About Smithereens

My name is Skyler, the artist and woodsmith behind Smithereens.

The name Smithereens reflects the core of my process. I take what is weathered, overlooked, or broken down, and shape it into something entirely new. I work with the natural shape and character of the wood, rather than forcing it into something it's not. Every piece I create is handcrafted in Utah.

My path to the workshop was not a straight line. Before founding Smithereens, I spent my career as an HR professional. I hold two Master’s degrees in Human Resources and Business Administration. While that chapter of my life was defined by corporate systems and strategy, I always felt a persistent pull toward more tangible craftsmanship.

I chose to pivot from the corporate world to apply that same level of professional discipline to woodworking and lighting design. With this transition, I brought the rigor of my business background into the workshop.

Nothing at Smithereens is mass produced or rushed. I am a one-person operation and personally manage every stage of a piece’s lifecycle. This ranges from scouting wood to carefully shipping each item. The process also includes deep cleaning, structural stabilization, and meticulous surface refinement. (Fancy talk for a lot of sanding)

I refuse to take common shortcuts that compromise quality for the sake of a faster build. I hold every piece to a standard of professional quality that matches its visual impact.

My work is deeply tied to the land. Whenever I collect wood from the outdoors, I make a point to leave every location better than I found it. This usually involves clearing litter or removing signs of human impact. Everything I do is rooted in deep respect for this beautiful earth.

The end result is a collection of functional sculptures built to be noticed. Each piece is a permanent record of the wood’s history and the dozens of hours of labor required to transform it.