Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Williamson.
Hi Maggie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
MerMaggie Moon Designs was founded shortly after I was laid off from my full-time graphic design job due to the Covid Pandemic. I rode the waves of the quarantine lockdown out by creating jewelry and decorating animal skulls that I had found at my mom’s house in the country. It was nice to finally have the time to create away from the computer. I designed my own logo & brand and made my website (MerMaggie.com). It is so rewarding to be able to combine all of my passions!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well losing the security of my job of five years was definitely scary and really shook things up. And when my unemployment wasn’t coming for a while, I knew I had to start making things to sell. It took me out of my comfort zone but I was resilient. I always create best under pressure. Plus, making art is very therapeutic and would help me de-stress during those crazy times. I worked several part-time jobs and would vend on the weekends so I could make ends meet. Just this past fall I finally found a full-time graphic design job again. Now Moon Designs is my fun, side job–my passion project! Although at times, it can be challenging to balance it all. Sometimes I will vend a mid-week music show on 6th Street late night. Then wake up early the following day to work my full-time day job and then vend the following two nights in a row. It’s not easy but I like making it all work! Despite all the pandemic difficulties, I am really grateful that it has led me on this creative journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have vended many art markets and some music festivals and have been successful sharing my unique art with the local community. It’s been such a fun way to meet new people and connect with the local Austin art scene. I have inspired and helped others start their own small businesses as well. I even created two different friend’s logos, a website, and helped them brand themselves. It’s been beautiful to see them grow over the past several months.
When I create bohemian feather earrings, I never make the same pair twice. There are so many possible combinations and feathers are unique in themselves. I personally like statement jewelry and to stand out. My customers usually dig my authentic goods. It helps “Keep Austin Weird”! Which by the way, I really love the true meaning behind that quote we all know so well-“support small businesses”. I also really enjoy custom jewelry orders. I put a lot of good intentions into each pair and make them very special for that particular person.
The feathers are fun but what really excites me is painting and decorating animal skulls. Why? Because I enjoy giving new life to dead things! I grew up on a ranch in the hill country so bone collecting is part of my roots. I’m always creating daily and will have several projects going at once. I have decorated many cow skulls, white tail deer, axis deer, a few mule deer, a couple of TX wild hogs (boar), raccoons, coyotes and even a horse skull. Some were found out in the pasture growing up, some are from Texas ranches and were given to me by friends. Several came from a life-long antique collector who’s from Dripping Springs. He passed along their stories-each one of my pieces has a story. My favorite is a white tail deer shoulder mount that my mom rescued from a yard sale. I really like to honor the dead. May they live on through art!
Contact Info:
- Email: maggiewdesign@gmail.com
- Website: https://mermaggie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaggiemoondesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mermaggiemoondesigns/
