DESIGNING FUTURE HEIRLOOMS: A Conversation with Colby Byrd

Inspired by the beauty of imperfection and the emotional weight objects can carry, owner and designer Colby Byrd of Shelton Metal creates pieces that feel deeply personal, timeless, and meant to be lived with for generations. Blurring the line between fine jewelry and sculptural home objects, the brand has become known for its organic forms, weathered textures, and heirloom-quality craftsmanship rooted in memory, ritual, and storytelling. Fresh off debuting a new exhibition during NYC Design Week and continuing to expand into the world of homeware, Shelton Metal is entering an exciting new chapter—one shaped by thoughtful collaborations, meaningful custom work, and a growing collection of modern heirlooms inspired by the sea, nostalgia, and collected beauty.

Photography By Logan Tudor

Jewelry Designer Colby Byrd of Shelton Metal

What draws couples to Shelton Metal when searching for wedding rings, and how would you describe the experience of designing a piece?

I think many couples are drawn to Shelton Metal because they’re looking for something that feels personal and lasting rather than overly traditional or trend-driven. A wedding ring is not just a piece of jewelry you wear every day after marriage, it becomes a symbol of your love, your journey, and the life you will build together. Many clients come to me seeking something more organic, sculptural, and heirloom-quality. Many are also interested in reworking sentimental family jewelry or incorporating recycled gold and stones into a new piece, making the process even more meaningful. I love being able to preserve fragments of someone’s history while creating something entirely new. The experience is very collaborative and personal. Most projects begin with conversations about memories, collected references, textures, old jewelry, or even places and objects that hold emotional weight for them. From there, I hand-carve and sculpt, or hand-fabricate and forge, each design so the piece feels lived-in, imperfect in the right ways, and full of character. More than anything, I want the process to feel thoughtful and intimate, like creating a future heirloom together rather than simply purchasing jewelry.

How does your artistic approach influence the design of your wedding jewelry, and what details make a Shelton Metal ring feel distinct?

My artistic approach is sculptural, yet heavily influenced by nature and the sea. A lot of my inspiration comes from weathered textures, organic forms, erosion, shells, and naturally worn surfaces shaped over time. I am drawn to pieces that feel ancient yet modern at the same time, something that could feel equally at home as a contemporary object or a discovered heirloom passed down for generations. I love subtle imperfections, softened edges, organic silhouettes, and details that make a piece feel like it has lived a life before reaching the person wearing it. I think those small irregularities are what give an object soul and character. Every Shelton Metal ring begins with very sculptural work. Whether hand-carved, forged, or fabricated, I approach each piece almost like a small wearable sculpture rather than traditional fine jewelry. I want the rings to feel tactile and personal, something you instinctively want to hold and interact with. What makes a Shelton Metal ring feel distinct is that balance between refinement and rawness. The pieces are intentional and elevated, but never overly polished or sterile. There is always some softness, texture, or sense of movement that keeps them feeling human and timeless.

Are there any recent custom wedding pieces or signature designs that feel especially representative of the brand right now?

I am recently back in Wilmington after debuting a new exhibition during NYC Design Week at Afternoon Light. The exhibition was centred on my ongoing exploration of “jewelry for the table,” blending sculptural home objects and functional heirlooms into a collected world inspired by the sea, nostalgia, and the feeling of an elevated pirate’s table. It was an incredibly special experience, and honestly, a dream come true, but it also briefly took over my entire life in the best way possible. All while preparing for the exhibition, I was still deeply involved in custom jewelery work, creating a few especially meaningful engagement rings and heirloom remakes. Being trusted to transform sentimental family jewelry or create a ring that marks such an important moment in someone’s life is something I never take lightly. I feel like a mix of those heirloom redesigns, custom engagement rings, and the recent exhibition all feel especially representative of Shelton Metal in this moment in time. There is a strong connection between the worlds of jewelry and home throughout everything I am creating lately. Whether it is a ring, a serving object, or a sculptural piece for the table, they are all rooted in storytelling, texture, memory, and creating future heirlooms meant to live with people over time.

Your homewares collection has grown significantly in recent years. How do you see the connection between jewelry, sculptural objects, and the idea of modern heirlooms for the home?

Yes, the home collection is definitely growing fast, yet evolving naturally. I have always approached objects through the same sculptural and emotional lens, whether they are meant to be worn or lived with inside the home. The connection between jewelry and homeware has always felt very intertwined to me. As Shelton Metal continues to evolve, it has been exciting to see people connect with the idea of modern heirlooms for the home in the same way they connect with jewelry. The same hand-carved details, organic forms, and inspirations drawn from nature and the sea are present throughout both worlds. With the upcoming exclusive collection with Bloomingdale’s launching later this year, expanding further into the home space feels like a very natural extension of the brand.

Looking ahead, are there any emerging trends, materials, or design directions you’re excited to explore within both your jewelry and home collections?

I'm excited to continue pushing further into more sculptural and immersive worlds within both the jewelry and home collections. I have been especially inspired lately by exaggerated organic forms, mixed metals, carved textures, and pieces that feel almost weathered by the sea. I want the work to continue feeling timeless, but also slightly unexpected. I'm interested in continuing to blur the line between whimsy, sculptural objects, and functionality. Whether it is jewelry or homeware, I want the pieces to feel emotional, tactile, and deeply personal. More than following trends, I am focused on creating objects that feel lasting and collectable, pieces that people genuinely connect with and live alongside for years.

I 'm also excited by the continued growth of collaborations with retailers and other design houses. Expanding Shelton Metal into new spaces and reaching new audiences through thoughtful partnerships has been incredibly rewarding, especially as the home collection continues to evolve alongside the jewelry. It feels like a very exciting moment of growth for the brand overall, and I cannot wait to continue sharing this journey with others.

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