Meet the Maker

A little flavor, a lot of personality, and jewelry made to be lived in.

Everything we bring into KED at Home is something we’ve chosen personally, and discovering the people behind the pieces is one of our favorite parts. With our Meet the Maker series, we get to share that part with you: the hands, ideas, and individual perspectives behind the things you find here.

Meet Lindsay Knox, the designer and maker behind Ladha. Her handmade jewelry brings together sculptural shapes, rich textures, and the easy confidence she calls “laid-back luxe.” We sat down with Lindsay to learn more about her process, her inspirations, and what makes a piece worth keeping.

With a background in fashion merchandising and a lifelong love of art, travel, and handmade crafts, Lindsay founded LADHA in 2019 after trading her corporate career for the jewelry studio. The result is a collection of what she calls laid-back luxe: sculptural silhouettes, beautiful gemstones, and thoughtfully crafted pieces that feel just as natural worn every day as they do dressed up.

Even the name has personality. LADHA means "flavor," and Lindsay believes jewelry should be the seasoning that makes your personal style your own.

We caught up with Lindsay to talk about the women who inspired her, the magic of working with wax, her love of gold, and what makes a piece worth keeping.

First, tell us a little about yourself. How did LADHA come to be?

Hello! I'm Lindsay Knox, the owner and designer behind LADHA. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and now live in Oakland with my husband and our two daughters.

I've always been obsessed with art, fashion, travel, and handmade crafts. After years working in fashion merchandising, I experienced corporate burnout and started making jewelry as a way to decompress and reconnect with my creative side.

In 2016, I made a big career pivot and pursued a formal education in jewelry fabrication. Three years later, LADHA was born from my desire to create everyday, laid-back luxe pieces with unique details.

My aesthetic is heavily influenced by the women in my family and the beautiful, worldly jewelry collections I admired growing up.

We love that LADHA means "flavor." How does that translate to personal style?

I think jewelry is like seasoning for your personal style.

Want a bold look? Layer on more substantial, sculptural pieces that really pop. Feeling more understated? A dainty gemstone necklace or delicate pair of hoops can be just right.

Jewelry adds to your vibe on any given day. It's such a fun way to express who you are.

Your designs have such a beautiful balance of sculptural form and wearability. Where do you find inspiration?

The women in my family instilled a love of jewelry and travel in me from a young age, so I'm always inspired by international style and traditional jewelry from other cultures.

Vintage jewelry and historical trends fascinate me, too. I love that certain styles, like signet rings and hoop earrings, have remained relevant for generations.

Right now, I'm especially drawn to juicy-colored gemstones and bold, maximalist pieces that can become part of an everyday fall wardrobe.

Take us inside your Oakland studio. How does a new piece begin?

I love starting most of my designs by carving wax. It's a very therapeutic process, and I find that I can easily get into a creative flow. I love seeing how my design intuition shows up in the wax.

Once the models are cast in metal, the finishing process is another favorite part. Polishing really brings a piece to life.

For my fine jewelry, I often begin with a special gemstone from my collection. Usually, an idea has been floating around in my head for a while, and I'll design around the stone itself.

I'm also a big fan of mood boards!

We're always drawn to the details. What materials, textures, and finishes do you love working with?

I started my collection with a very special yellow bronze alloy that I still use today. It has a beautiful 18k-gold tone and doesn't tarnish like traditional bronze.

I also love the sleek, chic look of high-polish silver. And of course, I work with gold whenever I can!

For gemstones, I'm drawn to warmer tones like topaz and garnet. Diamonds are always a good idea, especially in interesting shapes like marquise and emerald cuts.

Because I work in wax, there's often an inherent textural quality to my designs. But I also love a smooth surface with an unexpected ridge or knife edge. Even the simplest piece can have something interesting about it.

What makes a piece of jewelry worthy of wearing for years?

First, it has to be comfortable.

I pay close attention to the weight and feel of every piece because I want people to enjoy wearing my jewelry daily.

I also think finding your signature pieces is important. A great pair of hoops that goes with everything, a versatile cuff, or a stack of rings can be a wonderful starting point.

With fine jewelry, I especially love seeing customers invest in something with personal significance, whether it's a birthstone or a custom engraving.

A few things we have to know...

Gold or silver?

I'm a gold girl at heart! But I do love that silver is having such a major moment right now.

What's always on your nightstand?

My emotional support book stack, haha! Since becoming a mom, I try to read for pleasure whenever I can, but finding the time isn't always easy.

Describe the woman who wears LADHA in three words.

She knows herself.

Where are you dreaming of traveling next?

My family is planning a big trip to Japan and Thailand in 2027. We love cities, beaches, and the jungle, and Asia has all of that to offer.

I'm also hoping to sneak in a little gemstone shopping in Bangkok!

Pieces with Personality

What we appreciate most about Lindsay's approach is that her jewelry isn't designed to sit in a box waiting for a special occasion. It's meant to be worn, layered, collected, and made your own.

We're so pleased to introduce LADHA to our collection and can't wait for you to discover the pieces that speak to you.

Explore the LADHA Collection →