About GROUNDED ceramic jewelry – Grounded Ceramics

Inspired by nature, each piece is individually handcrafted to be a meaningful, one-of-a-kind artwork you can wear close to your heart.

The Beginnings of GROUNDED jewelry

I'm Meghan, the maker behind Grounded ceramic jewelry. I've been making all sorts of things since I was little, but I've been particularly fascinated by clay since grade school.

I started off making functional pots on the wheel but once I had my daughter I felt a strong shift towards creating something smaller, more delicate and intimate. I began experimenting with wearable porcelain pieces and have been fascinated by jewelry making since. I believe that by wearing jewelry close to the skin it has the power to become a part of daily life in a meaningful way.

The magical qualities of nature and its ethereality inspire most of my work. Whether it's a petal's delicate extension toward the sun, a textured mossy stone, or twilight prancing across the landscape, I delight in capturing the essence of these moments through my jewelry design. Each piece serves as a personal connection to something larger than ourselves and is a reminder to seek out and notice beauty in the everyday.

I currently live and work in my studio in Oak Park, Illinois, just outside of Chicago with my partner Stephan and my kids Elyse, 10 and Theo, 6. I'm also a K-12 museum educator at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Thanks so much for checking out my work :)

From clay to a cherished wearable artwork

To create each piece I first use porcelain clay, rolling out and forming it into the desired shape and texture before it dries. Next the piece is bisque fired in a kiln to 1945°F, which draws the moisture out and prepares it for glaze application. After I individually paint and glaze each piece it is fired again to over 2,000°F. The firing and cooling process takes around 30-40 hours total, ensuring your piece is a durable heirloom. Lastly, I form the wire component of the piece using quality metals and metalsmithing tools.

Materials Matter

I use a US based company, Rio Grande, to purchase metals and jewelry making supplies because their values are important. They source metals from refiners on the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) list meaning the refiners are in good legal standing and they certify and independently audit that all supplies are traceable and conflict-free. They operate in a net-zero energy building, and have been certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). I will not buy metals or any components for my jewelry from Amazon. Additionally I buy my clay from a local company, Ceramic Supply Chicago, and use recycled packaging materials as much as I can. I aim to make as little of an imprint on the earth as possible.

I invite you to choose jewelry that feels honest, intentional, and uniquely yours.