For many years, Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery owner Karen Lorene has been interested in writing as well as jewelry. She has published a series of books called Signs of Life matching writer to jeweler and vice versa. An expert in estate and contemporary jewelry as well as writing, Lorene has planned a perfect show to match her dual interests called Women Working Words. The women chosen for this exhibition are Kristin Beeler, Nancy Bonnema, Kat Cole, Kathleen Faulkner, Nadine Kariya, Marcia Keefer, Mary Hallam Pearse, Gail Rappa, Jacquie Rice, Katherine Richmond, Sarah Wauzynski, and Kristi Zevenbergen.
Susan Cummins: Karen, you have been interested in both words and jewelry for many years. How did your interest develop in each area, and when did you decide to merge these two interests?
Karen Lorene: Some 20-plus years ago, an advertising consultant suggested I write a booklet for Facèré. I didn't hear the “let” part. I thought he wanted me to write a book. And so I produced Buying Antique Jewelry: Skipping the Mistakes. Writing that book was so much fun, I decided that fiction had to be even more fun! And it was. I’ve been writing ever since. Dancing with Bear is my first novel and fifth book. A second novel is underway.