Today we’d like to introduce you to Kindred Lubeck
Hi Kindred, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the daughter of Jay Lubeck, a well-known gold smith in Neptune Beach. I graduated with a degree in psychology from Florida State University, but always felt very confused on what I would eventually do with my life. I was working at a law firm for a few months when I had finally had enough, and out of desperation, I swallowed my pride and asked my dad if he would be willing to give me part time work until I found another job. I was 24 years old at the time.
I joined his business around October of 2019, and a few months in, COVID shocked the world. We all remember how terrifying the early days of COVID were. If you are a business owner, your biggest question was probably: “How are we going to survive this? Will we have to close our doors permanently?”
When the mandate was announced for all non-essential businesses to close, we turned our lights off in the show room, but kept working in the back. With all this newfound time, my father realized there would never be a better time to teach me the craft of goldsmithing.
I was hooked immediately.
I worked in sterling silver for a few years and eventually made my way to gold.
I went to a few engraving classes, came home and practiced for hours on end, working well past close.
It’s my engraved pieces that put me on the digital map. I started making reels showcasing my work and people started noticing. Eventually, I started getting requests for me to make engagement rings.
Around August of 2023, I had the idea to move to New York City. I opened my own online-only, consultation-based jewelry business. The requests started pouring in.
I was able to move to NYC in June of 2024 where I now have my own beautiful jewelry studio.
I think it’s important to mention that I was able to do this without any financial help in the form of loans, donations, or gifts. I say this because it’s hard work that allowed me to get here. Hard work and dedication makes anything possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving my whole life to NYC, both personal and professional, and getting my business back up and running in one month has been the greatest challenge of my life. I struggle with work-life balance the most.
Actually, I very recently caught myself near the point of burn out. I knew something had to change. I was not seeing my friends, exploring the city, or practicing yoga like I used to. I made the terrifying decision to take a brief hiatus from custom jewelry work to catch up on existing orders and figure out how to better streamline my business model.
Most importantly, I am prioritizing falling in love with New York City. It’s a very challenging place. It is chaotic, fast-paced, and easy to get lost. It is so different from my hometown of Neptune Beach, it sort of feels like another planet at times.
It is also full of amazing restaurants, Broadway shows, and museums to name a few. I stopped working so long after hours and started doing all those quintessential NYC things and low and behold… I fell in love with the city.
Now I am focusing on the growth of my business and figuring out how to serve my current clients and future clients to the best of my ability.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a goldsmith specializing in hand engraving (think of it as tattooing rings – a lot of people confuse engraving with “etching”). Basically, I take very small, sharp instruments and cut away bits of metal, usually on the sides of rings, into a particular design. People just go crazy for it when I post it online.
I am actually most proud of a piece I made recently on a trip to Washington. Kent Raible is my jewelry idol. He lives in Washington state and holds advanced goldsmithing courses out of his own studio. I found his work when I was very new at metalsmithing and promised myself that one day I would go to his workshop and study with him.
A few weeks before I left, I found a stunning champagne diamond from the jewelry district of NYC. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I bought it and took it with me to Washington. Under Kent’s guidance, I made the ring that I am most proud of using an ancient technique called granulation. I kept it for myself because I just loved it that much.
What sets me apart from others is definitely my attention to detail. I am naturally very meticulous, but my father also instilled very high jewelry standards in me as well.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly… no, I don’t use anything like that. I just try to get enough sleep and spend quality time with friends outside of work. That has been the key. Taking care of my mental health helps me run my business to the best of my ability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artifexfine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artifexfine/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artifexfinejewelry
