Design @ Nine: Kenna Cantrell

When you’re called upon to write a ditty about the C.O.O. (this is the best way to describe her since we don’t have titles here at DRT) of your company there are two things you can do – panic or realize that you’re so very lucky to have the chance to work with such a compassionate and dedicated person that it will be easy as pie.  Of course you may think, “Well, anyone would say that about their boss in a blog,” – but in this case it’s spot on. 



Kenna’s Most Favorite Guy on Earth T-Roy having fun in the New Mexican snow.



Kenna with Sheryl Crow at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam Benefit Event

Kenna is a true blue Texan at heart even though she now calls Albuquerque home. Graduating with a Bachelors degree in business administration/labor and human resource management, she put herself through school with various jobs and a partial athletic scholarship. Her office is often filled with music, exotic smelling aroma sticks and a desk that looks like she has organized a small army. It is by no means messy – from rock samples, to new jewelry designs or the latest update to insurance rates - a busy girl has to stay extremely structured. So, not only is she creatively talented, but with a corporate background she brings the best of both worlds to our team (btw - I’ve never met someone who gets more excited or delighted about our new designs as her). But I don’t have to convince you. Just read below :

I am in the jewelry business, I believe, because when you are open and receptive, you end up where you are meant to be. I tend to love details, and this business certainly has considerable room for details. I appreciate being able to put thought, effort and even love in to what we create, how we create it and the people who make it happen. It is important to me to provide an environment and a culture in which everyone here feels free to bring all of who they are to work. I subscribe to the “in a world where you can be anything, be who you are” philosophy.

We have assembled a work “family” that inspires me on a daily basis. I find such joy in observing how each individual applies their gifts and talents in an unassuming fashion yet always with the ultimate goal of either creating another remarkable design, making sure our customers know they are the back bone of our business or ensuring that each and every piece meets our quality standards. A more caring and sincere group of people you will never find.

I love the design process. I love to see how simple cutting and polishing can transform a “rock” into an amazing piece. Each time this happens I am reminded of the wonders that surround us. I so enjoy the people that find and harvest the stones we use from all over the world. I love the “romance” or stories behind the stones, how they are mined, etc. So many of the miners are second and third generation rock hounds. It really is in their blood. I appreciate that what we do brings income to places and people that most likely otherwise would have none. Having a hand in helping support my fellow human beings, in any way, is something I cherish. I appreciate all of my “bosses,” the customers and the amazing team who makes what we do possible. Every new find humbles me…Nature is amazing!

Jay is the “King” of many things, not the least of which is adventure. It is always fun when we get a chance to travel, explore and often times “discover” materials with windows of endless possibilities to one day become a true work of art that in some way shares our passion for what we do with our glorious customers.

Kenna enjoying an elephant ride during a recent trip to Thailand with Jay.

Kenna’s Favorite Stones:  Petrified Wood (mine too!), Turquoise, Lepidolite & Sugilite---or anything naturally purple….how amazing is that!, Seraphinite -I think I like chatoyancy what do you think?, Rutilated quartz

I always romanticize that when Kenna leaves for the weekend I see her driving out to the mountains on her Harley and enjoying a moment or two of sticking her toes into a small New Mexican stream.  Soaking it all in, remembering that the joy is in the journey.

Kenna enjoying some ridin’ time at a “Toys for Tots” rally here in New Mexico.

Design @ Nine - Brian Bruce the Master

With at least 20 some years experience in silversmithing there is no job impossible for Mr. Bruce. He is our ultimate creator of all things silver and stone. I’m lucky enough to have a sneek peek at all his creations everyday – I wish I could share a few with you right now, but if you’re patient Jay will share with you in due time.

Brian using a jewelers saw - pretty tricky!

Brian grew up here in Albuquerque and just out of high school he studied and worked in the automotive industry. After a few years he was introduced to the world of jewelry fabrication and the rest is history. Being a self taught silversmith, his imagination really does know no boundaries.


I love creating things. Taking basic items like silver & stone and creating a piece of wearable art is the ultimate. The challenge of jewelry design keeps me inspired every day.

One of my favorite rooms in our building is his shop. Here you will find a library of rough stones, various lapidary machines, “the torch”, design idea’s in the works and the best scrubbing hand soap man has to offer. What can I say – I love that room.

The "Stone Saw".

Silver works in progress

Being the only man in the building here at Desert Rose Trading he is often taken from the bench and moved to the task of removing unwanted guests around the building – spiders, lizards and crickets to name a few. Truly his patience is great being around 20 or so women every day. Needless to say - he’s the best sport ever.

Brian with his wonderful daughter Nicole

Away from work if you don’t see or find him fishing, bowling or golfing then he must be camping. The outdoors is where he collects himself and regenerates himself for creating.

