Photo taken by Harry Aycock at the Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria, VA
One of the greatest things about being in the living history, reenactment, film, theater, and the music worlds is all the amazing and beautiful people I meet, whether in person and online.
Read on below and find out more about the amazing artisan of 18th century jewelry, historical romance book covers, and horse sanctuary advocate Kimberly Walters (also known as Sign of a Gray Horse online).
TA: First, for those unfamiliar with you, tell a little about yourself.
I seem to work more often than not since I have two jobs; however, I
truly enjoy the creativity that jewelry making has brought me since I
am a more analytical person. I am also a member of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, but am not active in a chapter. Most importantly,
I am a lover of animals and all things good, honest, and kind. My
favorite bible verses are
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
TA: What would you say were some of your earliest influences for your work?
KW: When I started reenacting and participating in living history events
at historic sites, I started to delve into studying portraits and
prints to learn the dress, hairstyles, etc., and that included jewelry.
I liked to emulate some of the styles when I am trying to put together
an outfit for an event. I learned how to make earrings at a Daughters
of the American Revolution chapter meeting focused on teaching crafts,
and that started me on my way! Some of my earliest work was focused on
pearls and other beaded jewelry. I was encouraged to sell by April
Thomas of Fashion’s Revisited. She purchased a pair of some of my first
pair of earrings, and the business blossomed from there. All proceeds
from the business go to care for my horses or back into the business.
taken by Robin Matty at the Benjamin Chew House, Phildelphia, PA
TA: Now you've not only made historically inspired jewelry, but
you've also collaborated with some authors in creating book covers for
their novels. What authors have you collaborated with and what covers
can we see your work featured on?
KW: I have collaborated directly with authors Donna Thorland and Lucinda
Brant. My jewelry is on Lucinda’s five new book covers for the Roxton
Family Saga. I was honored to be a part of the project, and her website
and blog have behind the scenes videos and articles of the making of
the covers. I “met” Lucinda via Facebook when I approached her to
review my cookery book. Things fell into place from there. She trusted
my knowledge in jewelry that best matched what she had written in her
books (I have actually listened to them all), and it came together
beautifully. Her website is
https://www.lucindabrant.com/
Donna’s book, Mistress Firebrand, does not have my jewelry on the
cover, but Donna told me she was inspired by a Marigold yellow gown that
she saw me in via Facebook, and had her heroine wearing a similar one
on the cover. I was so honored! The photo in question I am sharing is
the inspiration. I like to also think of myself as a firebrand! The
photo was taken by Harry Aycock, a fellow living historian and friend
with an excellent artistic eye. I have collaborated with Donna as well
on Cardimom and Orange Flower Water cookies for the release of her book,
The Dutch Girl. I also created a video on how to make the cookies, and
she used my first book (A Book of Cookery by a Lady) as a reference
that book. You can read more about Donna on her website at
https://www.donnathorland.com/
My jewelry has been in other print media, television shows, movies,
theatre productions, and advertisements shown on my website/blog. In
fact, I met Donna Zakowska when I went to the set in Richmond, Virginia,
for TURN, Washington’s Spies. She was the costume designer for that
television series during the 2014-2015 timeframe and she also worked on
the set of the HBO series John Adams. She purchased jewelry for the
show, and told me that my shop was a treasure trove of all things in one
place and saved her a lot of time and research looking for the right
things.. The jewelry continued to be used and seen in Season 4.
TA: In addition to collaborating with others on their books,
you've also written a couple of your own (I have my own copy of Tea in
18th Century America!). Would you talk a little about those?
KW: I have written two books, one you have mentioned, and the other is
“A Book of Cookery by a Lady” published in 2014. That book was “in the
making” when I was interpreting Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, General
Washington’s housekeeper during the American War for Independence in my
early reenacting days in 2009. I dedicated that book to my parents and
Mrs. Thompson as I felt she needed to be remembered. There is an entire
chapter about her in the book.
In order to write “A Book of Cookery by a Lady,” I had gone down the rabbit hole of reading 18
th century cookery books, making
the recipes that I was interested in for reenactments, and then started
to compile all of the tips, tricks, and specialty information in a file
that you don’t learn in classes or with other hearth cooks. I found the
books on-line in various places, purchased originals, and reproduction
printings. I had had a hard time with people sharing their knowledge
just to get me started unless I paid for it. Most in the hobby that I
participate in want you to do your own research. I think that is fine
and we certainly should, but there are many who do not know where to
start or do not have the interest in doing so. It can be a struggle to
do things right, so I decided to try to fix that for others coming in.
The book is the perfect start, guide, and reference for anyone at any
stage or just because you love early cooking methods or recipes. We all
have our strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and what time we
want to put into what we are doing in every aspect of our lives. I
decided to share all of my research to help progress the hobby in the
collective knowledge. This book is totally self-published. That
doesn’t mean that I did not have a publisher interested in putting my
books out there, but when looking at the terms of a publisher, I
realized how much of the money they keep and how much I would receive.
So, I decided I wanted more money for my horses which is where the money
goes when a book is sold.
Not many know about “A Book of Cookery by a Lady,” but “Tea in 18
th Century America” was taken from a
chapter of that book and expanded. That suggestion – and push to write
it – was also encouraged by another friend, Jim McGaughey who runs the
British Brigade. The “Tea” book was a collaboration with Jera
Publishing, and I have them printed via Ingram. It is also dedicated to
my parents, and Mrs. Margaret Tilghman Carroll of Mount Clare in what
is now Baltimore with a chapter dedicated to her life.
front cover of my book, Tea in 18th Century America
My books can be purchased in my Etsy shop “SignoftheGrayHorse,” in
select gift shops, or even on Amazon. I get more of the profits for my
horses when purchased directly from me (and I can sign and personalize
it as well).
taken by Jim McGaughey at George Washington's Birthplace, Virginia
TA: I'd also love to know more about your work with horse rescue!
KW: The horse rescue that I do is all my own. I am not a non-profit as I
do not want to be beholden to the rules or dictates on how to care for
my horses or what to do with them as a 501c3. I’m a very independent
person, and an overachiever. I also do not rehome horses as many
rescues do. I keep them. I now have five horses, and they are boarded
at a private farm. My goal with my business was to always off-set their
costs and hopefully pay for their board. I am achieving that with the
help of all of those who purchase and support my business. I would LOVE
to take on a few more horses; however, horses are expensive. Many do
not understand just how expensive they can be and the real care needed.
It isn’t the purchase of a horse that is the issue, it is the
maintenance, boarding, feeding, etc., that is the true cost. My mindset
of adopting animals is that they are with me for the rest of their
lives or mine, and I do not just get rid of an animal because they are
not convenient or healthy. Horses require a lot of time and attention
as well to truly bond with them. They have a wonderful spirit and are a
very calming influence which helps reduce any stress I have as a person
with a disability. They are amazing animals who love to be adored, but
doesn’t everyone? I work very hard for them as they are a part of my
family.
TA: Are there any new projects or collaborations that you're working on?
KW: I am working on a few new products to add to my shop that are unique
and exclusive. One is a Masonic shirt pin for men, a very sturdy hat
pin for the ladies, and a new shoe buckle named “Belle” that is
universal. I have posted on my social media pages about the shoe
buckles, but not the other two items. So, this is an exclusive reveal!
TA: And finally, where can people find you if they are interested in checking out more of your work?
KW: I can be found on Facebook and Instagram at “Sign of the Gray Horse.”
My horses have a Facebook page called “Southern Belle’s Story
Continues with Nelson.” I often go LIVE in the evenings at the farm to
watch the sunset and talk about and show off the horses.
I have a website/blog where you can find a lot of my research and links (Pinterest, Etsy, Facebook, Instagram) at -
www.
My Etsy shop is SignoftheGrayHorse.
taken by Jim McGaughey at the Chestertown Tea Party Festival, Chestertown, MD
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Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me! It is very appreciated!
ReplyDeleteKim
www.kwaltersatthesignofthegrayhorse.com
You're very welcome Kim! I look forward to having you on again in the future!
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