On Labor Day weekend 2026, 14 students attended a workshop to learn how to make western-style jewelry out of silver and other metals. It was held during the 90th annual Evanston Cowboy Days Celebration in Evanston, Wyoming. Sponsored by the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund in conjunction with the Culture Conservation Corps and the Bear River Heritage Area, this three-day workshop focused on teaching jewelry making and metal working to local residents.
The organizers and instructors for this event were Samantha Cook from Hilliard, Wyoming, and Traci Beckstead from Stansbury Park, Utah. Sam is a ranch-style jeweler who has been silversmithing since 2021. She has embraced ranch life alongside her husband and his family on their cattle ranch. This hands-on experience has helped her to create jewelry that’s made to be worn and celebrate the beauty, grit, and grace of the western way of life. Sam’s business is Pretty Thang Silver Co., and her Instagram is @prettythangsilver.
Traci’s journey into silversmithing began in January 2020 with an Intro to Metalsmithing class. She works with sterling silver, fine silver, copper, and brass and uses high-grade, rare stones from small lapidary artists to create unique pieces. Western wear and jewelry have always been a big part of her life. Traci’s business is Galloway Silver Co and her Instagram is @gallowaysilvercompany.
Workshop participants worked for three days to create stacking rings and unique pieces of jewelry. Most of the students had never done any kind of metal work, so it was a completely new experience. They learned the basics of using a jeweler’s saw, a torch, and a soldering board. Throughout the workshop, they worked to make a bezel (the thin rim of metal that wraps around the outer edge of a gemstone to hold it in place) and to select and set stones for different kinds of jewelry.
When asked about their experience, many students expressed how fun and different it was to learn these skills. Mallery Larson from Bear River, Wyoming, had no experience with silversmithing or metalwork before the workshop. She said the class has “been super fun and honestly easier than I thought it was going to be.” Mallery’s favorite aspect of learning silversmithing was “being able to be creative with things. You can make different sizes and shapes and customize everything however you want.” When asked what she thought was the most valuable thing she learned, Mallery stated that it was “the background knowledge and understanding the tools and the business and everything it will take to set up. The actual hands-on skills aren’t overly complicated, but it’s all the specialized equipment, tools, and having people who will troubleshoot with you.” While not all of the students will continue to silversmith in the future, this workshop gave them new skills and an appreciation for making jewelry. These kinds of classes introduce new people to the community as well as continue to pass on traditions from maker to maker.
[My favorite part of the workshop is] being able to be creative with things. You can make different sizes and shapes and customize everything however you want.
Mallery Larson
Each student chose their own unique final project. The third day of the workshop was mostly open studio time allowing students to focus on completing their pieces with guidance from Sam and Traci. They chose to make earrings, rings, or pendants, all using stones provided by the instructors.
The workshop was held at Roderick Hall, a building that is part of the Uinta County Fairgrounds in Evanston, Wyoming. It was part of the Evanston Cowboy Days’ schedule and was open to the public. Cowboy Days is known as “The biggest little rodeo in the world,” and features three days of rodeo, a parade, live music, and more. Visitors to the fairgrounds were able to tour the workshop, ask questions, and see the students’ progress.
The purpose of this workshop is to pass on knowledge to future generations, share this folk art with the public, and preserve a Western American artform. Traci said of the experience “We couldn’t have asked for better students. It’s been so fun. Everybody’s been so engaged, and I have just enjoyed the opportunity to be able to do this.” Many of the students echoed this sentiment and were grateful to learn from the instructors and each other.
Tia Cox showing her finished pendant.
The students and instructors want to express their gratitude and support for the workshop and wish to thank the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the Culture Conservation Corps, the Bear River Heritage Area, and Evanston Cowboy Days for this opportunity. This project was supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Story and photos by Emma George, the Heritage and Folk Art Coordinator for the Bear River Heritage Area, a program of the Bear River Association of Governments.
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