Klaus Spies was born in Saarlouis, Germany. He traveled extensively through South America and Mexico where he first learned the art of goldsmithing. He pursued his craft in Berlin, Germany through the 80s under various goldsmiths and designers and in a collaborative jewelry studio in Kreuzberg.

Klaus and his wife Susan Spies moved from Berlin to Chicago, IL in 1999 where they started Spies Design. Since then, Klaus has been exhibting in numerous art fairs and galleries throughout the country. In 2008 they moved to the bustling mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina and also spend part of the year in Germany.