Ken Schug, sometimes called a "micro mineralogist", is a silversmith from Traverse City, MI focusing on jewelry and lapidary. He founded his jewelry business Down To Earth Designs in 2012, and has been making unique jewelry from copper, silver, mixed metals and stone, including rings, pendants earrings, bracelets and cuff links. A member of the Grand Traverse Rock and Mineral Club, Ken teaches classes to club members, as well as private lessons, and now at AuSable Artisan Village.

"My medium comes from the beauty found in Earth's nature. I travel the country, collecting many of the stones I use myself, gathering inspiration from nature along the way.

My jewelry is not a statement, Each piece has a place within a lifelong conversation with those parts of myself stirred by the magnificence of the wilds of the world, spoken slowly, a conversation woven not of words, but of silver and stone."