MARILYN CLAYTON

Marilyn Clayton is the founder and maker behind 8th by MOC Designs, a studio practice rooted in one-of-a-kind jewellery and encaustic art. Working from her studio in the Haliburton Highlands, Marilyn creates handcrafted pieces using advanced metalsmithing, wire weaving, kumihimo, braiding, and encaustic wax techniques refined over more than 15 years of dedicated practice.

Primarily self-taught, Marilyn has pursued ongoing advanced training in metalsmithing, wire weaving, encaustic techniques, and gemstone work from certified instructors across multiple disciplines. Her jewellery practice centres on premium gemstones and hand-forged metals, with each piece built to suit the stone rather than the other way around.

Marilyn has been a juried participant in both the Victoria County Studio Tour and the Tour de Forest Studio Tour, and a bi-annual exhibitor at Made in Kawartha Lakes shows. She exhibited at Fenelon Station Gallery for seven years and currently serves as a board member of the Arts Council of Haliburton Highlands.

Prior to relocating to the Haliburton Highlands, Marilyn served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Guelph Bead Society for three years while based in Fergus, Ontario, contributing to community programming and member engagement within the regional beading and jewellery arts community.

Her work bridges fine jewellery craftsmanship, encaustic sculpture and art, and poetic storytelling, creating pieces that are as meaningful as they are enduring.