Robin Lee Simmons, Designer

The truth is, I really believe I have been creative since birth. From puzzles, coloring books, art at school and craft projects as a child, to painting, writing, designing handbags and creating jewelry as an adult. Throughout my life people have always asked what I am up to. I have always answered "all of it".

As a single mom, being home with my son and also behind a sewing machine was where I wanted to be for many years. My angel mother was my sewing mentor, and my son was the inspiration for my first handbag collection.

During my handbag design years, I started finding myself coming across amazing vintage jewelry that had seen better days. Broken and discarded. They were all beautiful, charming and so characteristically cool that I decided reviving them in to revamped jewelry was much needed - giving new life to timeless treasures.

I am a creative - and also a wanderer. I really began traveling late in life once my son was in his teens. Road trips are in my DNA but traveling abroad changed my life. Italy changed my life. It was there that my true love of travel and art really took ahold of me. I began collecting rock fragments from everyplace I visited on my adventures. Then one day I thought to myself "hey, I am going to turn them into jewelry too!"

Add to this living in South Carolina for 25 years and spending many days combing the many beautiful beaches - most times with my son in tow and watching him get so excited about the shells and sea treasures we would find. I have always found such peace and tranquility walking up and down the sand and sea. It is so inspiring - especially after storms!

After major storms the truly unique, probably ugly to some ("Uglies"), but exquisite to me, shells, stones and wood emerge and lay stranded on the beach. They spend years tumbling at the bottom of the sea only to get washed ashore by more of Mother Nature's amazing drama. For years I have been constantly bringing home shards of hole ridden and funky looking pieces that soon become resurrected and revived with my two hands and full heart.

Perhaps I feel a certain kinship with my collections - "broken and discarded" and "resurrected and revived". Life is full of ups and downs, joys and challenges. When my son left for the Air Force, I admit I felt a little lost. I decided to sell my home in South Carolina and head to the breathtaking PNW and make my new home in Oregon. I bought a vintage camper, "Wanda Jerrine" named for my mother, and plan to feed my heart and soul adventuring around the US collecting more amazing elements and inspiration!

I would love to hear from you. Contact me here!