skinny dip jewelry
in the skinny
Morgan McGoff built a brand that represents inclusivity and self-expression through one-of-a-kind, slow made polymer clay jewelry.
for morgan, becoming an entrepreneur was always on the road map.
Born into a family of artistic women, salesmen and business owners, Morgan felt eager to, “do her own thing” from an early age.
She fell in love with Boise, Idaho after a 3 month cross country road trip, which inspired her 2016-2019 residence in this lively city. Many of her creative experiences blossomed from this underrated artistic community, from a traveling flower cart business that she started with a friend to her involvement in She is Boise as a contributor and art director, an organization supporting female business owners and creatives.
Morgan’s first passion was photography- it kept her busy as a college student at DAAP (University of Cincinatti art program) and in her post-graduate life. She booked several gigs through the years from weddings to commercial shooting, and honed in on her many years of photoshop experience along the way. Through Skinny Dip, she marries her photographic talent with her background in visual identity and branding.
the making of skinny dip
Although her time in Boise, Idaho was self-defining and creatively enriching, her extreme home sickness amidst separation from her family, specifically her parents, was difficult to bear. Morgan’s mom sent her care packages regularly, one of which included sculpey clay. She recalls a day when she was feeling particularly down and struggling with her depression and anxiety; “usually getting my hands moving really helps,” said Morgan. Her first choice was to paint, when she realized she had lent all of her brushes to a friend. She picked up a block of clay instead, and just started to cut different shapes. “These would make really cool earrings,” Morgan recalled thinking. She took a trip to Michael’s and bought glue and earring backs- after posting a few pairs of earrings to Instagram, her followers and friends were already offering to purchase!
“I really just want to make some funky shapes!”
The horseshoe was her signature design for a while- “it was my calling card,” Morgan realized. Starting her business, opening an LLC and traveling to shows and events across the country was a logical next step for Morgan, who never doubted her ability to make her business happen once she ramped up jewelry production. “If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it!” From the onset, her mindset was, “I will do this until it doesn’t work anymore.”
skinny dip [verb]
to feel completely and authentically vulnerable and free
to be exactly who you are inside and out
Morgan’s unusual brand name stemmed from a profound experience on a yoga retreat a few years back- she was staying at the 2nd largest canyon in the US in Idaho; “you couldn’t even access it on foot and you had to take a boat to get there,” Morgan explained. “One night I went skinny dipping with a bunch of people that I met on the trip underneath the milky way. I remember just being filled with love. Everyone there was working through something and it was just such a freeing moment.”
When selecting a name for her beloved jewelry brand, another name made the short list; Batch of Cookies, inspired by the song of popular music artist, Lizzo. Morgan was lucky enough to see her in concert in small, intimate venues before her rise to fame. She named one of her first bestselling earring styles ‘The Lizzo’ (because you feel 100% that bitch in them!)
The goal of Skinny Dip, regardless of the word ‘skinny’, is to feel free to be yourself. “I never want anyone to feel bad about what their body is,” Morgan clarifies. “My brand name is action-oriented. It is not a noun.”
morgan got candid about her goals for skinny dip
Now back in her hometown of Cincinatti, the trajectory for Skinny Dip is even brighter. “I hope that one day it is more than a jewelry brand,” Morgan said. “I’ve always dreamt of becoming a ceramics artist.” Her goal is to channel that spirit into this year, and remain inspired by sculptures, functional art and creations.
In art school, her rigid photography schedule never allowed her to take ceramics classes, but she plans to learn this year. “Everyone forgets about hobbies,” Morgan acknowledged, as well as the importance of challenging yourself and learning something new.
Morgan is constantly learning from the people around her, from her tight knit family to her supportive boyfriend, Kyle (who is also an entrepreneur and owns the best bagel shop in Cincinatti, The Bagelry.) “He’s been instrumental in supporting me and helping my business grow,” she shouted out. She’s also made an effort to give back to the polymer clay community that embraced her and taught her at the onset through her Patreon account, where she mentors other artists and business owners looking for guidance.
Take part in the Skinny Dip jewelry and visit Morgan on Patreon, Instagram or skinnydipjewelry.com