I'm Katie Manak, the founder and owner of Dragonfly Jewelry Studio, and I am proud to be Deaf.

I wear many hats within this business. I am a jewelry designer, goldsmith, caster, gem setter, CAD designer, and lifelong student of the jewelry trade. For more than twenty years, I have dedicated myself to mastering both traditional handcrafting techniques and modern technology. Jewelry has been my passion since childhood. My Granny Louise inspired me to pursue this path, and a high school jewelry class confirmed that creating and restoring meaningful pieces was exactly what I was meant to do.

Even as a student, I knew jewelry was where my heart belonged. In high school, I designed and created a necklace that received an award for its creativity and craftsmanship. Seeing how many people connected with and admired something I had created gave me the confidence to pursue this career and showed me the power jewelry has to tell stories and touch people's lives.

Throughout my career, I have continued to expand my knowledge and skills, working alongside jewelers across the United States and gaining experience in jewelry repair, custom design, stone setting, casting, and fabrication. I am constantly learning and refining my craft because I believe there is always room to grow as an artist and artisan.

But Dragonfly Jewelry Studio was founded for a purpose much greater than myself.

As a Deaf business owner, I have witnessed how talented Deaf individuals are often overlooked or steered toward limited career paths because employers underestimate their abilities. I wanted to create something different—a place where Deaf people can build meaningful careers, develop specialized skills, and thrive within the jewelry industry.

My vision is to train, mentor, and create opportunities for Deaf individuals who have a passion for this craft. I know I will not be here forever, and one day I hope my legacy will be measured not only by the jewelry I created, but by the Deaf artisans, designers, goldsmiths, gemologists, and professionals whose lives were transformed through the opportunities they found at Dragonfly Jewelry Studio.

This studio exists to prove that Deaf people belong in every corner of the jewelry industry—not because they deserve special treatment, but because they possess the talent, dedication, creativity, and determination to succeed.

While we create beautiful, high-quality jewelry and provide exceptional service to our clients, our deeper mission is to empower the Deaf community through education, mentorship, craftsmanship, and opportunity.

Thank you for supporting a Deaf-owned business and helping us build a future where Deaf talent is recognized, celebrated, and passed on to the next generation.

Feel free to contact me by email or videophone, and be sure to explore my portfolio to see the work and passion behind Dragonfly Jewelry Studio.