Moose Spotlight: Simple to Statement Jewelry Pieces Inspired by Nature

"Oh where to begin! Each day you continue your making journey, will be a day of improvement."

- Madelyn Hussman of @mntnmeadowcoll

MEET THE ARTIST

"My grand adventure out west started it all," Madelyn shared. She spent 6 months hiking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. She found herself chasing a dream to have a creative studio after where she would work with leather and silver - designing and crafting beautiful unique goods.

Before picking up a torch, Madelyn said she admired Pacific Crest Silver’s Etsy page. She said she drooled over every piece Rashel made. Just when she began contemplating how and where to start, Rashel released a How To Guide, full of resources, books, and classes. "I devoured it and watched class after class, over and over, practically memorizing the video: steps, processes..."

Firsts are almost always special. For Madelyn, the first pieces she ever sold was when she put a collection of small Variscite stacker rings up on her Instagram story. They were all immediately claimed, mostly by friends she knew personally. Aren't supportive friends the best? 🫶🏼

Curious what's the story behind her brand name, Madelyn said, "During my 6 month hike, I would get lost in my mind while standing in a meadow surrounded by mountains. It is my favorite place to be: looking up at the majestic peaks of the cascades and sierras, while standing among the beauty, fertile, lush meadows." And so, Mountain (MNTN) Meadow came to be. 💚

Let's take a look at some of Madelyn's gorgeous pieces!

"Everyday. With every make," Madelyn said when asked if she remembers her first AHA! moment since she got started creating jewelry. She added she loves learning techniques: stamping, new band designs, dapping, the use of tools like shot plates, trying new earwire methods.

Here are a few more beauties by Madelyn!

THE DESIGN PROCESS

For Madelyn, it all starts with the stones, picking out which to use, separately or together. She explained, "The stones I get from Turquoise Moose mostly deserve their own spotlight, I love the medium oval turquoise stones, I always look forward to using a new stamped design to really make an amazing statement ring."

Asked to describe her own design style, Madelyn said it fluctuates from simple to statement. One constant is she designs with the stone and the wearer in mind. Adding, "I gravitate more towards vibrant stones, with a boho flair design."

"Make more than one. This is a lesson I wish I followed more closely. I’ll get a custom, and then I’ll share it, and then I get so many inquiries to purchase it. I end up kicking myself because I only have one to show the world and it’s already sold. So get in the habit of making at least two - maybe not an exact replica of the custom, but a similar one."

One piece of technical advice on creating.

"Watch those solder joins!"

Any words of encouragement or tips to those who are starting out in the world of jewelry-making?

"Oh where to begin! Each day you continue your making journey, will be a day of improvement. Even the best of the best melt pieces by mistake. Start with the basic techniques, and watch before doing. You do not need to spend thousands starting out, I can be a resource, please reach out if you have questions"

Lastly, here's Madelyn's message to the universe:

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mntnmeadowcoll/

Check out her website: https://mntnmeadowcollection.com/

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