Müge Salmaner is a Turkish-born metalsmith, artist, and former academic who transformed an unexpected passion for traditional jewelry-making into a creative career in Washington State. After earning a Ph.D. in Near and Middle Eastern Studies, she discovered metalsmithing and found a new way to express her fascination with nature, folklore, ancient symbols, music, and the emotional stories carried by objects. Building Bonfire Jewelry Design while navigating the demands of entrepreneurship and motherhood, Müge has remained committed to creating handcrafted sterling silver jewelry designed to become meaningful heirlooms. As she expands her collections with gemstone pieces, interchangeable charms, and sculptural designs, she continues to champion slow fashion, authenticity, and the enduring value of making something by hand.

Here is the Q&A session we had with Müge Salmaner.

Müge Salmaner As Cover Story Interview – September 2026 Magazine Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

I’m Müge Salmaner. I’m a metalsmith, artist, former academic, and probably the only person I know who traded academia for melting silver in a tiny studio in Washington State.

I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and moved to the United States at twenty-three to pursue graduate school. I eventually earned my Ph.D. in Near and Middle Eastern Studies, but somewhere along the way I wandered into a metalsmithing studio, picked up a torch, and my life changed.

Today I handcraft sterling silver jewelry using traditional metalsmithing techniques, starting with nothing more than sheet silver and wire. My work is inspired by nature, ancient symbols, music festivals, folklore, and the stories we carry throughout our lives.

I’ve always believed that objects can hold memories. Some people wear jewelry as decoration; I make pieces I hope they’ll still be wearing decades from now and eventually passing on to their daughters.

I’ve often said that before jewelry was fashion, it was memory. That belief continues to guide everything I create.

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

People often assume artists spend all day making beautiful things. The reality is much messier. Running a handmade business means you’re the designer, metalsmith, photographer, marketer, customer service representative, accountant, and shipping department all at once. There have been plenty of moments when I wasn’t sure how I was going to keep going.

I’ve built my business through economic downturns, rising silver prices, changing algorithms, and the unpredictable nature of selling handmade work online. At the same time, I’ve been raising two wonderful children, one of whom has additional support needs. Motherhood has taught me patience, resilience, and that success isn’t always measured by how quickly you grow. Sometimes it’s simply measured by whether you keep showing up.

Through every challenge, I kept coming back to my workbench. There’s something deeply grounding about taking a flat sheet of silver and transforming it into something that may become part of someone’s life story. Creating with my own hands has always reminded me why I started, and it’s still the most honest work I know how to do.

What do people usually not know about you?

Most people know me as a jeweler, but before Bonfire Jewelry Design I spent years immersed in literature, history, and memory studies. Those interests never disappeared. They simply found a different language.

People are often surprised by how much of my work happens at the jeweler’s bench. Every piece passes through my hands as I saw, solder, stamp, texture, oxidize, polish, and set each gemstone using traditional metalsmithing techniques. I love the physical process of transforming silver into something that will hopefully be treasured for generations.

Another thing people may not know is that I’m fascinated by the emotional life of objects. I love hearing from customers years later when they tell me a ring became an engagement ring, a necklace helped them through a difficult season, or a piece has already been promised to a daughter one day. Those stories mean far more to me than any sales number because they remind me that jewelry isn’t just something we wear. It becomes part of our lives.

What sets you apart from others?

I don’t spend much time thinking about competitors. I’d rather spend that energy making jewelry that feels genuine and will still be loved decades from now.

Everything I create is handcrafted from solid sterling silver and genuine gemstones using traditional metalsmithing techniques. Every piece passes through my hands as I fabricate, solder, stamp, texture, set stones, and finish it in my studio. I care more about creating heirloom quality jewelry than following trends. Sterling silver can be polished, repaired, resized, and worn for generations, and I love knowing that my work has the potential to become part of a family’s story.

I also think my background shapes my work in an unusual way. My Turkish heritage, my years in academia, my love of nature, music festivals, folklore, and symbolism all find their way into my designs. I never sit down to create something just because it’s fashionable. Every piece begins with an idea, a feeling, or a story that I hope someone else will connect with.

What are your upcoming major events?

This year I’m expanding Bonfire Jewelry Design with several collections that I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.

I’m creating a new series of hand-knotted gemstone necklaces and bracelets that can be layered with my interchangeable sterling silver charms. I’m also continuing my one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces inspired by forests, wildflowers, clouds, moons, and mushrooms.

Beyond new collections, my biggest goal is continuing to reach people who value slow fashion and handmade craftsmanship. In a world filled with fast trends and mass production, I want to remind people that some things are still worth making by hand.

What expert advice would you like to give?

Don’t be afraid if your path doesn’t make sense on paper.

If someone had told me while I was writing my Ph.D. dissertation that one day I’d become a full time metalsmith, I would have laughed. Looking back now, I can see that every chapter of my life prepared me for the next one, even when I couldn’t see the connection at the time.

Try not to compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Build something you’re proud of, even if it grows slowly. Trends come and go, but authenticity has a way of lasting.

Most importantly, make time to create. Not because it’s profitable or productive, but because making something with your own hands changes the way you see the world. I think we all need a little more of that.

Your social media handles and website links?

• Website: bonfirejewelrydesign.com
• Instagram: @bonfirejewelrydesign
• Facebook: @Bonfire Jewelry
• Pinterest: @bonfirejewelrydesign