Farm Fancy: Couture, Countryside, and Artisan Jewelry

Inside the Studio
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
Two models in high end fashion and jewelry stand in a field holding pitchforks.

Farm Fancy editorial in September 2025 issue of Vigour Magazine featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s Drosera earrings, Desma bracelet and Dysis earrings. Photo credit: Julie Stanley/JULEIMAGES

Some days in the studio are all about quiet work—sawing silver, setting gemstones, polishing gold until a finished jewel comes to life. And then there are days when those pieces leave the bench and find themselves in unexpected places.

I’m so excited to share that my jewelry is featured in Farm Fancy, a whimsical new fashion editorial in Vigour Magazine’s September 2025 issue.

This story celebrates contrasts—couture gowns and artisan jewelry against the backdrop of farm life. Instead of spotlights and runways, the models tend the fields, hang laundry on the clothesline, and pause for a picnic of fresh fruits and vegetables. My jewelry adds its own sparkle, catching sunlight and weaving itself into the rhythm of everyday countryside moments.

Couture Fashion Meets Countryside Living

There’s something magical about seeing handcrafted jewelry styled this way. Gold that gleams with warmth, silver that dances in the light, gemstones that shimmer like drops of dew—each piece became part of a story where beauty belongs everywhere, not just on special occasions.

From Laundry Lines to Picnics in the Fields

The editorial captures simple joys—clothes swaying on the line, fresh produce laid out for a picnic, the care of tending the land. These everyday details created the perfect stage for couture fashion and artisan jewelry to shine together in playful, unexpected harmony.

Jewelry in Everyday Life: Rustic Elegance with a Sparkle

I’ve always believed jewelry isn’t just for grand events. It’s meant to be lived in, to become part of your story. Farm Fancy reflects this beautifully—showing how fine, handcrafted artisan jewelry can feel at home whether it’s glowing under chandeliers or sparkling in a sunny field.

The Creative Team Behind the Editorial

This editorial was brought to life by an incredible team of friends and creatives:

  • Photography & Creative Direction: Julie Stanley / JULEIMAGES

  • Models: Sophia Advent and Jeanette Thevenin

  • Hair: Brad Lewis

  • Makeup: Rob Thoma

  • Wardrobe: Tidal Cool

  • Textile Artist/Quilt Creator: Westfall Refinery

  • Jewelry: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Their artistry transformed the everyday into something extraordinary, blending couture, countryside, and jewelry into a seamless story.

Why Artisan Jewelry Belongs Everywhere

At its heart, Farm Fancy is about storytelling—how jewelry connects with life in all its forms.

From Runway Glamour to Countryside Charm

Whether on the runway, at a picnic, or in the rhythm of daily life, artisan jewelry carries beauty into every setting. My hope is that each piece I create becomes part of your journey, shining in the moments both big and small.

The Jewels Featured in Farm Fancy

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

The creative journey of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds—from childhood spark to timeless, handcrafted treasures.

“My love story with jewelry began before I was born. My parents met across a jewelry counter—my mother, a jewelry department manager; my father, a police officer working loss prevention in his off-duty hours. That moment of serendipity set everything in motion.

By five, I was working on my first designs in pop-beads and jelly bracelets, completely captivated by Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman—especially those iconic power bracelets and her gleaming tiara. I didn’t want to just wear magic, I wanted to make it. With babysitting money and a fierce sense of purpose, I bought beads and wire from the local craft store and taught myself the fundamentals. That curiosity turned into a calling.

I took my first metalsmithing class in high school and never looked back. I went on to earn a BFA in Jewelry/Metals from Kent State University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Baldwin-Wallace University—equipping me to build a business rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and soul.

Since founding my namesake jewelry company in 2001, I’ve focused on creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind designs—each one handcrafted using traditional metalsmithing techniques and ethically sourced materials. My work is intimate and intentional: forged in fire, shaped by hand, and designed to stir something deep within you. Every gemstone, every metal, every story that inspires a collection is carefully chosen, researched, and refined. This is slow jewelry with a purpose: to help you mark what matters most.

My pieces have graced red carpets at the Emmy Awards, runways at New York Fashion Week, and exhibitions around the world—including aboard the United Nations Peace Boat. Collectors, stylists, and editors seek out my work, but what means the most to me is when a client says, “This feels like it was made just for me.”

Because it was.

Jewelry, to me, is personal mythology made tangible. It’s a way of preserving the past, celebrating the present, and passing something meaningful into the future. So when you open your jewelry box, you're not just looking at beautiful objects—you're holding pieces of your life’s story. And maybe, just maybe, you're beginning a new chapter.” - Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

michellepajakreynolds.com
Previous

River Gallery 16th Annual Jewelry Invitational Exhibition
Next

Golden Integrity: Why Ethically Sourced Fairmined Gold Matters in My Jewelry