Katie first discovered metalsmithing while in high school at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC.

It truly was love at first craft, and she continued to pursue the field at Winthrop University where she recieved a BFA in Jewelry and Metals. Katie later got a Masters of Fine Art in Metals from Arizona State University, where she also taught 3D Design and Beginning Metalsmithing courses. Since graduate school, Katie has worked as a professional jeweler and studio artist, as well as as an educator of all levels of silversmithing, teaching courses at both the University and community and beginner levels. Her work has been exhibited internationally and nationally.

Katie was recently a co-owner of MAKE MADE jewelry, a gallery and custom design studio in downtown Greenville, SC. Although the business was more successful in many ways than anticipated, it nonetheless came to a necessary close in early 2024.

Katie remains in Greenville, where she has returned to the jewelry design business she began in 2012 full time. Katie Poterala Studio, a working studio and jewelry showroom, is nestled near the center of the city just a few miles from downtown -- right off the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Katie's current focus remains primarily on custom design work and heirloom redesign projects (taking unworn passed down jewels and reworking them into modern, more wearable pieces that better suit the wearer's style), as it has for years, alongside supplying select galleries with production work.

Katie's specialty is designing special one of a kind pieces -- both for locals and for distance clients as well.

She also enjoys teaching group and private lessons as time allows.
*Group classes, when available, are posed on the website.