You’re most likely to catch Mary Grace Donally in the saddle, or behind the lens, taking pictures of barrel racers and bull riders. But the creative eye behind Good Gracious Photography has tacked on a new title and talent to her multifaceted self: jewelry designer and silversmith. 

Donally recently dropped her first official jewelry collection through her new business, Denim & Pearl. Handcrafted silver pieces featuring Montana agates and turquoise, intricately molded into earrings, pendants and rings. 

The Superior High School graduate of 2016 has dabbled in various lines of work, including the Forest Service and horse training. But it was easy for this artistic country girl to return to her roots. 

Donally mentioned, “Silversmithing is something I chose to pursue while I was still ranching a couple of years ago. The winter was slow, and I needed something I could do inside and, potentially, make a little money. I followed a lot of silversmiths on social media, particularly Instagram. They posted videos of their process, and I was hooked.”

Though she hasn’t received any formal silversmith training, Donally has relished the self-taught method of learning. She said, “Fortunately, silver wasn't at the record high price it reached recently, so the trial-and-error method wasn't so high-stakes. I'm a bit more wary now.” 

Up until her first collection was released in February, she was strictly doing custom orders. “I have made pieces for many of my friends and family, and they have provided me with lots of free marketing and recommendations that have led to more custom orders,” Donally stated. “Making custom pieces with elk ivory has been challenging, but I love doing it and hope to do more. You should be able to wear your ivories, not just let them sit in a drawer.”

When exploring the expansion of her jewelry line and creating a business name, Donally asked a friend, Reannan Young, to help her brainstorm ideas. She continued, “I was looking to convey a sense of femininity and ruggedness. Coming from a western/agriculture/ranching background, I wanted my jewelry business name to reflect the grit that we Montana women have, while simultaneously recognizing the beauty and tenderness we hold onto.” 

Jewelry has always been an integral part of Donally’s life. 

She shared, “Heirloom pieces were passed from grandma to mom to granddaughter, usually with a story. Aunts handed down earrings they never wore. Birthdays meant something from Montana Silversmiths or something carved from antler from uncle Steve.” 

Donally and her close friends often exchange jewelry as gifts. 

She detailed, “My maternal grandmother, Karen, gave me a pearl necklace and told me to sell it if I ever got in a pinch. Jewelry was to be treasured and for decoration, yes, but it was also a means of independence. My family is made up of so many strong women who have undergone tremendous hardships and come out on top, almost always wearing something that sparkles.”

“Jewelry is such a staple in my family and also in cowgirl culture. Everywhere you look, there's something silver and, usually, turquoise,” expressed Donally.  

Some of her most treasured jewelry items comprise a Golden Hills turquoise necklace that she purchased from Adair Jewelers; a jade ring that was passed down from her great-great aunt; a cuff that was a bridesmaid gift from her best friend; a pair of beaded earrings bought from another Montana artist, West Winds Jewelry; and a sapphire ring made with a stone she collected with her family in Helena.

As her silversmithing journey has taken shape, Donally’s childhood bedroom has been transformed into her jewelry-making studio. 

She described, “I bought a rolltop desk off of Facebook Marketplace, and have filled it with tools and materials with some help from my dad and his partner, Sheila.”

She employs a wide variety of unique silversmithing tools including a bench pin, a jeweler's saw, a torch, soldering block and pick, tweezers, hammers, files, a small crock pot for pickling (acid to remove fire scale), a small rock tumbler full of steel shot for polishing, a Dremel tool with all kinds of different bits for sanding, shaping, and polishing, a Whaley ring gauge, calipers, steel bench block, decorative stamps, bezel pushers and rollers, gloves, and a respirator. 

“I work with all sterling silver currently. There's bezel strip, round wire, half-round wire, twisted pattern wire, full bead wire, silver sheet of varying thickness, thinner for earrings, thicker for rings, earring hooks, jump rings, and chains,” Donally explained. “I've used turquoise from a few different mines, and I have used a lot of Montana agate from Sally of Sal Digs MT out of Manhattan. She has been so great to work with and has the prettiest cabochons.” 

The most challenging aspect of silversmithing for Donally is soldering. 

She remarked, “Just when I think I've got everything soldered together, I throw it in the tumbler, and it's missing something when it comes out. That, or I concentrate the heat on one area for too long and melt the silver rather than the solder.” 

From cracked stones to burnt fingertips, silversmithing has an astute learning curve. Donally exclaimed, “There have been plenty of pieces that I've almost finished and then scrapped because I messed up at the very end.”

The time it takes to finish a certain piece varies depending on size and design. 

Donally said, “From raw materials to finished product, I'd say I average about four hours. I think the longest projects I've had so far have been cuffs. When the half-round wire that I use for those gets to me, it is not straight in either direction - up and down, or side to side. It takes a while with a pair of pliers and a bench block to fix that before I can start soldering anything.” 

Split shank ring bands require a lot more time than single bands. 

“Different cab shapes require more finesse when creating their bezel. Adding a twisted or beaded border takes more time than a simple bezel setting,” said Donally.

Out of her first collection, one pair of earrings and one pendant has sold. 

She added, “I'm working on completing that collection now. I have another pair of earrings, three rings that will be made to order/finished in the buyer's size, one pendant, and one piece that can be a ring or a necklace, depending on the buyer.” 

Donally is not entirely sure what direction future collections will go, but she plans to stick with more agate and turquoise. Career-wise, she aims to one day be completely self-employed between Denim & Pearl and Good Gracious Photography. 

She contemplated, “Ideally, I would make a lot of jewelry over the winter months and then sell it online and in-person at summer markets when I'm not taking photos here in Mineral County and hopefully around the state with the Northern Rodeo Association.” 

A couple of brick-and-mortar businesses have offered Donally space to sell her jewelry. 

She confessed, “The only thing holding me back from that currently is a lack of inventory and waiting for my branding materials. This whole notion of having a business with tangible goods is a positive challenge that I never envisioned for myself.” 

Surprisingly, for the first time in what feels like forever, this cowgirl finds herself without a horse.

 Donally stated, “That will have to change once my businesses have gotten to a steady place. My hope for being self-employed is that I can utilize my time more passionately. I feel like I haven't really taken the time, especially in the summer, to enjoy our outdoor recreation opportunities. I want to dance, hike, ride, camp, fish, swim, kayak, float the river, hang out with my friends and family, and be more present.”

To check out Mary Grace Donally’s handcrafted silversmith jewelry line, visit her website at denimandpearljewelry.com or find her page Denim and Pearl on Facebook for updates on her latest collection. 

    *These Montana agate half-moon earrings are a beautiful set that recently sold from the Denim & Pearls first collection. (Photo courtesy/Mary Grace Donally)