Yam

July 8, 2021/ Photo: Courtesy of Morgan Thomas

Morgan Thomas grew up making jewelry with her mother, and her fervor for it never faded.

As an artist and a designer, she frequently fantasized how she could combine her passions while honoring her mother, who passed away while she was in college. She ended up creating Yam as a way to celebrate of her family, mindful materials, and wearable art.

“Yam, as a company, was not planned, but the foundation was always there,” she said.

Artfully made in Astoria, Thomas’ pieces range from sweet and colorful to sleek and elegant. Her design process, which she says is an organic part of her day to day, involves taking photos, hunting for vintage materials, and thinking up pieces in bed at night. 

“I’ll find myself working on an idea at my studio table and then I hang it back up and let it sit. Sometimes I revisit, and modify or I end up taking it apart,” she explained. “Some designs take years of trial and error and some I create in a couple of sit down sessions.”

Some standouts among Yam’s many designs include the dramatic gold Highgate Choker and the Maddy Hoops, which showcase a kaleidoscope of colorful florals.

Thomas is looking forward to a covert collaboration in the coming months. She also hopes to design bridal jewelry and a small line of fine jewelry piece in the future. 

More about Yam can be found here.