Kimberly Monaco Designs--Unique, Handmade, and Recycled Vintage Jewelry

I originally met Kim through a friend of mine, who I have known for about 5 years. She, in turn, met Kim through Cleveland Handmade on Etsy. On Etsy, there is a fairly active Cleveland group of artists.

Since I own a gallery in Cleveland, Lake Erie Artists Gallery, I am always looking to meet new artists. Kim ended up coming to meet me at the gallery and as they say, the rest is history.

Kim is one of those people that attracts excitement. She is always lively, personable and easy to talk to. She is energetic, funny, and fun to be around. Kim has worked in the gallery for me during the past year and is one of our best salespeople no matter whose work she is talking about.

But one of the things I admire most about her, is her ability to take simple objects and create jewelry that people love to wear.

Kim's style is very streamlined and simple. She uses mostly silver, pearls, onyx, hematite, and found hardware. She makes her own earwires, and many of her findings. Kim likes to look for unusual vintage pieces like whistles, keys and other items to add interest to her pieces. And every once in a while, she totally surprises me with a completely different kind of look.

Kim's work is very popular with a wide range of people. She seems to transcend age and style. Her work is bought by goths, business women, and stay at home moms.

sterling copper black bracelet

thin, black leather/suede cord is wrapped around a handforged, hammered, sterling silver oval that measures approx. 25 x 14mm (or 1-1/8" x 5/8")... two pieces of copper are wrapped around each side to keep the cord snug... very simple, yet very cool!

so versatile...I love the color combination. can be masculine or feminine!

Kim calls these earrings Cloud Nine. Could a design be any simpler?

Kim has been using odd pieces of hardware in her designs for about six to nine months now. I love the look.

Pen a prayer and slip it inside this prayer box. You know what they say about the power of heartfelt prayers...
This detailed lead-safe prayer box has a magnetic closure and is lead-safe silver-plated pewter (17mm round - between 1/2 and 3/4")

It hangs by a lobster clasp (so you can easily remove it and add whatever you'd like :) from a hand-forged sterling silver ring on a double brass chain. (it hangs from one of the chains and the other chain is free - instant layering!)
Chain is 18"

This necklace is made with a retaining ring and freshwater pearl.

Another simple design, yet Kim's personality shines through. An interesting shape stone, with beautiful accent on the wire wrap. These earrings are called Ruby Tuesday earrings.

Faceted ruby Swarovski® crystal briolettes wired wrapped in sterling silver wire on handmade sterling silver earwires.

Simple, elegant. Dressy or terrific with jeans and a t-shirt!

Briolettes drop 3/4" from bottom of earwires.