Mickey Lynn jewelry encompasses a love of Earth
Buckhead resident Mickey Lynn Wilcox inherited her mother’s love of jewelry. During her childhood, her mother had a short-lived jewelry business that sparked Wilcox’s fire for designing pieces for herself and others.
In 2008, Wilcox launched the artisan jewelry line Mickey Lynn with business and life partner Seth Shindeldecker. Her specialty is working with natural stones, such as agate and druzy, and mixed metals. Sustainability and fair labor practices are important to the jewelry brand: It sources stones from mines that respect both their workers and the planet. Skilled artists in Wilcox’s Buckhead studio handcraft all of the designs, from earrings to necklaces.
Here, Wilcox speaks about Mickey Lynn’s style influences and which local haunts she favors.
Tell us about your journey to launching Mickey Lynn.
After spending 10 years at Delta as a systems engineer, I left and finally made the leap to being a designer full-time. Of course, it is definitely challenging and scary at times to own my own business, but ultimately it has been the most fulfilling time in my life.
How has Mickey Lynn grown beyond your website?
We are sold in more than 350 retailers throughout the country and some international destinations, such as Korea, Canada and Australia, as well. We are mostly sold in independent specialty boutiques, such as Huff Harrington Home, Dora Rae and Frolic in the Buckhead area, but also in a few larger retailers, such as Anthropologie and Garnet Hill.
How does where you live and work influence your personal style?
Seth and I live in the Peachtree Hills area at the Aramore on Peachtree Road, and work half a mile away on Bennett Street in the same building as MOCA and other artists. We’ve lived here for 11 years and love the prime location and proximity to the best shopping, restaurants and culture in the city. It’s the perfect balance that I think definitely influences my love for a boho-chic style.
What are some of your favorite destinations in Buckhead?
I love independently owned boutiques. A couple of my favorites are Luna and Frolic. Craig Richards from St. Cecilia is creating some of the most beautiful and delicious food in the city, and R. Thomas has always been a staple for as long as I’ve lived here. Brunch at Anis Bistro is a must whenever we have out-of-town guests.
What trends will we see for spring 2016 in your jewelry collection?
My designs are not centered on the latest trends, but I do take note of what’s coming down the runway. You’ll see some of the influences trickle into our collection. For spring and summer, I’m using a lot of African white opal; I love the look and fresh feel of ivory and gold together. We’re also using a lot of blue Peruvian opal to add a splash of color to our summer collection while complementing the rest of our line that has more of a neutral palette.
MICKEY LYNN
404.214.6077
mickeylynn.com
STORY: Laura Carson Miller
