4 minute read
Local Makers Profile
KP Mountain MEtals
Just like the magni cent peaks that drew the silversmith to Breckenridge, Katie Pickens’ head-turning jewelry stands boldly alone.
e 37-year-old designer is notching a name for herself in the Colorado makers scene with handmade necklaces, bracelets and, most famously, her striking sterling silver and stone rings.
e Grand Junction, Colorado native studied Environmental Design at the University of Colorado Boulder. She landed in Breckenridge a er college in 2005, lured by the high-energy snowboarding culture.
“I decided to be a ski bum for a season and never le ,” she says. “It’s the classic story of most long-term residents here.”
A er a decade of Summit ski bumming, Pickens knew she wanted more. A trip to Santa Fe in 2014 awoke a passion for the American Southwest, its landscape, mystery and textiles. Inspiration hit hard and she discovered her love of jewelry as an outlet of self expression. Pickens enrolled in the Denver School of Metal and Arts and underwent a private study, hungrily picking up classes around Denver and Santa Fe to hone her newfound cra .
Today, the talented metalsmith works from her Breckenridge home studio under the name KP Mountain Metals and has amassed an earnest, borderline cult, local following. Fans adore her Southwestern and Native American-in uenced turquoise rings. Pickens’ rings are big, bold statement makers and o en call on healing stones sourced from rock and gem shows in Arizona and Colorado.
She revels in tapping organic miners—her favorite turquoise supplier is Clint Cross of North Star Turquoise in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Quality is paramount and Pickens prefers natural high gem grade turquoise for its strength and durability.
KP Mountain Metals upholds its unre ned boho vibe while incorporating everyday endurance. “I want people to have the ability to wear their pieces while hiking and snowboarding,” Pickens says. “A lot of my friends work in the service industry and want a solid piece of jewelry that is going to withstand a 12hour day and not bend or be compromised.”
Watch for new collections to roll out this year following Pickens’ Tucson travels, along with rising buzz around her custom dog tags inspired by her husky heeler Bisbee. KP Mountain Metals can be found at Vintage Sweet & Chic on Main Street in Breckenridge.
Visit @kpmountainmetals on Instagram for Pickens’ latest creations and to order custom pieces.
Fate brought two families together to create Continental Divide Winery.
Ten years ago the Maltzmans, their two daughters and their two Australian Shepherds (Napa and Tahoe) were walking down Main Street in Breckenridge when they spotted Colorado winemakers Kent Hutchison and Angela Bryan, their two daughters and their two Australian Shepherds (Aladdin and Jasmine) walking the other direction.
e families quickly discovered a mutual passion for wine. In 2016 the families joined forces and Continental Divide Winery was born. Today the winery is headed by Je rey and Ana, with Kent and Angela serving as contributing winemakers.
Continental Divide prides itself on cra ing wines using both Colorado and California fruit – but never mixing them together in the same bottle. “Our tastings allow guests to experience the di erences altitude, soil and weather make on wine,” explains founder Je rey Maltzman who serves as the company’s Chief Amazement O cer. “Our goal is to demonstrate that exceptional quality wines can be made from both California and Colorado grapes,” adds Ana Maltzman who proudly carries the title Chief Tasting O cer.
e winery features tasting rooms in both Breckenridge and nearby South Park (Fairplay) where guests can sample the wines before buying. One of Continental Divide’s most popular activities is their daily Wine Blending Experience where guests use authentic vintner equipment to create, blend, bottle and label their own custom cra ed wine. While reservations are not required for tastings or wine purchases, advance reservations are recommended for the blending experiences which o en sell out.
e Maltzmans have a deep and rich background in the wine industry. For many years the couple has owned and operated two successful wineries in California. eir reputation as premium winemakers was made when their 2012 Captain ’s Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded best Cabernet Sauvignon in the New World by Sunset Magazine.
Using Altitude to Make Naturally Better Wine Cra ing and aging wines at over 10,000’ altitude minimizes oxygen exposure and results in a slower and more gentle fermentation that creates rich and vibrant wines.
To further capitalize on its unique Rocky Mountain location, Continental Divide uses snow to control fermentation and arti cial cooling. is results in lower energy costs and a much lower carbon footprint. The company is dedicated to sustainable winemaking and in 2018 was honored with the coveted Peak of Sustainability Award given annually to the Front Range business that earns the highest overall sustainability score.
