Her interest in jewelry making began while she was still a student at the Bronx High School of Science. Upon graduation, she matriculated in the sculpture and metals program at Pratt Institute, where she received her BFA. She then worked as an assistant designer at James Murphy, Ltd. and Patricia von Musulin, Inc., and eventually apprenticed with David Walter, Wilhelm Kalich, Montreux, and Guillemin Soulaine. Karen is expertly skilled in special-order wax work, direct metal fabrication, and modelmaking. Her clients have included Buccellati, Bulgari, Fred Leighton, and Tiffany & Co., amongst others.