MAKER'S MARK COPPER JEWELRY COLLABORATION

In October 2023, Maker’s Mark reached out with an exciting challenge—could I create jewelry using copper from their historic stills? Without hesitation, I said yes! Little did I know just how much work lay ahead.

To better understand their vision, I took a VIP tour of the distillery with my sister. Immersing myself in the history and craftsmanship behind Maker’s Mark helped shape my approach to the designs. At the end of the tour, I picked up my first batch of copper and headed home, eager to see what I had gotten myself into.

Working with this copper wasn’t as simple as I had imagined. After some research (and a few tool purchases), I enlisted my husband’s help to break it down into workable pieces. Once the copper was ready, the real fun began—designing and creating.

One of my favorite elements of the collection is the white oak leaf design, inspired by Maker’s Mark’s mother tree—the very tree that provides the wood for their barrels. Including this detail felt like a perfect tribute to the distillery’s craftsmanship and tradition.

The best part? Maker’s Mark gives me the creative freedom to design unique pieces, making each collection truly special. If you ever find yourself at Maker’s Mark in Loretto, KY, be sure to stop by the gift shop to see my work. Every piece I create for them is individually signed, ensuring it’s recognized as an exclusive design crafted from their still copper.

I’m honored to be part of this journey, blending history, craftsmanship, and creativity into something wearable.

 Yes, this is the copper I brought home from Maker’s Mark Distillery to create a custom jewelry line for their VIP's, Ambassadors and gift shop. Unlike the copper I get from jewelry suppliers, this material is thick, tough and dirty, requiring a lot of prep work before I can begin designing. I even had to recruit my husband to help break it down into manageable pieces so I could roll it thinner and get it ready for jewelry-making. As you can see, it’s no easy task! 

Working with copper from the Maker’s Mark still is no easy task—it takes patience, technique, and a lot of preparation before it’s ready to be shaped into jewelry. This copper is much thicker than what I typically work with, so the first challenge is thinning it out to make it more malleable.

To do this, I use a rolling mill, but before the copper can be rolled, it must first be softened through a process called annealing. This involves heating the metal to a specific temperature and then allowing it to cool, which releases internal stresses and makes it more workable. Only then can I begin the careful process of rolling it down to the right thickness for jewelry-making.

It’s a labor-intensive but rewarding transformation, turning a piece of history into something wearable and unique!