Glitter, Glisten, & Gloss with k*ritt Jewelry

Looking to add a little "bling" to your life?

Something that'll make sure you stand out at all of those swanky holiday dinners and make a statement at all of those LES parties?

How about the chance to rock handmade pieces that are just as unique as you are?

Well, jewelry designer Kim Rittberg has exactly what your looking for.  The New Yorker's handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings have been featured everywhere from Women's Wear Daily and the New York Post to Daily Candy and Playboy.  The television producer/jewelry designer is a self-proclaimed art-lover and her aim to ensure k*ritt fans "will never be another face in the crowd" has made her fashion-forward jewels an industry favorite.

Meet... Kim Rittberg!

Angel: What is k*ritt jewelry and how did you come up with the idea to start your own line?

Kim: I had been studying fine arts for many years and in college I studied Art History. I've always been extremely passionate about drawing, painting, sculpture - you name it, I made it! Or I hounded it down in museums and galleries to gawk at for hours!

I had been making clothing, purses and jewelry just for pleasure when I was young. But after college, it really kicked into high-gear. I travelled around the world for a year and I was incredibly inspired by the colors, stones and cultures I saw in Australia, Asia and Europe. I bought materials in the different countries and made jewelry throughout that year. Additionally - I realized the value of a few great necklaces when you only have one backpack to pick from!

When I returned to New York City, I kept wearing my own creations and got stopped on the subway by strangers asking about them! After my initial shock of having a stranger speak to me, I realized then, if people are so excited about unique art-inspired jewelry that they'll break the rule of not talking to strangers on the subway - then I'll make it available for sale!!

Angel: What challenges have you faced with being a young entrepreneur in NYC? Competing with other jewelry lines as an eco-conscious company?

Kim: As a small business, you are always challenged to find new ways to expand your market and introduce the product to new consumers. The good thing about being in NYC is that there are customers who really are looking for cool new artistic concepts and designs. Plus there is a strong network of entrepeneurs looking to team up and break the barriers together! It's a challenge going up against the big brands but i try to focus on what I do well, which is working directly with customers, one-of-a-kind pieces and making things people can't find elsewhere!

Angel: How is your line sustainable and what techniques to you use to ensure your work is as eco-friendly as possible?

Kim: I work in NYC and make everything by hand, I recycle and run many errands either on mass transit or my bike. When i have items that I am not selling or making anymore I almost NEVER throw anything out. When I have extra items, I donate pieces to charities like Safe Horizons (which aids battered women) for events. For example, I have donated my jewelry for many years for their Mother's Day. I also melt down scrap metals that can't be used right now and I refurbish vintage items to make new, eco-friendly pieces. I also try to find out as much as I can about the stones and materials I am using.

Angel: You also work in television.  How do you manage the task of balancing work in the media with being an entrepreneur in the fashion industry?

Kim: You just don't sleep! I'm mostly kidding when I say that.

You have to really work hard and can't say no to opportunities, so there is a bit of an imbalance when it comes to relaxing. Television can be very unpredictable so I've had to figure out ways that I can work remotely, on-the-go and truth be told - necessity is the mother of all invention, right!! You push yourself to be more efficient, find ways to make your worlds meld and most importantly, find small ways to have some down time to recharge your batteries.

Angel: What inspires you to make a specific piece, and how long does it typically take to finish a piece of jewelry?

Kim: I get inspired by anything and everything! I'm a big art lover, so if I'm in a museum or gallery, chances are the wheels are turning in my head by what I'm looking at. Some of my pieces are really geometrically-inspired, like my Asymmetrical line, which has been featured in Women's Wear Daily and Playboy. For those, I decided in advance, I planned to make a necklace unlike any other - not a pendant on a chain and that it would lay in an unusual manner.

Other times I see an incredible stone or fabric that really sparks my creativity and I try to think of a way to utilize it that is unusual or hasn't been seen before.

Other times it's a chain reaction -- I worked on a fabric "lei" for The Hurricane Club in NYC for all their waitresses.

Hurricane Club - Commissioned Piece

Once I worked on that, I started looking at other fabrics in new ways. I gave a sidelong glance at a stash of leather that I had and decided i wanted to test the boundaries with what might work. That's now a part of my "mixed materials necklaces" collection! That is also tribally-inspired, I like that it reminds me of tribes and battle!

Angel: What's next with k*ritt jewelry?

Kim: It's top secret! I'm working on some great new pieces... the only hint is that they will be sparkly and beautiful! I have a trip planned to Brazil and London, so I'm hoping to get some great new stones and ideas!

Angel: Any last words???

Kim: I do a lot of custom work - for brides to give to bridesmaids or people for special events. So I want people to know I'm really accessible and love to work one-on-one with customers! Give us a shout!

If you're interested in purchasing items from Kim's line, visit krittjewelry.com. Her jewelry is also available at Outerluxe in Larchmont, NY; Presence in Woodbury, NY; Roseark in West Hollywood, CA; and Nora Blue at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV.

-Angel