01/28/2026
Kimberley Collins, Jewelry Metalsmith
Polynesiacs Artist Interview No. 95
Peekskill, New York
“I started making jewelry because what I wanted to wear didn’t exist. I had to create it.”
“The Tiki and Mid-Mod scenes boast some of the most fun and effervescent people I've seen. They live and breathe this culture, and I love creating high-quality pieces that can be worn, not only at weekend Tiki events, but also on a daily basis. It warms my heart when my beautiful customers say they can wear my jewelry to work, even in more conventional environments. They're able to let their personalities shine through, and that means the world to me! Smashfire Designs can be worn any day, and every day.”
“I work in precious metals because they'll stand the test of time. They're built to last. They'll last for generations. That's what I love about my work. People come to me with all kinds of crazy and wonderful custom ideas. My initial response is, I don't know about that, but I never say no because I love a challenge. When I push myself, I figure out how to knock it out of the park. Don’t get me wrong, custom requests can be a real challenge, but somehow it happens. It comes together.”
Kimberley Collins is the designer and creator behind all things Smashfire Designs. Her artistry aims to make your heart race with excitement every time you open one of her jewelry boxes. You don’t follow trends, you create them. Your jewelry can’t be boring, and neither are you. If you’re mad about mid-mod, smitten with vintage, enchanted by abstract art, and would take someone’s eye out if they touched your Tiki mug collection, Kim’s the designer for you.
Kim’s jewelry design journey began more than two decades ago, when she started whipping up all kinds of fun, colorful beaded necklaces and earrings. After a few years, she longed for a more creative outlet. Working with fire seemed the obvious answer, so she burned lots of holes in her workbench and sawed big gashes into her fingers on a daily basis as she taught herself the skills of metalsmithing. After years of grit, hard work, and a few curse words here and there, she is quite proud to produce unique, high-quality jewelry without burning holes in her bench! Although she does still gash her finger here and there, her tenacity is a testament to the fact that if you believe you can do it, you can.
Throughout the years, Kim’s design aesthetic has varied immensely, but she finally settled into her niche of creating jewelry inspired by mid-century modern art/design and Tiki. She’s mesmerized by all the fun, abstract shapes, colors, patterns, lines, furniture, art, architecture, Tiki culture, and cars of that time period. Each piece of jewelry is meticulously handcrafted by Kim in her little oasis workshop in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Although she mainly uses sterling silver, brass, copper, and semi-precious gemstones, Kim also incorporates unconventional materials, such as boomerang laminate countertop material on wood, and processes, such as powder coating, to create conversation starters. Her work captures the essence of individuality with a sidecar of nostalgia.
Heaps of love, heart, passion, and soul are infused into every creation, and Kim takes great pride in her work. Since she hates boring just as much as you, it’s her mission to create delightfully unique jewelry that excites and captivates.
Find Kim at smashfiredesigns.com, (IG), and Smashfire Designs (FB).
