Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Coulson.
Hi Lauren , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve loved jewelry for as long as I can remember. As a child, I started by stringing plastic beads, and over time that evolved into working with higher-quality materials. A pivotal moment for me was a family road trip out West, where I fell in love with the craftsmanship and detail in Native American jewelry. That trip planted the seed — I knew one day I wanted to learn silversmithing and create handcrafted pieces myself.
I’ve always been creative, so I studied Art at the University of Memphis, earning a BFA in Photography, and later completed my MFA in Painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. After graduate school, I taught painting workshops and worked in the Northeast before returning home to be closer to family.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I had a chance to pursue the silversmithing dream I’d carried for years. I taught myself through online tutorials, invested in tools and materials, and completely fell in love with the process. What started as practice quickly turned into mastery of foundational and then more advanced techniques.
In 2022, I officially launched my jewelry business. I began doing local markets in the Memphis area, which grew into regional festivals and even out-of-state events. The business has since opened doors to national and international opportunities, including an art residency in Iceland, where I spent a month creating new work and drawing inspiration from the landscape.
What started as a lifelong dream has grown into a thriving creative business, and I’m excited to continue expanding both my craftsmanship and my reach.
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?
Early on, I had to figure out which markets and festivals were the right fit for my work and how to price my pieces appropriately. Because I use sterling silver and high-quality stones, pricing requires balancing craftsmanship, material costs, and market expectations.
One of the biggest challenges has been the fluctuation in silver prices. When it reached historic highs, it created real uncertainty and forced me to evaluate my margins, sourcing, and long-term sustainability. That experience pushed me to become much more strategic about purchasing materials and planning inventory.
Overall, while there have been stressful moments, I’ve built a loyal customer base and a business that has remained strong and adaptable. The challenges have ultimately made me more resilient and confident as both an artist and an entrepreneur.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create handcrafted sterling silver jewelry featuring high-quality stones, inspired by nature with a subtle Southwestern influence. I design both bold statement pieces and more minimal, everyday styles. Many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind, while some ring designs are offered in multiple sizes to make them more accessible.
What sets me apart is my commitment to quality craftsmanship while keeping my work approachable and fairly priced. I also stay very connected to my customers — I actively listen to their ideas and often incorporate their feedback into future designs.
I’m most proud of how much my skills have grown over the years and the loyal community I’ve built around my work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I do feel like I’ve had good luck, especially in how quickly this grew. I originally thought silversmithing would just be a side hustle, but it turned into a small business much faster than I expected. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
That said, I think the “luck” came from being ready for the opportunity. I had spent years developing my artistic eye, and when I finally committed to silversmithing, I put in the time to learn, practice, and show up at markets consistently.
So while I feel fortunate that it gained traction quickly, I also think preparation and hard work helped turn that luck into something sustainable.
Pricing:
- depends on the stones used (some are way more expensive than others)
- depends on the current price of silver
- depends on the amount of silver used
- depends on unique designs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nocturnal.silver.studio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nocturnal.silver.studio
