For Kendra Simco, silver and turquoise were never simply materials—they were part of her heritage. Raised in Colorado with deep roots in Western, rodeo and ranching culture, Simco grew up following her father, a team roper, to events across the region. While others watched the competition, she could often be found wandering vendor markets, searching for turquoise jewelry small enough to fit her as a child. It was an early fascination that eventually became a career.
After spending 12 years in San Diego, Simco and her family returned to Colorado, settling on her father's property alongside her sister's family. Today, her workshop is a humble shed beside her home, where sterling silver and natural stones are transformed into heirloom-quality jewelry inspired by the West yet designed for modern life.
For two decades, however, jewelry wasn't her profession. Simco built a successful career as a hairstylist, eventually owning her own salon. During this time, she enrolled in a silversmithing class at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts and purchased a beginner's silversmithing kit. Then she tucked it away in a closet, where it sat untouched for nearly a year. Everything changed in 2020.
Changing Course
As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the salon industry and forced many professionals to reconsider their futures, Simco found herself at home with time on her hands. Not one to sit still, she dusted off the forgotten kit and began experimenting. Her hobby quickly grew into something more.
Simco’s first appearance at the Front Range Makers Market exceeded expectations. Encouraged by the response, she gradually shifted her focus away from hairstyling, renting out her salon space while dedicating more time to the bench. Before long, Mountain Mama Silver was a full-time endeavor.
A Family Affair
The business soon became a family one. Simco’s husband Tony Wertin jokingly refers to himself as her "professional driver," accompanying her to shows while contributing his own leatherwork and engraving. Their daughter Skylar has embraced the entrepreneurial spirit as well, creating her own venture, Wild Child Beads, while helping mom craft the silver balls used in some of the jewelry designs. Together, the family attended 35 shows in a single year.
Stone by Stone
The silver has still remained the star of the booth. Simco believes every stone tells its own story. Turquoise, her birthstone, holds a special place in her work, but all natural stones serve as creative guides. "The stones are the magic," she says. Some evoke mountain peaks and rugged valleys. Others carry the colors of Caribbean waters, sun-soaked beaches and distant horizons. Rather than forcing a design, Simco allows each stone to dictate the direction of the piece. Her work balances tradition and innovation.
“Sterling silver,” she says, “is the backbone of Western style, but Mountain Mama Silver introduces a softer, more feminine perspective.” Pieces are inspired by Colorado's landscapes, wildflowers, gardening, fly fishing and backpacking adventures. She strives to honor the history of silversmithing while creating fresh, wearable jewelry for today's customer.
This philosophy is evident in Simco’s floral collections. Working with a local caster who uses real flowers and succulents to create molds, she incorporates these organic forms ensuring no two pieces are alike.
Timeless by Design
Like the West itself, Simco’s jewelry is rugged yet refined, timeless yet evolving. Each piece carries forward a legacy of craftsmanship, one handcrafted creation at a time.
Mountain Mama Silver
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mountainmamasilver.com
“Sterling silver,” Simco says, “is the backbone of Western style, but Mountain Mama Silver introduces a softer, more feminine perspective.”
"The stones are the magic," Simco says.