Janeen St. Louis
Metalsmithing is a profession that goes back to antiquity. A metalsmith is a craftsperson fashioning valuable items (for example, tools, kitchenware, tableware, jewelry, armor, and weapons) out of various metals.
Karen Smith
Often the hammering is done while the metal is hot and heated in a forge. Smithing can also involve other aspects of metalworking, such as refining metals from their ores (traditionally done by smelting), casting them into shapes (founding), and filing to shape and size.
Karen Smith
Two metalsmiths, Karen Smith of Oakland, CA, and Janeen St. Louis of Atlanta, GA, are two Black women that take their craft seriously. Terry (October 7, 2021) reports that metal smith Karen Smith an Oakland, California-based metal artist, has made it her mission to model and increase representation in metalcraft.
Smith had an apprenticeship in Dakar, Senegal, and nurtured entrepreneurship for Black women. Smith’s “We Wield the Hammer” in 2019 is a free, 8-week-long metalsmithing training program for Black women and girls ages 14 to 24. “Smith says it’s important that we don’t just train them and then let them go. If they decide to be jewelers, we have a way of connecting them with jewelers who let them apprentice.” Smith believes that if young women want to start their businesses, we help them learn how to write a business plan.”
Janeen St. Louis
Last month at the Capital Jazz Festival in Columbia, MD, we had the opportunity to meet Janeen St. Louis as a vendor at the festival. We were very impressed with her story and her craft as a metalsmith. St. Louis has been creating jewelry for over a decade, as she states in her social media and professional bios. St. Louis (2023) says that the passing of her grandmother ignited her passion and that she primarily works with natural, raw, and organically recycled materials appreciating their textures, colors, shapes, and imperfections; Janeen developed a love and skill in metalsmithing.
Janeen St. Louis
She is inspired by the presence of ancient cultures, particularly Egypt, and her African and Native American Ancestry; Janeen does not limit or characterize her jewelry. The pieces she creates evolve into an experience, offering a narrative of emotions and a creative niche reflective of the African Diaspora. She and Karen Smith have a deep-seated gift for being in tune with nature and one that she does not take for granted. St. Louis, like Smith, donates portions of her profits from jewelry sales toward individual and or organizational efforts geared toward economic empowerment and projects that manifest growth for African Americans.
St. Louis has done various arts and craft shows throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Her work was sold in numerous boutiques in Miami, Cambridge, Martha’s Vineyard, and Boston, including the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill. Janeen has created custom pieces for Award-winning actress, musician, and TV personality Queen Latifah; Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick, Grammy Nominated R&B group Les Nubians; Self-publisher and Author Shahrazad Ali.
References: Merriam-Webster.(2023). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metalsmith Smith, K. (2023). About — Karen Smith, Metal Artist (karensmithmetalartist.com) St. Louis, J. (2023). Janeen St. Louis (JaneenStLouis) – Profile | Pinterest St. Louis, J. (2023). Janeen St. Louis (@janeenstlouis) • Instagram photos and videos Terry, R. (October 7, 2021). Metalsmith Forges Opportunities for Black Women Artists. Metalsmith Forges Opportunities for Black Women Artists – The Craftsmanship Initiative