Jewelry Artist Profile
By Christine Gierer
Handcrafted Jewelry Designer
Rachel was kind enough to answer my questions by email and she writes so eloquently that I think I’ll just let her tell you everything in her own words. Take it away Rachel!
About
I am
Adorned by Morgan is my part-time career/hobby, although I often wish I had more time to create jewelry and try other artistic endeavors.
A note about the origin of my business name: Morgan is my middle name, and I used it in my business title instead of Rachel because I wanted to separate my literary identity from my crafting one. My occupation involves writing, but my craft involves flexing a different type of creativity. Also, I think “Adorned” captures an idea of elegance and really goes hand-in-hand with images of jewelry.
Handcrafted Jewelry Designer Training?
Although there have been classes and workshops throughout my high school and college experiences, I haven’t had any formal jewelry training. Most of what I’ve learned has come from observation of design and reading magazines/books on the subject. Working a full-time job, it is hard to find the time to create. But once I get that yen to craft, I find a way to get my hands moving as soon as possible— whether it be by banging out a pair of earrings or even just sorting my extensive bead collection. Sometimes the anticipation of crafting and the immediate denial of being able to do so just increases my creativity and productivity once I do have the time and materials in front of me.
How Rachel Became a Handcrafted Jewelry Designer
Since I was a child, I’ve been “artsy.” I loved to play with others but I also enjoyed the time I spent drawing, beading, knitting or engaging in any other type of crafting on my own. There are pictures of me wearing some fairly bold, handmade jewelry— even in elementary school. I guess I felt they set me apart; that’s part of the reason why I decided to start selling my jewelry about three years ago. It’s just too easy to quickly buy an item simply because it’s cheap and close to the checkout line in any clothing store. When I realized jewelry was losing meaning for me, whereas it had always been a form of self-expression, I decided it was time to really crank out some cool pieces and share them with others.
Also, my grandfather Leo was a jeweler and I feel that jewelry-making helps me to continue a part of my family’s past. He owned a tiny shop in
One of a Kind Jewelry
With a few exceptions, my jewelry is mostly one of a kind. Aside from the fact that mass producing jewelry is boring for me, creating “one and done” type pieces helps to keep my work unique and my wearers feeling special. They aren’t going to see five other people walking down the street on any given day with their same earrings or necklace or whatnot.
I don’t sketch my designs, although I know some artists carry small notebooks with them for this purpose. I find my jewelry just comes together best when I have all the materials in front of me rather than a blank page. The bold colors, unusual textures and unexpected combinations of shapes all just seem to “click” when any such elements come together. I mostly gain inspiration from the materials with which I work.
Word of Mouth Marketing, Local Indie Boutiques, and Etsy
Adorned by Morgan gets into the hands of customers through word of mouth, local Indie boutiques in
Materials From Stores that Remind You of Your Grandfather’s Basement?
One of my favorite pastimes is visiting hobby or craft stores, especially older ones that remind you of your grandparents’ basement. You can get some really unique finds in those types of stores. I get a rush from deconstructing vintage necklaces and recycling them into newer pieces with fresh components in my work. This allows me to contribute new collections to the world without having as much of an impact on the environment, because there is no mass production involved in making the materials and I am incorporating already-existing creations into my work. As a vegan, I also never buy or wear animal by-products, or use them in my work. This includes pearls (only glass ones here), leather, suede, silk and shells.
Tips for Budding Designers: Have Fun and Read, Read, Read
Have fun with your craft! Try reading up on it while you’re in commute whenever you have some free time, and it will make it easier once you get your fingertips involved. I’m a visual learner, so I find the best how-to books are those with an abundance of clear photographs and diagrams.
Adorned by Morgan on the Web and Elsewhere
You can check out Adorned by Morgan on the Web at www.adornedbymorgan.etsy.com, and my supplies annex at www.literatavian.etsy.com . I offer previews, tips, reviews, anecdotes and more on my blog at www.adornedbymorgan.blogspot.com. I love comments from those who stop by, so drop me a line!
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