Lostgirl Metalworks
Denver, Colorado
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Robbi: Lostgirl Metalworks
I'd been working in the community development field for about 12 years when I decided to take a two-week jewelry course, "Rings & Things." I'd babbled about it for months beforehand – some might have said ad nauseam – and couldn’t wait for the first day. After seven hours in the studio, I came home defeated and answered the expectant question of "Did you love it?!" with "Not really…"
Sawing metal was a pain, and I broke blades quicker than you could blink. My soldering skills were also pretty tragic, and the little pieces would jump off the metal whenever the torch flame would get anywhere close. I considered ditching the whole affair after the first day. But I’m pretty determined by nature, so I went back. The second day was a little better, and by the end of the third, I was hooked and began dreaming about my "next life" in metal.
Two years later (February 2012), with just two pairs of pliers in my toolbox and a super basic skillset, I decided my next life started then, and I made the leap to be a full-time artist. Suffice it to say, folks thought I was a little loony (which isn't completely untrue...).
I call myself a metalsmith, rather than a jeweler. ("Jeweler" puts me in a box, and I really hate to be confined. I also have basic MIG welding skills and have made a couple of outdoor do-dads.) That said, I primarily create one-of-a-kind, bold adornment (some things could admittedly function as a doorstop).
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
I’m often asked "Why ‘lostgirl Metalworks?’" Because I tend to wander and shun roots. And yes, I know, not all who wander are lost. But sometimes I am, and that’s okay. Sometimes, it’s that delicate state of being that gives me the freedom to explore another path and have inspiration renewed.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
I believe the devil is in the details. This means my pieces are individually hand-crafted, slooooowly and meticulously, and have hallmarks of unusual prong settings and handmade findings (earwires, clasps and closures). Too, I often use the whole surface as my canvas – nooks and crannies and undersides – and have secret messages or images that only the wearer knows about..
What makes your business unique to the industry?
When there are thousands and thousands of makers, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a unique twist on your craft. The highest accolade I can receive is along the lines of "I’ve never seen anything like this." (even when followed by "It’s not my style…"), and the kiss of death is "Ooohhhh! I love this – it looks like XYZ’s work." (even when meant as a compliment).
It’s key to stand out, and it helps that I’m largely self-taught. There isn’t someone else’s voice in my head telling me how something should be constructed, and I don’t know what should be challenging or might be impossible. This has given me a sort of liberty to experiment that I might not have had had I been traditionally educated in this craft.
As nifty as this is, I can’t tell you how often a piece has found a home because the story behind it resonated with its new owner – because they understood in the telling that I shared their path or life view in some way. This has probably been the most unexpected part of this journey, and it’s a heart-warming bonus when folks get me.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
"Life-by-hand," as I call it, isn’t always an easy journey. In the first couple of years, my extremely shallow skillset and two-dimensional work meant I had a huge learning curve to tackle. I could cut metal (unevenly) and solder (poorly)… so I relied on my left-of-center design aesthetic to attract folks.
Even though I’m skilled at these things today (and have added a good deal to my knowledge base), some studio days are smooth sailing and others are complete melt-downs (literally, if I keep my torch on something for one second too long). On the smooth days, I leave the studio invigorated and excited to return. On the others, I remind myself that I’m a maker, not a machine, and nothing that I do will ever be perfect. It simply shouldn’t be.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
My discipline and tenacity have been key during these COVID months. With no shows in the forecast before the holidays, I still make a work plan each week; I show up. This makes anything possible. I guess I’m a bit like the queen in Alice in Wonderland who said "sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Yes ma’am. Me, too.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
For me, the freedom to create whatever crazy comes to mind – to actually make something tangible – and the ability to navigate by my own inner compass are clutch.
What is your *must do* local activity?
My man and I moved here after a brief visit in 2015. We fell in love with all of the nearby outdoor activities – we ski at Winter Park, hike all over, and regularly hop on our bikes and ride the paths as far as Golden. We're also HUGE music fans and hang out at the Odgen, Bluebird and Larimer Lounge.
Where to find Lostgirl Metalworks:
Online: https://www.lostgirlmetalworks.com
Instagram: @lostgirlmetal