Artist Interview - Robin Stelling of Robin Stelling Designs

Just a couple of days left... We are really looking forward to seeing all of our artists together in one space. Today's featured artist has been quite instrumental in the creation of Marin Handmade and we know you will love her work. 

Robin Stelling of Robin Stelling Designs (www.creativebeadz.etsy.com) has a talent for enhancing re-purposed textiles with her intricate bead work producing true "treasures". They are are even more beautiful in person so come by and check them out! Enjoy!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

After earning a fine art degree from UC Berkeley, I enjoyed a career in the fields of graphic design, package design and computer graphics. One of my last video graphic clients was the Grateful Dead whose on-stage video projections I designed and produced during the last two years they toured.

I moved into on-line e-tailing of jewelry supplies and fine gems about 10 years ago and have designed, created and sold my line of eco-jewelry for the past few years.

What kind of artist are you, and what first drew you to that particular medium?

I have been collecting global fabrics for many years and have always been in love with textiles. I was really excited when I realized I could marry my love of textiles with my interest in jewelry design. In 2011 I expanded the line to include my wedding cuffs made of freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I live in San Rafael with my husband and two cats. My daughter went off to college this fall and I am adjusting to her absence. I have a new appreciation for ichat!

Who is your greatest creative influence?

I am inspired by the skill and talent of traditional craftspeople around the world whose work I restyle into treasures for the modern nomad.

 

  

Please describe your creative process.

I find dresses and clothing from Romania, Central America and Bedouin tribes of North Africa, Egypt, Syria, Israel and Palestine that are beyond repair and save the embroidered pieces to use as my canvas. I work with the colors and textures of each piece of fabric and combine it with traditional beading techniques using glass beads, gemstones and vintage findings. My jewelry is the best way to share these collectible fabrics and textiles by upcycling and refashioning them into wearable art and accessories.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

I collect vintage Mexican silver jewelry. Some pieces are very inexpensive pins and earrings but are wonderfully crafted and designed and I treasure as much as the more unusual designs. I use the orphaned earrings and broken bracelets that I find in my jewelry designs.

What is it about living in the North Bay that most inspires your creativity?

I love living in Marin and although I am not a real “birder” I often walk in the wetlands to see the variety of birds migrating each season.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I enjoy participating in local shows and craft fairs and want to keep showing around the Bay Area. It's so much fun to meet the people who love my work. My work is available for sale at galleries in San Rafael, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Guilford, CT. I hope to find more galleries across the United States to show and sell my work as well as increase my on-line sales.