MEET THE DESIGNER
From corporate life to dream job
Hi all!! My name is Robin and I am the designer behind Welcome Home Custom. I took a leap into the maker world a little later in life. Not finding satisfaction in what I called my "big girl" job, I left my corporate life in 2014 and never looked back. I have played in many mediums from jewelry design, copper etching, and pen and ink illustration.
Pictured above. Me. Yep. That about sums it up.
These pieces are just a sampling of my work over the years. Jewelry is really where my passion for art was reborn. While still working my corporate job as a category manager, I decided to take some continuing education jewelry classes. I had always loved art growing up. I even minored in dance. After graduating college, I lost sight of this passion until taking the course some 10 years after getting my degree... in management of all things.
Metal Woven necklace with garnet and turquoise
I went on to learn about copper etching in one of my jewelry courses I took. This grew into a whole new world. The octopus aka "Escape Artist" was one of my largest pieces measuring at 65 inches wide. I was showing my work in fine art festivals and became recognized for my copper works of art.
Copper Engraved Octopus titled "Escape Artist"
A move across the country from Florida to Washington state made me rethink the copper work. I decided to shift gears to just pen work. I was already drawing these indigenous creatures so it was a seamless transition. I tell you what.. I am very lucky to have such a supportive husband. He never questioned my switching mediums. I ended up calling my last business Robin and the Hare because I am continually running down the rabbit hole to see where it may take me. The Bear with Salmon (as show in the video) took two weeks to complete and measured 54 inches tall.
Video - Time Lapse of Bear with Salmon
Pictured top left - Metal Woven necklace with garnet and turquoise
Pictured top right - Copper Engraved Octopus titled "Escape Artist"
Video - Time Lapse of Bear with Salmon
A move across the country from Florida to Washington state made me rethink the copper work. I decided to shift gears to just pen work. I was already drawing these indigenous creatures so it was a seamless transition. I tell you what.. I am very lucky to have such a supportive husband. He never questioned my switching mediums. I ended up calling my last business Robin and the Hare because I am continually running down the rabbit hole to see where it may take me. The Bear with Salmon (as show in the video) took two weeks to complete and measured 54 inches tall.
You never know where the rabbit hole will lead.
In the summer of 2019, I purchased my first laser cutter to be an extension of my pen and ink offerings...little did I know it would be become something entirely different.
Bear with Salmon - varied engrave on cutting board.
Chinese Checkers board - engraved, scored in birch. Stained with golden maple, walnut, and mahogany
Bear with Salmon - varied engrave on cutting board.
Chinese Checkers board - engraved, scored in birch. Stained with golden maple, walnut, and mahogany
Once again, we are on the move. This time our journey took us back to Ohio. This was the third time we moved since 2013. My pen and ink illustrations really resonated with the clientele in Washington State, but I knew it was probably not going to be as successful in Ohio. I knew it was probably time for a change.. but to what I didn't know.
My thought process was this. I have a super cool laser cutter. What can I do with it? Maybe target the realtor market? After 3 major moves, I worked with A TON of realtors and they were top of mind. So I will let you in on a little secret. This thought process is where the name Welcome Home Custom came from.
Chinese Checkers board - engraved, scored in birch. Stained with golden maple, walnut, and mahogany
The timing was around December of 2019 when I got my laser hooked up and running again. I decided to make Christmas gifts this year. I created the Chinese Checkers board for my mom. My Grandmother (before she passed) loved playing Chinese Checkers. We could always tell how well Grandma was doing by how she played the game.
It was this creation that caught the eyes of some folks in a laser facebook group. I was asked if I would "sell the file." I listed my very first file on January 7, 2020 on Etsy.
P.S. I totally ditched that realtor idea.
Landscape series representing the places we have lived: Florida, Washington, and Ohio
Landscape series representing the places we have lived: Florida, Washington, and Ohio
Landscape series representing the places we have lived: Florida, Washington, and Ohio
I now create easy to follow SVG patterns for other laser cutter owners. I love adding the additional details to make something that much more special. My files can produce end products with big impact with simple to follow instructions. My goal is to allow everyone to make something they are proud of whether it is to resell or hang on their own wall.
I gained recognition by the laser community fairly quickly. The entire experience is truly a whirlwind. My designs have been featured by laser manufacturers as well as laser publications. After one full year in business I had sold over 20,000 files to people all over the world. I truly love what I do. Not only getting to design but also to see the excitement and success my files can create for others.
Bear with Salmon - varied engrave on cutting board.
Pictured above - sampling of files featured by Glowforge, made by myself and my customers along with the feature cover for the Engravers Journal Buyers Guide picturing my jellyfish creation.
Pictured above - sampling of files featured by Glowforge, made by myself and my customers along with the feature cover for the Engravers Journal Buyers Guide picturing my jellyfish creation. Pictured right - Article from Engravers journal.
Article from Engravers journal.
Today and Beyond
I currently live in Ohio with my husband, son, and two dogs... Teddy and Tess. I design and cut everything from my third floor studio. YES. Third floor. I own a Glowforge Pro and a Mira 7. I would have gone larger if it I could have. I test every file that I create to make sure I experience what you experience. I am always here to help and I love to teach others what I have learned.
I am humbled, ecstatic, thankful, and truly blessed to be able to create and design for a living. I never in 1,000 years would think this opportunity would be possible. With anyone struggling to find your path, follow the rabbit hole. Trust your gut and trust your heart. Life can take you on some pretty amazing adventures if you let it.
Thank you for the continued support and allowing me to do what I love.
