We recently had the chance to connect with Beth Aimée and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Beth, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I like to ease into the day, waking not by an alarm, but as the sun rises and my dog stirs. I start with breakfast and coffee and enjoy some quiet time while I catch up on emails and read the news. I prepare packages for shipping, and work on marketing and administrative tasks in my home office. I play with my dog and go to yoga. Finally, I make my way into my downtown studio and spend a solid block of focused hours at the bench. In the evening, I stop at the grocery store and take my dog for a walk before making some dinner and doing a little house or yard work before relaxing with a book before sleep.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I live and play in the mountains of Montana. Daily walks on forest trails remind me of the earth forces that create the precious metals and natural gemstones I work with. My craft bridges between the work of geological forces and the work of manmade tools and artistic vision.
I studied Neurobiology and studio art at Duke University. Both disciplines thrive on curiosity and inquiry, and both require skill and precision. I took a long path to arrive at metalsmithing: worked in labs, taught in a two-room school, ran an art gallery. But once I found metalsmithing, it all made sense. I’m a geek for tools, a sucker for gemstones, and I love experimenting at my workbench.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I have a photo from my late teens taken during a backpacking trip with friends. I look strong and confident and happy in that photo. That confidence and contentment stems from knowing what brings me joy and from finding an environment in which I feel challenged and invigorated, expansive and grounded. I have a similar feeling when working in my studio. I have developed the skills to feel competent and the vision to explore the medium further, pushing into my own unique aesthetic.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I remember having a frequent thought about 8 to 10 years ago that my life was so lucky. I did work that filled me up. I had great friends, a husband, and two healthy children. I lived in a sweet town in a beautiful place. But I had an underlying fear of experiencing a life trauma, distrusting that I could keep coasting along in my fortunate situation.
Then my marriage fell apart. As it was happening, I felt a deep shame. The rejection was devastating. I had failed at keeping my marriage together. The life trajectory I had expected came to an abrupt cliff. I felt panicked and afraid for anyone to know what was happening to me. I found myself in an unknown, in-between place, realizing that my control was illusory. There was no quick fix for getting out of that hard place. I had to experience the grief.
I reached out to friends for support. I journaled and walked a lot. I repainted my house, which was cathartic. I got a puppy and he brought me joy. The shame receded, and I learned that I am resilient. I found my strength and confidence. I discovered that the need for control stems from fear. The trauma of divorce made me more empathetic and less judgmental. I began to speak about my experiences openly and found that it helped me relate to others more genuinely. I started to view my situation as an opportunity to reassess and explore. I had been humbled and confronted with my lack of control, forced to sit in the unknown for a bit. I’m better for it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My goals as a working artist are threefold: maintain a successful business, become a master of my craft and develop my distinctive voice in the field, and share my skills with others to help keep the craft alive. Jewelry is a competitive industry. It takes many years of hard work to carve out a niche. I have many moments of frustration and doubt. I struggle to prioritize my efforts, and sometimes I labor without gain. Progress is incremental, not exponential, but it is tangible and steady. I understand that the flops and failures at the bench and in the office are necessary for growth. Designing and fabricating unique jewelry is my passion. Of course it’s affirming when people praise my work; but that’s not what drives me. It’s the satisfaction of being able to translate my ideas into metalwork and finding my rhythm and voice as a metalsmith. There’s no endpoint, and that’s what keeps it interesting.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This is an interesting topic for me, as I don’t think often about my legacy. I don’t expect to be remembered beyond my family and friends. And yet, as an artist, I create objects that will endure beyond my lifetime. I endeavor to create well-constructed jewelry that can be passed down and enjoyed through generations. I hope that my ideas will spark the imagination of others, furthering an artistic thread that expands as each artist adds their voice. I hope that through my teaching, other artists will be enabled to explore their own crafts.
On a personal level, I hope that I will be remembered for my quiet warmth, my open acceptance, and my genuine interest and concern for others. I hope that I will have contributed as much as I’ve taken.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bethaimeejewelry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethaimeejewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethaimeejewelry
Image Credits
Green Door Photography
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