“The organic shapes and textures are reflective of our beautiful landscape. Her jewelry is magnificent.”
Since moving to Sedona in 2005, Rauch has found her niche featuring one-of-a-kind pendants, rings, bracelets and beaded treasures. Her process both maintains and refreshes the spirit of the area, reflecting the contemporary Southwestern aesthetic.
“The patterns I come across on my daily hikes speak to the natural beauty of this desert paradise,” said Rauch. “In the beginning, I made molds of interesting tree bark or patterns on rocks and then started incorporating feathers, leaves and any other objects of inspiration I found along the way.”
“When the paddle of a prickly pear drops, it deteriorates into this sort of beautifully intricate husk that can be cleaned up and prepared for casting.”
Thanks to her son, Steele, and his red bearded dragon, Petrie, Rauch has also been able to use naturally-shed lizard skin in her jewelry. “I call them ‘Serpent Scales,’” she said, pointing them out in pendants and cuffs.
From the Bisbee turquoise mine to the Carico Lake, Nevada mine, Rauch is very particular about her choice and source of gemstones. Many of her pieces include turquoise from the Number Eight (#8) mine in Nevada. “This gemstone is extremely rare; turquoise hasn’t been sourced from this site since the mine closed in 1976,” she explained. In addition to Southwest turquoise, Rauch frequently uses Australian Boulder Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot and Blue Topaz.
Rauch also specializes in seed bead bracelets crafted on a loom using fire-polished faceted Swarovski crystal beads, glass and brass beads. “The clasps are sterling silver with bezel-set matching Southwest turquoise secured with a sterling silver locking pin,” she said.
Beading, for Rauch, is a meditative task, like a puzzle. “It is relaxing and honestly a lot of fun. I enjoy the patterns and some of my favorite designs are inspired by Native American rugs. I like the challenge of recreating their bold geometric shapes through a different medium.”
Married for almost 40 years, Rauch’s interest in jewelry started through her husband’s career as an antique dealer. “He would take me to museums and auctions, and I always found myself admiring the estate jewelry. No two pieces were alike.”
Enrolling in her first jewelry course in 1981 at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey, Rauch learned about lost wax casting and wax carving.
It was nearly two decades before Rauch’s passion for design and budding talent for jewelry making came to fruition. “After raising both of my sons, I went back to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology,” she said.
While Rauch was always excited about the subject matter in an intellectual sense, she never pursued psychology professionally. “I couldn’t see myself sitting around and listening to people’s problems all day. However going back to school and being exposed to new concepts, new ways of thinking, did inspire me to create.”
In 2001, Rauch began making her seed bead bracelets. Through the past 20 years, she has expanded her craft, turning raw metals and gemstones into art. “Susan Herman, co-owner of Kick N’ Cast in Sedona, liked my jewelry and suggested I contact Caravana Jewelry to see if they would represent my designs,” said Rauch.
“Kari’s bracelets are truly beautiful. Some of her jewelry is large, which is trending right now. She’s done it on her own and she’s very talented,” said Herman.
“Kari’s attention to detail and love for the raw materials show in every one-of-kind piece that she creates,” said Caravana co-owner Melissa Iaquilino. “The organic shapes and textures are reflective of our beautiful landscape. Her jewelry is magnificent.”
The name KD Steel Designs incorporates her son’s names Kane and Dane Steele.
“If I’m not out hiking, I’m in my home studio creating jewelry,” said Rauch. “ I love what I do and it’s a blessed life.” QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
KD Steele Designs can be found at www.kdsteeledesigns.com or at Caravana Jewelry in Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village in Sedona. Caravana Jewelry specializes in featuring local Arizona artists. Rauch can be contacted directly at 213-300-1875.
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