Meet the Designer: Maggie of Oxbow

Oxbow gets its name from a U-shaped bend that forms in a river over thousands of years. That natural process is what inspires designer Maggie, who's been fortunate to call some our country's most stunning natural landscapes home, including the Southwest, the Lowcountry, and Taos.

SHOP THE OXBOW COLLECTION

Designer: Maggie of Oxbow

Location: Taos, NM

How did you get started making jewelry?

I have to thank my mom for this! 11 years ago she asked me to take a soldering class with her. It was in the back of her local bead shop in Charleston, SC. We learned on a butane torch, and I loved it.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?

Art and design has always been a big part of my life. I grew up painting and drawing. But professionally, no! I thought I would be in the sciences, and I studied to be a geologist. In a lot of ways, jewelry is the perfect marriage of the two fields.

How long have you been in the trade?

Well I kept using that butane torch for a long time. When I started, I was making jewelry out of my parent’s garage, selling it wholesale to local yoga studios, and took it online with an Etsy shop in 2016. I now have my own studio and a website-so a lot has changed in ten years!

What’s the most challenging part about being a jewelry designer?

Balancing creative time with the practical side of running a business. I always wish there were more hours in the day for creative time.

What’s your favorite part about being a jewelry designer?

One of the things I love about the jewelry industry is that there is always more to learn. The list of skills I want to learn is endless. I love turning an idea or concept into a wearable object, and that usually steers me in the direction of what I want to learn next. For example, right now I’m working on a “knock on wood” goodluck series. The wood I’m using is petrified wood, so I’m learning some basic lapidary.

Who is another jewelry designer that you admire/do you have a mentor in the jewelry industry?

This is a long list, but I will share a few: Alexis Pavlantos. I am such a fan of her work. She also has an amazing gallery, Teko, in New Mexico. And Hannah from Goodluck Handmade. She’s also in Denver, and I’m so grateful for her knowledge and friendship. In general the independent jewelers’ community is a really, really special place. I’ve learned a lot in the short time that I’ve been full time at Oxbow.

Do you have a favorite piece that you have made?

This has evolved over time! My kissing rings are one of my favorite designs. I love what they mean to other people. I get the best stories from people who keep one and gift one to their friends, lovers, sisters, moms etc. I also love making anything that evokes nostalgia. For example, I made a tomato charm this summer that instantly took me back to my childhood garden in Philadelphia .One client shared that she and her grandfather used to pick tomatoes together, and he always carried salt in his pocket so they could eat them right off the vine. Those connections — between memory, story, and jewelry — really stick with me. I’m so honored when people share their stories with me.

Do you have a favorite metal or stone that you prefer to work with?

I work mostly in gold. I love it. The higher the Karat the more fun it is to work in. Right now, I am really loving diamonds with color.

Do trends in the industry affect the way you design a new collection?

Not really. My hope is that I make what I love making, and it won’t necessarily be for everyone, but it will really be for someone. I think there is something special about that connection.

What’s your favorite piece of jewelry from your own personal collection?

My Grandmother’s ring. It’s a simple wavy gold band. She wore it all the time, and now I wear it all the time.