Check Out Marnie Ehlers’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marnie Ehlers.

Hi Marnie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a maker at heart, starting out as a professional cake decorator before discovering jewelry as a passion. After graduating from the California Institute of Jewelry Training, I worked with jewelers in the U.S. and abroad before settling in Tucson, where I started making jewelry professionally in my studio, Good Muse Designs.

When I picked up a metal clay syringe, it was a turning point- it allowed me to combine my love of detail with traditional metalsmithing. That’s how my filigree style was born: open, lacy, and whimsical designs that feel like talismans, inspiring joy and lightheartedness.

My work has been featured in several publications and exhibitions, including Contemporary Metal Clay Rings and the Alliance for Metal Clay Artists Worldwide calendar, and I was a finalist in the international Bead Dreams competition. Today, I split my time between creating and teaching jewelry-making classes, helping others discover their own creative voice.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say my journey into jewelry making has felt like a natural progression. All of my life experiences — from cake decorating to traditional jewelry training — seemed to lead me toward discovering both my passion for jewelry and my own artistic voice. In that sense, the road has felt smooth and organic.

The challenges for me haven’t been in creating, but more in the business side of being an artist. As a predominantly introverted person, things like marketing, networking, and selling my work didn’t come naturally. They’re skills I’ve had to learn and practice over time. While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve found that stretching myself in those areas has helped me grow not only as a business owner, but also as an artist.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work centers around creating jewelry that feels personal, meaningful, and inspiring. I specialize in filigree silver jewelry, using metal clay syringe techniques combined with traditional metalsmithing to create open, lacy, and romantic designs. Many of my pieces are meant to serve as talismans or good luck charms — tangible reminders to embrace joy and passion in everyday life.

Beyond creating, I’m also deeply committed to teaching. I love helping others discover their own creative voice through jewelry making and metal clay. As I often say, ‘I believe learning should be relaxing, fun and easy and that students learn in a variety of ways. My joy as a teacher is to help you create your vision in metal!’ Teaching has given me the privilege of watching people surprise themselves with what they can create.

What I’m most proud of is the way my work — whether through the jewelry I design or the classes I teach — becomes a source of inspiration for others. I think what sets me apart is that my approach isn’t just about technique or product, but about creating an experience that connects people more deeply with their own creativity.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve never really thought of myself as a big risk-taker, but looking back, I see that following my passion for jewelry was itself a leap of faith. Leaving the security of other work to pursue art full-time felt risky — especially since the business and marketing side didn’t come naturally to me.

For me, risk isn’t about chasing extremes, but about trusting myself enough to step into the unknown. Each time I’ve pushed past my comfort zone — whether it was entering competitions, presenting at a conference, or opening my own studio — it’s felt scary at first, but those moments have been turning points in my growth.

I think risk is really about believing in the value of your own voice. Even small steps outside of what feels safe can open the door to opportunities you never imagined.

Pricing:

• Jewelry pricing starts at $40 and go to $1250+ for custom work in gold

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goodmusedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodmusedesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodMuseDesigns/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/goodmusedesigns/

Image Credits
Balfour Walker, Steve Rossman, Doug Baldwin