team spotlight | GRACE

 The Christina Kober Designs team is amazing. We are a close-knit group that sometimes feels more like a family than a business - a great mix of dynamic, dedicated and talented women, that bring different backgrounds and experiences to build a very strong team.

In our Team Spotlight series, I will be introducing you to our team one at a time. I am so excited to share who we are, the team that brings Christina Kober Designs to life. We are the people who hand-stamp, solder and polish your jewelry, the ones that answer your questions, and the ones that package up your orders with love. My hope is that you will see more of what makes us who we are, what drives us and connect to our stories of what inspires us.

I am so excited to introduce you to Grace! She is one of the newest members to our team, she and I instantly clicked over our passion for dance and love of inspirational quotes. Grace is one of those people that immediately makes you feel like she cares and makes you feel comfortable. I am so happy to have her on our team.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT CHRISTINA KOBER DESIGNS?

One of my roles within the CKD Team is being the main point of contact via email as the Customer Concierge. I respond and help with any questions you may have. I also assist in fulfilling and shipping orders as well as support marketing strategies.

WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY AT CKD LOOK LIKE?

I usually start my day off with checking in on our email and answering all inquiries and questions our CKD customers may have. After the jewelry is crafted and ready to be sent out, I will collect, package and ship the orders. And of course check in on the instagram account!

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT HANDMADE JEWELRY? 

Coming from zero jewelry making background, I was shocked at the tedious and intentional process a piece of jewelry goes through. I thought to get a ring it took maybe 3-4 steps… but no, it is a handful of precise steps that have to be taken in order for a beautiful polished ring to be created. It's incredible! 

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

SO much! A beautiful song, my family, seeing my friends passions come to life, activism, an intentional quote, strangers helping one another, seeing a dancer perform a stunningly perfect pas de deux.

What is your favorite CKD piece and why?
That's hard! It is either between the diamond dusted oval ring or the diamond dusted small steps ring.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FREE-TIME ACTIVITIES?

I love art and actually have an art account on the side where I do paintings, digital prints and calligraphy for others. Instagram: @theart_of_grace. If that is not occupying my free time I am typically in the gym, creating a new spotify playlist or binging a true crime show with my roommate.

You live in a fun part of Atlanta - all the restaurants are so diverse - so we have to know, what is your favorite spot?

OHHHH this is a great question. One of my all time favorites is Food Terminal (on Buford Highway). I love Asain food and this place never disappoints. I am also a cheeseburger connoisseur so my favorite place to get a classic burger is General Muir- so delicious paired with their pomme frites!

At the beginning of the Pandemic you decided to change the course of your life and go back to school - what made you choose Social Work?

I have always had a heart for serving others. After working with a nonprofit called Lighthouse Family Retreat, that serves families going through childhood cancer, I knew I needed to go back to school in order to help others in the capacity I wanted. My goal, once completing my Masters in Social Work Degree, is to be a Clinical Social Worker within the medical field, helping patients in hospitals tackle and overcome whatever obstacles they are facing. A few populations I am eager to serve are children within the foster care system and sex trafficking survivors- which I have always had a passion to work with.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE WELL KNOWN FOR AROUND THE STUDIO?

Probably my daily need to crack/pop my hips, knees and elbows (past dancer habits) and of course my love for Christmas. Once August starts I keep a countdown going till Christmas Eve and start listening to Christmas music exactly on November 1st .

WHAT DOES A “TREAT YOURSELF” DAY LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

I am a classic ambivert (extroverted introvert) so a perfect day would be some quiet time to myself in the morning, brunch with friends or family, then some outdoor time whether that be a walk around my neighborhood, dog park or exploring a new part of the city. Then ending the day at one of my favorite restaurants followed by a movie at home in my comfiest sweats and t-shirt.

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE ever received? 

My mom gifted me and my older sister with a trip of our choosing for each of our 16th birthdays. Due to finances and other life obstacles, my birthday trip kept needing to be postponed. I had almost given up hope but 7 years later my mom surprised me at Christmas that the coming year for my 23rd birthday we would be going to New York City (where my sister's trip was and where I had always dreamed of going). This trip was nothing less than perfection. My mom planned the entire trip and it was all a surprise to me. She wrote and printed out a poem each morning for me to read that highlighted the activities we would be doing for the day. The trip was filled with multiple Broadway shows (my favorite), Radio City Music hall, china town, amazing food and yes even a trapeze class on a roof. It is the most intentional, thoughtful and fun gift I have ever received!

Ok, now time for a little quick fire….

Gold or silver?
gold

Diamond dusted or Inspired?
diamond dusted

Savory or sweet?
Both! Does a girl have to choose?

Receiving gifts or giving gifts?
Giving

Simple or Layered?
Simple

Wide ring or Narrow ring?
Narrow

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in AM, Tea in PM

Dog or cat?
Dog, the bigger the better

INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK?
Instagram

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Fall - My absolute favorite season

NEUTRALS OR COLORS?
Neutrals