About

John and I are so fortunate to live and own a business here in the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. We moved to Camdenton, MO from Barrington, IL in 1972. At that time the Bagnell Dam Strip was a bustling tourist attraction lined with wall-to-wall t-shirt shops and souvenir stores. John began wholesaling turquoise jewelry to the shops on the boulevard and to many other mom and pop businesses throughout Missouri. He would stay up all night stringing silver necklaces until he made enough to fill an old-time cigar box which held about 100 items. He named his wholesale business John 1:1 after the scripture “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” After a while we were blessed to be able to rent a spot in the original Dogpatch store where we remained for ten years. After our son married and became proficient in jewelry repair we decided to relocate to Osage Beach. We bought a house on Hwy KK where we lived and started out a new business in our living room. We named it KK jewelers. John retired in 2012 and I continue to run the business with my son and daughter.

I was only about 6 years old when my dad started wholesaling Indian Jewelry and selling the necklaces he and my sister were stringing, but it wouldn't be long before I would find my place in the family business. After graduating high school in 1985, I was accepted into Stewarts International School for Jewelers. Soon after completing that part of my education, I started my certification for appraising diamonds and colored stones through GIA. Now some 37 years later, you can still find me repairing or creating beautiful pieces for our clients. Be sure and stop by, say "Hi", and also check out my extensive arrowhead collection. I have found them all right here in the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks!

My journey in the family business started at the kitchen table. For a whopping 10 cents, per necklace, I was stringing  Pucca Shells like crazy! Even brought a couple friends in to help! Most of my money went to "Ben Franklins" one of the only retail stores at the lake in the late 1970"s that was opened year round! Around the age of 12, I was promoted to sell at our shop in Dogpatch, located on the Bagnell Dam strip. Fun times and fond memories! I am still friends with many of the people who shared the experience of working the Bagnell Dam strip when it was in the height of it's glory! After graduation, I decided to try my hand at hairdressing and lived away for a few years. Coming back to the Lake, to raise my family, and work part-time in the family business was the best decision! I am currently a full time real-estate agent. I definitely know the area and love helping my clients get relocated to this amazing place! You'll still see me at the store from time to time. I do all the store's merchandising and work the floor when they need me! Come in and let's get acquainted!