The Smithery Jewelry, Columbus

The Smithery is a fitting name for Anne Holman and Jen Townsend’s shop and studio in Columbus. Meaning “made by a smith,” or a worker of metal, it evokes the spirit of their handmade jewelry and other creations. 

Both graduates of the Columbus College of Art & Design, Holman and Townsend began sharing a studio space, though they were working independently at the time. In 2013, they had an idea. 

“We were both working our own jewelry businesses in the same studio and realized we had a similar dream of where we’d like our businesses to go,” Townsend says.

The metalsmiths joined forces and opened The Smithery in 2014, offering handmade jewelry, ceramics and gift items from more than 70 artists. Holman and Townsend like to inform customers that when they purchase from this shop, they are not only supporting a women-owned business but also a multitude of independent artists. 

“There are no mass-manufactured pieces here, so everything’s very unique,” Townsend explains. “It’s almost like being at an art festival.”

The shop’s in-house line is designed by Holman and Townsend, who pass the pieces back and forth until they decide the design is perfect. Their line is crafted from recycled precious metals and is hand-fabricated by both women.

“The casting, fabrication, everything is done here,” Holman says. “And they’re all limited run or one-of-a-kind pieces.”

In early 2015, shortly after opening their doors, Holman and Townsend wanted to offer a unique experience for couples and began offering a wedding band workshop. The all-day private workshop provides couples an opportunity to create their own gold wedding bands — from scratch.

“It’s a really unique experience. We’ve had couples locally but also all across the Midwest come. We’ve had some East Coast people. We’ve had a couple from Canada,” Townsend says.  “People come from a lot of places just looking for something that’s a little outside the box and unique to them and has a really nice experience with it.”

The workshop is a beginner level and starts with practice rings, so couples can perfect their technique before crafting their final pieces. Holman and Townsend break the process into “baby steps,” as they call it, to allow couples to be fully hands-on. Each ring is one-of-a-kind and customized to the couples’ liking, and photos are taken throughout the day to commemorate the special occasion. 

“For a couple to be able to make their rings that they’re going to wear for the rest of their lives is a pretty powerful experience to have to have together,” Holman says, “[and then] to be able to carry it around and wear it every day.” 1306 Grandview Ave., Columbus 43212, 614/ 867-5780, shopthesmithery.com