There is a certain power in women who create—not just for beauty, but with purpose. In this year’s Women’s Issue, we celebrate those who are shaping community through vision, resilience, and leadership. For Woodstock-based jewelry designer Brenda Smith, that power is expressed through every piece she brings to life.
Her designs are more than adornment—they are deeply personal expressions of strength, story, and individuality. Each sculptural creation reflects a belief that jewelry should do more than complement a woman’s style; it should reflect who she is and what she’s overcome.
Brenda’s path into jewelry design began during a pivotal moment in her life, when creativity became both an outlet and a calling. What started as a personal journey has grown into a celebrated career, with her work recognized on a national stage—including 2 placements within the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. Yet, at its core, her work remains grounded in something far more intimate: connection.
Inside her Woodstock studio, Brenda approaches each design with intention—selecting stones for client's story, shaping metal into forms that feel bold and unexpected, and creating pieces that become part of a woman’s legacy, ART. In a world often driven by trends, her work stands apart as timeless, meaningful, and unapologetically personal.
For the women who wear her designs, it’s not just about what they put on—it’s about how they show up. And through her Jewelry as Art, Brenda Smith is helping women do exactly that: step into their story with confidence, beauty, and purpose. We sat down with her to find out more.
Your journey into jewelry design is deeply personal—what moment truly changed everything for you?
I always knew I enjoyed working with my hands and creating beautiful forms from metals and gemstones. What began as a hobby gradually grew into something more—before long, all of my friends and relatives had already received jewelry gifts from me, so I started selling pieces to support my jewelry‑making habit. The moment I realized I truly had what it took to pursue jewelry as a profession came after my coursework at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. Alan Revere assured me that I had the potential, and through those classes, I recognized that my design training would naturally and successfully translate into jewelry design.
How would you describe the philosophy behind your designs and what makes a piece distinctly “Brenda Smith”?
The philosophy behind my designs begins with concept—something that was deeply ingrained in me during my college years as a design major. My pieces aren’t simply pleasing shapes or gemstones surrounded by other gemstones; they are rooted in meaning and inspiration. What makes a piece distinctly “Brenda Smith” is the balance of concept, form, and function. My work is dimensional and often incorporates movement. Each piece is a miniature sculpture, waiting for a home where wearable art is truly appreciated.
Many of your pieces feel like wearable art—what inspires your creative process when starting a new design?
My pieces are definitely wearable art, and inspiration comes from many sources. Sometimes it begins with an experience—like watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. With my head tilted back and eyes skyward, I turned to my husband and said, “I see earrings.” He looked at me, brows furrowed, and replied, “Really?” That moment became the beginning of my Celebration Collection. The original earrings were created in pearls for bridal wear and were designed to capture the burst of fireworks in motion. At other times, inspiration comes from a theme or commission, such as when the National League of American Pen Women asked me to design an award commemorating one of its founders, Vinny Ream, a sculptor from the 1800s. I created a contemporary cameo carved with Vinny’s likeness, inspired by the cameo she wore every day—a gift from a cardinal in Rome. Sometimes the gemstone itself tells the story. One example is my objective art piece Light My Fire, inspired by Oregon sunstone, whose colors graduate from clear to orange, yellow, red, gold, brown, and green. I carved a flame from the stone and set it into a fire pot nestled in petrified wood, underlit with a flickering light.
And sometimes inspiration comes from a challenge—working within parameters set by a patron who wants to symbolize or commemorate something meaningful to them. In those cases, I’m given guidelines to work within, such as designing a pearl necklace that must be exactly eighteen inches long. Those creative constraints often lead to some of my most rewarding work.
Your work has been worn on red carpets and collected by the Smithsonian—how has that recognition shaped your perspective as an artist?
As an artist, I’m drawn to working with people who appreciate fine jewelry that goes beyond beauty and carries meaning. Creating pieces for clients who value that depth is incredibly rewarding. Their appreciation and validation are affirming, and that encouragement fuels my passion and keeps me moving forward as an artist.
You specialize in one-of-a-kind and custom pieces—what do you love most about creating something so personal for a client?
This is an easy question, because purchasing or commissioning jewelry is inherently an emotional experience. People buy fine jewelry to celebrate milestones, commemorate meaningful moments, or mark one of the most important days of their lives—such as a wedding. Knowing that my work becomes part of those deeply personal stories is incredibly humbling. I feel truly privileged to play a role in those celebrations, whatever form they may take.
For women investing in fine jewelry today, what should they be looking for beyond just beauty?
For women investing in fine jewelry today, there are certain essentials—much like the little black dress—that form the foundation of a well‑rounded collection. These include pearl earrings and a necklace, diamond earrings, gold bracelets and earrings, and perhaps a simple pendant for everyday wear. Beyond those classics, women who are drawn to one‑of‑a‑kind pieces use jewelry as a form of self‑expression. They’re not just purchasing something beautiful; they’re building a personal legacy creating meaningful objects that carry memories and can be cherished and handed down to loved ones for generations.
brendasmithjewelry.com
Each piece is a miniature sculpture, waiting for a home where wearable art is truly appreciated. Brenda Smith