We’re Kayla and Josh, the partners behind Roc City Smithy. What started as a date night in the winter of 2024 quickly turned into a shared passion for metalsmithing and a creative journey we never expected.

Neither of us knew where that first night would lead. We started with the basics, learning to saw, file, sand, and polish metal. Before long, evenings that once might have been spent watching TV or scrolling on our phones became hours of sketching ideas, experimenting with materials, watching tutorials, and learning new techniques. Weekends filled up with classes, tool shopping, and plenty of time at the workbench.

Somewhere along the way, our hobby became something much bigger.

Two paths, one shared passion

For me, jewelry became a way to turn inspiration into something I could hold in my hands. I’m drawn to nature, gemstones, unusual shapes, texture, and anything that makes me stop and look twice. Sometimes I start with a stone I can’t stop looking at. Sometimes it’s a sketch, an idea, or a piece of metal that sparks something. I love experimenting, following an idea, and seeing where it takes me.

The best part is creating something that feels personal. Something unexpected. Something that feels like it could only belong to the person who found it.

For Josh, metalsmithing became a way to reconnect with his family history while challenging himself to see what he could create. His grandfather was a silversmith in Glendive, Montana, who made knives, buckles, and treasured family heirlooms. Stories about his work had always been part of Josh’s life, and learning the craft gave him a chance to carry a piece of that legacy forward.

But Josh isn't content to simply recreate what's been done before. He loves pushing his limits, learning new techniques, experimenting with unfamiliar ideas, and taking on a challenge just to see what he can make. And one of the things he enjoys most is creating something he knows someone else will love.

Our approaches aren't exactly the same, and that's part of what makes working together so much fun. We each bring our own ideas, interests, and ways of solving problems to the workbench. Somewhere between those different perspectives, Roc City Smithy began to take shape.

From our workbench to you

Our workbench slowly filled with pliers, hammers, sheets of silver, brass, bronze, and copper, gemstones, sketches, scraps, and the occasional piece that didn't go quite as planned. Mistakes became lessons, and those lessons became new skills.

What began as a hobby eventually became Roc City Smithy, our small studio in Rochester, New York.

Today, we create each piece by hand, following our curiosity and drawing inspiration from the world around us. We aren't trying to make jewelry that everyone will love. We want to make pieces that make the right person stop and look twice.

Because we believe jewelry can be more than something you wear.

We want our pieces to remind you of your own strength, beauty, and individuality. Something you can't stop looking at because you love it so much. Something you can wear like a shield when you need a little reminder of who you are.

And maybe, someday, something worth passing down.

Thanks for being here and becoming part of our journey.