We were lucky to catch up with Nic Morgan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nic, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?

I do sometimes wish I had started my silver smithing journey sooner. I wonder if I had had access to metal smithing classes when I was in college if I would be further along in my career than I am now. However I do feel like had I tried to do this when I was in college I would’ve missed out on all the experiences that brought me to where I am now and I perhaps wouldn’t appreciate it as much as I do (I’d probably have more skills in my toolbox though).

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?

I got into metal smithing sort of by accident when a friend asked me to take a workshop with her. We learned how to make simple stacking rings and I was hooked. After that I started learning as much as I could online and took a few classes here and there while I began building my home studio. In 2021 I made the jump to quit my desk job and run Hireth Jewelry full time. I work primarily in sterling silver and semi precious gemstones. All my pieces are fabricated by hand and most of them are one of a kind although I also use lost wax and sand casting techniques to make reproducible pendants and rings. I make modern jewelry that looks like it has story to tell. My goal is to make the wearer look like while out on a walk through the marsh one day, they met a old woman, and in a moment of irritation that old woman put curse on them, but then she felt kinda bad about it so she gave them a piece of jewelry as way of an apology, but she didn’t feel that badly about it because that piece of jewelry was also cursed. So now they’re basically doubly cursed, but they look fantastic!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of my favorite things about what I do is seeing someone wearing a piece of my jewelry out in the world. It’s really gratifying to have someone connect with something that I have created and then be able to use my art as a form of their self expression. I always feel a little giddy when I’m out and I see someone wearing something that I’ve made. I feel much the same about creating custom pieces. I am so honored whenever someone resonates with my work so much that they trust me to make them an original piece that, hopefully, will get passed down to the next generation.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Atlanta has such a great and inclusive metal smithing community, and there are a number of different resources available to anyone wanting to learn more. The Metal Arts Guild of Georgia is one resource that I wish I had learned about sooner, they offer classes and workshops, and everyone involved is just so curious and happy to share knowledge. For anyone getting started, I would suggest just asking for help, reach out on instagram or Facebook or join a class. I feel truly lucky that I belong to this creative community that is so willing to offer advice and share information, while also being so welcoming to those just starting out.

Contact Info:

• Website: Hirethjewelry.com
• Instagram: @Hireth.jewelry
• Youtube: @nicmorganhirethjewelry6810

Image Credits
All photos property of Hireth Jewelry