Meet Brenda Smith

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brenda Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brenda below.

Hi Brenda, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I was raised the oldest of eight children. My step father was a truck driver. Although we were not well off financially, I didn’t realize that. I was raised to share and when there wasn’t enough, I moved on to something else. I would guess this “move on” attitude was the beginning of my resilience. I remember visiting New York City with two girl friends a few years ago. My jewelry was being featured in a gallery on 5th Avenue. As we walked along the city, the conversation moved to negatives about a couple of observations. I didn’t necessarily agree and would state my opinion. Out of the blue, one friend stopped in her tracts and said to me, “You always see the bright side of things.”
Another example of resilience would be my college experience. I always wanted to be an artist but college seemed way out of the picture. I know I was creative but decided I needed a college degree. I finally enrolled as a working mother with three children in some summer classes. It was hard to manage everything but found my best study and school project time would be after dinner was prepared and cleared, and the children were bathed and in bed. After three summer classes, I was so excited and encouraged about what I was learning that I enrolled in the fall. Four years later, I graduated.
Later, I found myself as a single mother. I worked three jobs to provide for my children so they would not feel “different” from their friends by having to do without.
When I began my jewelry designing career, I was advised to enter high-end competitions. Every time I won, it helped to build my confidence. I don’t know that I would have prevailed if it were not for the perseverance developed unknowingly through my story.
I believe resilience in my life grew as I grew. It was there when I needed it. I really didn’t know any other way to do life.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Brenda Smith is an artist, metal smith and award-winning designer, currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work has been on the Red Carpet, has won many design competitions, including the AGTA Spectrum Award four times and 1st place in the International Pearl Design Competition eight times, and has pieces in private and public collections including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Highly unique, one-of-a-kind and custom designs are her specialty, meticulously crafted in sculptural and conceptual designs with gold, platinum and silver, and gemstones.
“Jewelry of Faith” and “Black n Gold n Diamonds” are two very unique silver collections with 18k gold accents.
A former graphic designer and creative director, her transition into jewelry design has become her passion. Concept and contrast are key elements in her designs. They are miniature sculptures, most with movement; all with dimension. She loves to teach design as well. “Teaching is a win-win” says Brenda.
Brenda earned her BFA in design at Kent State University as mother of three and her MBA at Kennesaw State University.

A former creative director with more than 25 years of advertising, design and teaching experience, I easily transitioned from graphic arts to innovative jewelry design. “Jewelry design is simply another artform utilizing metals and gemstones as the medium. As an artist, I don’t strive to fit into a preconceived box, but I do strive to push boundaries. Hence my tag line, ‘The Jewelry of Fine Art.’ My pieces are an organic, eclectic expression of my creative self.
These dynamic, highly unique, one-of-a-kind, and custom designs are my specialty, meticulously handcrafted in sculptural and conceptual designs with gold, platinum, silver and quality gemstones. My brand has been described as classic, pure, refined, clean, dynamic and organic. I also have small, diverse collections that differ from each other, expressing expansive creativity. Current collections besides my One-of-a-Kind, include Black ‘n Gold ’n Diamonds, Pearls, Simply, Men’s and Jewelry of Faith.
I also find satisfaction in creating the unexpected in my designs by pushing boundaries, therefore, they don’t always fit into a preconceived box. When creating my one-of-a-kind pieces, the use of upcycled and recycled materials is a great tool for accomplishing this look. The gratification of giving these elements new life is a bonus.
As a creative, I find satisfaction in expressing myself in many ways besides the creation of fine jewelry. I am a published author and a painter. I don’t think creativity is confined to one category.

Brenda Smith, Biography

Brenda Smith is an artist, metal smith and award-winning designer currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work has been exhibited in many galleries and jewelry stores, including the Forbes Gallery and Faber Gallery in NYC, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Tellus Museum in Atlanta, the Lizzadro Museum in Chicago and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
A former creative director with more than 25 years of advertising, design and design teaching experience on the university as well as personal level, she easily transitioned from graphic arts to innovative jewelry design. “Jewelry design is simply another form of art and design utilizing metals and gemstones as the medium.” “I also enjoy teaching jewelry design since it is a win-win situation,” she says. “It keeps me thinking creatively in a communicative way, be it verbally or visually.”
Brenda’s work is influenced by a myriad of thoughts, symbols and unique materials. She strives to create jewelry that fuses sculptural design with powerful symbols and inspirational messages. “I’m not interested in creating a variation of something that is done everyday. What’s the point? They are sculptural, and have movement and concept. My designs are inside just waiting to emerge as wearable art with a story. It is a part of who I am.”
Awards and recognitions include AGTA Specturm, International Pearl Design Competition sponsored by the Cultured Pearl Association of America, eight times; Royal Asscher’s Rebel Chique Diamond Design Competition; Palladium Alliance International Design Competition, two times, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History acquisitions, Red Carpet for the Emmys, and Oscars
She earned her BFA in design and her BA from Kent State University and her EMBA from Kennesaw State University. She is currently a member of AGTA, CPAA, GIA, SNAG, WJA, Georgia Goldsmith Group, The Southeastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc., is on the Advisory Board for the School of Visual Arts, Kennesaw State University, the Board of Directors for the Acworth Cultural Arts Center, past president of The National League of American Pen Women and on the board of Healing for the Nations.

