Twin Lakes, WI — Nestled in a compact workshop at 517 North Lake Ave., Forged & Formed is reshaping the concept of personalized jewelry in Kenosha County. The rhythmic hum of a machine, larger than a microwave, resonates through the space as a worker carefully loads metal keychains and disks, initiating a transformative process with a high-powered laser.
In mere minutes, intricate designs come to life on the metal canvas—a dog takes shape on one keychain, a family on vacation emerges on another.
Forged & Formed, a custom jewelry manufacturer, is leveraging modern technology under the leadership of CEO and President Wayne Read. The company operates on three fronts: a retail division in collaboration with Studio D Jewelers in Woodstock, IL; a production division crafting pieces for events, businesses, and beyond; and an e-commerce segment where customers can submit photos and prints for laser etching onto personalized jewelry.
According to Read, the versatility of Forged & Formed knows no bounds. Working with an array of metals, the company produces a diverse range of pieces, from dog tags to pendants and even Christmas ornaments.
“There’s not really a limit to what we can do,” Read affirms.
The company specializes in turning cherished memories into tangible keepsakes. Photos of beloved pets or family members are intricately laser-etched onto jewelry, and other pieces feature unique imprints such as fingerprints, nose prints, or paw prints.
“It takes an event, a moment, a celebration, and gives you something that you can hold on to,” explains Read.
Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Forged & Formed is intensifying its online presence and expanding its e-commerce operations. In a landscape where quality content and visual appeal matter, Read acknowledges the importance of adapting to consumer preferences.
“It’s different,” Read notes. “Everything young people have been raised around is good quality content, things that catch your eye … You have a lot of options out there as a consumer.”
Embracing the nimbleness of a smaller company, Read emphasizes their ability to respond swiftly to consumer needs.
“Because we’re very nimble, we make decisions quickly, we can introduce a line as quickly as we can make sure we can get the quality,” says Read.
In addition to serving individual consumers, Forged & Formed collaborates with organizations, local governments, and businesses to create custom branded offerings. Their portfolio includes a custom ornament for the City of Woodstock.
As the business grows, Read envisions a deeper connection with the community, building on their track record in Woodstock—from supporting local charities to actively participating in community events.
“We’re an example of entrepreneurs that are willing to go into new communities and get as deeply involved as we can,” Read asserts. “We want to make sure we join the right associations and have the right affiliations and networking groups … we’re modeling what we’d like to see out of other people that come into communities.”
