BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO

When you push open the iconic yellow door with antler handle to CLP, you feel lucky to have found yourself in this space. Flooded with light, this boutique is dressed with gorgeous cactus plants, shimmering jewelry and bold art. Owner Christy Payne has not missed a single detail with her indigo died tapestries and vibrant throw pillows, her skills in jewelry design definitely lends to her eye for interior decor as well. We were lucky to pick her brain about how she found herself in this self-made boutique with her initials on the awning.

Let’s start at the beginning, Christy. Your shop on Broadway is 2.5 years old, but you’ve been designing jewelry for much longer. Tell us how your journey as designer and metalsmith began.

I attended university of central Oklahoma where I was a fashion merchandising major. 

While trying to find myself in college, I took a variety of art classes: pottery, welding, woodworking and metal-smithing. I knew I wanted to do something with my hands. But the journey began long before that because I was always tinkering at the sewing machine with my grandmother or in the barn with my father. I was always working on creative projects, mixed-media, woodworking, welding, you name it. But my journey with jewelry design began with my first piece, the original ID bracelet, which you can still find on our site. In 2002, I decided to stamp out “SPARKY” (my husband’s nickname) on an old Altoid tin. It was with this first piece, that I thought, “huh, I think I can sell these!” At that time, I hadn’t seen anyone else doing this and I knew for a fact, that people loved words. Whether it be a name of loved ones or a specific word meaningful to them, these ID bracelets would take off. I decided to take them to the Artisan Center, and they purchased all six of these bracelets at $15 each, making them my first account that ever paid me for my work. It was thrilling! I went home and was floored at the thought that I was being paid for something I created with my own hands, a passion of mine. I started hand picking accounts that I thought would be a good fit and it took off from there. Immediately my dream was to someday sell my jewelry to Sundance and to this day, they still sell my hand-knotted pearl necklaces. 

 

When one walks into your boutique, it feels like your “well-traveled best friend’s bungalow.” What inspires your aesthetic and ever changing inventory?

Travel, travel, travel. Our shop is a reflection of our home and our travels. I want you to feel like you are in my living room, relaxed and I want it to smell good, this is key. My small team also is a big part of this equation. They are the face that you see when you walk through the door. They are warm, kind people you just can’t help but want to hang out with. There is no revolving door. Our products are always changing, but our staff does not.

  I also love to be away from my space to shop, re-charge and fill my creative bucket. I love finding a market to wander and discover. I find finished items new and old, that I can tweak or embellish. My creative juices for design can get going on a walk or hike outside, so I’m often designing from the road. Once I return home I am ready to dive in and put ideas into action. 

 

You work with leather, silver, gold and precious stones. What is your process? Tell us about your workspace.

My desk is tidy but I have piles of ideas in motion.  I need my space to smell good and I need quiet. I like to sit and think about what the line currently has in place and expand from there. I’m constantly sketching, drawing, or scribbling ideas. I make lots of lists that I discuss with my team how to implement the ideas swimming in my head. 

Favorite places to travel?

I’m drawn to wide open spaces, so this puts Santa Fe at the top of this list. It is a magical place that feeds all of the senses. The smell of a burning fireplace, piñon trees, green chile’s roasting, and vibrant colors of the desert, it offers a feeling. Next, Mexico, specifically San Jose Del Cabo. If you haven’t been, it’s a lot like Santa Fe meets the ocean, the sound of the surf from your hacienda patio is the perfect setting to create and write notes for future projects. Marrakesh is also on top, because of its bold colors and people. It’s mind-blowing on every level, a sensory overload. Of course Italy, by far and away the Tuscany region with its cypress trees and colors of ochre, carbs at every meal, and the simple and slow-paced life, combine to make for one hell of an inspiration. This list would be incomplete without mention of Texas Hill Country, Round Top Texas to be exact. This is where i go to shop for the store, people come from all over the world to this mecca of junking, antiquing and shopping on the side of the road. You can get lost exploring and treasure hunting. I gather items I can re-purpose or sell as-is. It is an assemblage of makers, thrifters, junkers from all over and they each have a story. This is where I was first introduced to Dolan Geiman, but just around the corner you will find a dude in overalls trying to sell you his pocket watch. People from Ralph Lauren’s entourage, and even Martha Stewart’s team, come here to shop and find inspiration.

 

What three albums would you want with you on a deserted island?

Easy. Fleetwood Mac, Rumors, Neil Young, Harvest Moon and anything by Coldplay.

 

What attributes do you most appreciate in other makers? Are there any local designers you are crushing on?

Honesty and kindness. There is room in the market for many types of art forms. Dolan Geiman is one of my favorites. Love him as a person. Love his work. Love his process. I’m honored to carry his pieces in my space.

 

You are originally from Oklahoma, and I know you have a love for Santa Fe and traveling in general, so what makes Denver your home?

Family, friends and my team make Denver home for me. I am very thankful and appreciative that I can come and go from this beautiful place. 

 

What is on the horizon for CLP in the new year?

  We are putting out our first catalog that will feature designers that I admire most from across the United States. We’ll also have items from my travels to Marrakesh and my jewelry as well. So 50% will be my designs and 50% from inspired artisans. The idea is to put out a beautiful piece of literature with gorgeous photos that you will enjoy perusing and also want to order from, hint-hint. It will be full of adornment for you and hour home. The first batch will be mailed in January. Visit our website and sign up to receive our newsletter and catalog, but also to stay on top of events in our store. Which brings me to our next bit of news. In addition to the catalog, we have also just launched our pop-in welded jewelry events. What is welded jewelry you ask? Welded jewelry is a very delicate 18K gold or sterling silver “permanent reminder” bracelet for your wrist. So you come in with your best friend, sibling, lover, whomever and we will weld it together right in store on your wrist! When you get it welded on, you should set an intention and it stays with you as long as you need the intention. These pop-ins will happen monthly on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our next Open House is on Dec. 21st, and we will have these welded bracelets on site. So come get adorned at CLP! 

Visit www.clpjewelry.com for more information!