Meet Christina Spivak | artist and jewelry designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Spivak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I think it’s really hard to maintain a work/life balance if you’re running a small handmade business. Especially around holidays, because that can be the time when you have the most opportunity to make sales, or be in handmade shows, but it’s also the same time that holiday get-togethers are happening.
I used to just try to fit in both- I’d spend the day with family, and then stay up all night making jewelry or preparing for a show, but then I’d be really burnt out. As time has gone by I’m prioritizing family time a little more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
White Owl started as an eco-friendly jewelry venture; incorporating re-purposed materials and vintage components, and it has stayed that way. Every piece is still made by hand, one at a time, from a mix of new and vintage/repurposed elements, and many styles are one-of-a-kind, which I think makes both the jewelry and the business itself pretty unique.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course I’d take my friend to the DIA, (Detroit Institute of Arts), a world class museum and a must-see for visitors to Detroit, then we’d pop down the street to MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit), then over to City Bird for some shopping and then to Chartreuse for a bite. Of course Campus Martius and Riverwalk is perfect for a nice day, then a visit to Sister Pie and a little further east to POST for more shopping. For a pretty walk and relaxing day I’d definitely take a guest to the Ford House to tour the house and grounds and make a stop at Nautical Deli. For the last day we’d have brunch at the Whitney for their banana baked french toast.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Back when I was just starting to make jewelry, Emily and Andy Linn (owners of City Bird in Midtown Detroit), hosted a trunk show for me and theirs was the first shop to ever carry White Owl Jewelry.

Website: whiteowljewelry.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/whiteowljewelry/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064054652720

Image Credits
Christina Spivak