Mrs Mac, a New England-based brand, truly shares my love of color and contemporary design. Each piece is handcrafted using beautiful gemstones in brilliant colors that will add a touch of unique personality to any outfit. Jewelry is so much more than a mere accessory; it shows your unique sense of style to those around you.
In this interview, Matty, the founder of Mrs Mac, gives us an inside look into what inspired her to create her brand, how she sources the materials she uses in her designs, and her favorite piece that she’s created so far.
When were you first inspired to start your jewelry brand?
The inspiration for Mrs Mac stemmed from a personal collection of vibrant semi-precious gemstones and the rewarding experience of crafting by hand, including mastering hand-knotting and learning advanced techniques from a local jewelry designer. This fueled my passion to begin designing unique, sophisticated, and valuable pieces for women who desire something truly special and timeless.
What’s the story behind the name?
Mrs Mac: Each letter represents the first letter of the names of my three children, my husband, me, and our last name. I experimented with rearranging the letters until a suitable business name was formed. The name is a daily reminder of what inspires me.
Tell me about a typical day in the design studio.
A typical day usually begins with arranging all the components within a design tray to provide a visual preview of the potential designs that I’ve conceptualized. While I am creating pieces, spontaneous ideas for new styles often arise that usually lead to hours of online searching to find the perfect elements to bring the design to life. The remaining time is dedicated to a combination of administrative duties, endless organizing, identifying collaborative partnerships, and exploring ways to make a positive social impact through my work.
What colors are inspiring you this summer season?
As a vivid color enthusiast, I am gravitating towards refreshing, rich combinations such as deep olive and raspberry or pink. I also love teals, mint green, and soft peach. I love contrast or pairing these colors with neutrals.
Where do you source your materials?
A select US distributor of premium beads supplies the majority of the unique baroque pearls and semi-precious stones, many of which are exclusive finds. Rare and distinctive stones are also sourced periodically from online platforms like Etsy and other retailers specializing in unique beads. For gold-filled and sterling silver components, I buy from online wholesalers and retailers within the US.
What are some of the most time-consuming techniques that you use to create your pieces (for example, how long does it take to make a longer length hand-knotted piece)?
The most time-consuming techniques are wire-wrapping briolette pendants with precision, as well as hand-knotting with silk and nylon cords. While I tend to work at a steady pace, a 24-32 inch necklace can take two hours with breaks.
Out of all the pieces that a part of your current collection, do you have a personal favorite?
The Stand Out Strawberry Quartz Earrings are a personal favorite. Their cascading design, elegant length, and the rare beads’ soft, translucent pink hue are an instant head-turner. They look particularly striking against almost any shade of green for rich contrast, as well as whites and prints, all summer long.
