Welcome to the Gilt Trips podcast. I'm your host, Kendra Lockhart. As a goldsmith and
gemologist, I'll be speaking 24 carat on all things jewelry, metals, and gems. Join
me plus a few friends to demystify both materials and designs as your private jeweler. Let's
tune in on these topics and get golden. Hello. For those of you who don't already know me,
I'm Kendra. I've had over 30 years in my profession, going back to an easy A in high school
jewelry making, and then a first professional commission at age 16. From there, I went on
to University and took a few more metals courses, which caught the attention of the department's
head instructor. I was told this could be a future. Nah. Yet after graduating, a co-worker
asked me to make her wedding rings. I replied, that's not what I studied. But she was convincing,
So a project got started, only to be canceled after I spent serious money to begin it. Fear
not, said fate. And in a few weeks, I was seated next to my future business mentor,
asking me what I do, me responding with the ditch I was in. He gave me his business card
to meet at his office about this abandoned project I sketched for him on a cocktail napkin.
And that became the first of many awards and started my business. The road and times have
had highs and lows, but passion and purpose have always kept me company. So this project
is to circulate the knowledge, love, achievements, materials, stories, style, and sound advice
for my three decade odyssey of gems, gold, and beyond. I appreciate your listening and
sharing this, and welcome to my second act of all that glitters, better known as Gilt
Trips.
Thank you for listening and learning with me. I would love you to share this project
with people finding rare beauty in today's world and throughout our times. Until the
next episode, keep your own stories sparkling.