K. de Groot’s craft was not born from formal art training or a childhood spent making things. Instead, it grew from a lifelong appreciation of art, sparked by her mother’s love of art, curiosity about other cultures and love of travel.

When her husband was offered a job transfer to Bangkok, Thailand, the family of five had called Lamorinda home for five years. Accustomed to an international lifestyle, K. had lived in the Netherlands, Japan and the United States with her globe-trotting husband. When he asked, “How would you like to live in Thailand?” her answer was immediate: “When does the next plane leave?” Soon, the family was on its way.

In Bangkok, K. became a docent at the Bangkok National Museum, immersing herself in Thai art & culture. Exploring temples, markets and antique shops, she was drawn to exotic beads, unusual pendants and other treasures. Fascinated by the necklaces she saw, she began to wonder: If local artists could create them, perhaps she could, too.

With lessons from several local jewelers, K. began making jewelry. She scoured Bangkok for distinctive beads, pendants & trinkets to incorporate into one-of-a-kind necklaces and earrings. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion. When friends back home asked to buy her jewelry, her husband encouraged her to sell her creations. Before long, she was selling jewelry right off her neck. She turned her interest into a business, and Asian Accents was born.

From Thailand, K. & her husband traveled to Nepal, India and China, seeking unusual pieces in colorful markets and antique shops. When she returned to Lamorinda in 1984, she brought a treasure trove of materials and continued developing her business. Her collection has since grown through travels to Italy, China, Bhutan, along the Silk Route and even Hunza in northern Pakistan.

For many years, Asian Accents remained a cottage industry selling contemporary, one-of-a-kind pieces made with hand-hammered silver and handcrafted beads from around the world. In 2015, friends encouraged K. to join the Moraga Art Gallery. She became an integral part of the gallery community.

Today, she is an exhibiting member artist and one of the gallery’s curators, a role she loves and has held for five years.

Custom design is another favorite part of her work. Customers can bring a special treasure to the Moraga Art Gallery or choose from K.’s collection, working with her to create a necklace and earrings that complement a particular outfit.

She continues to participate in local holiday boutiques and community events such as the Pear Festival. She especially enjoys welcoming Campolindo art students and encouraging them to explore the possibilities of the art world. Discovering beautiful beads and pendants from different cultures and transforming them into one-of-a-kind necklaces brings K. great joy. Through her cross-cultural wearable art, she brings the world a little closer to the Lamorinda community.