In a year filled with an immense range of emotions for the talented artisans who call Western North Carolina home, brilliant jewelry designer Melinda Lawton takes every opportunity to remind folks how important it is to support small businesses.
“Shopping small has been our motto for the past several months – especially given the impact of Hurricane Helene – and will continue to be in the coming year,” Melinda shares. “We need tourists to come visit our area. Don’t hesitate! All of the artists and craftspeople here need your support as we are all in the process of rebuilding our businesses and lives!”
Melinda moved to this beautiful North Carolina destination in 2011 and opened her store – Sweet Magnolia Gallery – in 2013. It’s quite a change from her 30 years as a designer for film and television in Los Angeles but offered the perfect chance to be closer to her family and their strong Southern roots.
While her own business escaped physical damage during the hurricane, a large collection of jewelry she had just dropped off at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Gallery in Asheville right before Helene hit, is still unaccounted for.
“The gallery had more than 10 feet of water rushing through the lobby. They are in the process of rebuilding, and my prayers are that the Biltmore Village area once again becomes the vibrant destination it once was – we are all helping each other as best we can. My studio business in October, November and December was down more than 50% from last year, and I’m sure that’s the case for many businesses in this area.“
Despite the year’s challenges, Melinda is more inspired than ever to create one-of-a-kind designs that women find empowering.
“Because my jewelry is made with love, I do believe the women who wear it can feel the energy those pieces bring to their lives,” she shares. “My designs are born from a deep well of inspiration and gratitude, and I feel so blessed to be able to work with beautiful gemstones, often taking cues from those gems as to what they want to be! My designs are vintage-inspired, and I am obsessed with all things old. My home is filled with antique items I use every day.”
Melinda says she’s currently “in love with creating rings,” and started her own line of one-of-a-kind rings during the pandemic.
“Since then, I’ve had so much fun creating them,” she adds. “I also just made a pair of earrings with beautiful Ethiopian Opal briolettes from the Welo mine. Welo Opals are known for their vibrant play of color, and I paired them with Blue Green Zircons, Rubellite tourmalines and diamonds to match the colors they give off. I call them ‘Ethereal Dream Earrings,’ and I’d definitely say they would make a beautiful Valentine’s Day gift for some lucky woman!”
When Jacqueline Bassett, owner of Juelerye Artisan Gallery & Gifts in Mooresville, discovered Melinda’s unique designs, she knew they belonged in her beautifully curated boutique. Juelerye proudly presents many stunning pieces of Melinda Lawton Jewelry, and last fall featured Melinda at the Mooresville Gallery Crawl, where clients met the artist and saw firsthand the exquisite details of her designs.
Jacqueline also wears a lovely Melinda Lawton ring herself – a cushion-cut Apricot Tourmaline surrounded by Champagne Diamonds and two round green sapphires.
“I’m so thankful to have my jewelry represented by Juelerye and many other galleries around the country,” shares Melinda, who was recently accepted into an amazing Jewelry Gallery in Paris and St. Tropez. “Another recent proud moment came when Stevie Nicks bought several pieces of my jewelry when she was in Greenville for her concert, and a guest of the Grand Bohemian Hotel!”
You can join the ongoing efforts to support beloved Western North Carolina artists as they rebuild their businesses. Visit Sweet Magnolia Gallery, Studio/Store of Melinda Lawton Jewelry at 1406 Greenville Highway in Hendersonville, NC, 828.697.2212. Follow Melinda’s continuing creative journey at melindalawton.com, and watch for Valentine’s Day inspiration and the arrival of amazing new pieces on Instagram @melindalawtonjewelry.