Born in upstate New York, Heather Kraty studied design at NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology, where she began her love affair with jewelry. After graduating she fled the noise of the city and found her way to the Caribbean Island of St. Martin where she sold her jewelry on the beach.

Restless for new challenges, she studied silver in Mexico, surfing in Hawaii and French in Paris before returning to the States. Miami was on the verge of being reborn and had everything she loved...the excitement of the city and the warmth of the beach. There she went onto own a nightclub with actor Sean Penn and Simply Red's singer Mick Hucknell.

Settling down and moving west life took a quieter turn and has come full circle.  She now sells her jewelry in galleries and boutiques across North America instead of on the beach.

Never at a loss for inspiration..."I find beauty in things that I loved as a child...the sun on my back, the sand in my toes, trees and the stars, the flowers along the garden path, puppy dogs and hearts."

"My jewelry seeks to inspire those who wear it. I like to call it funky chic with a western twist. I try to give each piece a special meaning whether it be through words of inspiraton, poetic etchings or semi-precious stones."

Each romantic creation is hand carved by the artist and then cast in sterling or 14k gold using the age-old technique of lost wax casting. Island Cowgirl strives to create not just jewelry but "wear forever" keepsakes.

Influenced by her years in the islands and her home out west Heather now devotes her days to creating beauty.