Automobile Magazine, Christi Schimpke
The Unique Intersection of Metal, Machines, and Meaning
In a world where fashion and fine art frequently draw inspiration from abstract ideas or fleeting trends, Christi Schimpke stands out as an artisan with a grounded, almost mechanical sense of beauty. Her brand, CRASH Jewelry, has turned discarded luxury car metal into breathtaking, wearable works of art.
For many, an article in a niche publication may seem like a small accomplishment. For Schimpke, being featured in automobile magazine and similar outlets helped launch her into the public eye, bridging the gap between car culture and high fashion. This is the story of a designer, a magazine, and how their unlikely intersection created a new lane for artistic expression.
Automobile Magazine, Christi Schimpke
Who Is Christi Schimpke?
With a background in art history and experience curating exhibits for institutions like the Getty Museum, her life was once dominated by academia and gallery walls.
Her husband, a luxury car restorer based in Los Angeles, owned a high-end collision repair shop specializing in Bentleys, Ferraris, Mercedes, and Teslas. Leftover hoods, doors, and quarter panels—painted in rich factory colors—became her unexpected canvas.
The Birth of CRASH Jewelry
CRASH Jewelry wasn’t born from a business plan. It emerged from curiosity and craftsmanship. Christi began experimenting with small sections of salvaged metal, reshaping them into bangles, cuffs, and earrings. The idea of transforming something wrecked into something radiant had a poetic resonance.
How the Automobile World Influenced Her Designs
The curvature of a Porsche panel influences the arc of a bracelet. The glossy finish of a Jaguar inspires the sheen of a pendant.
From Auto Shop to Art Studio
The Beginning: Working Inside Her Husband’s Body Shop
What started in a corner of her husband’s body shop in Inglewood, California, quickly became a buzzing creative zone. The juxtaposition of gas masks, paint booths, and hydraulic lifts with polishing tools and jewelry saws made the space feel part art lab, part garage. Christi worked right in the chaos—sanding, shaping, and cutting metals that had once survived high-speed collisions.
Upcycling Luxury Car Metal
Upcycling isn’t just eco-conscious—it’s emotionally charged. Schimpke doesn’t use just any car metal. Each piece is born from luxury vehicles that carry stories of elegance and adventure. By using actual body panels from Audis, Lamborghinis, and even Rolls-Royces, her work captures the spirit of automotive excellence and preserves it in a more intimate form.
Design Meets Mechanics
Her designs aren’t overly polished or refined in the traditional sense.
Media Breakthrough: Automobile Magazine’s Impact
First Mentions and Growing Publicity
It was an early feature in Automobile Magazine that truly turned heads. The magazine, typically reserved for vehicle reviews, motor trends, and road tests, took a leap by spotlighting Schimpke’s unique work. Readers loved it.
How Magazine Features Elevated CRASH Jewelry
automobile magazine christi schimpke article opened the floodgates. After the feature, her website traffic spiked. Orders poured in. Her pieces, once sold through word of mouth and craft fairs, were now being requested internationally.
Collaborations Sparked by Editorial Coverage
Exposure in automotive and fashion publications led to collaborations with car manufacturers and custom auto shops. One notable partnership involved limited edition pieces made from rare Shelby GT panels. These weren’t just accessories—they were licensed automotive history reborn as wearable art.
Christi Schimpke’s Design Philosophy
Feminine Strength from Masculine Machines
Schimpke doesn’t aim to make her pieces “girly.” Her cuffs are bold, her necklaces assertive. They echo the strength of the machines they come from, softened only by the intimate act of wearing them.
Every Piece Has a Story
A cuff from a Bentley hood isn’t just jewelry. It might represent a father’s prized possession, a first paycheck splurge, or a tragic accident. Christi honors that legacy, often sharing the origin stories with customers. These are heirlooms with horsepower.
Sustainability as a Style Statement
In a world drowning in fast fashion, CRASH Jewelry stands apart. Christi’s process champions reclamation over replication, proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist without compromise.
Iconic Pieces and Collections
Ferrari Cuffs and Mercedes Necklaces
Among her most popular items are cuff bracelets made from red Ferrari panels—each shaped to perfection and engraved subtly with the make and model. Mercedes grilles become chokers. Tesla hoods morph into art-deco-style earrings. These are statement pieces—conversation starters with substance.
Limited Edition Series
These limited runs sell out fast, treasured by collectors who value rarity and craftsmanship.
Custom Designs and Personal Stories
Some of Christi’s most heartfelt work comes from custom orders. Clients bring in metal from totaled vehicles that carried emotional weight—a first car, a honeymoon road trip, a beloved family heirloom. She turns their memories into something tangible, meaningful, and enduring.
Behind the Scenes at CRASH Jewelry
Tools, Techniques, and Challenges
Transforming car metal into jewelry is no small feat. Christi uses a combination of metal shears, sanders, enamel polishers, and heat tools to shape the pieces.
Christi’s Role as Artist and Entrepreneur
Balancing artistry and business isn’t easy. She is, in every sense, a modern maker.
How Each Piece Is Handcrafted
No mass production, no outsourcing. Every item is hand-cut, hand-polished, and hand-finished in her Los Angeles workshop. That’s what makes each CRASH piece one-of-a-kind.
Why CRASH Jewelry Resonates with Auto Enthusiasts
Emotional Connection to Cars
CRASH Jewelry taps into that deep emotional bond, offering a way to carry part of a cherished vehicle forever.
Jewelry That Honors the Machine
It’s a celebration of resilience, legacy, and beauty found in the broken.
A Community of Collectors
Over the years, CRASH has cultivated a global community of collectors, each with their own story and reason for embracing Christi’s vision. It’s not just about fashion—it’s about identity.
Where to Find and Buy Christi Schimpke’s Jewelry
Online Platforms and the Official Website
CRASH Jewelry can be purchased directly from their official website, which showcases the full catalog along with origin stories for many of the pieces.
Auto Shows and Art Fairs
Christi regularly showcases her work at auto shows like SEMA and art-focused events in Los Angeles and New York.
Celebrity Endorsements and Media Features
Her work has appeared in Vogue, Top Gear, and even celebrity gift bags at award shows. Public figures who love cars and fashion have proudly worn her designs.
FAQs About Christi Schimpke and CRASH Jewelry
Is CRASH Jewelry made from real luxury cars?
Yes. Each piece is crafted from actual luxury vehicle panels like Ferrari, Mercedes, Tesla, and more.
Can I bring my own car metal to be turned into jewelry?
Absolutely. CRASH accepts custom commissions using your provided materials.
Does each item come with a story?
Many pieces include background details about the car they came from.
Conclusion
What began as a curious glance at a pile of discarded car parts has evolved into a creative revolution. Christi Schimpke’s CRASH Jewelry, amplified by pivotal exposure in Automobile Magazine, proves that even the wrecked can be reborn with beauty and purpose. Her work transcends trends, telling stories of transformation, elegance, and strength.