Alison Morse

How did you get started as a jewelry artist?
I’ve been making jewelry for as long as I can remember—stringing beads as a little girl and wire wrapping as I got older. As a young teen, I took a chainmaille class at a local bead shop and was hooked. I learned several different patterns and figured out how to make my own jump rings at home. I would sell my jewelry to friends, classmates, teachers, and anyone who was interested—an entrepreneur at heart. Then I found a metalsmithing class at a studio in Seattle. I was obsessed. It was the hardest craft I had ever attempted. I wasn’t particularly good at it, but the challenge had me hooked. As I started applying to universities, not quite sure what I wanted to do with my life, I picked a liberal arts college that also had a metalsmithing program. The classes were tough, the teacher was strict, and the standards were high. That strong foundation really set me up for where I’m at today.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Nature is my biggest muse. I’m endlessly inspired by the ocean, forests, and the small details you notice when you really slow down. Travel also sparks a lot of ideas for me; I come home from trips full of fresh inspiration and ready to create. 

Can you share the story behind your jellyfish earrings and the ocean cleanup connection?
A lot of my work is inspired by the ocean. I thought I was going to be a marine biologist before I became a metalsmith. The jellyfish earrings came to life about ten years ago, and their design has evolved a lot over the years. They’ve been one of my best-selling designs. Whenever I sell my work at shows, they’re always the first thing people notice in my booth. They make people smile when they realize what they are. Towards the end of 2024, I decided I needed to put these little guys to work. I was feeling called to make my jewelry a positive force in the world. I’ve always been passionate about protecting our oceans and disheartened by the damage plastic trash does to the critters that live there. So I started donating a portion of each sale to the 4Ocean Foundation. They support beach cleanup efforts and also help remove trash from rivers before it even makes it to the open ocean. It’s fun to track and count the pounds of trash they’ve offset. It hasn’t even been a year yet, and they’ve already removed 336 pounds of plastic trash. That feels pretty great.

What does “handmade” mean to you?
The jewelry I make is all hand-fabricated, meaning I start with flat sheets of metal, wire, and other stock material that I saw, file, solder, and polish into a finished piece of jewelry. This requires a different skill set than more traditional cast jewelry, which is often designed in CAD, printed in wax, molded, and cast in metal. I think both fall into the category of “handmade,” but I feel particularly drawn to traditional fabrication techniques. The finished jewelry has a different feel—entirely made from scratch and assembled by hand. As my business has grown, I’ve hired production assistants to help keep up with demand, especially with repetitive tasks that are hard on my body. It still feels handmade to me, even if it isn’t always with my own hands.

How do you balance creativity with running a business?
I actually enjoy balancing creativity with running a business. The business side of things isn’t something I ever formally learned—I’ve just been piecing it together as I go. It is extremely gratifying to make a living selling my work. Being my own boss, making my own schedule, and being in charge of my day-to-day activities is the best. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned a lot about time management, accounting software, e-commerce, social media, and making space for creativity and learning while also meeting my sales goals. It is a balance, but I feel like one fuels the other. My creative days are an outlet—hours with my head down, my hands dirty, and the ideas flowing. Then I crunch the numbers, do the marketing, and hopefully reap the rewards. I’m always educating myself, whether it’s a new skill to further my craft or reading a gritty business book and thinking about strategy, goals, and growth. I’ve always been into self-improvement, and for me, running a business is the ultimate form of self-work.

What’s the most challenging part of being a maker?
For me, it’s the physical toll. Metalsmithing is demanding on the body—hours of filing, hammering, and sitting at the bench can be tough on my hands, shoulders, and back. I’ve had to learn to pace myself and listen to my body, which isn’t easy when you’re passionate about what you do. I have to remember to take  time to stretch and exercise every day. 

How do you source your materials?
I do my best to source responsibly. I purchase silver and gold from suppliers who offer recycled metals, and I love working with natural stones from lapidaries I know and trust. I try to know where my materials are coming from, and I choose vendors who align with my values around sustainability and quality.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in handmade jewelry?
I think this is true for a lot of careers and industries, but I believe it really is all about who you know. I wouldn’t be where I am today without a lot of help from the people I’ve met along the way. Making connections, being personable, and putting yourself out there—even when you don’t know what it’s going to lead to—is always a good idea.

What do you love most about your workspace?
My tools. After recently being away from my workspace for an extended period of time, working on the road and in other studios, I am so happy to be back with all my tools. Having the right tool for a job makes all the difference, and having them all within arm’s reach is incredible.

Any rituals or routines that keep you inspired?
Being in nature always resets me. When I feel stuck creatively, I step outside—whether it’s a walk with my dog, time in the garden, or a hike. Balancing tiny, detailed, tedious bench work with larger movements and expansive views helps keep me fueled and inspired.

What do you do when you’re not making jewelry?
When I’m not making jewelry, you can find me cooking, gardening, traveling, reading a good book, practicing yoga, hiking, and generally being outdoors—usually with my dog, Esme.

How does being part of the USA Handmade community impact your work or outlook?
I’m excited to be a part of this community because of its emphasis on supporting makers in the United States. So much of the online jewelry and crafts market is saturated with international mass-produced goods. As a small business, I can’t really compete with that market. So having this corner of the internet just for us gives me hope that customers looking for handmade goods will find me here!