LIFESTYLE PROFILE
William Travis Jewelry By Valentina Castillo
William Travis Jewelry, winner of the 2013 and 2014 American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum Award, is known for its unique and artful custom jewelry. We sat down with owner William Travis Kukovich to find out more about what passions drive their team. We found out what makes them successful and why never saying, “no” to their clients is what makes the experience at William Travis Jewelry one-of-a-kind.
What makes William Travis Jewelry different from other jewelers? Travis: Our jewelry looks very different from the rest. I’ve never taken any art courses, and oddly, I think that’s been my biggest influence when it comes to creating unique jewelry. Our customer service also differs from the rest because we never say ‘no’ to our clients, and they find that very refreshing. The Triangle is full of art-loving people and they appreciate the customized feel they can’t find at other jewelers. How did you become passionate about the jewelry business? Travis: I’m a fifth generation metalsmith. I started working with my grandfather, father and brother when I was 12-years-old. As I grew older, I started narrowing down my ideas when it came to jewelry. Every time I made a piece I thought, ‘how can I make it different?’ How did you recognize a need for custom jewelry in the Triangle area? Travis: The biggest need was for a different type of jewelry. Our clients come into our store looking for something truly unique, and the ability to make custom designs allows for a lot of variety. So many things in our world today are customizable, why not do so with jewelry? We have the right tools to make it happen. What’s your philosophy on great jewelry? Travis: First of all, as a jeweler, you have to keep evolving. You have to create pieces with range – pieces that differ from one another. But most importantly, great jewelry is something you can wear everyday. Artful jewelry is timeless, and we want to create pieces our clients can wear for a lifetime.v
To find out more about creating a customized piece with William Travis Jewelry, visit their store located at 201 S. Estes Dr. Chapel Hill, NC. For more information, visit www.williamtravisjewelry.com or call 919-968-0011.
48 URBAN HOME TRIANGLE APRIL/MAY 2014