Interview Series – Christy Robinson

I first “met” Christy Robinson several years ago when she emailed me through my website Veggiegirl to ask if I would include a link to her Etsy jewlery store on the site. We struck up an email conversation, became friends and have stayed in touch, even though we’ve never actually met in person. (This was before Facebook, which made it trickier to stay in touch.) She still has her Etsy store, but since then she’s also launched her own website, Christy Robinson Designs, where she sells all of her cute, vegan themed jewelry.

 

After Christy’s first email, I took a look at her store and ordered her sterling vegan heart, with the intention of giving it as a birthday gift to a friend. The necklace arrived and I loved it so much that I just couldn’t part with it so I kept it for myself, and I still wear it often. (In fact, I’m wearing it in the photo that accompanies my bio at the bottom of this page.) Since them, my collection has grown, and I own about 7 or 8 Christy Robinson pieces. I also like to give them as gifts to my vegan friends, and I’ve even given some to a few omnivore friends as well.

 

Christy’s adorable handmade pieces make excellent holiday gifts for the vegan girl in your life. Order before December 13th to ensure delivery for Christmas.

  

Chic Vegan – What motivated you to become vegan? Was it an overnight switch or more gradual shift?

Christy Robinson – 17 years ago I stumbled on a video on HBO that was about animal rights and factory farming. I am still not certain who made this video but I remember the scene that did it for me, they showed a downed cow being pulled from a transport truck by a chain attached to its forearm and the person instead of pulling the cow out of the truck and just lowering it to the ground the person pulled the poor cow up as high as they could and then released the chain, so the cow not only could not walk but was obviously in great pain. The cruelty of this made me realize there is no way you can mass produce living beings and in any way have it be humane. Needless to say, I did not ever want to give my money to this business ever again as I would then be as guilty at the person who had dropped that poor cow. I immediately went vegetarian ,mostly vegan but having not really been much of a cook at this point in my life I had some learning to do. I did not buy eggs or milk at all but at this point I did not know about casein being put in soy cheese and why bread, if we went out to eat, might not be vegan. This was pre-internet so it took about a year to really learn everything. I think nowadays it would be so easy to go vegan as all this information is just a few clicks away.

 

CV – You live in Texas, which is not the first state that comes to mind when thinking of vegan friendly places to live. Is it difficult to be vegan there?

CR – Oh, the Texas question! No it is really not difficult at all these days, I do live in Dallas though so that helps, it might be more difficult to be vegan in rural areas but there is always the produce section of the grocery store which is where the best vegan food is anyway. Speaking of grocery stores, Texas is the birthplace of Whole Foods, which does not really get mentioned much and it definitely does not fit the typical Texas stereotype. That said we do have a lot of Whole Foods locations as well as Sprouts, Trader Joes, and the local Green Grocer. We have all vegan restaurants: Spiral Diner which has two locations, Be Raw, and Veggie Garden. The Hacienda on Henderson, which is Tex-Mex, has a vegan menu and lots of other restaurants in Dallas now have vegan options which is awesome! Hail Merry is Dallas based business, and we now have Reverie Bakery which is an all vegan bakery!

 

CV – Tell me a little bit about your jewelry. What inspired you to start making vegan necklaces and bracelets?

CR – I started making jewelry back in the early ‘90s before I became vegan or involved in animals rights. About 14 years ago though I began thinking about incorporating my two interests. I would buy animal rights tees for $20 or more each but could only wear them once a week and they were not always appropriate for work etc. So I thought jewelry with messages would be a good solution. At first I thought of a heart and a peapod and did not really think about the animal outlines. It took me some time to make some designs but eventually I decided to set up my website and also by this point Etsy had started so I put some up and they began selling. I happened to mention something on my Etsy site about making a pig outline and stamping “Friend not Food” on a pig and everyone kept asking me about it so I made one and also a cow. That’s when things became a blur…it has been non stop ever since but I love it and feel blessed to be able to create with a purpose!

 

CV – What was your first vegan jewelry creation?

CR –  My first official vegan theme necklace which I still offer on both my Etsy and website is the “Go Veg” Peapod necklace.

 

CV – Every time I visit your website, there are new designs on display. What inspires you to create a new piece?

CR – I get inspired by lots of things but I believe my best ideas, that also seem to resonate with others, are those that come from the “inside out” this means ideas that are inspired by what is personal or in focus for me right now. I know this sounds kind of selfish at first but for example if I am really into kale at the moment this is my clue to make something to do with kale. I believe people can tell if you are being true and genuine to yourself and usually they respond well to that which is honest.

Conversely, I usually miss the mark creatively if I go from the “outside in” this means I am too concerned or focused on what others are doing or thinking and not being focused on what I am doing and thinking.

 

CV – You use a lot of recycled metals in your pieces. Where do you get your material? Is it difficult to turn a piece of recycled aluminum into a cute piggy necklace?

CR –  I try to buy recycled in everything I can, not just my metals. My paper, boxes, baggies, etc. I am always on the look out for any new recycled or biodegradable items to replace any that I am using that are not. As for my metals my Recycled aluminum comes from Dallas based Commercial Metals Company (CMC)

They are a family owned and operated business that were founded in 1915 and now have locations all over the world. They recycle scrap from architectural demolition sites so the metals are thicker. As for my recycled sterling, it comes from Rio Grande in New Mexico, so not a million miles away, just one state over. They manufacture their metal and chain in the USA so the workers get a living wage and the environmental standards are sound. As for the process of making a pendant, in jewelry it is all about the tools, I use a jewelers saw and cut out the outline, then use a series of letter stamps to hand stamp each letter of the message, then drill the holes, I then use a flex shaft machine to finish and smooth out the pendant. Lastly I put on the chain and I solder the loops.

 

CV – It seems that every time I visit a vegan boutique, I see a necklace with an exclusive Christy Robinson design. Who are some of the people you have worked with to create exclusive designs?

CR – I have worked with many lovely compassionate people over the years that I cannot begin to name them all. I have worked with the wonderful people at Farm Sanctuary and the ever-inspiring PETA. Jackie Horrick of Alternative Outfitters has carried my jewelry from the very beginning! I am blessed to have collaborated with Colleen Patrick- Goudreau on her “Joyful Vegan” necklace, she is such a gifted public speaker which is a talent not everyone possesses…including me! Also since 2009, I have collaborated with the lovely Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart on three necklaces and I have to say in all this time she is nothing but professional, humble and truly a vegan superstar.

 

CV – Do you have a favorite piece in your jewelry line?

CR – I do have a couple of faves, the “Not a Nugget” chick necklace has been with me so long (6 years) that it really feels like an old friend or at least a relative:) I also love the “Key to Compassion” necklace as it sort of tells a little story with the charms.

 

CV – Do you have any advice for inspiring jewelry makers?

CR – My advice to inspire jewelry makers is to take a few classes, maybe at a community college or Craft Guild if you have access to one and see how you feel about it. I became completely obsessed with metalworking as there are so many techniques you can try, such as fabricating, casting, PMC etc. so it never seemed to get boring like some other creative processes. The most important bit of advice though is obvious have fun and enjoy what you do!