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Meet Abby Fincannon of Mettle by Abby in Marietta and Woodstock

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Fincannon.

Abby, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, the short answer is “always follow your bliss!” …to mix up quotes from Toucan Sam and Joseph Campbell. I’m one of those uncommon folk in that I have always known what I want to do. I pursue it and watch the miraculous unfolding of how well it suites me.

I made my first pieces of jewelry in high school as merely a means to adorn myself with jewelry that better suited me than what I found. People noticed it and begged me to make some for them. I didn’t even care if it was profitable; I just wanted to fund my happy hobby.

I only applied to one college, Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. About two weeks before graduating, I found out that it was the only college in the state with the degree I got – a BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing. I don’t think I ever even looked up other schools or degrees. I just knew I wanted to go to Winthrop and I wanted to study jewelry. Even though I didn’t consider myself an artist and the thought of going to art school made me nervous, I wasn’t going to do anything else.

After graduation in 2010, I was asked by Doug Meadows of David Douglas Diamonds and Jewelry in Marietta, GA if I would like to make a line of jewelry for his store. (My family moved to Marietta from Seneca, SC during my freshman year at Winthrop.) Doug’s the kind of guy that likes to take a risk and offer a fresh, new jeweler the kind of opportunities most people aren’t even thinking about. I had freedom, materials, tools, and a wonderful staff to guide me in the vast waters of pricing, funding, learning, fabricating, marketing, inventory, gemstones, stone setting, gold-smithing, soldering, customer service, event planning, product launches… there’s a lot to this industry and art school can only cover so much in four years. I had an unbelievable opportunity. My jewelry line, Mettle, grew so fast that when David Douglas Diamonds got rid of Pandora (a rather popular jewelry line that has been slowing down), they moved me over into the 5 showcase section of the store, large logo sign and hanging pictures included!

Mettle grew so fast that I began having trouble keeping up with the momentum. It’s funny how we can know something is going to happen, but we are still very surprised when it does. In August 2018, I was surprised to find myself telling Doug that I knew it was time for me to take my jeweler’s bench and go officially start my own business. We both knew this was the goal, but neither of us saw it coming this soon. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, but I did it. I knew I needed to be able to set up my own business and learn all the ins and outs. I wanted all of it: the good (making your own schedule), the bad (bookkeeping and accounting), and the ugly (taxes). So here I am, starting my own wholesale jewelry line.

Has it been a smooth road?
Always! Always bumpy. Always smooth.

I would say that the biggest bump in the road is that voice in our heads that doubts us. You’ve heard it. It says things like “what are you doing? This isn’t going to work.” I remember hearing it before a big event saying “no one is going to come and you’re going to look like an idiot.”

That voice is a jerk, and a liar.

I can hear that voice a lot if I’d like, especially where I am now. I’m starting out on my own and I’ve had to buy many tools, metal, software, and random expenses all over the place and there’s no way for me to know how this is going to play out. It’s easy for that voice to pipe in and say I’m a fool for leaving the comfort of being an in house designer, but that’s not where I want to be. I have to starve that voice and avoid feeding it fear and attention. We all do. I’m a Game of Thrones fan and I love the quote “the only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid.” While I’m not out risking my life for seven kingdoms, I am spending my life building something. I may not have a sword in my hand, but my shiny hammer will do just fine!

I find myself covered in clay, silver and gold dust, goat hair, hay, and sweat at the end of a long and rewarding day, and when I go home to my tiny little 99 square foot house, I find that my heart has never been happier.

I’ve got a big year ahead of me, transitioning from making an in-house line of jewelry, to creating and building a wholesale business from my private studio that I wish to blossom from the heart of Atlanta and grow. This is my biggest move yet, and I am thrilled to see how it unfolds.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Currently, I am designing and building a wholesale line of hand forged silver and gold, diamond and gemstone jewelry. I create many one of a kind pieces that I intuitively design around remarkable gemstones.

Jewelry is such a personal and private item that we wear and show off. It’s so incredibly dynamic! There have been so many times that someone walks up to my jewelry cases and something just lights up inside them. Sometimes they can’t even put it into words, I just get a response like “that’s it! I get it! I love what this says and feels like!” To me, that is success!

There’s a lot of jewelry out there, but there isn’t enough to cover how strange and beautiful we all are. You can say something by wearing the right necklace that only other people from your tribe will understand. I love the stories people bring to me about what happens when they wear a piece of jewelry I made.

I want to help people. I want to help people express those things they can’t put into words. I want to help people celebrate their eccentric souls. I want to help people express their distinctive love for each other. I want to help people connect with themselves and each other.

My jewelry isn’t designed or created to be a trifle for a season. I build it with intent for it to last. If you want to wear it every day for decades, you can. Meaningful items like these need to be strong and durable. Quality is a necessity. I design from my heart and my stomach. When I get caught up in my brain and I overanalyze things, the water gets muddy and the message gets lost. I love picking up a gemstone and designing a piece around it. The most rewarding part is when it finds its home. The right person walks in and is drawn to it. It isn’t a literal and easy answer. The beauty is in the sweet and subtle details that say so much more.

I absolutely love designing and making jewelry. Loving what you do makes all the difference in the world and I want to empower more people to find that in their lives and celebrate when they do! Jewelry has a wonderful quality of being a wearable reminder to us.

Currently the only place to buy my jewelry is at David Douglas Diamonds and Jewelry or on my website MettleByAbby.com, which is about to get a serious update in 2018! I will be expanding to stores all over the Atlanta area in 2018 and would love to be wherever you are!

If you’re a wholesaler, I’ve got a great B2B website I’ve been working hard on and you can find it at MettleB2B.com.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’ve only lived in the Atlanta area for about 8 years, but it would take a lot to get me to leave. I’m no expert, but I really believe that Atlanta is about to bloom like crazy in the arts. So many exciting things are happening for Atlanta right now and I am so ready for her to pop! There are new movements and opportunities blossoming all the time here and we are ready for it! Some cities have a well-established “art scene,” but Atlanta is laying the ground work for a new generation right now. There’s never been a better time or place. I’m so excited to start really exploring this city as I grow my jewelry.

As far as improvement, transportation is a big problem. I’m stoked about the efforts to improve it and I truly believe that it would be a catalyst for the city’s growth and development. Public transportation will lead to better connectivity and escalated cultural development.

I’m excited for Atlanta right now, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!

Pricing:

  • Most silver pieces are in the $29-149 range
  • Silver and gemstone pieces range from $149+
  • Silver and gold start around $129
  • Gold pieces start around $149

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Myself, Haley Baird, Malachi Meadows

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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