We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christy Driscoll. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christy below.
Christy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I went to Simmons College in Boston for a finance/economics degree and when I graduated I fell into that field. After sometime and after my children, Bobby and Brooke, were in high school I decided to dabble in some jewelry classes. I have always looked at a bag, or some cool sandals, or someone’s belt and wanted to re-purpose it or re-design it. I have always loved accessories and jewelry. So to feed that creative hunger I enrolled in some classes at Metalwerx in Waltham, MA. Best thing I ever did. Metalwerx has such a rounded professional team. They have people from various career backgrounds, skill levels, etc.. and each one of them wanted to come back to their creative roots. It helped launch my business.
Christy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Metal Girl Designs was born out of a need to create big, bold, funky, unique pieces. What started as a hobby blossomed into a wonderful career. I have many pieces that honor Dia De Los Muertos, (Day of the Dead). I have two beautiful children here on earth, but one angel in heaven. So I love the idea of celebrating those souls in a special way. One of my favorite sayings is a Swedish proverb that says “the afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” This is so true for me. I will go out to my studio in the morning with the intention of doing some earrings or bracelets and end up creating some badass rings! Speaking of badass, my favorite saying is “be badass everyday”! Be the best you can be in all that you do, no matter what it is. This is reflected in many of my pieces. I especially love to do custom pieces. They can be for fun or, my favorite, sentimental pieces that capture the customers feelings. I cannot explain it, but when I meet someone for the first time, I have a strong sense of what they would like, be it a turquoise ring, a skull pendant, or a “badass” bracelet, it just seems to call to me. My Swedish Grandmother once told me to love what you do and if you happen to make a living from it, then it is never really a job. I believe no matter what that we all need to follow our passion and CARPE DIEM!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think artists, in all their various forms, are getting better recognition today than perhaps years ago. However, I do believe more still needs to be done. It should start in grade school and each student should be empowered to embrass their skill, whatever it may be. Society often squashes too many peoples dreams and makes us feel that the artists path is not the most lucrative, or the most popular, but they would be so wrong. You let someone follow their dreams and their heart and man, what a world they could create!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of this business for me is the smiles I create, or the thankful tears that flow, when people buy a piece from Metal Girl Designs. I aspire to create a feeling in my jewelry. I hope that carries over into that person’s life. My best advice is to be yourself, follow your heart and the rest will fall into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: Metalgirldesigns.net
- Instagram: Metalgirldesigns