Meet Shelby Mullins of Studio Mullins Fine Jewelry
Share with your friends!
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Email
Flipboard
Reddit
In 2020, Shelby Mullins had her dream job working for her favorite interior designer. But downtime during the pandemic made her reassess where she was headed. As fate would have it, Shelby was also planning her wedding. She found herself reconstructing her childhood Add-A-Pearl necklace into a bracelet for her big day and helping to design her own engagement ring. Since then, Shelby launched her fine jewelry brand, Studio Mullins, and has made a name for herself recreating heirloom jewelry and offering custom design services. Meet Shelby — and keep scrolling for a peek at her stunning pieces!
Pin
First, tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, attended Alabama for college, and found my way to Birmingham for interior design. My husband went to UAB for medical school and is currently completing his residency; we have been here for about eight years now.
Getting into jewelry design was really about finding my medium as an artist. My grandfather was a lawyer and an amazing local artist in Chattanooga, specializing in oil painting. He taught me how to paint, and I took classes throughout school. I loved painting, but I think I was better at drawing. I majored in interior design, where I was able to apply these skills in hand renderings, and I went on to work in both interior design and interior architecture.
My background in custom furniture production, cabinetry, and millwork drawing, along with my interest in art and Victorian-era jewelry, gave me the tools to do everything I am doing today.
Pin
How did you find your way to founding Studio Mullins?
When I was planning my wedding, we worked with a wonderful local jeweler on my engagement ring, and I discovered a whole new world I had no idea about.
I love to learn. When I discover something new that intrigues me, I dive right in. I decided to enroll in the Gemological Institute of America and used my side interior design projects to pay for school. I am now a Graduate Diamond. Starting the business in 2020 with $300 in my bank account, I couldn't jump right into creating a brand. But I had a plan and knew where I wanted this to go, so I began reworking some of my own pieces and doing small custom jobs. Those eventually led to engagement and wedding bands. The more jobs we got, the more we honed our skillsets, and the closer we got to our collection goal.
Pin
How does your background in interior design and architecture influence your jewelry design?
We find pockets and opportunities to incorporate architectural and interior design concepts into our work. You'll repeatedly see the ideas of claw prongs, rounded edges, two-tone metals, repeating lover's knot motifs, scattered pavé diamond designs, and so much more that help identify our brand. Within the same fluidity, understanding how to draw and construct designs is equally important, and I owe that knowledge to my former experience.
What's the biggest challenge you encounter when working on heirloom recreations?
Damages. While diamonds are hard, they certainly are not invincible. We have often found minor chips and damages on heirloom stones, especially well-worn pieces that have been passed down a few generations. Often, these damages are hidden under prongs we cannot see until we unmount the piece entirely. That's why we always recommend having an appraisal and insurance on it beforehand.
In most cases, we can totally work around it and even hide it, which will protect it in the future. Recently, we had an emerald with surface damage. We had a cutter recut for us without losing any overall shape diameters. We will always set or advise in your best interest.
Pin
What's on the horizon for Studio Mullins?
In spring 2024, we launched our collection and have continued to grow it ever since. We are releasing new pieces in the coming weeks and should be completing 20 new styles before the end of 2025. We are also in the process of expanding our collection reach and hope to be in some retail spaces soon. As always, we continue our bespoke services anywhere from heirloom recreations to engagement rings — always trying to add our own unique touch.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I love constantly flipping through Pinterest. I get so inspired looking at architecture, interiors, and gardens. Besides that, you can usually find me on a walk with my husband or a friend. I love that time to talk and catch up. And I always like to leave my phone behind.
Pin
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I discovered a multimedia artist named Sheema Muneer relatively recently. Her art is so textured, unique, and abstract, and I absolutely love it. Looking at her creative process is so inspiring. People like her always make me want to step out of my box more and more.
What is your best piece of advice?
Being great at what you do isn't necessarily enough to succeed. Being seen for what you do is a way to look at success from a different perspective. From the work you are doing and putting out there for the world, do you feel seen for who you are?
Each of us is so unique and beautiful, and that is something worth showing. That means not being afraid to be authentically yourself as a brand. It means showing your aesthetic, your designs, what catches YOUR eye, not what you think catches others' eyes. Your brand won't be for everyone, but if you are true to who you are and what you do, you will find your crowd, your peers, your clients … and you will find so much more happiness creating what you truly love and feels right to you rather than trying to cater to everyone.
If you feel happy doing your work, I think that's a job well done. This lesson can apply on many personal levels, too!
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can't live without.
Crisp and clean sheets to dive into at night, candles that make me feel peaceful, and Nancy Meyers' movies. Those are my little luxuries in life.
Pin
Lightning Round!
Last delicious local meal: The steak frites at Chez Fonfon
Favorite place to vacation: We don't get to do a whole lot of traveling right now with my husband in residency, but we went to the English Countryside a few years ago, and the second we can do it again, we will. I could sit in those gardens all day long!
Your go-to gift to give: Maison Louis Marie Candles
Favorite recent TV show binge: If I could binge Your Friends and Neighbors, I would. But for now, I wait patiently for Friday to roll by so my husband and I can watch what happens next.
Book(s) on your bedside table: I usually sketch at night, but lately, I have been reading The Motherload by Sarah Hoover. I have more on my list to read, as I am currently expecting my first baby.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
**********
Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
About the Author Katie Leigh Matthews
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
Transportation chief seeks to weaken fuel economy standards, calls Biden-era rule ‘illegal'
DETROIT (AP) — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a rule Friday that Biden-era fuel economy standards for gas-powered cars and trucks are illegal and moved to reverse them, paving the way for a likely reset of rules. Combined with Senate language in the pending budget bill to eliminate penalties for exceeding standards regulating how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel, automakers moving forward could come under less pressure from regulators to reduce their pollution. Ultimately, the nation's use of electric vehicles could be slowed.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Transportation chief seeks to weaken fuel economy standards, calls Biden-era rule ‘illegal'
DETROIT (AP) — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a rule Friday that Biden-era fuel economy standards for gas-powered cars and trucks were illegal and moved to reverse them, paving the way for a likely reset of rules. Combined with Senate language in the pending budget bill to eliminate penalties for exceeding standards regulating how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel, automakers moving forward could come under less pressure from regulators to reduce their pollution. Ultimately, the nation's use of electric vehicles could be slowed. The moves align with the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to slash federal support for EVs. President Donald Trump has pledged to end what he has called an EV 'mandate,' referring incorrectly to former President Joe Biden's target for half of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. EVs do not use gasoline or emit planet-warming greenhouse gases. No federal policy has required auto companies to sell — or car buyers to purchase — EVs, although California and other states have imposed rules requiring that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. When he was in office, Biden imposed increasingly stringent emissions standards for cars and trucks. He included use of EVs in calculating the rules — an inclusion the Trump administration and the auto industry have argued was illegal and raised the bar too high for automakers to meet. The Transportation Department's memorandum Friday said the previous administration 'ignored statutory requirements' that barred consideration of EVs when setting standards. 'We are making vehicles more affordable and easier to manufacture in the United States,' Duffy said. The revised rule does not itself change existing standards, but it empowers the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make adjustments in coming months. Duffy put pressure on the federal agency earlier this year to reverse the fuel economy rules as soon as possible. Under the Biden administration, automakers were required to average about 50 miles (81 kilometers) per gallon of gas by 2031 — up from about 39 miles (63 kilometers) per gallon for light-duty vehicles today — in an effort to save almost 70 billion gallons (265 billion liters) of gasoline through 2050. The rules, finalized in 2024, increased fuel economy 2% per year for passenger cars in every model year from 2027 to 2031, and 2% each year for SUVs and other light trucks from 2029 to 2031. Mileage rules — in place since the 1970s energy crisis — work alongside the EPA limits on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation accounts for the largest source of the nation's planet-warming emissions, and cars and trucks make up more than half of those. In recent years, automakers have been manufacturing gasoline-fueled cars that are more efficient and get higher mileage. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers, called Duffy's announcement 'a positive development' that adds 'important clarity' to federal mileage rules. The Biden-era standards 'were 'improperly predicated' on alternative fuel vehicles,' said John Bozzella, the group's president and CEO. But Katherine Garcia, director of the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All program, said the Transportation Department's action will increase costs for Americans and increase pollution. 'Making our vehicles less fuel-efficient hurts families by forcing them to pay more at the pump,' she said. 'It will lead to fewer clean-vehicle options for consumers, squeeze our wallets, endanger our health and increase climate pollution.' Meanwhile, Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee added proposed language to the proposed budget bill Thursday that would remove fines penalizing automakers that don't meet fuel economy standards with their gas-powered vehicles. Automakers can buy credits under a trading program if they don't meet the standards. Manufacturers whose vehicles exceed the standards earn credits that they can sell to other carmakers. The memo and bill text landed this week as Tesla owner Elon Musk and Trump engage in a public spat online, with Trump suggesting that Musk 'only developed a problem' with his budget bill because it rolls back tax credits for EVs. Musk disputes that. ___ Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Daly reported from Washington. ___ Read more of AP's climate coverage at ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Cision Canada
MEXC Officially Unveils Launchpad Platform: Acquire BTC at Discounted Prices
VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has officially unveiled its new Launchpad, an innovative token issuance platform that provides users with guaranteed access to high-quality projects at discounted prices. MEXC's first-ever Launchpad event and debut offering lets users subscribe to select tokens and unlock discounts on BTC. According to data from Triple-A, the global crypto user base has surpassed 560 million, and market momentum continues to grow. However, many users remain sidelined from having early investment access to promising projects, but also access to established assets at significant discounts due to high entry barriers and complex risk factors. MEXC Launchpad addresses these pain points with a redesigned, fully upgraded investment platform that breaks through the traditional IEO (Initial Exchange Offering) model. By offering discounted access to premium project tokens, Launchpad aims to provide users with inclusive access to high-quality crypto investments, helping retail users capture emerging and established market opportunities. Because of these highlights, MEXC Launchpad is known for being the "Your Easiest Way to Top Tokens — Early or at a Discount." Key features of the Launchpad include: Discounted Access to Token Subscriptions The platform adopts a differentiated pricing strategy, offering users the opportunity to subscribe at prices below market expectations. This significantly lowers the cost barrier for retail investors to participate in high-quality projects and positions them to benefit from potential gains after the token is listed. Fair Participation Breaking away from traditional lottery systems and favoring large holders, MEXC Launchpad ensures that all eligible users can participate on equal footing. Users are not required to complete complex tasks to subscribe, a feat that significantly improves participation and enhances accessibility. Rigorous and Professional Project Selection MEXC has implemented a rigorous evaluation framework that assesses projects across multiple dimensions, including technology and innovation, team background, and development potential. This professional vetting process ensures that only high-quality projects are featured, helping users manage investment risk effectively. Flexible and Diverse Subscription Models Users can participate using designated tokens, with both non-oversubscription and oversubscription models available. In the non-oversubscribed model, users receive tokens based on the amount committed. The oversubscribed model uses a proportional allocation mechanism to ensure a fair distribution process. The debut MEXC Launchpad event offers BTC-based subscriptions, featuring special discount packages tailored to different types of users. New User Exclusive: Subscribe at up to 90% off (as low as 10% of the market price), with subscription limits ranging from 5 to 55 USDT and a total supply of 4 BTC. All Users: Enjoy a 20% discount on subscriptions, with subscription limits from 25 to 250 USD1 and a total supply of 3 BTC. Referral Rewards: Earn a 5 USDT bonus for each new user referred, up to a maximum of 100 USDT in referral rewards. Subscription Period: June 6 to June 20 "The release of MEXC Launchpad marks a major milestone in MEXC's commitment to inclusive finance," said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC. " By offering a fair and simple subscription model, we're making premium project investment accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few. Choosing BTC as the first featured asset opens a new channel for everyday users to participate in "digital gold." Looking ahead, we'll continue introducing high-quality projects to bring more value to our global users." Cryptocurrency investing involves significant risk and is subject to market volatility. Investors may face potential loss of principal. Please ensure you thoroughly understand the project details and carefully evaluate your risk tolerance before making any investment decisions. The first BTC Launchpad event is now live on MEXC. For more details, visit the official Launchpad page: About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
