About

Black Swamp is the studio of artist Katie Thompson, creating natural curiousities, original artwork, and handcrafted wooden jewelry and accessories in the Lowcountry swamps outside of Charleston, SC.

In addition to creating multimedia artworks Katie is also a writer, instructor and advocate. She is the creator of the Women of Woodworking Project and Pen & Chisel. She is the Social Media and Admin Director for the Wood Art Alliance, and serves on the Board of Trustees for The Furniture Society. She has presented and taught at craft schools and events internationally, including North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA and the Women in Lutherie International Conference.

Katie is married to Joseph Thompson who is also a fine furnituremaker and woodworking instructor, and they both work out of their home shop with their two children and furry companions. Katie lives with a spinal cord injury and disease, and explores related topics to womanhood and parenting in both her creative and advocacy-focused work.

For more on Katie and her other work, visit her personal website at ktthompson.com.

Black Swamp began in 2013 as a line of naturally inspired jewelry using fine hardwoods and other high quality materials. Katie conceptualized Black Swamp as result of efforts to recycle wood shavings made during the furniture making process in her and her husband's wood shop. 

Katie holds a B.A. in Communications from the College of Charleston and has previously worked with the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, MOJA Festival, and interned with Redux Contemporary Arts Center in Charleston, SC.

View Katie's Cistern Oak Collection for the College of Charleston Alumni Association.