Jill said her husband Dennis is her biggest supporter and her best critic.
In 2020, when Jill and Dennis were ready to get off the road, Jill was offered a spot in a storefront in Upton, Wyo., located just a few blocks from her home. These days, Jill only does a few fine art shows in the area, like the Black Hills Stock Show and Spearfish Art in the Park.
However, she stays busy with custom orders and creating new pieces for her website and storefront.
“ I do a lot of custom work,” said Jill.“ That’ s what keeps me in business.”
As she works, Jill keeps a log of the time, expenses, materials and customer information for each piece. It can take anywhere from three days to a week to complete a piece.
Over the years, Jill has been featured in Flow Magazine— International Women in Glass multiple times, as well as Glassline Magazine. As for awards, Jill took Best of Show for Bismarck Art and Galleries, honorable mention for Yankton Area Art, second place for the jewelry division of Tawas Bay Arts and featured artist for Anderson Americana Galleries. Jill’ s work was also on exhibit at the U. S. Attorney General’ s Exhibition in Jackson Hole, Wyo., as well as Who’ s Who of American Women Artists.
“ I’ ve met so many fabulous people and artists. I still can’ t believe, being untrained, where I’ ve gone with this. I’ ve been selected in the top 200 and basically in the world for my glasswork,” said Jill.“ Then, I’ ve had glass artists from everywhere that come in and say that I’ m a contender with the ones in Italy, with the masters. From Upton, Wyoming … hey, I’ m pretty proud of that.”
Along with 300 artists, Jill’ s work was also included in a monumental Traveling Charm Belt project. Each artist created and donated a charm that will be linked onto a single belt. The belt will then travel through the hands of models, influencers, musicians, stylists and photographers before landing at National Finals Rodeo, where it will be raffled off to benefit the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
When asked why she has continued to pursue her artistic aspirations, Jill said,“ I can’ t stop. I’ m turning 70 next year, and I can’ t see myself sitting in a rocking chair.” Her favorite part is the uniqueness of her craft.“ I want my work to reflect this area,” said Jill.“ My theme basically is wildlife from this area.”
Within the storefront of Wyoming Silvers, customers will discover a variety of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and pins. There are small glass sculptures, etched bullet key chains, hair ties, hair pins and more. Jill is also licensed to create pieces with the Wyoming bucking horse.
Dennis has some of his own ranch-themed handiwork displayed in the store as well, like lariat rope baskets.
Jill described the selection as diverse, original, and one-of-akind, with a western flavor and made with quality materials.
Although Wyoming Silvers does not have set hours, Jill is always close by. Interested visitors can call or text between 8 a. m. and 6 p. m. year-round to make an appointment to see her handiwork.
“ Just call me. I’ ll ride my bike out. I don’ t mind. I’ m only three blocks away,” said Jill.
Jill’ s work can also be viewed at wyomingsilvers. com, on Instagram(@ wyoming _ silvers), Facebook( Wyoming Silvers), TikTok( wyosilvers) or etsy. com. She is always making posts about her latest projects.
In the end, when a customer purchases one of her handcrafted pieces, Jill said,“ I want them to wear it, period. If you’ re going to buy it, please wear it and treasure it. You met the artist. I made it, and it came from Wyoming. I hope I represent Wyoming well.”
8 Down Country Roads September / October 2025