Meet Michelle, a Moab-based artist who’s Retro Wild jewelry has been with us for a few years now. Michelle’s hand-beaded fringe earrings are so fun and mix earthy tones with bold, unexpected color combinations. Inspired by the desert, time spent outdoors, and the little moments that spark creativity, Michelle has found a craft that’s as much about slowing down and connecting with herself as it is about making something beautiful. In this interview, she shares her creative journey, the process behind her beadwork, and why making art that feels personal, authentic, and accessible matters to her.

Michelle, can you please introduce yourself and share what products you create here in Moab?

My name is Michelle, and I create hand-beaded fringe earrings that combine earthy vibes and bright colors. I grew up in Florida and moved to the Southwest 10 years ago. Moab was my first introduction to the desert - an environment that was so different from where I grew up - and it completely blew my mind! As a climber, I love spending time in the Moab area climbing and recreating, and it has been a source of peace and inspiration in my life since I first came out here.

Have you always been a maker at heart, or did you have to find your creative groove? 

I grew up as an only child and arts and crafts was always my strong suit. I was never good at 2D art, but I’ve always loved tactile media. My grandma taught me how to knit when I was little and I made all of my teachers hats, despite the fact that we lived in Florida. In college, the ceramics studio was my safe place. But beading is the closest I’ve felt to being able to express myself creatively. It gives me time to slow down and connect with myself, and bringing colors and shapes to life is so much fun! 

 

I love hearing that it feels like you’ve found the right creative medium. Where do you find your inspiration? What does your ideal balance between art and everyday life look like?

From the start of my business to present, I have worked mostly full time at other jobs, making art my “side hustle”. I usually feel most inspired to create while on camping trips in the desert or spending time outside, and when I come back from a trip I like to focus on channeling that inspiration into physical products before the ideas disappear. I don’t always have enough time to dedicate to the creative process when I’m working at a job full time, because most of my off time is spent playing outside or taking care of basic needs. I’m happiest when I can embrace a lifestyle that centers around yoga, reading, outside movement and intentionality, and, of course, art.

What does your beading process look like from start to finish?

I sit down to bead for two main reasons - one, because I have an idea in my head that I want to make reality, or two, because I need it as a coping skill. When the former happens, I usually like to map out the more complicated ideas on my ipad. Sometimes while I’m following the template I’ve made, it looks like a mess and I really have to lean into the idea of “trusting the process” because the designs don’t always look good until they're finished. Sometimes when I finish one design, it gives me an idea for another one, and I end up with a progression of earrings that slowly change design over time. Because it’s a slow process, I can’t always get my ideas out as fast as they come, so I’ll often make one earring at a time and finish the pair later. I have a few designs that I repeat with different color pallets, and honestly my favorite part about my craft is sitting in front of hundreds of bead colors and finding combinations that work together!

I can imagine beading can be quite a meditative process. What’s the most challenging part of creating a piece?

Sometimes I have an idea of what I want something to look like before I create it, and when it doesn’t turn out at all how I envisioned it, I am disappointed. There have been many projects that I haven’t been able to bring to fruition because of the limitations of my skill or the nature of the materials, and it’s not always easy to let go of. However, many times a customer has fawned over a piece that I absolutely hate, and it’s a good reminder that we all have different definitions of art and beauty and that’s ok!

That’s such an honest reflection and so relatable. It’s funny how the pieces we’re hardest on ourselves are sometimes the ones others connect with most. Do you source your materials locally, ethically, or from particular regions?

I buy most of my beads from a local bead shop owned by 3 generations of ladies that are so sweet!

How do you feel about social media marketing? Has it changed your relationship with your craft?

I get this question a lot - people have asked if turning my art into a business has made it less enjoyable. On the contrary, it gives me a sense of purpose and a beautiful opportunity to interact with the community around me in different ways. I don’t enjoy the process of creating content, so my social media and marketing aspects of the business are lacking. I get most of my sales through word of mouth or selling in physical locations, but since this is not my main source of income, I don’t feel the pressure to  invest more effort into social media and marketing. I would eventually like to increase my online sales, but at this time I’d rather focus my energy on the creative process.

What do you admire most about your beadwork?

I pride myself for exploring unique color combinations with bright and bold colors.

What would your dream studio look like if reality and physics didn’t matter?

I’ve thought about this a LOT, because I have a cat that roams freely in my home and has countless times knocked over my beading tray, leaving me to clean up hundreds of tiny beads off the floor! I tend to work on several projects at once, so I’d love to be able to spread out and leave my work out without worrying about it being displaced. My craft requires a lot of time spent sitting, so I would love to have an open space with lots of natural light, bright colors, and live plants… and no cats :) I often pull inspiration for color schemes from other works of art, so the walls would be lined with media of my favorite artists as well as photos of my favorite places.

Sounds perfect! What do you hope people feel when they connect with your work, and how does that shape the way you create and share it?

I believe that the definition of art is something that sparks emotion. I think it’s fun to create an item that people will choose to wear to express their identity. Because of this, I try to be authentic and transparent as an artist. Every year the climbing gym I go to has a winter holiday market, and my favorite thing to do is remove all the price tags from my earrings and let the customers decide the price. This definitely makes some people uneasy, but it also creates a way for me to connect with my customers in a way that I wouldn’t normally. I also think that handmade art can be expensive and inaccessible to everyone, and as someone who has said no to items I like because I can’t justify the price tag, I try to keep my artwork accessible when I have the opportunity.

Are there any artists or people in your life that you feel influenced your creative journey?

Since a child, I’ve always been into art and jewelry making, but it wasn’t until my friend Janelle taught me the brick stitch method that I really honed my craft. I remember sitting on my couch during covid watching her show me how to make these earrings, and I’m forever grateful for her willingness to teach me. My friend Mackenzie (Red Desert Creations) encouraged me to start selling my work in Harper Rose Studios in Leadville, CO, and with the support of the owner, Anne, I finally started to feel like I was a “real artist”. I’ve really enjoyed working with Marley Seifert on collaborations with her artwork, always building off each other’s ideas with encouragement and fun!

How would people contact you or find your art/products?

Website: retrowilddesigns.com 

Email: retrowilddesigns@gmail.com 

Instagram: @retrowilddesigns I'm always open to custom orders!