Biography for Brenda Smith

Residing in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Jack, Brenda Smith began her artistic career as the creative director for an advertising agency. After retiring from 25 years in the advertising world, she easily transitioned from graphic arts to innovative jewelry design, immediately finding favor and recognition from jewelry industry peers, organizations and high-end jewelers and clients.
Her work, which has been exhibited across the globe, is influenced by a myriad of thoughts, symbols and unique materials that fuse sculptural design with concept. She creates ‘wearable art’ that captures the natural beauty of the materials.
Her International Pearl Design Competition, first place awards include “Pearls and Lace in Space” and the “Orbital Ring” as well as her “Celebration” pearl earrings (shown in her portrait and inspired by fireworks). So impressed with her talent was The Cultured Pearl Association of America that they commissioned her to film her design process for inclusion in their pearl farm to finished piece documentary!
Among her other prestigious awards is the American Gem Trade Association’s (AGTA’s) Spectrum Award. This is the highest design honor in the jewelry business.
Brenda’s designs usually begin with a concept. The stone, lifestyle, event, likes, etc. may spark the concept inspiration, but the finished piece will definitely reflect the concept.
Her popularity gained mainstream recognition when celebrity stylist Michael O’Connor featured her Celebration earrings at the Academy Awards, the Emmys and on Los Angeles television. Likewise, her work has been in the Forbes Gallery in NYC and in Promenade, New York Luxury Magazine and two pieces in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian.
Brenda, a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Jewelry pictured:
“Southern Charm” earrings, permanent collection, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The motif was inspired by Charleston’s wrought iron designs and the totally natural pearls from the Tennessee River. Oxidized sterling silver with 22k yellow gold leaves, 18k gold omega back posts and 26.49ctw natural pearls. The inspiration was southern artifacts and pearls.

“Intrigue” ring featuring award-winning holographic cut, prasiolite, 19.87 ct. Four diamonds on the prongs, 0.05ctw. Set underneath and upside down are Two yellow, two blue and one orange sapphire, 0.30ctw. Two rubies, 0.33ct. All natural stones set in palladium. The holographic cut acts as a kaleidoscope when view the primary colored stones set underneath. The inspiration was the holographic cut prasiolite.

Following article from American Gem Trade Association’s “Prism” magazine, September, 2023
Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry
Fine Art Fabricator
A longtime designer hits the jewelry bench,
making wearable art in a second career.
After Brenda Smith retired from a career as an ad agency
Creative Director, a jewelry store merchant friend got her
hooked on a whole new design path. This one paved with
gemstones, precious metals, and myriad awards that con
firmed her career change was a good one.
“She encouraged me to take metalsmithing classes, and I couldn’t get
enough,” says Smith.
From silversmithing and goldsmithing, wax carving, casting, wire
wrapping, beading, and stone cutting, Smith took as many classes as she
could, strengthening her skills with each course’s conclusion.
One skill stood out thanks to her past life in design before computers:
sketching.
“I was trained to draw by hand, so I drew conceptual designs before
creating the jewelry,” she says.
Seeking further approval that her graphic design skills would transfer to
jewelry, she enrolled in the prestigious Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts to
study with contemporary jewelry designers, including Alan Revere.
“Alan assured me that I had the skills to move forward and encour
aged me to enter competitions,” she recalls. “After winning several, my
confidence was amplified, and after making 20 pieces, I realized that I
needed to start selling them to support my habit.”
Wearable Sculptures
As Smith refined her design voice, a signature started to evolve. Howev
er, it wasn’t one with a repeating pattern or motif like many artists. “My
goal was never to imprint my jewelry with a consistent motif, rather to
let each piece speak for itself since the inspiration varies,” she explains.
Instead, a sculptural femininity took root and effortlessly wove itself
through her collections, all rich in often oversize colored gemstones and
cultured Pearls.
“There are plenty of Diamond jewelry manufacturers available,” she
notes. “I like to find innovative ways to feature one-of-a-kind gemstone
cuts and concepts. I especially seek uncalibrated gemstones because they
force me to think more creatively to craft an unexpected work of art.”
Goal accomplished, as each of her bodies of work puts compelling
gems and noble metals on a pedestal. In her One of a Kind works, col
lectors can find carved Rock Crystal flowers with Tahitian Pearl pistils
and Ammolite dragonflies. In Simply, vibrant colored gemstones and
rose-cut Diamonds are framed in yellow gold. In Jewelry of Faith, lovely
scrollwork in silver or karat gold is fashioned into religious symbols,
many with cultured Pearls per the “Pearl of Great Price” from scrip
ture. And in her Black n’ Gold n’ Diamonds collection, organic-looking
surfaces of bold silhouettes in blackened silver are

