Meet Christine Kilmer | Jewelry maker

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

Hi Christine, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk is just another made up four-letter word, and is only as real as we allow it to be. It happily provides us all the excuses in the world to stay in our comfort zones but, like a plant, we can only grow as much as our container allows. A redwood will never be a giant if she’s kept prisoner in a tiny pot.

In the spirit of risk and imperfection, I named my company, Analog Metal. I needed to make sure I gave myself permission to be human.

Real talk: if it’s not a life or death situation, it’s not actually a risk. It’s simply an opportunity to try something else, and sometimes that can feel uncomfortable. You’ll be okay!

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.
I’ve always been a creative person—spawned by tortured artists (and all their demons)—so the instability of the creative life has never been a stranger to me. For better or worse, it may even be a dear friend. I forayed into jewelry making as a delusional attempt to escape the terrible, toxic trap of bartending (f you know, you know). Being a jewelry collector, myself, with an apparent fascination with fire (and frustration), it’s a wonder I didn’t think of it sooner.

I invested my tip money in a two day metal fabrication intensive at the Brewery downtown, and from there my journey has mostly been self-taught, with the exception of a couple classes in Scotland. At the moment, I’ve become somewhat of a traveling one-woman jewelry showcase, collecting inspiration from the experiences of my travels. From the witches of Scotland who gave me shelter beneath the stone arches of Leith, to the bingo nights with the Irish elders (and all the Troubled tales that came with them), to the hay wagon in Normandie, or those seductively sweaty nights in southern Spain—all of these stories slithered their way into the creation of my one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry at Analog Metal.

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.
I’d say drive to Malibu, get the fish tacos at Lily’s for lunch, then spend the rest of the day relaxing at La Mirada beach. Fun fact that only the locals know: you get to make a wish (and eternal youth) for every piece of litter you pick up!

For a bit of relaxation and pampering, I’d book a facial at Opalino Wellness in Atwater Village. Kristen will seriously make your skin glow!

If you’re wanting something a bit more in the city, check out Kitchen Mouse in Highland Park. There are a lot of great locally owned and eco-friendly businesses to support in the area as well!

I’d suggest heading to the Dresden in Los Feliz on a weekend night. It’s a retro, down to earth spot to listen to live music while you sip on decently priced cocktails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friend and fellow artist and business owner, Sita Zimmer of ArtHouse Crystals, deserves all the success that comes her way. She helped me get my start, and showed me it was possible. Sita the epitome of women supporting women.

Instagram: https://Analog.metal

Image Credits
Photos by Christine Kilmer