Julie Morris has a thing for bison. A self-described “prairie girl at heart,” Julie was born in Alberta and raised on the Canadian plains. On a camping trip during her formative years, she encountered a herd of buffalo for the first time. “From that moment on I was completely smitten,” she recalls.
As an adult, Julie moved to Kansas and adopted a new home prairie: the American Great Plains. It was there—“where the buffalo literally do roam”—that her teenage penchant for beading blossomed into a full-fledged love of silversmithing and jewelry making, and Julie decided to open up shop to sell her unique handcrafted wares. All she needed was a business name. “I knew I wanted to pay homage to the deep connection I feel to the prairies and the buffalo,” she says. “Lucy is my eldest daughter’s name, and when I tried out the two words together it was the perfect fit.” Just like that, Buffalo Lucy was born.
Today, Julie lives and works in Portland, Oregon, with her wife and two daughters. “The prairies will always be my home and the mighty bison will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says. “But working with silver and stone is my heart’s work. I do it because I love it. I do it because it makes me feel alive. I do it because I can’t imagine not doing it.”
Read on to learn more about the evolution of Julie’s line, and discover her favorite tool in her workshop—then shop the Buffalo Lucy Collection.
How did you find your way to jewelry making? Have you always been artistic?
I’ve been a maker and artist in various mediums for as long as I can remember. I think the first time I realized I could sell what I was making was back in middle school when I started a business selling homemade celebrity-photo locker magnets to my classmates. In my teen years I started playing around with making jewelry because I saw a necklace in a movie that I really wanted and I thought I could probably figure out how to make it myself.
I worked with beads and wire for a few years but what I was really interested in was making rings. I knew I’d need to learn metalsmithing to create what I had in mind, so I signed up for a community silversmithing class. Unfortunately, my young daughter got sick and I was unable to attend after the first class, so I put it aside for a few years. When the smithing bug bit again, I decided to teach myself. Over the last nine years I’ve used books, online classes, and good old trial and error to teach myself how to make the things I want to make.
How do you go from an idea to a finished product?
I almost always start with a sketch, but the design usually evolves throughout the creation process and rarely ends up looking exactly like the drawing. If I’m making something with stones, I’ll start by putting the stone down on my sketchpad and drawing around it, letting the rock dictate what it needs.
From there, I transfer the design onto silver sheet and saw it out. Sometimes at this point I’ll come up with some new ideas and just let them flow. By the time I’ve soldered all the components together, added texture and patina, and polished it up, I’ll usually have something I like even more than what I originally sketched.
How has your work evolved over time?
I think my style has remained pretty constant over the years. But, after making things almost every single day for nine years, my technical skills have improved. I’ve also learned a lot of new techniques that have allowed me to better bring the ideas in my head into being.
In the last few years I started working with gold—I’m having a bit of a love affair with it at the moment. It wasn’t something I planned on getting into when I started with silver, but I had several requests to translate my designs into gold so I decided to give it a go. I was surprised at how much I loved it, and I’m still in the process of expanding my gold offerings. I’m also making more mixed-metal pieces that incorporate the best of both worlds.
Do you work on your shop full time or do you have a day job too?
Buffalo Lucy is my full-time passion. When I first began, I couldn’t imagine doing it full time. But as business started to take off—and as I found myself spending more and more time at my day job resenting the fact that I wasn’t making jewelry—my wife and I had a serious talk about whether I could quit and devote myself full time to growing the business. We decided it was worth a try. That was six years ago, and today I’m more than making up my office-job salary with Buffalo Lucy.
Where do you do your making?
I currently have my workshop set up in my home basement. I love my studio—other than outside in nature, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Even though it’s in a basement, and full of power tools and other less-than-beautiful things, I try to make it a space that reflects my personal style as much as I can. I feel more creative and productive when I’m surrounded by plants and art that I love. I also bought the best sound system in the house for my studio because music is very important to my creative process. In fact, I can pinpoint the very album that inspired the entire Buffalo Lucy aesthetic (it was Fox Confessor Brings the Flood by Neko Case).
My studio is divided into a few different work spaces: I have one where I sketch, design and do computer-related work; my big workbench where the actual building of the pieces happens (sawing, stamping, soldering, finishing); and then a table for packaging and preparing orders for shipment. I’m always acquiring more tools; my latest is a drill press. My favorite tool, however, will probably always be my saw. It perfectly straddles the line between beauty and function, and just holding it in my hand makes me feel creative.
What’s next on the horizon for Buffalo Lucy?
I’ll be debuting a lot of new pieces over the next few months, and I’ve recently added a few new pieces of equipment to my studio which will allow me to incorporate new techniques in my work. I’m also at the point where I have to decide if I want to hire some help. I’ve been resisting because I’m kind of a loner, and I enjoy running Buffalo Lucy as a one-woman show. However, I know if I trained someone to take on some of the everyday tasks, it would free me up to focus more on the creative side of my business. I have so many ideas and not enough time to bring them all to fruition.
Sometimes my life feels a little out of control, trying to do all the things: Be a good wife, raise my children, and run a business by myself. But I can’t imagine it any other way.
Follow Buffalo Lucy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Photographs by Buffalo Lucy.
