Meet the Metalsmith
Hi, my name is Kahlia (pro. Ka-lee-ah) Chase.
I’m the metalsmith and lapidary artist behind every piece of jewelry at Woodland Metalsmith. I am a person who has overcome physical trauma and a brain disorder. I am human and I am here to thrive.
All my creations are inspired by nature, and you – my customer.
I specialize in wire wrapping and modern metalsmithing, working with ethically sourced and eco friendly materials. I collect the gemstones myself from various spots in Washington State, and my favorite places to look are on rivers banks and beaches. I will scour for hours to find the perfect stones to use, and then take them home to polish and make into jewelry.
How it Started
I started Woodland Metalsmith in 2018 and have been making jewelry since 2013. I started out wire wrapping with copper, outsourcing stones from various sellers. Back then, I had an Etsy shop and built my business there. I decided I wanted to learn more, so I began metalsmithing, teaching myself through online tutorials and trial and error. Over time I got better and better! Once I had a good grasp on metalsmithing, I felt I might need more challenges.
I have always loved collecting rocks since I was a child, and my dream was to use my own stones for my jewelry. This is when things really started to flourish. I bought the equipment to start cutting and polishing my own stones. Lapidary work has now become one of my favorite parts of jewelry making. Being able to shape my own stones gives me a lot of freedom in jewelry design that I wouldn't have otherwise.
I have a seasonal lifestyle and work flow. In the winter, it's too cold to be on my lapidary equipment outside, so I spend more time metalsmithing and going to the beach to collect rocks along with my other winter hobbies. In the summer, I spend most of my work time out on my lapidary machine making cabochons for the colder months.
Personal Life
My partner (Ryan) and I live in Quilcene, Washington, where we have 2.5 acres of wooded land overlooking the Olympic Mountains. We moved our school bus tiny home to this location in 2023 and we are now stationary, living off-grid and eventually building a house.
We also have pets - one tiny dog and two rescue rabbits, which are my children.
I have a Neurological Disorder called a Chiari Malformation. I had brain surgery to correct it in 2018 and have felt much better since, however I still deal with some symptoms of the disorder. I work for myself to give myself the space and rest that I need, when I need it.
My hobbies include rock hounding, beach combing, hiking, gardening, photography, swimming, kayaking and so much more. I really enjoy living a fairly slow life with all the chaos in the world.
Live nearby and want a beach combing buddy? Feel free to reach out!
Thanks for reading!
