Meet Keeley
Artist & Owner, KB Studios — Poulsbo, WA
Hi there! I’m Keeley, the owner and artist behind KB Studios. I’m passionate about creating jewelry and garden art from vintage silverware, inspired by nature and the stories each piece carries.
I grew up in the charming town of Poulsbo, WA, nestled in the heart of the Washington peninsula — where I also met and married my best friend, Eric.
My process begins with sourcing vintage and heirloom silverware. I’m always on the hunt, drawn most to botanical pieces from the Art Nouveau period. The extraordinary detail and flow of that era is beyond beautiful.
I’ve always been drawn to the tension between nature and structure. Metal is the medium that stuck. I love the challenge of taking a perfectly good object and recreating its purpose and meaning — from handles to tines, nothing goes to waste.
Our days are often filled with savoring the Pacific Northwest: tending the garden, hiking, strolling the shoreline, and diving deep into creative work.
Common Questions
Where do you find all of your silverware?
My answer is always "everywhere" — estate sales, thrift stores, antique markets, and generous donations from people who want their heirlooms to have a new life.
Do you accept silverware donations?
Yes! If you have heirloom silverware looking for a second story, I'd love to hear from you.
How do you choose which vintage silverware to work with?
I'm drawn to pieces with strong botanical patterns, especially from the Art Nouveau period. The detail, the flow, the history — all of it matters.
What happens before a spoon becomes jewelry?
Each piece is cleaned, evaluated, and carefully planned. I consider the pattern, the metal gauge, and the story behind it before a single cut or bend is made.
How do you preserve the pattern during transformation?
Intentional cutting, careful forming, and a deep respect for the original design. I work to highlight the pattern rather than hide it.
Why is every piece one of a kind?
Because every vintage piece is unique. No two spoons are stamped the same way or worn the same way — and that individuality carries through into each finished piece.
What are your favorite silverware patterns and their history?
I'm especially fond of Art Nouveau botanical patterns from the early 1900s. The way nature was stylized during that era — sinuous lines, organic forms — feels timeless.
What tools do you use?
A mix of traditional metal smithing tools and some non-traditional: flex shaft, mandrels, tumbler, pipe cutter, bolt cutters and a good old hammer.
What are the common challenges of working with vintage metals?
Vintage silver-plate can be unpredictable in thickness and hardness. Reading the metal and adjusting technique on the fly is part of the craft.
How did your "Giving Life After the Table" philosophy come to be?
It grew naturally from the work itself. Every piece of silverware has a history — a family table, a holiday meal. Transforming it into something wearable or decorative feels like honoring that story rather than ending it.