Laura Reed often finds herself with burnt shoulders, bug bites everywhere, and an achy back — and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Laura grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and spent six years in the U.S. Navy, where she was introduced to the South Carolina Lowcountry. After turning in her uniform, Charleston pulled her back, and she’s called it home since 2018.
When Laura began noticing the beaches’ beautifully delicate and imperfectly patterned shells, she decided to transform them into wearable art as a tribute to the natural beauty of her newfound home. We spoke with Laura about her journey to the creation of her jewelry brand, Margerite & Motte, and what sets her apart within the current oyster repurposing frenzy.
“The name Margerite & Motte is the perfect blend of my family, dogs, and city,” Laura says. ‘Margarite’ was once another name for a pearl, and ‘Marguerite’ is a family name Laura’s always loved, so she blended the two into Margerite. ‘Motte’ is a tribute to one of Laura’s dogs, who loves to jump and swim on The Battery beach. Image: Anne Rhett Photography
From designs that prominently feature oyster shells, to more subtle options like these Bicycle Earrings ($95), Margerite & Motte creates jewelry that is, quite literally, infused with traces of the Lowcountry.
Can you tell us a bit about your younger years? Were you always creative?
I feel like I was always creative. I loved to draw and paint all the time. I was even celebrated as an artist at my elementary school. One time I won an art contest and my drawing was published on notecards as a fundraiser for my school. (Wow! That brought back a lot of memories!) Years later, I was “encouraged” to focus on school work and more “serious” subjects. That’s what led me to take a commission in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer after earning an engineering degree at Texas A&M University. But I left all that and could not be happier. I’m so grateful I returned to what I was first drawn to at such a young age.
After moving to Charleston in 2018, Laura had a few jobs that never quite fit. She started making jewelry part-time at home. After six months, she quit her job to focus on jewelry full-time. Image: Margerite & Motte via Facebook
What sets your pieces apart amid all the oyster and shell repurposing these days?
I don’t use shells that are large enough to be recycled (used to form new oyster beds). I also use real gold (not gold-colored paint). Adding gold to the shells takes a lot of time and effort, so only the most beautiful ones I find are transformed using real gold. My business does not bring oyster shells to the masses at a low price point. I go to great lengths to choose suitable shells to be made into beautiful jewelry. I hand-make every piece.
Creating a new batch of pieces is a multi-day process. Laura spends one day finding, gathering, and sorting shells. One day is spent disinfecting and cleaning. Another day is spent pairing, polishing, and attaching studs. And two more days are reserved for gilding each piece. Image: Margarite & Motte via Facebook
How does living in the Lowcountry flavor your brand and designs?
My jewelry is a tribute to this place that I now call home. Even though I’m not from here, I love all the things that make it beautiful. I don’t want to change the Lowcountry — I want to celebrate it and focus on what makes it beautiful and unique. This place is the inspiration for all of my work, but done in a style that I can proudly say is mine.
Laura’s resin shell cuffs are named “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere” — a nod to a Dwight Yoakam lyric. Image: Margerite & Motte
What’s a common misconception about working with natural materials?
That all my supplies are free and unlimited. I guess, technically, that is true, but I don’t treat it that way. I spend hours combing the shoreline for the right shells and put back what I don’t use. Each shell I collect has an intended purpose, and I have intention behind everything I do. My family sometimes likes to help me collect, and I appreciate it, but I feel bad when I tell them I can’t use 99% of what they collect because I have a very narrow set of requirements.
No one understands what goes on in my mind about what I select. I don’t like to “waste” this beautiful resource we’ve been given. To be a good steward of the ocean, I must understand that what I take is not “free” and “limitless.” I am very grateful for what nature has given me and will try my hardest not to abuse that privilege.
Laura painstakingly selects and collects her shells on Sol Legare Landing in James Island, South Carolina, and other nearby beaches. Image: Anne Rhett Photography
Where can we find you on your “days off” if you have them?
I’m fortunate to live in one of the best vacation cities in the world and constantly enjoy all that Charleston has to offer. I love to walk The Battery on a beautiful day or take a trip to a surrounding beach. My favorite Charleston spots are The Royal American, Harken Cafe, Monarch Wine Merchants, Little Miss Ha, Kwei Fei, NICO, and Burbages Grocery.
“Even though I’m not from here, I love all the things that make it beautiful,” says Laura of her current home.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?
Don’t be afraid to charge what you know you’re worth. I don’t know who told me that or if the many businesswomen in my life have given me that advice. I see so many small business owners who don’t charge enough for all the work they do. If I could make jewelry for free, I would, but that’s not our world.
You can find Laura alongside many other makers at seasonal markets and events like Bluffton Artisan Market by Lowcountry Made, a champion of the area’s makers, artists, and small businesses. Image: Lowcountry Made via Facebook
Who’s inspiring you right now?
The network of other small business owners here in Charleston. I am so grateful for the incredible women I have met who are so talented! We constantly lift each other up and help where we can. We have a very supportive small-business community in Charleston, and good people are working hard every day to create a life they are proud of; they would do anything to help others achieve the same.
Thank you for chatting, Laura! Shop Margerite & Motte here.
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