Life & Work with Mclaine Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mclaine Richardson.

Hi Mclaine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I knew since I was a little girl that I would be doing something creative. I just didn’t know exactly what it would be. When people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d answer a paintist. When asked if I meant a painter or an artist, I’d say that I was going to make up my job. If only I had known! I explored all mediums of art throughout high school and college, but it wasn’t until studying abroad in Italy that I realized my love for jewelry design.

I moved back to Nashville and accepted a job in marketing at a healthcare company. I instantly knew that it was not my thing! As fate would have it, the company was sold and the entire marketing department was let go. I was thrilled to leave the corporate world behind and began pursuing freelance graphic arts and photography projects. My mom posted a request for me to borrow a light box for one of my projects on Facebook and Margaret Ellis responded. Mom had been a long-time Margaret customer and friend so she connected us.

When Mom called to thank her, she casually mentioned that I had studied jewelry design. Several weeks later Margaret called to see if I could help her out while one of her employees was out sick. She emphasized that this was a short-term gig. About a month later, Margaret offered me a full-time job but let me know that she had plans to retire soon. Three years later Margaret asked if I would be interested in buying her business and the rest is history!

I took officially took over the company on January 1, 2013, as owner and designer of the brand. It was important to me to honor Margaret and our long-term customers by embracing the name Margaret Ellis and her design aesthetic, but instilling my voice into the brand. We are often simply referred to as ME now. Both Edward and Anjy, who worked with Margaret since the beginning of her business, continue to work with me today, so there are more than 80 years of expertise in every piece we make. I own the rights to all of Margaret’s old designs, so I make a point of using elements and ideas from them in every collection I design.

Each unique design is made with love in our Nashville studio from the highest-quality materials by experienced craftsmen with over 80 years of combined experience. Fabricated in signature sterling silver, bronze, 14k gold filled, 18k, and 22k gold highlighted with individually selected stones, each piece of Margaret Ellis jewelry is made-to-order using traditional metalsmith techniques to create a unique distinctive style that is easily recognizable as ME.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing is ever easy in running a small business. I’ve learned that you have to constantly change and adapt to the times. We sell wholesale, retail, and online. What worked for any one of those business models a few years ago doesn’t work the same today.

We’ve tried new methods of reaching new customers and sometimes they work and other times are a bust, but you have to continue to make decisions and find opportunities that move you forward. You can’t keep doing the same thing expecting different results.

It’s a constant struggle. I am so grateful for the loyal collectors that continue to support ME. There literally would not be a ME without them!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Margaret Ellis Jewelry is a unique handcrafted artisan jewelry business. Margaret made the decision early on to pursue the fashion market rather than pursue the craft show model that most other metalsmith artists do. Our designs are available in select retail boutiques across the southeast, in our Studio Showroom, and at MargaretEllisJewelry.com.

I design a new collection twice a year and create one-of-a-kind pieces and mini-collections throughout the year. We also do a lot of custom projects and reimagined pieces from family heirloom pieces. All of these designs are made in our Studio so visitors can see our artists at work. We are best known for our anticlastic hammered pieces which have been a staple in our design since the late 1980s. Our design style is instantly recognizable as ME.

We work with a sustainable made-to-order business model, so there is little to no waste. The collection we have at the Studio is the only stock we have. One of the most unique things about being a working art studio is that we can customize each design. Once a design is ordered we make it to the custom specifications depending on the metal, stone, or size requested. All pieces are handmade from start to finish. Everything starts as sheet metal or wire and gets sculpted by hand into our finished products with hammers, fire, etc.

We refer to our customers as collectors because they are purchasing works of art rather than mass-produced jewelry. No two pieces are ever the same. We sign and date pieces that have enough room to do so. Margaret Ellis Jewelry is truly wearable art.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
Designing and producing quality jewelry is our focus, but our collectors are truly what matters the most to me. What we do is very personal so they become my friends. Because I know my customers, I design with them in mind.

I have the privilege of sharing and celebrating momentous occasions in their lives. They love having a relationship with the artist as much as I love them. It is what has kept people coming back to Margaret Ellis Jewelry for over 40 years now and the thing that brings me the most pride. I love my people!

Contact Info:

• Website: MargaretEllisJewelry.com
• Instagram: @MEllisJewelry
• Facebook: MargaretEllisJewelry

Image Credits
Courtney Eckdahl, Brett Warren Photography, and ME Studio