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About the Studio
Soul Smith Studio is a boutique metalsmithing studio in Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. L. Jill Howell, an artist and metalsmith, creates handcrafted jewelry and small sculptures inspired by our powerful human stories. Her slow-craft method produces high-quality work that withstands wear, delivering a long-lasting keepsake.
Jill's designs spark conversation. The materials and design style are chosen to best convey and bolster the narrative or capture the essence of the individual, validating personal treasures as storytellers and memory keepers. Her admirers are often captivated by the rebirth of natural and found objects. The work frequently includes finely pierced iconographic motifs and symbols in metal using a jeweler's saw.
Her most recent art focuses on the story of strong, resilient women. Jill is particularly interested in stories about women from the past and today who transform and empower humanity. She also values the beauty of the natural world and finds inspiration there.
Jill's nursing career spanned 36 years, exposing her to innumerable people in need. In an increasingly polarized society, she hopes to offer stories from the soul that foster dialogue and open hearts to compassion.
L. Jill Howell is a graduate of Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Metals (Jewelry) Program and a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
The Process
- Various metalsmith techniques and processes are used to hand-fabricate jewelry and metal sculpture at Soul Smith Studio. The design and limitations of the selected materials guide the techniques.
- Studio works showcase a variety of sheet metal and wire-fine silver, sterling silver, copper, brass, aluminum, steel, iron, and bronze.
- Designs are typically hand-drawn on a paper template and cut using a jeweler’s saw.
- Patterns and finishes are applied to metals using a rolling mill, gravers, files, hammers, stamps, and abrasives.
- Metal forming, surface manipulation, and fabrication are completed using hammers on anvils, mandrels, a sinking stump, and dapping sets.
- Metals are soldered together or cold-connected using rivets and tabs.
- Patinas are applied using heat (torch), natural elements (e.g., salt), chemicals, inks, and dyes.
- Cabochons and stones are set with tubes, prongs, tabs, and bezels. Found objects are incorporated with methods that protect their integrity.