Words by Emily Brosten | Photos by Seacat Creative
Her home is warm and wraps you in a blanket of pine from the wood stove. An open floor plan is illuminated by large windows, every space holding a purpose. Walking through the living room you pass a homemade bouldering wall and a hallway that reveals a sun-lit studio. Stones of all colors and sizes, strips of silver, and cut brass scatter a workbench. The modest house, built by hand from the ground up, features a workspace that flows seamlessly into the Bitterroot Mountains just outside the back door.
Born and raised in Montana, Jess Neeley lives on 20 acres just South of Missoula with her husband, Kevin, and toddler, Indie. She began teaching herself metalsmithing 15 years ago, and the skill has evolved from a pastime into Ruby and Revolver, a one-woman show with work that almost always sells out within minutes of restocking.
Standing in her studio, she shares her story. Jess grew up with an appreciation for working with her hands, designs that emulate the natural world, and the challenge that comes with reclaiming materials–all of which are integrated into her artwork.
Her father is a welder who moonlighted as a gunsmith–exposing her to metalwork at an early age. Her mother is an antique collector who finds purpose in reclaiming old objects.
In a marriage of influences, Jess’s work almost always begins with metal she reclaims from pawn shops. Whether it’s belt buckles, necklace chains, or American-mined stones, she celebrates the sentiment of turning something old into something new–a purposeful nod toward a life lived sustainably.
From her stool, she fumbles through piles of stones and scraps of metal and begins the process of turning what once-was into something else entirely. With an artist's eye, she sees past what some might regard as junk.
“When I look at the pile of reclaimed silver, I look at each piece and think of where it came from. The person who made this spoon didn’t anticipate that it would ever become something more than that," she says.
The roadmap of Jess’ life has taken many unforeseen detours. She studied Criminology, spent time traveling the world, and has worked numerous odd jobs to pay the bills. She has lived almost as many lives as her pieces have.
After years on the road, she landed back in Missoula where she continues to nurture her roots. The exploratory process of her work keeps her motivated to create and evolve, both in life and in art.
Jess creates with intention, paying tribute to the natural world by doing nearly everything by hand. She carefully hand-buffs each piece to avoid the use of caustic chemicals-every step refined to minimize the noxious ingredients used in traditional metal work at the expense of her time. In her eyes-it’s worth it.
The imperfections in the metals and stones pay homage to the rugged and raw landscapes of the West. She is only able to restock her online store once or twice a month, but she will not compromise the spirit of her work to meet consumer demands.
“It can be a struggle at times, but all good things come with time. Life takes time to build it to where you want it to be. My intention is that you can see and feel the heart and soul I put into my work,” she says.
Picking up a stone, she holds it up to the light, sets it down, and turns it sideways. “I’m going through a snake phase,” she says, and points at a pile of little silver snakes–each hand made and stamped, as unique as a thumbprint. She’s trying to find the perfect stone to set in a necklace that one of them can wrap around.
She’s not sure if they will sell, but refuses to cater to popular demand. In staying true to her craft and her curiosity, she explores concepts–allowing them the space to evolve.
“Embracing those moments keeps me passionate about my work,” she says.
There are no hard lines in Jess’ life, everything is in a constant state of flow. When she’s not at her studio, she returns to the landscapes that have inspired her from the beginning. It’s not so much about what she’s leaving behind, but rather what she’s not leaving behind. While most see her as an artist, her primary job is setting an example for Indie on how to live with the land, not just on it. Jess is dedicated to leaving the world better, and more beautiful, than she found it.
SEACAT CREATIVE is based in Bozeman, Montana and has been in the game for 10 years. They’ve had a hand in almost all the stories told by your favorite brands: YETI, Sitka Gear, GORE-TEX, and Hatch, to name a few. Hunters, anglers and mountain people, they thrive off time spent outdoors, pursuing game, beautiful places, and stories that make a difference and fuel their passion.
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