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Margaret Ellis Jewelry
Mclaine Richardson
Nashville,
TN
Medium:
Jewelry USN alumna ‘04
“I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember,” says Mclaine. “It’s always been how I express myself—collaging from old stock image books, building sculptures, and exploring any medium I could get my hands on. I’ve always loved combining materials to create something new and meaningful.
“The turning point came when I discovered metalsmithing while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. It felt like everything I loved—sculpture, texture, storytelling—merged into one art form. It just clicked. Jewelry became a way for me to create wearable art that could carry personal meaning, history, and beauty. What started as a temporary job with Margaret in 2009 turned into a lifelong passion. Sixteen years later, I’m now the owner and designer—proudly carrying forward a 40+ year legacy of timeless, handcrafted jewelry.”
Get to know Mclaine better:
What is the most important thing you wanted viewers to take away from your art?
What you wear speaks volumes about who you are. Every ME piece is a modern heirloom—handcrafted from raw materials, with nothing cast or mass-produced. We start with flat sheets of metal and wire, forging each piece entirely by hand in our Nashville studio using traditional metalsmith techniques. That kind of craftsmanship is rare today. Our collectors recognize and value the difference. They know they’re not just wearing something beautiful—they’re helping preserve the tradition of metalsmithing for generations to come.
Describe your dream art project.
Custom work is where the magic happens. Whether helping someone tell their story through a piece designed just for them, or reimagining a family’s gold, a strand of pearls, or heirloom stones—those are the projects I love most. Jewelry is intimate. It’s worn close to the body, passed down through generations, and often carries deep emotional weight. Creating legacy pieces that are worn and loved for years to come—that’s the dream.
Titles of works can be descriptive or clever or totally unrelated. What’s your favorite title of a piece you’ve named?
Naming pieces is part of the fun. I’ve used everything from literal to offbeat names. Last fall’s collection leaned into musical references—Fleetwood Mac to Miley Cyrus. “Wrecking Ball” was a favorite—perfect for a spiked orb earring. But one that really sticks with me is the “Pont des Arts Cuff”. Inspired by the famous Paris bridge once covered in love locks, the cuff features scattered metal bars with three little padlocks hanging from them. It’s strong, playful, and full of movement—and it always sparks a conversation.
