North Carolina Metalsmith Finds Inspiration in Breaking the Mold

William Travis Kukovich founded William Travis Jewelry in Chapel Hill, NC, in 2003 and opened a new store 10 years later. A fifth-generation metalsmith, he started working with his grandfather, father and brother when he was just 12 years old. Says Kukovich: “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?’ And here I am today, following my passion, as I continue to push ideas and design to the edge.”