About

 

Hi, I’m Nicole - an environmental scientist, mountain guide, and metalsmith.

Trail Spice Designs is inspired by wild places, the species that live there, and a life spent exploring them. Every piece is handmade, shaped by my background in environmental science and years spent working and guiding outdoors.

I didn’t set out to become a metalsmith. It was actually a rock climbing fall that led me down this path. After breaking both heels and an ankle, I was suddenly stuck inside and cut off from the outdoors. I needed to move, to make something, and to stay connected to the landscapes I loved - that’s when I turned to art. First painting, then jewelry. I started out working with birch bark and porcupine quills because I loved their natural beauty and wanted to highlight it.

A few years later, during the pandemic, I found myself unemployed with a lot of time and a need for direction. I finally sat down and taught myself metalsmithing. I loved how I could combine my environmental science background with art, creating jewelry inspired by ecosystems, species, and the wild places that have shaped my life.

My goal is to create jewelry that connects people to the landscapes around them — pieces that spark curiosity, appreciation, and a desire to protect the places we love.

When I’m not making art, I’m usually outside trail running, climbing, skiing, packrafting, or biking. I live in Missoula, Montana with my husky, Nahku.