Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Robinson.
Christy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a native Texan and currently reside in Dallas where I work as a full-time studio jewelry artist. I started making jewelry as a hobby while in college and have since worked with two local contemporary jewelers learning the ends and outs of the jewelry business before I started my own online shop full time in 2007. I have also taken jewelry intensives along the way in various jewelry techniques at The Craft Guild of Dallas such as casting, etching, and jewelry fabrication.
My current work features jewelry designs that often deal with human, animal, and environmental issues. I am inspired by meditation, metaphysical practices, yoga, astrology, animal rights, human rights, feminism, veganism and the environment.
Conscious of the impact left on the planet from traditional mining methods for metals and stones I use only earth friendly recycled metals such as aluminum, sterling silver, PMC (precious metal clay) copper and Lab-Grown stones and ethically sourced beads and fair trade findings.
I currently give a portion of my proceeds to various earth, animal, or people friendly charities.
Has it been a smooth road?
I love jewelry making so much that any struggle jewelry wise has always been worth it to me and I just looked at it like it gave me an excuse to learn something new.
My main struggle I would say though has been starting my business at the beginning of when social media was being invented. I am lucky, as all small online businesses are, to have access to free advertising and promoting platforms but in the beginning, it seemed like every time I figured out one social media platform another appeared! I started my online shop in 2007 and at that time Facebook was just starting I think in 2006 so still very new. Then Twitter also 2006 but not widely being used until later, then Instagram came along, then Pinterest… I finally gave up with Snapchat! LOL I may try that eventually too. It was just really difficult to be a new business creating and stocking product and having to learn so many new social media platforms all at once. I feel like all those platforms are kind of second nature today for most people so it would probably be a bit easier for someone starting with that knowledge already. It was just a timing thing for me and I have to say it was exciting to be right there for the beginning of the social media boom.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Christy Robinson Design story. Tell us more about the business.
I make jewelry in recycled metals mostly recycled sterling silver and recycled aluminum.
I use several different jewelry techniques such as basic jewelry fabrication, this is taking raw metal and shaping it, hammering and soldering such as to make rings and also shaping flat metal sheet this also includes some stone setting as well. I also use PMC Metal Clay which is worked like clay and when fired in a kiln where it turns to .999 sterling silver, these are my 3-d looking designs.
But I am mostly known for my hand stamped jewelry line that features animal shapes such as Pigs, Chickens, Cows, Rabbits etc. with pro vegan and animal friendly messages such as “Friend not Food”, “Not a Nugget” and “Vegan”. I also have a newer line that I launched in 2016 that is getting a lot of attention using the same technique of hand stamping. These designs have feminist messages such as a tree that reads “Let’s Root for each other and watch each other grow” and the really popular shield charm that reads “I’m not sorry about your Fragile Masculinity”.
By far I am most proud of making people smile and think about things at the same time. I would hope my work at the least may start a conversation that will change or inspire new ways to think about people, animals, or the planet in which we all have to live.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Wow, that’s hard to say! I think there will continue to be more and more makers of all kinds not just jewelers especially with Etsy and other selling sites available.
I think that in the next 5-10 years that being really creative and stretching your own creativity will be key to having a way to stand out and get attention but that probably has always been the case LOL. For me, since I see a trend for more and more makers I have already started a side business selling to other jewelry makers on Etsy the blanks/charms that I make and use. I also offer jewelry making services to those who may not have the tools or knowledge yet such as how to hand saw or drill holes in charms etc. my other site is Metal Jewelry Making Blanks and I consider it my sister or companion business to my jewelry line. I don’t have a problem selling to jewelry lovers or jewelry makers there is no competition here!
Pricing:
- Most recycled aluminum necklaces are $16-25
- Most Recycled sterling Jewelry is $28-$65
- Most recycled sterling rings are $30-$55
Contact Info:
- Address: Christy Robinson
7324 Gaston Ave. #124-115
Dallas, Texas 75214 - Website: www.christyrobinsondesign.com
- Phone: 972 730-5053
- Email: info@christyrobinsondesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crobinsondesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crobinsondesign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRobinsonDesign
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/crobinsondesign/
Image Credit:
Christy Robinson
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