We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hope Smitherman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hope below.

Hope, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always enjoyed crafty activities but considered them just a hobby well into my 30s. It wasn’t until my husband’s career put us in a financially stable place that I was able to even begin to dream of being an artist full-time. When I was laid off in 2010, we decided that I didn’t need to be in any rush to re-enter the workforce and should instead spend some time pursuing my creative interests. I haven’t really looked back.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Raised in the Deep South by a single mother, I thought the only way to get ahead in the world was to go to college, get a degree, and make some real money. Though, I was always fiddling with some creative project or another (poetry, cross-stitching, friendship bracelets, etc.), I never considered that a career in the arts would result in a “productive adulthood” or that I was even someone with any artistic talent. So, I went to college, got my degree in Psychology, and worked in that field at a residential facility that served kids with autism and other disabilities. When I wasn’t working (and even many times when I was), I found myself, time and again, being drawn to creative activities. It was at work that a co-worker showed me a necklace she made and told me how she learned to do it from a beading magazine. I was at the bookstore the next day, and I haven’t been the same since.
Making jewelry has been my main creative interest for over 20 years now. But, I didn’t stop with jewelry making. I also developed a deep love for creating mixed-media art (art journaling).
In my jewelry, I enjoy using unique found objects and upcycling materials. Items like buttons, old cookie tins, hardware, broken china, keys, shells, etc. find their way into my pieces. I’ve developed quite a collection, picking up interesting bits that catch my eye in parking lots and on the beach, perusing yard and estate sales, shopping at thrift stores, and accepting quirky gifts from friends and other artists. There’s something so special about taking materials that others may see as trash or unrefined and turning them into a work of art, literally.
As both my skills and collection have grown, I’ve begun to work on larger assemblage pieces. Admittedly, they’re still fairly small, but bigger than what can reasonably work in jewelry.
I often consider myself a “Jill of all trades”, hence the general name I give my business: CraftyHope.
It hits me from time to time, that at no point in my younger years was I encouraged to become an artist. It was never an option. Yet, here I am.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I will never perfect my artistic skills. No artist will.
Every single artist wants to learn more, experiment more, know more about their medium. Even the ‘masters’ never really master(ed) their art. At some point in each piece, we all have to stop and say, “That’s enough.”

I have to remind myself of this ALL THE TIME. There is no end point to this creative journey. No point where I’ll ever think I know it all or know how to do it all. There will always be more to try.
It can be overwhelming, especially for someone just starting out.
But, get started.
We all have to start somewhere.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes…other artists! Reach out and learn from them.
As a very shy individual, I still have trouble with this one. Every single artist has had to start somewhere. And, we’re all people trying to make it in this world. If you have a question, reach out to that artist. Most will give you a straight answer or let you know where you can find that information. Of course, it could be something taught in a class, but that artist will more than likely refer you to that class or the artist who teaches it.

In this day and age of technology, it’s fairly easy to find and contact most living artists. Take advantage of that, in the kindest, most respectful way you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://CraftyHope.com 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyhope/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftyHopeJewelry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraftyHope

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me (CraftyHope)