Tina Robinson started creating jewelry at home three years ago when back issues prevented her from continuing her studies in interior design.
“It was something I could do without bending over the drafting table all day,” says Robinson.
Her jewelry design grew quickly from a replacement hobby to a career. Robinson began selling her work online, as well as art shows. Now, she’s expanding her business to include women’s clothing and accessories and opening the doors of her new store,
My Sistas, in
Downtown Lansing.
“It was another progression to open the boutique,” says Robinson.
My Sistas opened the Friday after Thanksgiving in a 4,000-square foot Washington Square location.
“I’ve always liked this space,” says Robinson. “The history of the building has always appealed to me.”
The physical location give Robinson an opportunity to expand beyond the handmade jewelry market – though she still carries a wide variety of beaded, pearl, metal and crystal jewelry – into apparel.
“We’re trying to offer a unique products that people have not seen in Lansing,” says Robinson.
In addition to her retail space on the first floor of her building, My Sistas also offers a specialty area upstairs for formal dresses and event space for bridal showers and girls’ nights out.
My Sistas celebrated their Grand Opening last Friday.
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