56 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 3 years ago
What unique offerings, Julie. LOVE the rustic cuff bracelets and stacking rings....& your buffalo box packaging is perfect for your brand!!! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success! :D
Niki from JandEdoodles said 3 years ago
"Sometimes my life feels a little out of control, trying to do all the things." I think there are a lot of moms and Etsians that feel the same way you do. You are not alone! Congrats on the feature!
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Cat Encio Dolls from CatEncioDolls said 3 years ago
✿ Congratulations on this LOVELY write up. Your jewelry is "Breathtaking" Blessing to you .. >< ✿ Cat
Renee from RandMhandmade said 3 years ago
So many great items...Congratulations!!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Beautiful jewelry, great feature!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I love the idea that business is your full-time passion. Congratulations on the feature.
Austeja Square from HalfSquares said 3 years ago
Love it! Beautiful shop.
Julie Morris from BuffaloLucy said 3 years ago
Thank you Katie, for this beautiful write up and opportunity! Such an honour! <3
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 3 years ago
Beautiful jewelry and lovely packaging. Congrats on the feature and all the best of success!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
My one weakness are rings! I can have paint or glue on my hands or a chipped nail, but a pretty ring makes everything better! Your rings are so beautiful, I will have to take a closer look. Congrats on the feature and wishing you and your family all the best!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Erika Iozsa from JasminBlancBoutique said 3 years ago
I really enjoyed reading your story. Your designs are so beautiful and off topic may I just add that I absolutely love your hair :D :)
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Beautiful work, congrats on the feature!
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 3 years ago
Lovely shop! Congrats on the feature! : )
BeadWired8 from BeadWired8 said 3 years ago
I love your story and how you came into your own by pursuing your dream! Your studio is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Sonja from LapCatYarnCo said 3 years ago
Pretty, pretty jewelry!
Vera Tempelmans Plat from ItsVera said 3 years ago
Lovely jewellery. Love your story. It's always interesting to read inspiring stories when the artisan is so passionate. Keep experimenting, have fun!!!
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 3 years ago
You have a lovely shop and beautiful jewelry, congrats!
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 3 years ago
I love the earthy style of many of your pieces. I'm not sure if "earthy" is the word, but that's what came to mind - and who doesn't love the Earth? Congrats on taking the plunge 6 years ago... Smooth move ; )
Zita from silkstory said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs and work! Congrats!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
Gorgeous work!! I love the rustic feel to some of the pieces...bold, robust but every so pretty!! Congrats on this awesome feature!!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 3 years ago
I love your rings! Congrats on the feature!
Kim Cole from BeachDaisyJewelry said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats on the feature and continued success. The coral cuff is super sweet!
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 3 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Francesca from MotivationalTattoo said 3 years ago
Such a beautiful store and feature 🙏🏽
DeAnne from deeshandmades said 3 years ago
Great article. I have always had a love for The Bison.
Lena Konotopchik from Spiritofwomenjewels said 3 years ago
I like so much. Thats really good.
Patti Trostle from PattiTrostle said 3 years ago
Great shop!
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 3 years ago
Your work is lovely!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
Beautiful work! I especially love those rings :)
Michele Lea from NawteaKittea said 3 years ago
Just gorgeous pieces! I want one of those rings in every color you have shown!
Dana from ArtayaLoka said 3 years ago
Beautiful BTS photos!
Suzanne Rorick from SRorickArt said 3 years ago
You have beautiful designs Buffalo Lucy! I especially love the silver cuff bracelets! Congrats on the feature. It was very interesting to read about your story.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 3 years ago
fun read ~ beautiful shop ~ love your style seasoned and true !
Patti Trostle from PattiTrostle said 3 years ago
Beautiful work!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Beautiful pieces of jewelry! Congratulations on the feature!
Heidi Bondarenko from thecleverclove said 3 years ago
Hooray for a fellow Portlander! <3
Valentina . from Exclusive72 said 3 years ago
Lovely shop. Congratulations!
Jenn Duval from MoodiChic said 3 years ago
Beautiful work and feature, congratulations.
Elena Kasimova from Moorlandlove said 3 years ago
Beautiful!
Lisa from NoteTrunk said 3 years ago
Beautiful Shop for sure ! Very Nice Offerings. Well Wishes :)
Carolyn Ehrler said 3 years ago
Fellow Albertan here (not born and raised tho -- originally from BC), really inspiring story and I love your floral and acorn pieces! Very unique! Will make sure to say hi to the buffalo for you next time I'm in Waterton :)
Olivia Ewing Obercian from OliviaEwingJewelry said 3 years ago
I love the studio setup, beautiful!
Zita from silkstory said 3 years ago
beautiful shop!!! Amazing work !! Congrats!!
jessie lavon from JessieLavonFolkArt said 3 years ago
love your jewelry and so enjoyed reading your story.
Heather Smith Hansen from LoveJewelryByHeather said 3 years ago
I never tire of reading histories and development of dreams coming true! You are truly an inspiration. Congratulations - not just on your successful shop, but your successful life!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 3 years ago
I admire yoru attention to detail !
Tasos from TACEHandmade said 3 years ago
Beautiful work!!! Congrats!!!
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 3 years ago
Top class jewelry, perfectly done!
evolvewithmary from evolvewithmarycrafts said 3 years ago
Beautiful and really unique work!
President Antiques from PresidentAntiques said 1 year ago
Amazing work!!! Keep it up!!!