GREENE – It's no secret to Greene residents that downtown has a certain appeal for small businesses. The unique beauty and quaintness for the village square is home to a number of micro retailers, which is what attracted Fredricka Kulicke to her new location.
Kulicke, of the nearby Town of Triangle, opened the Greene location of Fredricka Kulicke School of Jewelry Art for business in mid December, just in time for last minute Christmas shoppers.
“This wasn't our grand opening, but we wanted to be open for the holiday,” said Kulicke.
The New York City native also operates another jewelry school and gallery in Parsippany, NJ.
“I've had People come to my jewelry school from as far away as Norway, people who are looking for a first rate jewelry education will travel. The school, it's much like an adult camp. People will come and stay for a week or two, attend the workshops and learn something new,” Kulicke said.
According to Kulicke, being well versed in the art of jewelery making isn't something most people are born with naturally. It takes years of dedication and trial and error to obtain the skill needed to create what is visualized. “I'm 62 years old and I started making and designing jewelery in my 20's,” said Kulicke. “What happens when people learn how to make jewelery is they begin to understand that it isn't very easy and that it really takes a great deal of practice to get good at it ... I've seen many students come out of their shell as they progress through the course, and it bolsters their self esteem.”
Kulicke started her journey into the art at the side of her late father, Robert Kulicke, who was a painter, goldsmith, and teacher often publicized in the New York Times.
