Michelle Pajak-Reynolds brings Wonder Woman to Nolcha Shows

Q & A Interviews
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

The following interview was originally published on Demur Magazine on July 11, 2016

Michelle Pajak Reynolds is on a mission to dress us up in her jewellery of armour, so that we too can change the world. This comes from Michelle’s childhood, as she sat and played with her pop-beads and jelly bracelets, Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman was showing in the background on the television. “Wonder Woman’s jewellery gave her super powers, confidence and enabled her to change the world. My passion for making jewellery is to help my clients feel extraordinary and as though they can conquer anything.” Being exposed to such a strong character has now worked wonders for Michelle who will be showing at Nolcha Shows in September during fashion week.

A few words to describe the collection that you will be showing at Nolcha this season.

I’ll be showing new designs for my Undina Collection. This collection is inspired by water goddesses and handcrafted in recycled sterling silver, gemstones and pearls.

You say your work is influenced by your travels. Out of all the places you have visited, which place has given you the most inspiration?

It’s impossible to pick just one place as all the cities I’ve visited in the US and abroad have had their influence on my work.  My biggest trip so far was for a study abroad in Curitiba, Brazil in 2011 and it was a magical experience.  I had the privilege of staying with a wonderful host family, who are now my extended family. I also found many stunning gemstones for my collections.

What country or place would you use to describe the Michelle Pajak-Reynolds brand?

Instead of a physical place, my brand is aligned with the mindset of extraordinary women.  These are confident, charismatic women who pursue their own joy wherever it may lead. They balance many roles but are always true to themselves: independent spirits forging their own path and inspiring others to do the same.

We know you were or still are a big fan of Wonder Woman. Which celebrity dead or alive would you choose to be your Wonder Woman muse and why?

As a child I was a big fan of the Wonder Woman TV series with actress Lynda Carter. Wonder Woman’s jewelry especially her bracelets gave her super powers and inspired me to become a jeweler.

I consider any woman who is confident in pursuing her passions and encouraging other to do the same to be a Wonder Woman.  There are many women, celebrity and not, around the world that fit that description and all of them are sources of inspiration.

How can we keep up to date with Michelle Pajak-Reynolds?

michellepajakreynolds.com

Instagram @michellepajakreynolds

Facebook michellepajakreynoldsjewelry

Photo credits: Julie Stanley/JuleImages LLC

 

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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