team spotlight | MARY ELLEN

I have been wanting to show more behind the scenes of Christina Kober Designs and I thought the best way would be to first introduce you to our team. The CKD team is amazing. We are 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 handstamp, 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. 

The first of our “Team Spotlight” series is Mary Ellen. She is our Studio Manager and has been with Christina Kober Designs the longest, four years! She is a patient teacher, talented metalsmith, and a Nashville-native. She has the kindest heart, sweetest sweet-tooth, and all the answers for trivia night.
Here she is, Mary Ellen! 

What do you do at Christina Kober Designs?
I am the Studio Manager. I am in charge of the production of all the jewelry we make for retail and wholesale orders. I manage the very talented team of studio assistant and jewelers we have working for the company.

What does your typical day at CKD look like?
I usually begin by opening up the studio. I work on the retail and small wholesale orders that go out daily. I begin working on items ordered and direct the other jewelry production staff on which products will be assigned to them. I manage production progress throughout the day and answer any questions that arise in regards to production/ jewelry care. I break for lunch with my coworkers and then continue on with the work for the day until closing time.

What is something you think most people don’t know about handmade jewelry?
How much skill, time and effort goes into each of our pieces. We make it from start to finish in house; often customized made to order.

What inspires you?
People. Love. Life. We are surrounded by so many beautiful people, things, events, sentiments, and places; ordinary and extraordinary. It’s easy to see a lot of bad but if you think about it there is so much beauty to behold and be thankful for. It keeps me going everyday.

What does a “treat yourself” day look like to you?
I would have to say it starts with sleeping in because I tend to be a “night owl”. I would eat waffles or biscuits for breakfast; go to the pool or gym then play with my Labrador Retriever; finally getting dressed up and go to dinner and a movie with my boyfriend.

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
The love of my friends and family and the precious time I share with them HANDS DOWN!

We love listening to podcasts while we make jewelry. What is your favorite podcast and why?
I like true crime, current event, and non fictions the best. The seriousness of the themes balances out my goofiness nicely :)
My current favorite is: Criminal

Everyone at CKD knows you have the biggest sweet tooth. Where is your favorite place to go in Nashville when you’re craving something sweet?
AWW geez! This is a tough question for me! I am sooo bad at snacking on cookies and all sorts of chocolate goodies, but if I had to pick some of my favorites they would be: Jeni’s Ice Cream, Five Daughters Donuts, and Christie Cookies

What is your favorite CKD piece and why?
It changes all the time because I like almost all of them, but currently it vacillates between the  Diamond Dusted Arc Necklace and the Linked Bangle

Ok, now time for a little quick fire….
Gold, silver, or rose gold?
Gold

Diamond dusted or Inspired?
Hmm… I like both but I choose Inspired because I love hearing from our customers how special their personalized items are to them.

Savory or sweet?
Sweet. Not. Even. A. Question.

Receiving gifts or giving gifts?
GIVING! You get so much more in return and often in ways you never expected.

Simple or Layered?
Simple

Wide ring or Narrow ring?
Wide

Coffee or tea?
Tea

Dog or cat?
BOTH!!!

INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK?
Neither... unless Christina or one of the other girls makes me.

SUMMER OR WINTER?
SUMMER!!!

NEUTRALS OR COLORS?
Team Neutral :)