My name is Andrew Vandekop and I’m the silversmith behind Backyard Silversmiths®. I'm a first generation American (my dad is from Holland and my mom is from England), and I design and create rustic, hand-forged jewelry out of pure .999 Fine Silver in my backyard workshop. I learned the art of silversmithing from my grandfather who was a silversmith in England. I spent two summers there when I was a teenager, watching him use hammers and fire to create beautiful silver goblets, sculptures and jewelry which serves as inspiration for my designs today.

Some of my work is based on traditional pieces my grandfather would make such as large, heavy cuffs and rings. But my most recent handcrafted designs include one-of-a-kind pendants inspired by pirate treasure, as well as pendants with independently moving parts, showcasing unique motion.

Together with my wife Teisha and our kids Ross and Tori, we launched Backyard Silversmiths in 2016 from our 10' x 20' backyard workshop in Dallas and sold our pieces at high school holiday fairs and art festivals. We then transitioned to sharing our jewelry at juried art fairs and festivals. Ross and Tori were involved from the start helping me work through designs and approach. Today, they're the models you see in the photos :).

After Tori graduated high school and went off to college, we decided to open a place where people could visit and see how the jewelry is made. In 2017, we opened Backyard Silversmiths on I-35 in Abbott, Texas. For almost 5 years, visitors stopped by our shop and learned how I create my designs through traditional and modern silversmithing techniques.

Prior to launching Backyard Silversmiths, I worked for more than 25 years in corporate. I graduated with degrees in robotics engineering and finance and earned three patents utilizing my robotics design expertise. I have also earned a design patent on one of my original designs, The Spur Bracelet®. When I'm not creating jewelry, I'm helping landowners understand the location and depth of groundwater under their property with our other business, Well Water Finders. Thank you for visiting our Etsy Shop!

Andrew and Teisha Vandekop
Meridian, Texas