For Andi Motley, a bad shopping trip was a source of inspiration.

Perusing the massive jewelry section at Forever 21 for a Christmas party, she found nothing.

“It just all wasn’t me,” Motley says. “I’m into the tattoo culture. I like skulls and anchors.” 

Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Motley started collecting hand-carved stone skulls, trinkets and charms, teaching herself how to put it all together.

Then, last December, Motley went into a jewelry-making frenzy, but she never intended to start a business. 

“My fiancé was like ‘So, what are you going do with all this stuff?’ and I was like ‘I don’t know, give it to people?’ He said, “Well, you should sell it,” Motley says.

Subsequently, Motley’s significant other made her a Facebook page, an Instagram account, photographed all of her pieces and Andi’s Skull Candy Jewelry was officially born.

Motley creates “feminine hardcore jewelry” out of semi-precious stones and charms like fortune cookies, owls, teacups, and of course, hand-carved skulls of all colours and sizes.

“I get things from all over the place,” Motley says. “It’s always like Christmas at my house because every single day I’m getting a new little package of charms.”

Motley says she finds her materials anywhere she can, balancing quality with affordability.

During our meeting at Stella’s Café and Bakery, Motley covered the table with brightly coloured charm bracelets, which she also wears herself.

“ It’s always like Christmas at my house because every single day I’m getting a new little package of charms.

Andi Motley, jewelry designer

“It’s just fun and I like them because they are like $10,” Motley says. “You can throw them on and you can double them up.”

While some of her pieces have a very bold, punk aesthetic, others lend themselves to a more feminine style, although they still feature Andi’s favorite thing - skulls.

“I’ve always loved skulls,” Motley says. “Our house has tons of skulls in it, like sugar skulls and art. We actually have a huge deer skull, with antlers, that somebody found when they were hunting. A lot of time Scott (her fiancé) will have it on our dining room table when we’re having dinner.”

Motley started just selling jewelry to her friends, but began getting more messages as people discovered her pieces, including custom requests.

“I don’t mind, because I want people to get what they want, right? I want them to love it,” Motley says. 

Motley delivers all of the orders herself and is currently looking into retail stores to carry her work.

Though Andi’s Skull Candy Jewelry started as a hobby, Motley is ready to build on the success she’s had so far.

“I have so much stuff that I still need to create but I just got this job, I started teaching, so there was a bit of a delay, but now I’m back up,” Motley says.

And while Motley’s style is inspired by jewelers like Michael Spirito, she wants her creations to be affordable for everyone. 

“I’m not looking to make a million dollars, I just want people to enjoy it,” Motley says.

Check out Motley’s creations at www.facebook.com/AndisSkullCandyJewelry.

Published in Volume 67, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 21, 2013)