Meet Kristi Robbins

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristi Robbins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristi below.

Kristi, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

I was always a pretty good communicator on a surface level, but I listened and didn’t hear.

It wasn’t until my life spiraled out of control after a divorce, and I joined a 12 step group, that I began to learn to communicate better. That was 23 years ago. In the interim. I have become great friends with a group of women who nourish something that is missing in me. Most of them have a background similar to me. I have so much respect for them and maybe that is why I started really listening to what they had to say. Not only what they were saying, but how they were saying it. And how I was receiving what they were saying. It was through them that I learned about healthy boundaries and active listening. One of the hardest was learning how to accept being wrong and owning it.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a resin artist. I began working with epoxy resin and branched out to deep pour and UV resin also, which are all different animals. I recently decided that I get the most joy from designing jewelry with UV resin. There is nothing more exciting than taking a colorless liquid and turning it into a gorgeous, sparkling piece of jewelry. In my eye, taking basically nothing and creating something beautiful.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. I believe the most important thing I learned early on was to get my own foot off my neck. Unless you’re an unusual bird, people are always hardest on themselves. It’s good to demand excellence from oneself, but expecting perfection is another thing.

2. Learning to step back and allow the client to assess the piece on their own without my input is very difficult for me. Because I’m a perfectionist every tiny imperfection seems huge. Art just like humanity, isn’t perfect. I’m learning to keep my mouth shut.

3. The third thing is enjoy myself. I can create good pieces when I’m in a mood. I can create amazing pieces when I am joyful!

You may not start off confident in your craft. Huzzah if you do, but most of us don’t. Try not to let it bother you if you can. Be proud of everything you create, even if you don’t think it’s good. You’re making the effort to learn something new, and that’s something to be proud of! As you progress the confidence will come. Have fun with whatever you do! Look for the joy!

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is not only my favorite book, it has also had more impact on my life than any other book. From my first time reading it when I was eleven, to a recent reading a few months ago; the story doesn’t age. It remains unfortunately relevant, and taught me from that young age that we are all equal and no one person is better than another regardless of their situation.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb in his skin and walk around in it.” is a line we can all learn from.

Contact Info:

• Other: TikTok – @kriskatkreationsartworks

Image Credits

Kristi Robbins