Hi there! I’m Erin McDermott White and I am the creator of Erin McDermott Jewelry.
I’ve been making jewelry for almost 20 years! I knew I loved making jewelry when I went to college at the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!). And while I was in school, every single Saturday, I would set up a booth at 5:45 a.m. and sell jewelry from the back of my car at the Charlottesville City Market.
I would have all of my earrings, necklaces, and bracelet designs and customers would come by and look at the pieces and I would tell them about the materials I used, how they were made, and the stories behind each piece. I knew then that it was definitely my passion.
Even after I moved to Charlotte, my husband Bryan and I would still drive 4.5 hours to Charlottesville on Friday nights, just to be there in the morning. Everyone thought I was crazy, but the market filled my soul and gave me a reason to continue making jewelry and was so important to starting and building my business.
I want to provide awesome, handmade, high-quality jewelry that women can afford that speaks to different styles. Whether that style is classic and conservative, or modern and funky, I want everyone to find a piece of jewelry that they love.
I use a unique mix of semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, 14K-gold, 14-K gold filled, sea glass and any other materials that inspire me. I love incorporating new colors, shapes, stones, and materials into each of my pieces and I really try for each piece of jewelry and every design to tell it’s own story. And I really want my jewelry to be pieces that women can wear year after year and throughout every season.
My mother was a French teacher for 27 years, and when she retired I realized that there was never a day I heard her say she didn’t want to go to work. She always felt grateful to do what she loved and she taught me that work can be something you look forward to doing everyday. Well, I am so grateful to be doing something I look forward to every day and that I am so passionate about doing.
I feel a deep connection with my customers and the Erin McDermott Jewelry community and have really loved getting to know so many of you.
When you comment or like one of my Instagram posts, DM me, or repost something, I’m the one who sees it. When you receive a response, it’s coming from me, Erin. I try to respond to every comment and DM, but if I miss one, please forgive me and ask again. I love to hear from you and I feel like I know so many of you personally now.
I have a “ding” on my phone that alerts me of the emails I receive when I get a new order. Each time I hear that ding, my heart does a little happy dance, and I read every single one of those orders.
I am so grateful to have a studio where people feel comfortable stopping by to shop and visit with me. Sometimes they are looking for a gift, oftentimes they are treating themselves, and occasionally they just want to chat and talk about something weighing heavy on their heart or a struggle they’ve been battling. I’ve learned that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about and it always reminds me to be gentle with everyone, and most importantly, myself.
I can’t say thank you enough to every one of you who have placed orders, liked my photos and told a friend about my jewelry or have come to visit me in the studio. Thank you for shopping small, supporting my business, and being such a fun group of friends!
I’m thrilled to be sharing more about what inspires me, the stories behind my designs and the behind-the-scenes of life with me and my crazy crew on this blog, in email and on my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Shop my jewelry online, in my Charlotte studio, and in boutiques throughout the United States.
