The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘A lot of positive things happening’
City resident opening ‘The Robin’s Nest Glitters’ on Water Street
TORRINGTON — The art of tumbler making, a hobby using resin and decorative materials on a stainless steel mug or cup, has grown more popular since the onset of the pandemic.
That’s what resident Robin Feyrabend has seen, and she’s hoping her new business will draw makers to Water Street for supplies and classes.
The Robin’s Nest Glitters is opening soon at 23 Water St. Until this week the store space was home to CT Boot, which is moving to a larger space a few doors down. When the boot store’s old space
became available, Feyrabend jumped on it, she said.
“I was working with a Realtor to find a downtown property, and then it turned out CT Boot was moving. “I’m hoping to open between mid-March and April 1,” she said.
The Robin’s Nest Glitters will be a glitter gift shop and craft supply store, specifically catering to the tumblermaking community. Many tumbler artists use stainless steel coffee mugs to create their tumblers, which can be customized for gifts, company promotions or for fun.
“Essentially, you take the cup, that’s made of acrylic or steel, take the glitter you like and put it on the mug, then use epoxy resin to make all sorts of great designs,” Feyrabend said.
Her idea to open the shop came to Feyrabend when she realized how many people were interested in it.
“There’s people who love to do it, like I do, but learning it isn’t easy,” she said. “All the how-tos are YouTube videos. I thought, I love making them so much, why not share it with the community?”
Along with a full selection of supplies, Feyrabend will teach people how to create safely.
“Classes can help people master a very difficult hobby,” she said. “Using epoxy resin can be something people are afraid to deal with. It’s a very fussy material, because you’re dealing the temperatures.
However, Feyrabend said, “You learn by your mistakes.”
For example, she said, how to remove microbubbles in the epoxy and make it smooth; how to avoid waves in the surface and how very slowly the epoxy must be stirred “to get it right.” “There’s a lot to learn,” she said. “Once you get it right, it can be a lot of fun,” she said. “The problems people have with making tumblers can be great for an in-person class, because you learn to deal with them and fix them.
“I also intend on carrying high quality, cosmetic-grade glitters... ,” Feyrabend said. “The cheaper stuff loses its shine over time, Mine do not.”
There are four types of resin that are used to create art: epoxy, polyurethane, silicone and polyester fiberglass resin. Each one is best suited for a specific type of medium.
To create jewelry and other objects using molds, epoxy resin is the best option and the easiest to use for beginners, according to Feyrabend.
“People love it because you can do anything you can dream up in a variety of colors,” she said. “You can customize them. Say a person loves horses, or they have a favorite television show or movie. You can make your own designs or use decals and make anyone a gift that’s really tailored for them.”
Decorated tumblers are popular with companies large and small, using their own emblems or other branding, for special events or gifts, she said.
“It’s a way to make it the way you want it, instead of buying from someone else,” Feyrabend said.
Feyrabend, a Torrington native, returned to her home town from Bristol a year ago with her husband Jim and three stepchildren. After working in retail management and merchandising for many years, she decided it was time to go into business for herself.
Feyrabend said she also wants to be part of the revitalization of downtown Torrington.
“I live close by, and I’d love to see the downtown come back,” she said. “I see a lot of positive things happening down here, and I want to be part of it.
“I’m also looking forward to getting the glitter out of the house,” she said, with a laugh.
Find the Robin’s Nest Glitters at facebook.com/therobinsnestglitters.