We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caitlin Clark a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Caitlin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am incredibly happy with the work that I am doing now. I absolutely love the creative freedoms I have. Before I started Made By Morgan Gifts, I worked in factories. I enjoyed the hands on aspects of these jobs but I was doing the same thing every single day and after awhile I felt incredibly burned out mentally and emotionally. These days I am excited with the endless possibilities of what I am going to create and work on. Everyday is different and of course setting my own schedule is a major benefit. The only time that I wonder about having a regular job is when the orders are slow to come in but I have to remind myself that this is a work in progress and the more time I invest in myself and in the work- the more orders I will have come in or even have more shops carry my jewelry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Caitlin Clark and I am the small business owner of Made By Morgan Gifts. I create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry from stones that I hand-pick along the shores of Lake Michigan. Made By Morgan Gifts was created in the fall of 2021 after I spent a couple of years tinkering away on my collection of stones from years passed. I taught myself how to best shape and polish Petoskey stones using nothing but sandpaper, water, and good ole elbow grease. After each stone is set in its sterling silver bezel, I use a polishing agent that gives it an extra shine. I like to think that when you buy from my small shop, you’re not just buying a regular piece of jewelry but a piece that has emotion attached to it. A day well spent on a rocky beach, sun on my shoulders, wind through my hair, the sounds of waves crashing as I slowly make my way along the beach looking for one of Lake Michigan’s treasures. When I started Made By Morgan Gifts, I had no idea what the success of it would look like. I had hoped, of course, that it wouldn’t be a total flop but in no way did I foresee where I would be now just a couple years later. My Etsy now has close to 200 sales, I have had a wholesale order in Elk Rapids, and you can find my pieces in Blue North Arts in Suttons Bay as well as The Dearborn Shop in Dearborn. This winter I plan on branching out and trying my hand at silver smithing to offer a much larger range of products as the new year rings in.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Quite a few of my customers now live outside of the state and have purchased a piece to have that reminder of home every time they catch a glance at their ring, earrings, or necklace. I just absolutely love the idea of these pieces being scattered all across the United States with each piece having a different intention with every new owner- studs for an entire bridal party because they too are rockhounds, a teenage boy gifting his first girlfriend a necklace, making identical rings for twins and using pieces of the same stone for their cabochons so they can feel connected. The joy I feel when an order comes in with a gift message for their special someone is indescribable really. I dont think I will ever get over the fact that someone out there appreciates my work enough to spend the money on it and also share it with a person they care so much for. I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported the shop whether that be in sales, sharing content, or telling friends and family. They are the reason that the shop is still going and the encouragement I have to keep creating and trying new things.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think that a lot of people have this idea that the only way to support a small business is to purchase their products and of course that is the major contributing factor to success but what I think should be known is that by simply sharing or liking a post goes a long. In today’s world, social media is massive and is the best way to get your name out there. You might think sharing a post is meaningless but I can tell you when I get a notification that a post has been shared, my heart skips a beat. When you do that, so many new eyes are seeing my work and in turn, they could possibly pass it on and the process (hopefully) keeps repeating itself. Everyone loves to know that their work is appreciated and worthwhile and that simple gesture goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadebyMorganGifts?ref=profile_header
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebymorgangifts/

Image Credits
All photos were taken by myself.