We were lucky to catch up with Megan Barry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been a creative person, working in different mediums throughout my life. I studied art at Columbia College Chicago before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin. I loved art school—it gave me the freedom to explore—but at that time, I hadn’t yet found the medium that truly spoke to me. Like many artists, I struggled with the question of how to do what I love and make a living from it. So for a while, I lost touch with my creativity.

I moved to Colorado, bartended at night, and spent my days snowboarding. It was fun, but something was missing. I wasn’t happy. My fiancé, Tyson, a full-time glassblower, encouraged me to leave the bar life behind and figure out what I really wanted to do. So I quit—and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. For the first time in a long time, I had space, time, and no excuses to not make art.

I started wire wrapping semi-precious gemstones into jewelry. A good friend of mine, Kaki, introduced me to the basics, and from there I was hooked. I worked tirelessly to hone my craft, sold pieces through social media, and even had some success wholesaling at a boutique in Denver. During this time, I also became pregnant with my daughter. Jewelry-making became the perfect creative outlet during pregnancy and those early days of motherhood. But when the pandemic hit and life shifted again, I lost my spark. I stopped making jewelry for years.

Then came another life-altering moment: my Mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I found out I carry the BRCA2 mutation gene, which significantly increases my risk of breast cancer. It was devastating news. I’m grateful that my Mom got to know my daughter, but we lost her in the fall of 2023. Her passing deeply impacted me, but it also gave me time to reflect. With my daughter starting preschool, I found myself with free time for the first time in years—a chance to reinvent myself.

During the pandemic, I had bought a full silversmithing setup from someone who no longer needed it. That box sat untouched in my closet for years. But about a month after my Mom passed, I was finally ready. I set up my studio and began learning the craft by watching YouTube videos—teaching myself everything from scratch. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you simply commit the time.

That’s when I realized: this is what I want to do professionally. I’d already shared my work with friends and family online, but now I was ready to put myself out into the community. I signed up for the Williams Bay Farmers Market on the shores of beautiful Geneva Lake, Wisconsin. The response I received was overwhelming in the best way—people loved my work. Many told their friends, came back for more, and supported me wholeheartedly. I realized I was offering something unique: handmade sterling silver jewelry with semi-precious gemstones, something not easily found in my area.

That initial success gave me the confidence to book more markets across southeastern Wisconsin. And the highlight of my first year as a small business owner? Being invited to vend at the Maker’s Market during the “World’s Tallest Glass Tree” event at Yerkes Observatory. It felt like such an incredible full-circle moment—an unforgettable way to end my first year in business.

I started this journey just hoping to see if I could make it work, and now I know without a doubt that I can. I like to think my Mom has been guiding me through it all—and that she’s proud of what I’ve built.

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 Father, Ed, is also an artist and has played a role in supporting the growth of my business here in Wisconsin. He introduced me to some great connections-like our friend and local gem dealer Robb, and my silversmithing mentor Paul. I grew up sitting in his workshop, watching him create. Now, years later, he sits in mine, watching me.

My creative process always begins with the stone. The gemstones I work with are my biggest source of inspiration—they guide the design.
I work closely with a lapidary artist who’s been cutting stones since the 1970s. His freeform shapes and incredible eye for unique minerals constantly inspire me. I love hand-selecting each piece in person—it’s such a special part of my process. One of my goals is to attend the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show to discover even more one-of-a-kind stones.

I also love collaborating on custom pieces. If you have something special in mind, I’d be honored to bring it to life. We’ll begin by sourcing the perfect stone, then we’ll discuss the setting and overall style. I’ll provide a sketch of the design, and once everything feels just right, I’ll begin crafting your piece by hand.

My style is best described as bohemian with a modern twist—earthy, elegant, and a little unexpected.

The thing I’m most proud of? When something I create resonates with someone. It’s an incredible honor to know that people walk around wearing jewelry I made with my own two hands. That connection is what makes this work so meaningful.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist—and having a creative outlet to channel my energy—is something I truly credit with helping me heal after losing my Mom. I was deep in grief, feeling lost, but I still had this well of energy inside me. So I poured everything I had into my craft. I worked relentlessly, day after day, shaping metal and setting stones, letting the process ground me.

Creating became more than just making jewelry—it became a way to move through the pain. In many ways, art saved me. It gave my sorrow a purpose, and slowly, it helped me find my way back to myself.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I really believe it’s important to find a passion—something that excites you, something to pour your energy into. Whether it’s a hobby, an interest, or a creative outlet, having that “thing” makes such a difference. It’s been healing for me, and it’s also something I hope inspires my daughter, who’s five now. I want her to see what it looks like to be passionate about something, to follow it with heart. My hope is that it helps guide her toward finding her own path, whatever that may be.

There’s a quote I love by Richard Feynman that really speaks to this:

“Don’t use your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe, create, learn, think and grow.”

That’s exactly the energy I try to live by—and pass on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mazzybijoux.com
• Instagram: @mazzybijoux

Image Credits

I took all the images myself, I own the rights