Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Max Ramsey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Max, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

I donate a minimum of $25 per month (it depends on my sales but I always at least make that donation) to Upstate Food Not Bombs. They are an organization that works to feed those in need in our area, no questions asked. While their primary goal is to feed, they also provide other services like finding housing, fund raising for locals in need, providing clothing, and providing basic needs like Tylenol and sewing kits. They are completely inclusive, they will not turn you away for any reason. Come as you are, tell them what you need, and they will try their best to help you. I fully believe community outreach like this is fundamental to building a stronger community. This is how we help people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Max Ramsey and I am a jeweler. I work in all metal types, and I can do anything from fix a broken chain to custom fabricating a new piece of jewelry for you. I primarily work in silver, and make ‘Southern Gothic’ style pieces. My circle of friends calls it ‘y’allternative’. I make bolo ties, rings, earrings, and memorial jewelry. I use natural gemstones and ethically sourced bones found from road kill.

I started metalsmithing in high school at the Fine Arts Center, which I graduated from in 2014. Then in 2020 I started working in a jewelry repair shop, where I learned how to work with gold and repair broken pieces. I worked there for 3 years, and learned so many things I use today. I’m very thankful for that job and what I learned. Then I worked for a local jeweler for about a year and learned even more under his direct tutelage.

I’ve been running my own business since 2022, and boy has that been a learning curve. Taxes, laws regarding licensing, registering the business, it’s all been things I’ve had to figure out on my own. Learning systems that work and don’t work and then adjusting practices has been something I’ve gotten used to. Flexibility has been key.

I really try to set myself apart from other jewelers in the area through my style and my customer service. I haven’t found anyone in the Greeneville area that offers jewelry like mine, and I’m really trying to carve out a niche with that. But I also pride myself in how I work with my customers, especially on custom pieces. Typically, I’ll have a meeting with my client over coffee and we will sketch out designs until we come up with something they love.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Jewerly, and art in general in my opinion, is all about flexibility. Things don’t always go exactly as planned, a casting pour could go wrong, you could break a stone, the list goes on. You always have to be ready to step back to the drawing board and find a new way to make things work.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being transgender in the South has always been a difficult terrain to traverse. There’s many people in our area, and our world, that don’t believe I should exist as I do. But I have gone through so much to become the man I am today. Hundreds of doctors visits, therapy visits, surgeries, weekly injections. And that’s just the basic things I’ve had to do to be comfortable and happy in my body. That doesn’t even include the backlash I’ve received from strangers and family members. But I’m happy and proud of who I am today, and no one can take that away from me, or any of my trans siblings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aconiteandsilver.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aconiteandsilver?igsh=bTF0OWhuaDBpOXI2
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aconiteandsilver?_t=8prHIlI0wSw&_r=1

Image Credits

Max Ramsey