#FollowFriday: Visionaries behind Charlotte hand-crafted jewelry

I love how putting on a piece of hand-crafted jewelry is equivalent to wearing a form of art. I love knowing that one person’s hands picked out the materials, fused them together and fulfilled a vision.

Meet a few of the visionaries behind hand-crafted jewelry in Charlotte:

(1) Stix + Stones: Earthy Couture in the Urban Jungle

Behind the crafts: Ally Frazier

Twitter: @Stix_StonesCLT

Instagram: @StixandStonesCLT

Website: www.cornbreadandpumps.com/stix-stones

Inspiration: “Life inspires my creativity,” Frazier said. “It all depends on my mood, who I talked with that day, what I encountered. I’ve been inspired by conversations with friends, to finding a funky-shaped rock on a night-time walk.”

Be on the lookout for: More fringe and raw quartz designs, wrap bracelets and pieces made with sustainable, upcycled finds.

Favorite materials: “I love working with leather,” Frazier said. “It’s soft and really ties the pieces together.”

(2) Created Beautifully

Behind the crafts: Jennifer Cashel

Twitter: @CreatdBeautflly

Instagram: @crtdbeautifully

Website: createdbeautifully.com

Inspiration: “Nature’s beauty, but (also a) desire to create simple, modern pieces that can be worn every day.”

Be on the lookout for: Tiny bird’s nest stud earrings, dreamcatcher necklaces, unique handbags and clutches

Favorite materials: Copper, brass, natural stones and leather

(3) Muro Jewelry

Behind the crafts: Rosa Murillo

Twitter:@MuroJewelry

Instagram: @murojewelry

Website: murojewelry.com

Inspiration: “Architecture is a big part of my work,” Murillo said. “I always pay close attention to construction and the materials I use for my pieces. Nature’s color and organic shapes are also a big part of my inspiration.”

Be on the lookout for: Hand-drawn birds and floral motifs etched in brass and copper, tiny oil and acrylic paintings in pieces of jewelry and vintage objects such as chains and lockets.

Favorite materials: “Anything I can get my hands on,” Murillo said. Including: metal, paper, plastic, stone and organic materials.

(4) Custom

Behind the crafts: Kate McFadden, Lee Lally and Lindsay Parker

Twitter: @MadeByCustom

Instagram: @madebycustom

Website: madebycustom.com

Inspiration: Architecture, nature, history and fashion design.

Be on the lookout for: The MADE line. The signature line takes old-world hand engraving and marries it with modern, architectural shapes, Parker said. Fan favorites: The Quatro ring and the Crest ring.

Favorite materials: Gold and gemstones. “They are classic, timeless and can withstand a lifetime of wear,” Parker said.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM.