Collaboration: Akimbo Collection
To stand akimbo means to plant hands on hips and jut elbows outward; a stance exuding confidence and strength.
Meet Magayr (pronounced “mug-air”…her parents made it up) Knox, the hammer-wielding maker behind Akimbo Collection jewelry. She was raised in Chugiak, Alaska, where she and her husband are bringing up their three daughters to take on life with the spirit of the akimbo stance. With an anvil of old Alaska Railroad track and her dad’s first hammer, she forms mostly brass and copper into unique, simple jewelry. Sometimes she’ll wire a stone in there, too.
What are your three favorite things to do outside?
- Escape into nature aboard our converted school bus, Atlas.
- Reconnect with my self or a loved one during a hike or ski.
- Lately, in light of being cooped up - healthy, safe, and grateful - at home, we’ve been taking daily family walks. Some of us are less enthusiastic about them, but there is magic to be found in the little moments of a slower-moving life. Taking notice of the daily changes spring is attempting to bring feels cleansing and hopeful.
Tell us about Akimbo Collection
As I struggled to keep my head above the fog while mothering three little ones and working towards a business degree, Akimbo was a way to flex my creativity. After graduation, I threw my extra time, energy, and education into this little business and was astounded at how quickly it grew. I have found such support and inspiration in our brilliant local community of makers. I love every bit of what I get to do, from scribbling out an idea and hammering it into reality, to seeing my work out in the world.
What would you tell someone who wants to get into metalsmithing but doesn't know where to start?
YouTube! Invest in tools little by little, see what is actually fun for you, and don’t hesitate to let your style unfold as you learn to find your own creative voice.
Best advice you've ever been given as an artist?
Quit overthinking it. That might not be applicable to every artist or to every art form, but I know as soon as I let go of the concept of perfection and embraced a little of the chaos, my work improved nearly as much as life did.
SHOP THE COLLECTION NOW
Images of Magyr by
Ginny Gillespie Photography
Ugh! I was too late to buy earrings from this collection. Let me know if you’ll be doing them again. I’d LOVE a pair. ANY pair!!
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