Southwest Resident Designs Wearable Architecture

Jill Smith first started designing and constructing jewelry for herself, a creative outlet and means to stay fresh when her job in the interior design and architecture world had become more corporate and less hands on. Soon her friends started complimenting her work and suggesting she sell it. At that time, Smith had two small children, a stressful job and a lot of time spent traveling and away from home. She found herself making a scary yet necessary decision. 

It was 2003 when Smith left the field she had worked in for nearly two decades to pursue jewelry making full-time. A fateful meeting with Merry Beck, owner of and someone Smith now calls a mentor, launched what is today a successful career as a jewelry artist. Smith went to Gallery 360 wearing one of her pieces and spoke with Beck, who was intrigued.

“She wears it really well,” Beck said. 

Smith was soon selling her work at Gallery 360 and it is now available there as well as the shops at the Walker and the Guthrie, Key North, St. Paul’s Karma and Wayzata’s Maha!–Inspired Activewear. 

Smith said she feels lucky and spoiled to have her work sold in such prestigious venues around the Twin Cities, but the Guthrie store’s director of retail and merchandising, Kay McGuire, described it differently. She said we’re the lucky ones.

“Our local arts community is fortunate to have such talent in Jill Smith. It was a great pleasure to work with Jill on a special collection of jewelry that was inspired by various elements in the architecture of the Guthrie–inside and outside. Her background in design and architecture make her sensitive to shapes, surfaces, textures and colors. She was able to, in a sense, translate some elements that are part of our unique building into jewelry form... Jill’s pieces are wearable and attractive and timeless,” McGuire said.

The collection McGuire is referring to was done last November. Smith said it was a dream come true to be asked to design a collection inspired by a piece of architecture. Using oxidized sterling silver, semi-precious stones and leather, much of her work is already inspired by the built environment. The result is wearable art with an architectural, industrial and urban feel.

Fresh from a trip to Barcelona, Smith plans to spend this summer translating the city’s unique architecture into necklaces, bracelets and earrings. 

And though she may find inspiration in far away places, Smith said living and working in Southwest Minneapolis is important and integral to her as an artist. 

“I think the community you choose to live in and work in is key–it’s critical... For me being in Southwest, the reason we live here is because the quality of life is so great,” Smith said.

Of course, she’s not the only artist who feels this way. Southwest, and Minneapolis in general, has drawn many artists, creating competition in the field. The difference between our city and others, Smith said, is that the community in Minneapolis is so open and supportive.

“The other artists that I compete with, a lot of them I’m friends with. It’s a healthy competition and we all appreciate each other’s work,” she said.

Smith is constantly working on new styles and ideas. She also does custom work. Keep an eye on her progression at area galleries.