KIEL MEAD After reading what Fredonia native Kiel Mead does for a living, you may never look at bubble gum or a drill bit the same again. Kiel (pronounced as you would “Kyle”) Mead is a Fredonia High School 2002 graduate. In the six years since, Mead has transcended from the Hillbillies’ school art classes to an up-and-coming jewelry and furniture designer in New York City. At just 24, Mead is on the cusp of his professional career and earning his success one collection at a time. Mead’s jewelry stands out in stark contrast to the expected use of precious stones, gems and metals. Where most people see finite use for a common object, Mead sees vast potential. Examples of pendants include a gleaming drill bit, a single matchstick or even a brassy dental retainer, each cast or plated in silver or gold and strung on a fine chain. Mead even used a wad of worn-out bubble gum to model a bright pink gob pendant complete with teeth marks. Furniture wise, Mead stated the process is much slower than in jewelry making. It takes more planning and overall more time to complete a piece, as stated on his online video produced by Cool Hunting (www.coolhunting.com). As such, the selection is more limited than his jewelry, and may be characterized as contemporary given the clean, minimal lines and sparse use of color. Referring to New York City, Mead stated, “I believe I am in the best environment for my ideas.” It is also one of the most competitive markets. That Mead is having success in New York City lends credence to his talent. Early in his career, Mead was already reaching for mundane objects to transform. One of those first commoners was a car key. His intent was to bend it into a ring using a vice. Ms. Mead told how the key broke because the metal was too brittle. Mead did not quit but continued to probe for answers through experimentation and asking questions. It wasn’t long before he was successful, and soon fashioned rings from the keys of a Mustang, Chrysler and other models. As an employee of the boutique design store “Future Perfect,” Mead’s boss, Dave Alhadeff, took one look at the car key rings and said he had to have them for sale in the store. From there, word of the unique rings with hot rod personalities sped around the market. The next thing Mead knew, he earned widespread publicity from the October 2004 fashion focused monthly, “Lucky Magazine.” Since then, demand for his creations has swelled. According to his Web site, www.kielmead.com, his work has been highlighted in about 15 magazines, including “New York Magazine” and “InStyle.” His most recent publicity appeared in the Sept. 13 “The New York Times Style Magazine: Men’s Fall Fashion 2008,” an annual supplement to the newspaper of the same name. Today, Mead is teaming up with clothing designers. John Bartlett and Carla Knapp of “Mischen Clothing” are two such makers. Mead accessorizes their collections for shows. Bartlett, who is an independent clothing designer and also the creative director of Claiborne by John Bartlett, stated, “Kiel has an uncanny talent for taking everyday objects and making them art, whether they are pieces of jewelry or objects for the home.” Though Bartlett has known Mead for only one year, the two have collaborated on many projects. Bartlett extolled the youthful designer, “He is a super-talented craftsman who also has a young, downtown view on art and design.” Where competition is concerned, Mead is keenly interested in the exchange of ideas, rather than perpetuating cut-throat cliques. The value he sees in this cooperative style of industry advancement, coupled with his perseverance and leadership, led him to initiate the American Design Club along with a few charter members. The club “focuses on the development and advancement of product, furniture and graphic arts. The club produces events and socials to improve the lives of designers and the appreciation of American design,” according to the Web site, www.americandesignclub.com. Currently, Mead invests much of his energy into shaping the fresh organization.