Pendant Collections

K Robins Designs

Artist Statement

Expression through art and craft has been a lifelong companion for me. The images and themes of these designs tell a personal, yet universal story. The work with symbols began about 1986 at a time of upheaval in my personal journey on this planet. I also was tapping into broader events occurring worldwide at this time. I went from crafting art that was functional to art that was personal, symbolic and ancient.

The new work was more fun than I could ever have imagined. Diving into histories and herstories gave me comfort, strength and insight. My lifelong curiosity with all things in the spiritual realm deepened. As my life continued to challenge me, symbolic art became a path and a practice. When I design, I am looking for the simplest, most direct lines to express my emotion and/or concept. A symbol contains a story in one image. The process of creating the pendants, amulets, talismans can be long or short. For me it is a process though as I usually do not know exactly where I am going. After all the twists and turns (not this, simplify, not this, simplify) in the end there is the ‘aha’ moment when it sings.

Read My Bio

The Art Form

While working with flute maker, Patrick Olwell, I discovered the process of lost wax casting. Just as Patrick makes silver keys for his Renaissance flutes first out of wax, I carve wax into the designs I previously had been carving in wood. There are probably around fifty pendants, hand carved pieces of wood with inlays (rosewood, boxwood, cherry), bopping around the world from these early days of my fascination with symbols.

After carving the wax design the piece is cast into silver. Metal then becomes the art material as I file, grind and polish the details. Once the master is perfected, a mold is created and the piece is cast and produced. Then I sit down to write a card for the piece, naming it and telling its story in a poem or as few words as possible.

HISTORY of K Robins Designs

This homegrown business of family and friends currently resides in a thriving community of artists, musicians, healing practitioners and social activists. KRD has seen robust days in the last 30 years with many changing faces, voices and venues. The original focus was on discovering and creating archetypal female symbols and expanded into symbolic language in general.

K’s focus for the last five years has been dedicated to solo reflection and study. Recently family members and friends have taken over handling the logistics of the business, allowing K to relax into the next phase of her life, discovering what that offers, while still guiding the vision of the business. As a family business now, with many creative minds coming along as potential contributors, KRD will undoubtedly continue to grow and develop, along with the ever changing culture and world around us.

Contact

Voicemail K-(434) 826-0203; Rita-(434) 826-0155

Pendants are for sale at K Robins Designs Etsy store.

E-mail info@krobinsdesigns.com

Work displayed at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton VA.