Pictured: Cuff from
Black n’ Gold n’
Diamonds
Colored stone
necklace from
the Simply
collection
accented with yellow gold and Diamond melee,
(continued from page 20)
making for some overtly dramatic designs. That collection originated
after Smith embarked on a small-scale blacksmithing project.
“I define my jewelry as the jewelry of fine art,” she explains. “It’s not
just an arrangement of gemstones and elements, and it’s much more
interesting when I have concepts in mind.”
In fact, her Celebration earrings were inspired by fireworks—and
look just like them. And her Lace rings were inspired by a doily that her
grandmother crocheted. To wit, that pattern—“A Hawaiian-inspired
pineapple pattern from the 1950s,” says Smith—is clear to see.
Instruction & Awards
Today, Smith wholesales her work to a select group of fine-jewelry stores
and galleries. She’s even been known to teach jewelry classes. A point
of concern from those experiences existed in the students’ collective
creativity.
“I noticed that students just wanted to start soldering and putting
pieces together, and eventually everything would look the same, with
slight variations,” she says. “I had to stress to them to create the design
first in their imaginations. The results would be much more desirable
and creative. I stressed that the objective was to create something
special, not just to mount a stone. It was fun, but as my business grew,
teaching had to take second place.”
Her design awards mushroomed alongside her creations. To date,
Smith has won eight International Pearl Design Competition awards
from the Cultured Pearl Association of America, four AGTA Spectrum
& Cutting Edge AwardsTM, and many others. She’s also seen some pieces
find homes in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in
Washington, D.C., and the Tellus Museum of Natural Science in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, others have landed on stars at the Emmy Awards and Os
cars. All things considered, it appears Smith’s career switch was the right
move. Just don’t expect her to stay in one design lane.
“As an artist, I don’t want my work placed in a preconceived box,” she
says. “I strive to push boundaries.”

Fast Facts on Brenda Smith
of Brenda Smith Jewelry
Contact Brenda Smith, Designer and Founder
Years in Business 10
Headquarters Woodstock, Ga.
Phone Number 770-337-6399

Instagram @brendasjewelry @jewelryoffaith
Facebook Brenda Smith Jewelry
Starting Retail Prices $150 in silver, $350 in gold,
$6,000 in platinum
Average Retail Tickets $10,000 for One of a Kind,
$1,600 for Simply, $1,600 for Black n’ Gold n’ Dia
monds, and $950 for Jewelry of Faith
Trade Shows AGTA GemFair Tucson, Atlanta
™ Jewelry Show

Pictured: Lace-inspired
ring with
Tahitian Pearl

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1) Persistance
2) Knowledge of gemstones and jewelry fabrication
3) Hard work

My advice is to persist, never give up. If this is your passion, then it’s part of who you are. Don’t give up on yourself. Push through when the going gets tough. Keep you eye on the goal.
Learn all you can about your subject matter. You Tube is a very good tool these days.
This is not a 9 to 5 job. You do what you have to do to make it work. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I can’t say that there has been one person alone who has helped me push through and develop essential skills for life success. There were different people at different stages of my life. Opportunities were limited growing up. I was pretty much raised, the oldest of eight children, by my mother. She had here hands full. I left home when I was 18 because I knew I would go no where if I stayed. I wanted to be an artist and get an education. I had no idea of the vast opportunities there were as an artist. As an adult, after trials and errors in life, I began therapy sessions. It was amazing how the sessions brought more and more clarity to my life. They helped me focus and make goals. I counseled with pastors, licensed therapists, life coaches and experts in the jewelry field. After earning my bachelors’ degrees, I was asked to teach design on a university level. This boosted my self confidence in the design field. I was awarded several design awards and recognitions, further encouraging me.The university had an art show for former students after 30 years. I was there as a former student and faculty member. After breakfast the morning after, at the university hotel, a smartly dressed gentleman walked up to me and asked if I was at the show the night before. I replied, “yes.” I asked if I was the one who taught Visual Organization. I responded, “yes” again. He introduced himself a former student of my class and wanted me to know that I was the best instructor he had had in the program. Wow! What a lift.
When working as creative director for a small liberal arts college, letters of appreciation from alumni, faculty and students were a great encourager. My salary was doubled after a couple of years because of my benefit to the college.
Rujon Morrison, my best friend now, was huge in my spiritual growth and belief in myself and who I am. Early in the jewelry business, gemologist Cecilia Gettemy was a huge encourager. Later, renowned gemstone cutter and goldsmith, Darryl Alexander, was a great encourager. He kept saying, “you can do this, I believe in you!” He encouraged me to do what I do best, that is designing fine jewelry. I enrolled in Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco in a program to study with contemporary jewelry design masters. I was encouraged again that I DID have what it takes and that I can do this.
So, this process has been a journey and a journey takes times. I don’t know that one person could have been all that I needed but I do know that we all need encouragement in different forms. Surrounding yourself with good, positive people. Don’t waste your time on anything less.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BrendaSmithJewelry.com
• Instagram: BrendaSJewelry
• Facebook: @BrendaSmithJewelry
• Linkedin: [email protected]
• Twitter: @BSmithJewelry

Image Credits
Drew Stauss John Parrish Brent Rowlett