In this episode, I’m sitting down with Kathleen Wille, the artist behind High Five Lemon, for a warm and honest conversation about stones, perfectionism, custom work, and the deeply personal nature of making things by hand.
Kathleen shares the story behind the name High Five Lemon, which began with her beloved pug, Lemon, and grew into a meaningful reflection on imperfection, handmade work, and the beauty of loving what others might overlook. From there, we talk about Kathleen’s path to metalsmithing, which began with a class many years ago, paused while she built a career in advertising, and returned at exactly the right time in her life.
As a creative director by day and a metalsmith on nights and weekends, Kathleen speaks honestly about what jewelry gives her that her other creative work does not. Her work is rooted in stones, often simple and intentional so the stone can lead the design. We talk about trusting your eye, learning your own voice, and the insecurity that can come from comparing a more minimal style to the ornate work of other makers.
We also talk about the realities of custom work, including the joy of working with customers who trust the process, the emotional energy of long back-and-forth conversations, and the importance of learning where to set boundaries. We discuss pricing, the pressure of rising material costs, the pieces that don’t immediately find their person, and the vulnerability of sharing work that feels deeply tied to your heart.
This conversation is about almost-perfect things, creative trust, honoring the stones that call to us, and the way handmade work asks us to keep listening to what feels true.
Follow Kathleen...
Instagram: @high5lemon
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Instagram: @christinemighion
Jewelry Website: christinemighion.com
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