Meet Our Artisan Nancy Nelson!
Artisan Jewelry Inspired by Nature.
We are elated to introduce you to another new and talented addition to our community—Nancy Nelson! Nancy designs nature-inspired jewelry from her forest home studio, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. We sat down (virtually) to find out more about Nancy, her design process and inspiration, and beyond! Here’s what she had to say (*with a few edits.)
– Tessa
My mission is to empower women to connect to their true nature and feel empowered, inspired, renewed, grounded and beautiful.
– Nancy
Q: Hi, Nancy! Tell us about yourself, what would you like our followers to know?
A: Hi, I’m Nancy, the founder and designer of Nancy Nelson Jewelry, a jewelry brand with a mission to connect women to nature through jewelry that is timelessly elegant, bohemian and rooted in love. In every Nancy Nelson piece, we strive to capture and celebrate the natural beauty that surrounds us. About me. I married my High School sweetheart and we are raising our three beautiful children in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains of Western Maryland.
We spend most of our free time at our local lake in the summers, skiing in the winters, and spending time together in nature as much as we can.
The change of seasons never ceases to spark new ideas and more creative energy. Nature is fuel for my designs, and its energy guides every stone I select, and every leaf I cast.
– Nancy
Q: Tell us about your studio/workshop set up. Do you have team members that help bring your designs to life?
A: I do all the designing in house then work with a small team to produce my cast. Another person or I will do the finishing and assembling. If it is a large order or we’re under a tight deadline then I’ll have family & friends help, which they’re always happy to do. I have the best friends & family!
Caption: See Nancy’s styles for Silpada here.
Q: How did you become a jewelry designer?
A: While obtaining my BFA in Industrial Design, I enrolled in a Metalsmithing class and fell in love with the process. Years later I decided to turn my passion into reality and Nancy Nelson Jewelry was born.
They were humble beginnings as I worked from my kitchen table and sold jewelry at craft fairs and markets. The business organically grew over time, and by 2011—we began a fully-operating business.
As the business grew and thrived, we built a home studio nestled in the woods to accommodate our growing needs. This allowed me to balance my many responsibilities as a wife, mother and business owner, while remaining inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds our forest home in the Appalachian Mountains.
Q: What inspires or influences you?
A: The change of seasons never ceases to spark new ideas and more creative energy. Nature is fuel for my designs, and its energy guides every stone I select, and every leaf I cast. The items I use in my collections are often gathered on walks with my children, and I present them with the care and curiosity I find in their natural beauty. My intention is that each piece of jewelry tells a story to the wearer.
I draw from the colors, textures, shapes found in Nature in each of my collections. Nature is my muse – the feelings, the smells, the sounds all bring a feeling of calmness and clarity to my design process. Life is full of beauty so when I’m feeling inspired, I try to take time to slow down and take it all in and to transfer the inspiration over to my designs.
Q: What inspired your designs that are now available from Silpada?
A: Nature is woven throughout this collection – Eucalyptus leaves symbolizing goodwill, Birch for new beginnings and Branches for family. Semi-precious stones were added to some pieces, while others stayed more in their natural state. Each nature finding was cast to capture the exquisite detail. Each forest finding is hand-picked for its perfect size and weight. Molds are made to preserve the delicate detail, then cast in metal using the lost-wax technique and transformed into jewelry.
Q: What has it been like watching your brand grow and evolve over the years?
A: I started my business when I was pregnant with my first born daughter which was over 13 years ago. Watching them grow alongside the business has been a gift. I have so many fond memories of them playing in the studio while I was working.
It has been a blessing to be a stay at home / working mom. The flexibility has allowed me to juggle the many responsibilities that come with being a mom and business owner. I won’t lie, it has made for late nights and lack of sleep but it was all worth it.
Q: Are there any core values you hold true throughout your business practices? Any core values that drive you or your brand?
I place a huge emphasis on quality, style, sustainability, and integrity. My mission is to empower women to connect to their true nature and feel empowered, inspired, renewed, grounded and beautiful.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a jewelry designer?
A: My advice would be to believe that you can succeed and you’ll find the ways to make it happen.
When you learn from your mistakes, you’re one step closer to success. Never stop learning everyday. Always stay true to your vision and why you started. Know your customer and the problem you solve for them. Lastly, come from a place of service. Ask yourself how can “I change the world with my actions and intentions?” Always give more than you take.
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Silpada x JUST: Together We Are Stronger.
This month, 40% of artisan jewelry sales will be donated to JUST to support underserved female entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19. Help us reach our $20K goal!
Learn more here.
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