Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Stahl.
Hi Kimberly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Okay, so I’ll breeze through my life: I’m Korean American, adopted at 11 months by German American farmers in Southern Indiana, and the youngest of four. I had a great childhood where my dad introduced me to tools and working with my hands early on.
When I attended Indiana University Bloomington, I knew I wanted to create functional art, like furniture design, but the program recommended I explore Jewelry Design instead. I didn’t know what to expect, but from my first assignment working with copper, cold connections, and patina finishes, I was hooked. I loved how metalworking allowed me to focus and lose myself in the process.
After earning my BFA in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing with a minor in Art History in 2003, I moved to New York City. In 2007, I began blacksmithing through classes at the School of Visual Arts with Marsha Trattner, eventually apprenticing under her.
In 2015, I relocated to St. Louis and worked as an assistant to a local knifemaker, which helped expand my skills. That same year, I was invited to be the first female contestant on the History Channel’s Forged in Fire knife-making competition. Over the next few years, I established my own studio where I create and explore knifemaking more intently.
Today, I continue to design and sell my work, teach at Craft Alliance, host events at Arch Reactor Makerspace/Hackerspace, and collaborate on community pop-ups and retail spaces like the Virtuoso Collective on Cherokee Street. I’m actively involved in organizations like ABANA and BAM, which are the national and state organizations for those interested in Blacksmtihing. I’m Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Gateway Area Knife Club (Our Annual GAKC Cutlery Show is August 23 & 24th, 2025, Carpenter’s Hall on Hampton). I am Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Midwest Metalsmiths (Our Group Annual show is this October 17th & 18th, 2025 Webster Groves, MO). These communities keep me inspired and connected to my craft.
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?
Nothing has ever been especially smooth for me, and I think that’s just part of this path. Early on, my biggest struggles were finding space and access to the right tools to do the work I envisioned. When I was starting out, I often had ideas but no place to make them real. Even as I’ve grown in my career, it’s been a constant balance—now I have most of the tools I once dreamed of, but never quite enough space to fit them all. That challenge has taught me to be resourceful, creative, and persistent.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work spans jewelry design, blacksmithing, knife making, leatherwork, and sculptural pieces—all rooted in a love for functional design and traditional craft. I specialize in hand-forged knives, silver jewelry, custom leather goods, and one-of-a-kind sculptures that explore material, form, and purpose. I enjoy working across different scales; what begins as an idea for a small wearable object can evolve into a larger sculptural statement, and vice versa. That flexibility keeps my process fresh and dynamic.
I’m known for combining refined metalwork with bold, practical design, often blending techniques across disciplines. One of the things I’m most proud of is being invited as the first female contestant on the History Channel’s Forged in Fire, which helped spotlight years of hands-on experience and persistence. I’m also proud of how I share my knowledge—teaching at Craft Alliance, organizing community events, and helping grow spaces like the Arch Reactor Makerspace.
What sets me apart is my range. I can forge a blade, solder a delicate chain, stitch a custom sheath, build a sculpture, and still find time to mentor others doing the same. My work is deeply personal, process-driven, and made to be used—or simply admired. I carry a respect for tradition with a modern, no-nonsense approach to making.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a bit of a rabbit hole chaser—anything and everything that sparks my interest is fair game. Whether it’s a book, an article, a podcast, or an online forum, I’m constantly gathering ideas and references. Honestly, it’s become a running joke that by the end of the day, I have so many browser tabs and windows open it looks like chaos. But for me, that’s part of the creative process—following curiosity wherever it leads. I also find inspiration just about everywhere I look, from music to architecture to conversations with other artists. Lately, I’ve been lucky to work in an environment where I handle art and unique pieces regularly, and that exposure has sparked all kinds of new ideas that might make their way back into my own work.
Pricing:
- Custom Jewelry / Knife Requests: I have a $75 nonrefundable deposit but that goes toward the full amount later. This is just for my time during idea formation and sketching/modeling. This comes before the estimate to make sure we are on the same page.
- Knives: I have no knives under $90.00 – these are for my very basic 3.5″ neck knives around black cord with leather sheath.
- Special Requests: Carved Wooden spoons/spatulas $80-120
- Custom Eye Patches: $75-150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimstahldesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimstahldesigns/ & @stahlsteelknives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimstahldesigns/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksd/
- Other: https://culturalyst.com/kimstahldesigns