Design @ Nine - Stacie Chavez

Many words come to mind when Stacie is mentioned, but the biggest one that outshines all the rest is “Sister”. We began our jewelry journey together when we started a small jewelry production company in the early 2000’s appropriately called Sisters, Inc. We later ended up here, with our then neighbor, Jay King & Desert Rose Trading. We don’t have titles at DRT so it’s difficult to explain everything each of us does –
Even though she is my sister, I look to this woman in ways that go way beyond family. You will never find her without a phone in hand or ear – we tease her about this – but often she has a few lines open at once trying to arrange a huge shipment of stones from a miner in Chile to a processor in Arizona to our manufacturer overseas. Like a Hindu goddess of the now, she is a communications expert, jewelry designer & master of the business. When you see a sparkle in a design you can be sure that Miss Stacie put it there. But Stacie can tell you what’s what, herself:

Stacie on the travel in Hawaii

I have loved jewelry and accessories for all of my life, so it is fair to say that I have my “dream” job. I found my love of being a rock hound at a very early age. I was blessed with an incredible Grandfather and Father that loved to go out and rock hunt. We would stop along any country road and turn over rocks for hours – I actually saw my first rattle snake on one of those trips. My love for jewelry and designing also came from my Grandfather. He had a lapidary shop set up in his garage and every Birthday and Christmas we would get some unique piece of jewelry that he had made especially for us. I still can remember the smell of the water when it hit the grinding stone. I would sit with him for hours out in his garage while he cut and polished stones. I believe that is where my love of stones evolved from. I still kick myself for not taking geology in college – I think I would have been a natural at.

Grandpa's handmade turquoise rings & a polished agate.

I have been with Desert Rose team for almost 7 years. We have a very unique group of people and I think it is safe to say we are one great big family. I get to work with some incredibly talented people on a daily basis and I cannot believe how we each in turn elevate one another to new levels.

Working with Jay over the years has been an incredible journey. I have been blessed with having had the experience to travel and learn from the man and the master. He has shown me some amazing places and I am truly thankful and grateful for getting to do what I do on a daily basis.
I am very lucky that I landed in the Southwest and get to be where I am – I traveled all the way from Maine to make my way to this time and space.

Smith & Wesson

"King of the Log!"

I have two sons in college, so it has been lonely at home – so I have filled a couple of extra spaces with two Great Pyrenees puppies, “Smith” and “Wesson”. I don’t know if it is because I am older or because I am more mature – yea right – but I have enjoyed these two big dogs beyond belief – I am so in love with the two “big guys” – I can hardly stand it.

Thank you for supporting us!

Stacie with Mr. Dooley - a baby Alpaca.

The Farm Family

Miss Leila - the cutie pie butterball Alapaca.

Design @ Nine - Jill Erickson

Well, since I am the writer of the blog and most of our content and direct contact with the outside world here at www.desertrosedirect.com I guess I should introduce myself first – I’m Jill Erickson. I started with Desert Rose Trading over six years ago. Before here, I was one of those” lifers” in school. I studied everything from creative writing to biological anthropology and ended up with an arts degree– even now I’m thinking that I would like to study mechanical engineering (it never stops). During my last semester at school, jewelry appeared to me to be a great idea for Christmas gifts – I trying to give something to everyone & so I taught myself how to wire wrap. Needless to say, I was hooked! Since then I’ve taught myself to fabricate and create one of a kind pieces. Some of which have been incorporated into the long list of designs here at DRT.


When I create I think of the women close to me & imagine what they may like – my mother, who I love making jewelry for, loves everything, so with her it’s an easy match. I don’t blame her for adoring it all – she’s right – everything is beautiful. From turquoise to jasper to agates I can keep on opening up books or bags of rough and find something that I haven’t seen or known before. Every day really is an adventure here.

Usually I’m the girl behind the scenes, so…

This is me on a good day.

This is my favorite stone today - Maroon Birds Eye Rholite.  My favorite changes often!

I grew up & live in New Mexico.  The mountains (esp The Sandia's), big skies and a forever horizon just to the west always feels like home.

Design @ Nine - Jay King’s Behind the Scenes Machine

Well you know all about our designs, right? Or do you… Jay has mentioned his Design @ Nine team many times on his show, so we would like to showcase these extremely talented people so you know who’s who & what’s what. Each week we will be featuring a facet of what goes on in our world so you can be the first to know what our inspirations are & where they come from. Who knows you may even get a sneak peak at an upcoming jewelry delight.

We want to welcome you to Desert Rose Trading – Design @ Nine

Desert Rose Trading at the Oasis Gift Show

We had a blast at the Oasis wholesale gift market in Albuquerque a couple weeks ago. Made lots of new friends, opened new accounts to carry our line, and most importantly got to mingle with some of our fans. Here are just a few pics of our booth. We promise next time to take pics with us in them. Hope to see you at the next market.






The Team at Desert Rose Direct
http://www.desertrosedirect.com/
www.facebook.com/drtrading

Jay King at the Tucson Gem show and Filming for his upcoming HSN show

If you follow Jay King and Desert Rose Trading at all, you know that Jay is a busy, busy man! During the recent Tucson Gem and Mineral show, Desert Rose Trading had a booth, and Jay was there for a bit. He however was also, filming for an upcoming HSN Show, as well as taking helicopter rides, and working with Vendors. Heres a little sneak peak of his journey.

Shop the Desert Rose collection at: http://www.desertrosedirect.com/

Desert Rose Trading is connecting with you...

We are thrilled to announce that we are finally joining the social movement and connecting with you on our Blog, facebook, and twitter. We can't wait to hear from you, see your pics, and keep up updated on news with Desert Rose Trading, Desert Rose Direct, and Mine Finds by Jay King. Here are the link to follow:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drtrading
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DesertRoseDirec
Blog: http://desertrosetrading.blogspot.com/
Shop: http://www.desertrosedirect.com/

*Desert Rose Direct features our sterling silver and natural stone creations that can be purchased retail or if you have a store, wholesale. Shop today: http://www.desertrosedirect.com/

Thank you to our loyal customers for your continued support! Here's to the next phase in Desert Rose Trading!