Inspired by the weathered beauty of ancient and mysterious stone circles the Mira collection features ethically mined Herkimer diamond quartz crystals, Fairmined 14 karat gold and hand-pierced recycled sterling silver. Small and intimate in size, these designs reimagine the magic of ancient landscapes as modern-day talismans.

In this special Everyday Thin Places podcast episode, jewelry designer Michelle Pajak-Reynolds shares how she started making jewelry at 5 years old, her travel adventures, including mining some of the gems that will be in her future collection, the research that is inspiring her current work and much, much more. Listen here or on your favorite podcast platform.

A behind the scenes look at the Portraits of a Lady editorial featuring the Sylphide Collection by Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

The mystical moonstone, one of the birthstones for June, offer far more than meets the eye.

Take a look inside Squirrel City Jewelers, now featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds jewelry.

Intricate textures, patterns and forms featuring pin-set gemstones are a few of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s signature design elements. See how they’re made in this look behind the scenes.

From concept to creation, experience the making of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds’s Voyageuse Collection

Exploring the wonder and beauty of pearls, the birthstone for June.

A behind the scenes look at everything that went into creating the "Angels & Gems" editorial featuring Michelle Pajak-Reynolds jewelry.

A behind the scenes look at Nolcha Shows New York Fashion Week and the Emmy Awards Red Carpet with jewelry designer Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Most preschoolers have trouble deciding between Play-Doh and finger paints. Not Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, though. Even at the age of five, the Cleveland native knew she wanted to create jewelry: powerful statement jewelry, not unlike the bracelets and tiara that Lynda Carter brandished on television's Wonder Woman. 

I’ve designed jewelry since I was 5 years old so my work has evolved a lot over the decades. My first pieces in the early 1980’s were made with pop-beads and jelly bracelets. As I got older I spent my babysitting money on beads and jewelry supplies from craft stores and taught myself how to make the pieces I wanted to wear.

The following interview by Beth Anderson was originally published on Chic Galleria on August 1, 2016.