We recently connected with Tisha Robinson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tisha, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My love for jewelry started when I was a child, curious and always going through my mother’s jewelry drawers. Born in Mexico, her collection was filled with a variety of textures and designs, from turquoise necklaces, to her tarnished class ring, missing the stone and still kept in it’s original leather pouch. With permission, I would borrow a jewelry piece or two, mesmerized by the design, the glow of the gemstones, the magic within.

On weekends, I would visit my grandparents’ house, a sanctuary surrounded by willow trees, where time seemed to stand still. My grandmother kept a treasure trove of jewelry, which became a gateway to a world of stories. Precious garnets set in silver, pearls of every sheen, intricate antiques, and gold cornicello charms my grandfather gifted to her. Each piece of jewelry held a tale.

As I grew older, my love for jewelry soon turned into a creative passion. I began to explore the art of jewelry-making, inspired by the stories from my mother and grandmother, the emotional significance each piece held. I studied jewelry craftsmanship, the intricacies of design, the many materials used.

And that is how SmolThingsCo began. Today, I continue to create jewelry pieces designed to encapsulate emotions and memories. I design pieces made to celebrate life’s milestones, or to remind us of a special time long ago.

Tisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began SmolThingsCo in the beginning of quarantine in 2020. I completed my Art Education degree at Grand Valley, and finding a teaching position was next to impossible.
I spent most of my days taking many walks through the neighborhood community garden with my now husband, Josh. This is where we were immersed with nature; inspired by the rustic trellises, the vibrant colors of the flowers, and the small, intricate details of everything surrounding us.

After years of strict college schedules, I finally had time, so I began creating. I have always loved jewelry from a young age, borrowing (and often losing) my mother’s jewelry. I started to make polymer clay inspired pieces, creating chili peppers, lemons, berries, and other vibrant foods.

Viewing jewelry as more than just an accessory, I wanted to translate this into my work. Whether a jewelry piece resembles a milestone in life, or a special summer years ago, I wanted to design and create “relics” for others. I began diving into other realms of jewelry making; soldering, sourcing ethical gemstones, using recycled scrap metals.

I spent many months understanding the basics of jewelry making; watching a variety of tutorial videos, and learning through hours of trial and error. What I am most proud of is that I am a self-taught jewelry artist. There were many times where I wanted to give up, but I kept pushing, learning, and knowing when to give myself grace.

Nowadays, I reside in Grand Rapids and I continue to create STCO jewelry in my upstairs studio. I often make commissioned pieces, and work inspired by nature. I use recycled and ethically sourced materials; each piece is made uniquely, by hand, with love.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To learn! To learn about other people’s passions is to keep the creative ecosystem thriving.

Keeping conversations going, learning about topics you’ve never heard of, and to simply show understanding for others is what will keep people creating.

Artists are born from other artists; people inspire others, their passions can ignite your own. It’s a beautiful thing when someone is interested in something you’ve loved your entire life. Conversations like that promote connection, compassion, and confidence to keep following your dreams.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To create 2D visions into 3D artworks. Not only do I enjoy challenging myself with my own designs, but I absolutely love bringing customer ideas to life! Learning about the meaning behind their idea, sketching the design, then creating it for them to cherish forever- nothing can compare to that feeling. That’s what keeps driving me to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: Smolthingsco.com
• Instagram: @smolthingsco
• Facebook: Smolthingsco
• Other: Etsy.com/shop/smolthingsco
• TikTok: @smolthingsco