About

Hello! I am Erin McIlroy, maker of all of Iris Elm Jewelry and Iris Elm Soap.

Everything in my Minnesota-based shop is handmade with much thought, care, and time going into every piece of jewelry and each bar of soap.

For my beadwork jewelry, beads are individually woven to form the design, and wire jewelry is intricately wrapped. Many of my jewelry pieces can take hours to make.

I have been interested in jewelry making for many years. My mom made square wire jewelry and some of my earliest memories are watching her create and attending craft fairs with her. I started making jewelry for myself not long after I got my ears pierced at the age of ten.

I eventually turned my love of crafting jewelry into a business and started selling online in 2013.The design inspiration for my jewelry comes from nature, geometric patterns, as well as the beads themselves. Usually when I am starting a project, I spread the beads out before me, not sure what I am going to make, but then am inspired by the beautiful materials. I truly love creating unique and special jewelry!

The soap-making side of my handmade business was started in 2020. Iris Elm Soap is made using the cold process method of soap-making. All soaps are palm oil free and made with the highest quality plant-based oils. As well as soaps, I also make luxurious beeswax lotion bars.

When not crafting jewelry and soaps, I enjoy knitting and crochet, as well as watercolor painting.