Katherine has been making jewelry since she was a teenager. She comes from a family of scientists, classical musicians and cattle ranchers, growing up mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area and in rural England. Her childhood included many opportunities to explore the natural world and various artistic media, including weaving, painting and metal work. Katherine has worked as an environmental educator and organizer; event producer; and as Executive Director of a non-profit circus arts performance troupe. This segued into working in the music business for the latter half of the 1990s. A love for Irish music led to working in that particular corner of the music industry, and over the years she has developed what amounts to a second life in Dublin.

Katherine holds an MS in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as a Post Baccalaureate certificate in Premedical Studies from Mills College in Oakland, California. She lives in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, with her large collection of rocks.