We are so excited to share with you this interview by talented Megan from Fond Of Jewellery! This is a creator that come across my feed a while back now and their work in the jewellery industry is amazing in skill and creates inspiring pieces. We hear all about how she found the world of silversmithing, as well as finding out more about her design along with some tips for fellow jewellers.
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Megan and I started my small business called ‘Fond Of’. I went to college in Boston, MA to Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I studied Fashion Design and also Photography as a dual major. After graduation my boyfriend and I decided to convert a van and do a road trip across America. We found the perfect yellow 1985 Beauville and added solar panels, electric, water, a bed and sink and so much more to it and went on the road! We ended up in Arizona for the most amount of time and that’s where I decided to take a three hour jewelry workshop on how to make a ring and how I decided to start my business!
Why jewellery making?
After graduating it was really hard to find motivation without classmates and studio critiques everyday. When I took the jewelry workshop in Arizona and also from converting the van, I really got my creativity and motivation back because I was inspired by something new and different to me! Silversmithing came naturally to me and it’s so different to the art form that I am used to that I just enjoy making new things and continue to enjoy it everyday!
Where do you find your inspiration?
I honestly am not inspired by specific things like a lot of artists are. I sort of just kind of go with what I’m feeling like in the moment. I guess you could say I’m inspired by the type of stones I choose! I pick out ones that catch my eye in terms of shape and color and then I get inspired to create off of that to compliment the stone.
What is your favorite piece of jewellery that you have made so far?
I have always loved the moon and the stars and the sea, basically just nature in general! I love the pieces of jewelry I’ve made with stones that are cut to the shape of moons or hearts or remind me of the movement of waves. I also love to make rings that have an oval shaped stone and I make petals out of silver wire to put around it to look like flowers!
What is the hardest thing you have learnt?
The hardest thing I have learned from jewelry making is all of the different steps that go into hand polishing. Without the proper machinery you have to do so much by hand and this is the part I still sometimes struggle with now. Figuring out what works best with what tools and which compounds to use before and after each other, it can get so confusing!
What Advice would you give to someone?
One piece of advice I would give to someone is to try not to compare yourself to other businesses but to look at them instead as motivation and inspiration to grow from. With social media it can be so easy to doubt yourself when looking at other people’s success, especially if you’re just starting out like I am. It’s so important to try to push past that and to look at these businesses and see how they became so successful and to use that to benefit your business! Try to use social media as a helpful tool and stay true to yourself and your design style.
References
Follow Fond Of on her socials and website
Photographs from: