"Since I work with vintage materials, almost all of my designs are limited edition..."

And She Was believes every piece of jewelry tells a story—not just through its design, but through the hands and heart of its creator. This week, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Michelle Starbuck, a talented and resourceful jewelry designer whose work masterfully blends vintage charm with modern creativity.

A Journey Rooted in Serendipity

Michelle Starbuck’s journey began with no grand plans, just a spark of curiosity and a move to Chicago after earning her BFA in Painting and BA in Psychology. While managing a boutique, she started creating jewelry for herself.

Her designs quickly caught the attention of customers, and soon, she was selling her pieces in the shop. Just two years later, Michelle’s work was featured in Lucky Magazine, launching her career as a standout jewelry designer.

Today, Michelle is known for her unique ability to combine vintage metals, gemstones, and enamel resin. Her pieces feel both timeless and playful, seamlessly mixing the old with the new.

Behind the Designs: Q&A with Michelle Starbuck

We recently caught up with Michelle to learn more about her creative process, inspiration, and the meaning behind her work.

What inspires you?
"My design inspiration is always in the materials themselves. Since I use a lot of vintage findings, part of the fun is spending time hunting for them. It's hard to describe, but I can look at a vintage brass piece and know exactly what I want to make with it."

What is important to you?
"When I started making jewelry, the materials I used were probably 99% vintage. There is so much deadstock jewelry material out there and it's so much more interesting than new materials. I will always look for a vintage version of a part that I need because it's more sustainable. I even used vintage chain on all of my designs up until 2016 when it became too hard to keep changing chain on my designs all of the time when I ran out.

When I've had to start choosing newly made materials, I always work with a US based company. I feel very lucky to have found a number of family owned companies that have been operating in the US for decades."

What makes your jewelry unique?
"Since I work with vintage materials, almost all of my designs are limited edition— Even when I’ve been able to acquire a larger quantity of materials, once it's gone, these designs will eventually sell out and cannot be made again. Everything from brass stampings to gemstone and glass beads used to be made better than most of what you can find today- they're heavier and made in more interesting shapes. I've been making jewelry for almost 20 years and I'm still finding vintage materials that I've never seen before. Those are the pieces I'm searching for."

What do you hope someone feels when wearing your jewelry?
"My favorite thing is when my jewelry invokes a nostalgic feeling, reminding them of something they used to have when they were little or maybe even something their mother or grandmother used to have."

What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made, and why?
"This is too hard! I'm going to go with the very first necklace I made. It was a very chunky lariat style charm necklace (a style I've actually been thinking about making again). Every piece on it was taken off of broken vintage jewelry I had purchased on eBay- actually I think one of the pieces came off a belt. I really wanted a necklace in this style for myself so I figured out how to assemble it.

It's still in one piece, but wow- it's hard to look at how bad my technique was. I had never made jewelry before, but I've always had that attitude that I could make anything. My business today wouldn't exist had I not made that necklace, so it's really special."

Do you listen to music while you work? What's on your playlist?
"Currently I've been listening to music for the first half of the day and then switching to streaming tv shows in the afternoon. I'm a creature of habit so I like listening to/watching the same things over and over again. At the moment, I've been listening to a Radiohead playlist I put together and I'm rewatching Golden Girls for the millionth time. I should probably add the jewelry on Golden Girls as a source of inspiration because they really knew how to accessorize on that show!"

Why We Love Michelle’s Work

Michelle’s designs aren’t just jewelry—they’re little pieces of history, infused with care, creativity, and sustainability. Her commitment to using vintage and thoughtfully sourced materials makes her pieces as meaningful as they are beautiful. Each item is a celebration of craftsmanship, individuality, and nostalgia.

Explore our collection of Michelle Starbuck’s work—you might just find your next favorite piece of jewelry, one with a story all its own.