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Sterling Silver Kayak / Canoe Charm Earrings, petite and feminine,
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MEET ALLYSON

The Natural silversmith

Allyson lives in the Great Smoky Mountains region of western North Carolina. Her mountainside home and studio have huge windows looking out over the Little Tennessee River Valley. Twenty-five years here, plus five years living in the southwest Virginia mountains, have helped her develop a sense of peace and connection with nature. She lives with her husband, Bob, who is a luthier. He makes beautiful custom stringed instruments in the downstairs of their studio. She has the upstairs level (with skylights) where her much-loved metal-work tools reside. These include the torch, hand-saw, hand-drill, files, design stamps, cabochon machine, buffers, dremel tools, pin vise, ring and bracelet mandrels, measuring tools, various hammers, doming blocks, and many more. Her “cache” of unset stones, plus her tools inspire unlimited potential.

Allyson has always made things with her hands. She began making jewelry in grade school, discovering color, and the joy of “giving”. During recess, she wove clover blossom necklaces (purple and green!) and gave them to her friends. Her favorite library books were the craft ones…origami, paper mache, and embroidery. She was (and still is) a “woods” girl, playing outside, climbing trees, and riding her horse on trails. She has acquired much knowledge and skill, and has taught classes in Wild Foods, Uses of Plants, and Dowsing. She never had time to become very interested in jewelry.

All that changed the year her father-in-law took her to a Gem Show, and gave her a 2-hour silversmith lesson as a Christmas present. The magic of that moment, using a torch to melt metal, to create forms and wearable jewelry, is still with her. Since then, she has taken several classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School. The techniques she learned, plus her “stubborn streak”, enabled her to work through the many frustrations of learning to solder.

As they say, to rediscover the joys of one’s youth, and make them into your adult livelihood, is the best way to be true to yourself.

Her creative designs have been greatly fueled by the loving support of her husband, Bob. He buys tools for her birthday, rigs up old motors for her buffing wheels, restores lapidary equipment so she can make and polish freeform cabochons, gives her design books, goes to galleries with her, makes beautiful show table displays, and gives her honest critique of her work. The best part is his willingness to be involved in all aspects of the creative process.

“Elk Energy” has come into her work recently. Elk have been extinct in this region for many years. In 2001, an Elk Herd was released in The Great Smoky Mountains Park and Allyson went to observe. Upon returning to her studio, she became aware she is supposed to pass Elk Energy along in her work. Knowing that, she engraves a stylized elk on the back of many fine art pieces. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to purchase one of these pieces.

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