Moose Spotlight: Creating One of a Kind Jewelry for Adventurers

"...You will get better, your first pieces will not be great but you will improve!"

- Brenna Wade, @mountainbsilver

MEET THE ARTIST

@mountainbsilver on Instagram

This is jewelry artist Brenna Wade, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has been creating jewelry for 6 months now and her creations can be seen on her Instagram, @mountainbsilver 💚

The art of silver smithing has intrigued Brenna for years. She shared that she has two friends who do it and she fell in love with their work. Adding, "I am a terrible artist and not creative at all. This felt like an art that I was capable of doing!"

"My journey was rough," Brenna declared when asked what's her journey like when she was just getting started. However, she had some really helpful resources on where to start from her friends. She shared she had a terrible time soldering in the beginning - she thought she would never figure it out.

Once she finally did, things have been so much better since then. Also, creating her first decorations on a piece and successfully placing them on have made her feel so good! 🫶🏼

Brenna remembers the very first piece she created and unlike most artists, she did not sell the one she made for the very first time, "I kept my very first piece for memories." She did sell her second piece on Instagram. 🥰

Curious if there's any significance to her brand name, Brenna explained that she was born and raised in the mountains in Northern CA and moved to a small mountain town for college as an adult. Recently, her and her boyfriend moved to Jackson Hole, WY. "We live at the base of the Teton Range and the mountain thing still sticks. Of course, the B is just the first initial of my name. I have always associated myself with mountains!"

Here are some stunning pieces by Brenna!

Turquoise Ring by Brenna Wade of @mountainbsilver on Instagram

Turquoise Jewelry by Brenna Wade of @mountainbsilver on Instagram

ARTIST'S DESIGN STYLE

As a relatively new silversmith, Brenna still remembers the very first AHA! moment she felt as a jewelry artist. She said, "There have been several times I forget to use my third hand tweezers when soldering. Once I remember I can do that. The job is way easier and I always feel a little dumb after."

THE DESIGN PROCESS

For simple designs, Brenna said it's usually just in her head. For more complicated creations, she likes to draw it out on paper. She also likes to write down the exact silver she will be using, explaining that it is easier to find and she remembers why she wanted to use it.

She describes her beautiful design style as Western/Boho. 💚

Let's check out a few more lovely pieces by Brenna!

Turquoise Ring by Brenna Wade of @mountainbsilver on Instagram

Sand Hill Turquoise Ring by Brenna Wade of @mountainbsilver on Instagram

Handmade Turquoise Jewelry by Brenna Wade of @mountainbsilver on Instagram

JEWELRY DESIGN TIPS, TRICKS, AND HANDY TECHNIQUES

What's one design tip you one to share with your fellow artists?

"Using your ring clamp when dremeling is a game changer! I use it to hold my pieces while doing anything with the dremel. This saves your fingers from being burnt by the metal!"

One piece of technical advice on creating.

"Heating up your piece before adding flux and solder is extremely helpful to melt the solder."

Any words of encouragement or tips to those who are starting out in the world of jewelry-making?

"Don't give up! I can't stress this enough. You will get better, your first pieces will not be great but you will improve!"

Lastly, here's Brenna's message to the universe:

Blog Feature for Brenna Wade by Turquoise Moose