Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Morgan.
Michele, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Michele Morgan and I am a self-taught musician for 27 years, owner/creator of Michele Morgan Jewelry for 14 years (formerly independents jewelry) and have been involved in speedboat racing with the APBA for 29 years.
Music:
I have been writing and singing songs since I was very young (in the single digits), feeling the happiness it caused me even that early in life. I was always in the chorus at school and singing along with TV shows. This happiness and love for music grew and I started playing electric guitar at the age of 15 during the height of the ’80s hard rock era which had the biggest influence on me. I felt like I finally came into my own musically, this was my genre!
I would simply watch TV and the guitarists’ hands on their instrument’s necks and figured out songs based on what they were doing. Luckily, I have a great ear – I can listen to something and then just go figure it out! I recently began dabbling in drumming and can play bass guitar as well. I have been in several bands over the years (Destruct-a-thon [2000-2009], Stu Walker [2002-2004], Stroke Volume [2015-2017]) and am currently in a new band I formed that is yet to be named. I am proud to be part of the Boston Music Family and Scene!
Jewelry:
My jewelry business was formed out of sheer curiosity. When I was young and rummaging through my Nana’s “junk jewelry” as she called it, I would always ask to wear certain pieces and requesting jewelry as gifts. As I grew into a young adult and began buying pieces with my own money, I found myself drawn to Native American inspired jewelry mostly and would examine the pieces wondering “how did they make this!?!?”
That curiosity leads me to read books on the subject, take a few classes at studios around town, and learn with other friends who are artists. That curiosity, love of jewelry and desires to create grew my business. I believe the passion I have for this craft and happiness it creates in my life is manifested in the pieces I create and is passed onto the wearer, which is a special feeling.
I do not have a storefront and work out of my workshop at my home. I sell my pieces on Etsy via my website (MicheleMorganJewlery.com) and mostly post pieces of my work on social media, and friends, family and others just reaching out has created more business. My specialty is custom one-off items where I work directly with others to create exactly their vision.
Racing:
I have been involved with the American Power Boat Association for 29 years, starting out as a crew member on my father’s race team. From there I was able to gain the opportunity to crew and drive for other teams, and I currently race as a Riding Mechanic and Navigator with my Driver, Tom Pakradooni, for the Jersey Speed Skiff Team “Rolling Thunder JS-7”. The Jersey Speed Skiff class is unique, different from the hydroplane classes which are more well-known.
Jersey Speed Skiffs used to be surf-launched fishing boats in the 1800s and then having engines added to them became whiskey runners in the prohibition days. We race in the United States and Canada mostly on the East Coast and occasionally in the Midwest, totaling about 8 to 10 races a season. Rolling Thunder won the US-1 High Points National Championship for Jersey Speed Skiffs in 2018.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Music:
Personally, my confidence level had to grow over time as a player and I believe it was hard for me to get a hold of my nerves entering into the live atmosphere at first. Over time this has improved especially with more experience leading to confidence in my playing.
Occasionally boat race scheduling conflicts caused a bit of struggle with the band since I was away a lot.
Jewelry:
Finding time to create can be hard but I manage to find a balance in my life. Creativity should wax and wane. One of my biggest struggles with my jewelry is charging people money for the pieces I make. I usually I put so much of myself into a piece I end up wanting to give pieces away to everyone as a gift.
Boat Racing:
The struggle to balance real life with boat racing can be tricky. There is a lot of travel involved in getting to a race, it is not lucrative. more of an expensive hobby and you are risking your life every time you get on the boat. But a ton of payoff when you get to do something you love and be with your “other family” every weekend.
Michele Morgan Jewelry (& other Ventures in Art) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Michele Morgan Jewelry (formerly indiependants jewelry).
Artist, designer and metalsmith Michele Morgan is the owner and founder of Michele Morgan Jewelry and has created wearable art for 14 years. Michele Morgan Jewelry was born not only from curiosity of how to transform the earth’s raw materials into wearable, beautiful and meaningful jewelry but also from the feeling of happiness and spiritual balance decorating the human body brings to one’s life.
I am proud that each piece of Michele Morgan Jewelry is custom crafted by hand in a non-toxic environment using silver, copper, brass, natural gemstones, crystals and recycled materials. Made in Pelham, NH.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I put my heart and soul into art, spending countless hours creating whether it is music or jewelry, the end result of being able to share with others and bring joy to another person’s life defines success for me.
When we thrash all season long to be able to boat race and can go out to race and bring the boat and driver/rider back to the dock safe and sound, that’s success. It is an added bonus to be fortunate enough to do well enough to win a Championship.
Pricing:
- My jewelry pieces range between $40-$1000.
- We have Rolling Thunder JS-7 t-shirts for sale $20.
Contact Info:
- Address: 130 Old Gage Hill Rd. Pelham NH 03076
- Website: MicheleMorganJewelry.com
- Email: michelemorganjewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelemorganjewelry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelemorganjewelry
- Twitter: twitter.com/michelemjewelry
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager 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.
