Inside the Studio: The Making of Portraits of a Lady

Inside the StudioJewelry Making
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
Sylphide Collection: Flora earrings and necklace with Brazilian Oco geode slices and champagne zircon set in 14 karat recycled gold and sterling silver by Michelle Pajak-Reynolds featured in Portraits of a Lady jewelry and fashion editorial. Photogr…

Sylphide Collection: Flora earrings and necklace with Brazilian Oco geode slices and champagne zircon set in 14 karat recycled gold and sterling silver by Michelle Pajak-Reynolds featured in Portraits of a Lady jewelry and fashion editorial. Photographer: Julie Stanley/JuleImages, Model: Jeanette Thevenin, Hair Stylist: Brad Lewis, Make-Up Artist: Rob Thoma

Inside the Studio: The Making of Portraits of a Lady

At the close of 2019, I wrapped the year with one of my most memorable projects: Portraits of a Lady. This editorial marked the debut of my Sylphide collection and served as a highlight for my holiday trunk shows. While I’ve already shared some of the images on Instagram and Facebook, I wanted to take you inside the studio to see how it all came together.

The Creative Team

In November, I had the pleasure of collaborating once again with my trusted team:

  • Julie Stanley of JuleImages – photographer

  • Jeanette Thevenin – model

  • Brad Lewis – hair stylist

  • Rob Thoma – makeup artist

We’ve worked together on several projects, and there’s an ease and trust that comes with that history. Everyone brings their expertise, and together we create work that reflects all of our skills.

The Concept

The idea for Portraits of a Lady began while I was designing the Sylphide collection. I envisioned a ballerina in a quiet, unguarded moment—either just offstage after a performance or on a rare day off.

Sylphide is inspired by a historical image of prima ballerina Marie Taglioni, who, in 1835, danced under the stars on a snowy night in Russia. We wanted to capture a style that was glamorous yet natural, refined but still approachable.

Styling the Shoot

We chose statement pieces from the Sylphide collection that would stand out against a simple wardrobe palette:

  • A sheer white trench coat

  • A chocolate-brown satin slip dress

  • A sheer cinnamon shawl

All were pulled from my personal wardrobe to keep the look authentic.

Rob kept the makeup light and fresh—minimal foundation, soft golden and copper eyeshadow to highlight Jeanette’s blue eyes, and a touch of peach shimmer on the lips. Brad styled her hair in loose curls to allow movement, later transitioning to an elegant updo to better showcase the jewelry. (Tip: Hair with too much product won’t move well on camera and can appear heavy or greasy.)

Behind the Camera

The shoot took place in Julie’s spacious Lakewood, Ohio studio. She uses a tethered camera setup, allowing us to view each shot in real time and make small adjustments as needed. After a few test frames and quick touch-ups, we captured five different looks—each photographed in both horizontal and vertical formats for flexibility in future use.

The Results

The best part of working with a strong creative team is the trust and shared vision. Julie, Jeanette, Brad, and Rob brought ideas and refinements that elevated the final images beyond what I originally imagined while creating Sylphide at my bench.

Portraits of a Lady reflects not only the beauty of the jewelry but also the artistry of everyone involved. I’m thrilled with the results and proud to share both the finished images and these behind-the-scenes moments.

Portraits of a Lady

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
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