About Kelsey McQuown & Moraine —

Hi hi! I’m Kelsey McQuown & I live and create here on Michigan’s stunning Leelanau Peninsula.

So what is Moraine? The name Moraine started when I opened my first retail location here in Leelanau County. I had long been working under the name/brand KelseyGrape — which you may know is a childhood nickname of mine. Long ago my sister decided that I was KelseyGrape and as the younger sibling that was that — and honestly, it fits lol. I used KelseyGrape as a business name for one simple reason.. to remind myself to be playful in my work — to never lose that childlike curiosity.

However, when I opened that first retail shop I needed something new, something all-encompassing. Enter “moraine”… Growing up in the Great Lakes Region, I was well aware that our entire lake-filled gorgeous home looks how it looks because of the movement of glaciers. To brush up on our geological terms quickly… A moraine is “an accumulation of unstratified and unsorted debris that has been previously carried along by a glacier or ice sheet.” This debris can range in size from powdery silt to mammoth boulders. Many of the prominent topographic features in Michigan are moraines.

I won’t take you much further down the rabbit hole of different types of moraines — it’s a long one. I will however take you along the trail my mind wandered when I thought about moraine as a new name for my creative business. I thought about the path of my personal creative experience — all that I’ve learned academically, learned accidentally, and taught myself over the years. All of the physical objects I’ve created in all that time. I thought about my creativity as a slow glacial mass moving forward & retreating.. ebbing & flowing. Grand ideas as boulders I push along for years at a time & tiny idea sparks as the fine silt filling the open spaces in my mind. All of these objects & ideas as an unsorted, jumbled mass I create, carry, and leave behind — my own type of moraine.

-Kelsey

Contemporary Filigree

  • Filigree is an ancient metalsmithing technique that dates back over 500 years. Extremely fine thread-like strands of precious metal are twisted together, flattened, coiled & soldered into intricate designs. The process of creating and using filigree wire may be time intensive, but the unique texture and shimmer of the wire is well worth the effort!

    My contemporary take on the traditional art of filigree pairs the intricate patterning of hand-twisted filigree with clean, contemporary design elements. An ancient art enjoyed in a new modern way!

  • Although my filigree jewelry is contemporary in design, my process remains very traditional. All of my filigree wire is create by hand by rolling thin wire between wood blocks. I recommend checking out my instagram to view process videos!

  • All silver filigree available in the shop is created with recycled fine silver filigree wire and recycled sterling silver framework, ear wires & findings.

    Filigree labeled as 14k Finish is 14k vermeil plating. This plating is nickel free.

    Solid gold filigree is available for custom projects.

Hand-carved Collections

  • Lost wax casting is another ancient metalsmithing technique — I love hands-on processes. Lost wax casting begins by carving a wax model. This wax model is sprued & covered in a plaster-like material called investment and placed in a kiln. The heat from the kiln removes the original wax model and leaves an open cavity that can be filled with molten metal.

  • I mostly work in a reductive manner when creating my wax models — meaning I carve down to my final design from a larger wax block or blank. In the same way a sculptor would carve down from a large block of marble. For certain pieces & collections I do add wax back to the pieces to create fine detail. I recommend checking out my instagram for process videos!

  • My hand-carved collections can be cast in almost any metal of your choosing. The Floral Collection is available in store in silver and gold. The Reflect collection is also available ready to ship in silver & gold. Custom pieces are available in a variety of gold karats and colors, as well as platinum. All metal is sourced from reputable sources and is recycled/reclaimed.

Materials & Sourcing

  • A lot of thought and care is put into my materials. All metal for casting & fabricating is sourced from reputable sources. I collect and reuse all metal scraps & always source recycled/reclaimed metals.

    Precious gemstones such as diamonds and sapphires used in the Reflect Collection are ethically sourced. I am always happy to discuss the exact sourcing of the stones in any piece.

    I am able to use heirloom metal & gemstones for custom designs.

  • Sustainable packaging is very important here at Moraine. Extreme effort is made to source eco-friendly packaging materials for shipping and in store use. All mailing envelopes are made with 100% recycled content (90% post-consumer) and printed with eco-friendly water-based inks. I am always seeking to improve our packaging and shipping practices.

Shop in person at
The Warren Collective

 

The Warren Collective in Leland, Michigan opened in the summer of 2022. The Warren is the result of a collective creative dream — to share our art with our local community & all who visit our little slice of lakeside paradise.

Kristin Hussey of Kristin MacKenzie Design (the other half of The Warren) is an incredible local painter & treasured personal friend. Please go shop her beautiful work online if you aren’t able to visit us at The Warren in person.

Visit us at:
106 N. Main St.
Leland, Michigan

We will be open for limited fall & holiday shopping again this year! Please reach out via phone 231-994-2904 or contact us to confirm current shopping hours.