September 3rd, 2009
The Marriage of Fashion and Art is Jewelry and at T.K.O. in Bethany Beach, Delaware, this marriage has lasted for over 25 years…
Originally from Milwaukee, Alice Klein has made Bethany Beach her home. She is a jeweler, a designer and the president of T.K.O. Designs.
Alice graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.
What does T.K.O. stand for? Well, I found out that after she graduated from Temple, she and her partner, Wyatt Osato, started the business and, Together Klein and Osato, emerged.
From Philadelphia to Milwaukee she went, and then in 1986 she received a Wisconsin Arts Board Grant. Being more independent and hiring workers, T.K.O. grew to 16 part time and full time employees in 1989.
In the 1990’s, she moved to Bethany Beach with her husband, Bryant Clark, who is also a jeweler and from Delaware.
Her sister, Emily Klein-Welch has always been a big help with Alice’s business. But, now Emily tends to her growing family, helping when she can. Bryant is there and he is always ready to engage you in interesting conversation and help you choose the perfect piece.
Alice’s craft is an art. She has worked with plastics, precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, gold, gold filled and silver.
In 2003, she held a one person show, when she created over 51 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry and was recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts.
I have been a fan of her jewelry for over 10 years. Many of my friends and family will attest to that, because I have given them Alice’s creations, over the years, for birthday presents and for other occasions; not only to them but to their daughters, as well.
Have some dated pieces? Alice can redesign them and still keep them classic but at the same time give them a new updated look.
Alice’s designs are unique and you can recognize them as hers when you spot someone wearing a piece of her jewelry.
The website is www.alicehklein-tko.com.
T.K.O. is located at 100 Atlantic Ave., # 6 & 7, Bethany Beach. Tel. 302-539-6992 and cell 302-841-9088.
You can check her website for a sample of her designs, but to get the full effect of what she can do, please visit her store.
Alice and Bryant seemed to have achieved a good working relationship, besides being husband and wife. They can even find time, as long as the wind is blowing, to enjoy their favorite pastime; extreme kite surfing.
Tags: Bethany Beach, Delaware Beaches, Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island, Jewelry, Lewes, Ocean City, rehoboth beach, Shopping, South Bethany, What to do at the beaches
