Her Story
About Tootsie
Tootsie Bell is a Memphis-based artist, silversmith, jeweler, sculptor, and teacher whose career spans more than four decades in jewelry making, metalsmithing, restoration, and fine art. Her professional practice is centered on designing and creating jewelry, producing custom and commissioned pieces, restoring antique and vintage objects, and working across a broad range of precious and non-precious metals. Her expertise includes silver, gold, platinum, copper, brass, bronze, pewter, and silver plate. Bell's artistic style frequently incorporates sterling silver, gold, and semi-precious stones, with rich textures, patterns, and symbolic imagery reflecting themes such as strength, love, healing, and longevity.
Bell's path into metalsmithing began after graduating from high school and enrolling at Memphis College of Art, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Illustration. Although she initially was unsure which artistic direction she would pursue, a metals class introduced her to the craft and ultimately helped shape her career. While walking down Beale Street, she encountered a friend who told her about an opening at a jewelry store where he worked. She was hired and spent approximately nine years developing her skills before deciding to establish her own business. In 1995, she became an independent business owner and has continued building her practice through jewelry design, silversmithing, restoration, sculpture, and commissioned work. Her restoration experience extends to objects including serving pieces, candelabras, vases, bronzes, statues, furniture, and other historic or personal collections.
Bell attributes her success to determination, hard work, resilience, integrity, and consistently showing up even during difficult periods. She places strong importance on producing excellent work while treating clients, colleagues, employees, family, and friends with kindness and respect. Beyond her studio practice, she has a longstanding commitment to teaching and mentoring and has expressed plans to return to teaching. She also supports causes involving mental health, child advocacy, animal rescue, and homelessness, including annual contributions to the Memphis Child Advocacy Center through artwork donated for fundraising. A lifelong lover of music and the arts, Bell enjoys jazz, classical music, contemporary artists, live music, art openings, film, video, and spending time outdoors and in nature. Her career reflects a combination of artistic independence, technical craftsmanship, perseverance, and a deep respect for people, materials, and the stories that objects carry through time.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tootsie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination, hard work, consistency, and resilience. I have learned to keep showing up and not give up when things become difficult, particularly because I have experienced challenging periods throughout my career. I also believe integrity is essential. I strive to do impeccable work to the best of my ability while treating employees, customers, colleagues, and others with kindness and respect.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to follow their hearts and remain true to themselves. Never allow someone to convince you that you cannot accomplish something simply because of your gender or because an industry has traditionally been viewed as a man's field. Women are capable of doing anything men can do. Do not allow naysayers or outdated expectations to discourage you. Recognize your own abilities and value, and have the confidence to step forward and pursue what you want to accomplish.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest current challenges is the rising cost of precious metals. The price of silver and gold has increased significantly, which affects both artists purchasing materials and customers purchasing finished work. As an artist, higher material costs require a greater investment upfront to create the work I want to make, while customers are also encountering higher prices.
Another challenge is maintaining visibility in an increasingly social-media-driven environment. Building a name, staying visible, and consistently sharing work can be time-consuming. I enjoy showing my process, creating videos, and working with film and music, but maintaining a social media presence can feel like having another job. At the same time, it provides an important opportunity to showcase my work and connect with people who might otherwise never encounter it.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are integrity, perseverance, reliability, kindness, respect, and helping others. Showing up matters to me—not only in my work, but also for myself, my son, my family, and my friends. I believe in doing my best, treating people well, maintaining integrity in what I do, and helping others whenever I have the opportunity.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.