LINDA STILES SMITH, Inspiring Artisan
JEWELRY DESIGNER
Linda Stiles Smith’s art and life is infused with the stuff of nature: lakes, streams, woods, fields, and light!
She creates silver clay jewelry pieces that are truly beauty for the soul. Her delightful designs integrate nature into everyday life in tangible ways that reflect her vision of the world. Trees, leaves and organic shapes serves as the inspiration for jewelry that often incorporates actual pieces of nature; whether stone, leaf or twig. Many of the metal and glass parts, as well as findings, are handmade in her studio to compliment and finish the piece. her one-of-a-kind creations are prized by collectors of distinctive fine jewelry.
Linda’s designs often speak to women who are growing into their life purpose, who accepts themselves and feel in tune with natures’ expression of wholeness, interconnectedness and joyful growth; women who are selective, appreciate and value quality, integrity and personal connections. Those who own a piece of Linda’s art say they are uplifted by the beauty and meaning that is an integral part of each piece.
Growing up near the Great Lakes, Linda has been creating art and selling artwork since receiving her BFA from Wright State University. Although fascinated with a variety of media in college, she earned a fellowship to Yale summer School of Art for her skill in painting.
Linda began working in metal clay in 2002. Since then she’s earned multiple awards for her designs in metal clay including Best of Competition in the 2006 Bead Art Awards from Lapidary Journal. The winning piece incorporated metal clay beads which echoed the lampwork glass beads made by her husband, Dale. Her work continues to be recognized by her peers establishing Linda as a talented and creative designer.
TEACHER
“Creativity is an inherent part of everyone’s soul,” Linda believes. “The best teachers are facilitators who introduce you to new and exciting methods and materials and then step aside to let you create!”
Linda has taught many courses in art history, marketing and studio art and jewelry making. Her broad experience and teaching skill has afforded her students the opportunity to learn and grown from her knowledge.
Earning certification as a Senior Art Clay World Instructor and PMC, she continues to learn new techniques to share. combining her teaching skills and knowledge of materials with an open, patient and caring attitude, Linda enables students to discover and experience the media that she loves. A variety of classes and workshops are offered in her studio and art centers by request, frequently drawing participants from across the U.S.A.
WRITER
Linda writes about creativity, metal clay techniques and being an artist to “connect people with ideas and information.” Her book, Metal Clay Basics and Bench Reference, released in Summer 2009, is rapidly becoming the resource for beginning metal clay artists. Among her other articles is one about specific innovative ring techniques published in Art Jewelry Magazine in 2005 and reprinted in Metal Clay Jewelry in 2010.. Currently Linda writes a column, Teaching Tips, for Art Clay Society Quarterly as well as a column on creativity, Eclectic Elements, for the newly released Metal Clay Artist Magazine. She is also a regular contributor to Metal Clay Today, the online magazine for metal clay artists
ENTREPRENEUR
As the owner of naturescapes studio, Linda creates and sells a line of innovative metal clay tools.
“Being a working artist has allowed me to learn and develop the methods that get you from point A to point Z faster. Using tools and materials that perform well are the key,” Linda says. As an Art Clay Distributor, naturescapes studio also selects, tests, and supplies metal clay tools to teachers and individuals through a secure sale vehicle on the website, www.naturescapesttudio.com.
The tools she has created include Linda’s Lid Metal Clay Syringe Holder™, Linda’s Turnabout™ and the Clay Punch™. Her tools are used around the world.
Linda also provides consultation services to help artists realize their potential as teachers, designers, and business owners. Assisting in the creation, sales and marketing of tools and products like Copper Club Concepts by Hamilton Studios has established Linda Stiles Smith as an innovator and reputable force in the metal clay and fine jewelry world.
“Living is a continual learning experience. Use every opportunity to explore, play and enjoy it!”
MEMBERSHIPS
OACG, Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild
ODC, Ohio Designer Craftsmen
THE GUILD, Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans
PMC GUILD, Precious Metal Clay Guild
ACS, Art Clay Society
NAIA, National Association of Independent Artists
AWARDS
North American Design Competition, 2011, Art Clay World USA, Inc. Art Clay Club Chairman Award and Honorable Mention.
Carpe Beadum Contest, 2009, Metal Clay Today online magazine.
Polly’s Picks, 2009 Your Design Rocks International Competition, Rings & Things Co., Spokane, WA
Best of Competition(tied) and First Place, Bracelets, 2006 Bead Arts Awards, Lapidary Journal
First Place Metal Clay, 2006 International Design Competition, Rings & Things Co., Spokane, WA
Second Place Fine Crafts, 2006 Festival of the Arts, St. John West Shore Hospital, Westlake, OH
Bronze Award Metal Clay, 2006 Fire Mountain Gems Beading Contest, Grants Pass, OR
Honorable Mention, 2006 Art Clay World North American Design Competition, Chicago,
