads, the sizes, colors, and history of them spoke to me, enabling me to produce jewelry with aesthetic appeal. Best of all,

others enjoyed these creations.

 

Through the Huachuca Art Association at Art in the Park I have fostered my dream of jewelry design as a business. This event broadened my horizons as a business woman and as an artist. I have many different lines in my business; charms, watches, lanyards for I.D’s, as well as the Princess Collection for the youngest members of the family. Over the years I have evolved to working with the finest materials that are accented with sterling, copper, or vermeil and do my best to give my clients optimal customer service and a piece of jewelry that has a distinctive flair. For thousands of years people have adorned themselves with jewelry to express personal style as well as celebrating important milestones. I am grateful that my clients have chosen me to create such jewelry for them.