Meet The Maker: Shannon Cartwright

I love jewelry—making it, wearing it, all of it. You’ll almost never catch me without earrings; it just feels wrong, like I’m not fully dressed. Honestly, I might as well be naked. One of the most common questions I get when people find out I make jewelry is, “Did you make those?” And more often than not, my answer is, “Nope, they’re Lou Jewels.”

Shannon Cartwright, the designer behind Lou Jewels, is hands down one of my favorite jewelry artists. When we launched Veer, she was in my top three must-have makers to stock—and today, she’s responsible for about 90% of my earring collection.

Shannon grew up in New York City, the daughter of two artists, and studied at the prestigious Parsons School of Design. Since relocating to Florida, she has honed her craft under the guidance of local metalsmiths and evolved her aesthetic into what is now the beautiful, soulful brand Lou Jewels—featuring both jewelry and sculptural home goods.

I’m so thrilled to highlight Shannon and share a little of her magic with you.     xoxo, Jenna

What led you to creating jewelry?

I have always been fascinated by jewelry. I have been making beaded jewelry since I was a child. I took a metalsmithing class 14 years ago, and became absolutely enamored with metalwork.

I am in the process of reshaping what Lou Jewels is. Lou Jewels is currently a jewelry brand. I hand make jewelry that can be described as minimal, eclectic and whimsical. I have also made home goods like spoons and wall hangings, and I am currently working on more pieces like that, that are meant for the home.

What do you like most about what you do?

I love to create something from nothing! It feels so magical to be honest! To have an idea, that's not tangible, but to then take the necessary materials, and make it real, tangible and wearable, is just so so cool.

What other hobbies or interests keep you busy when you’re not at your jewelers bench?

I love being out in nature. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing, and settles my nervous system, like a good hiking trail, or a day at the beach.

Are there any artistic mediums that you have not worked with but would like to try and why?

Back in college a trip to a museum called Dia Beacon was so moving for me. It's filled with incredible large scale 3-D artwork that evokes so much feeling. I would love to learn blacksmithing, so that I can create larger scale works. I actually looked into local blacksmithing classes just a few days ago at the encouragement of a dear friend.

How has your community in Orlando supported you or given you inspiration?

My community is the reason I even learned metalsmithing to begin with! I met a girl at a market many years ago when I made beaded jewelry, and we became friends. She asked me to take a metalsmithing class with her and the rest is history! Through all of the ups and downs of covid, and all of the rapid changes in our world, it is my community of other artists and business owners that encourage me to keep going.

Dogs or cats?

I love animals but my business is literally named after my beloved cat Louie haha. I currently have three cats, but plan to get a dog sometime in the near future!

What does the word “veer” mean to you?

To Veer means to be flexible, and adaptable, which as a creative business owner, you have to be. You can stay true to yourself and your vision, but the way in which we communicate and speak to each other is always changing, formats with which we consume art are always adapting and changing. So for me, Veer represents flowing with the tide and the changes that may come.