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Made in Fort Worth: Gather Goods
The start of a new year is the perfect time to switch things up. Change your style. Add a little (or a lot of) pizzazz. Megan Clifton understands. The founder and designer of Gather Goods creates jewelry meant to dazzle, incorporating found materials with her love of ageless style and her love of making a statement, inherited from both grandmothers. Megan generously shared her story with Madeworthy.
Madeworthy: When did you first realize that creating jewelry was more than a hobby – that it was a calling?
Megan Cifton: It was right before Christmas about eight years ago, and friends were asking me for necklaces to give as gifts to family members and friends. I put about 50 necklaces out on my dining room table and sold every single one.
photo credit: Jill Johnson
MW: Was there a personal moment or a season of your life that influenced the launch of Gather Goods?
MC: My grandmother lived in Albuquerque most of her life, and when she died, I received some of her beautiful Native American pieces. I loved the turquoise and vibrant colors, but wanted [to create] a modern take on them.
MW: Tell us about a piece you’ve made that tells a particularly powerful story.
MC: This summer, after the horrible flooding in Central Texas, we made a green and white bird necklace. We donated 100% of the sales to the Kerr County Relief Fund. We sold out in the first five minutes and were able to give them more than $10,000.
MW: How do you balance staying true to your creative vision while also growing a business?
MC: HA! Great question! This can be tricky because I always loved creating one-of-a-kind pieces. As I grew, I knew I needed a new model that could grow with the business. I started working with a silversmith in Albuquerque who started making one-of-a-kind pendants, but in larger quantities, which has been a game-changer. I also love working with multiple African bead dealers who have grown with me!
MW: Have you had moments of doubt, and if so, what kept you grounded during them?
MC: Absolutely. I think every creative and every business owner goes through periods of doubt. (If not, let me know your secrets.) I think what keeps me grounded and inspired is my oh-so-loyal customers. They are always pushing me to do better, create more, and keep things fresh.
MW: What has surprised you the most since starting Gather Goods?
MC: The people! The people I get to work with, the people who support me, the hustle of other small business owners who do this day in and day out.
photo credit: Jill Johnson
MW: What legacy do you hope Gather Goods will leave behind?
MC: That’s another tough question, as we’re not dead yet, and we have no plans of going anywhere anytime soon! I hope people feel like no matter what, we always treat them with kindness. I hope people find our customer service to be the cream of the crop. And I hope our necklaces leave a tiny bit of brightness to their day.
MW: In moments of burnout, what do you turn to for inspiration?
MC: Travel and time away. Sometimes it takes just a vacation or a few days out of the office to feel inspired again. We just had a very epic trip to Africa with my family of four, where I got to go to the source of most of my beads. It left me in awe of the craft and excited for what’s to come. I know trips to Africa aren’t always at our fingertips, so from a local perspective, I find going on a walk or run can completely reset my brain. Burnout be damned, I’m ready for 2026!
MW: What advice would you give to someone looking to create but is afraid to start?
MC: Just do it. Seriously. You won’t get everything right the first time, and you will learn as you go, and that’s just fine. The juice is well worth the squeeze.
