Where Dusty gets creative

Her name was almost Amy Felder, but her mother hated a character named Amy on the soap opera General Hospital, and at the last minute, she changed the name on her daughter’s birth certificate to Dusty. Years later Dusty Felder married Mr. Brown and officially became Dusty Brown. What a cool, classy name! And the name matches the person.

Dusty Brown is one of Tennessee’s most talented jewelry artists, and she lives and creates her jewelry right here in Murfreesboro. Dusty has always been artistic in many ways, but a car wreck in 2002 forced her to have a period of homebound rehabilitation. That unplanned time at home coupled with the inspiration of her supportive husband allowed Dusty to unleash her creative spirit. In between other jobs and raising her two kids, Miles Amelia (7) and Lola (4), Dusty has succeeded in establishing a business of creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Since that time Dusty has moved from the kitchen table to a full blown home-based studio filled with exquisite crystals and colorful beads. Sitting at her 1950s green formica starburst table, Dusty has created over 6,000 unique jewelry pieces. She creates necklaces, sterling silver chains, beaded bracelets, earrings and pendants using antique lockets, keys and watch faces. Dusty loves creating long, dangly earrings with what she calls “that shoulder duster feel of the mid to late ’80s, but not in a dated way.”

Serpentine and Black Bracelet

Turquoise and Wood Necklace

Dusty only creates jewelry to sell, but if you are lucky enough to be her personal friend, you might get a birthday present of one of her paintings on canvas, or something sewn, or something crafted out of leather. What sets her apart from many talented people is that she uses her talents to help other people in extraordinary ways.

Dusty doesn’t like to brag, but she has used her talents to bless many people. She is extremely active in the Junior League of Murfreesboro, and the list of charities that she supports through her jewelry creations is extensive. In the last few years, she has supported the Child Advocacy Center, Project Help, Power of Pink, the Pearl Ball, Art Flood, Kristen Hunter Scholarship Fund, Boys and Girls Club and the Center for the Arts—and this is only a partial list of the people and organizations she has supported with her talents.

Her handmade jewelry can be seen and purchased at Mesh and at Cornerstone Cheesecakes and Gifts. Soon her jewelry will also be featured in Mills Family Pharmacy and Reeves Sain Drug Store. Visit www.dustybrown.net to see some of her unique jewelry pieces or contact Dusty directly at dusty@dustybrown.net.