Conversations with Michelle Gonzalez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Gonzalez. 

Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in San Jose, California to a couple of dreamers. My father, who was born in the area, met my mother on a trip back to Mexico. They fell in love and got married. Together they moved back to California with the vision of opening their own business. I came along and at the age of 7, we moved back to Mexico to be with family. There I grew up surrounded by music, art, and life. I have always been a creative person but growing up in Mexico City really moved that part of my soul. Colorado has been my home now for 12 years and in that time, I have created two of the most important things in my life; my daughter Victoria and my jewelry line. After moving here, I began to work for a local boutique in Denver styling customers. Working in that field I realized just how the right accessories and jewelry can make a huge impact in how people can look and feel. I have always had a love for jewelry but working with it firsthand I really found myself becoming inspired. There was something missing in the Denver jewelry scene and I had a vision of what I could do to fill that. 

At the time, I had just given birth to my daughter. As a new mom, I felt the need to bring extra income home. With my very limited free time, I began to teach myself to make jewelry and truly found myself in it. My heartfelt that it was only right to honor the culture that influenced my entire being and incorporate it into my jewelry. In Mexico, there is a small town called “Santa Clara del Cobre” where entire families live making pots, mugs, and dishes out of copper. Entire generations passing the skill down to the other, becoming skilled makers of beautiful intricate objects out of this one material. I wanted to incorporate this into my jewelry. My jewelry incorporates hand-worked copper with semi-precious stones and ethically sourced leather. It is where the rugged and precious meet, where beauty is admired in its truest form. I want those who wear my jewelry to feel the history in which my jewelry is inspired by. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road for me but I’m not sure I would want it any other way. Through my struggles in life, I have gained my favorite strengths and same goes for my jewelry. When I began to make jewelry, I was a new mom and working full-time but I knew I needed something more (not only financially but creatively). My first struggle was to find a time to sit down and create on my days off all while keeping up with my new baby. Through this, I found out just how resilient and strong I am. There is nothing harder than trying to give your whole world to your child and trying to keep a grasp on the thing that makes you who you are. There were so many times that I had to fight the voice in my head that told me I should give up on my jewelry. I felt guilty in pursuing my dream by sacrificing quality time with my family. The next obstacle came in the way of learning as I created. I would find myself having these beautiful ideas and gorgeous sketches but I was struggling to replicate them. Not having the skills right away created a hunger to learn anything and everything I could on making jewelry. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My whole life I have been surrounded by unique, talented, and artistic people. Mexico City is a mecca for all things creative, colorful, passionate and I was fortunate enough to be a product of it. When we moved there, I remember the shock of moving from one culture to the other. In California, I would shy away from people, hiding under tables with snacks and books, escaping into the stories I read. In Mexico, living was done out loud. I learned fast how to absorb the beauty of it. Each time I sit down to make a piece of jewelry I’m always inspired by the of the places that I have been fortunate to travel to. Each piece is unique, each piece has its one energy and unique colors. 

When my following customers order more of my pieces to add to their collection, they become a beautiful walking mural. It’s that exact moment when I know every minute invested was worth it. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Exhaustion plays a very large role in my creative process. Due to this, I have learned that no matter how tired you are, (you can always be more tired). But there is always a huge gratification at the end. When I was starting off, I turned to all the artists that I felt inspired by, I asked questions and took advice. I am never too proud to learn something in order to better my art. 

Now, although these lessons are irreplaceable, the most important lesson I have learned is that the people you surround yourself with are essential. Without those who have loved me and supported me, I would not have been able to act on my dreams. My heart and success belong to them. 

Contact Info:

• Email: michelle.gonzalez.designs@gmail.com
• Instagram: michellegonzalez_designs