​Where do you draw your greatest inspiration from?
I look to current interior design trends as well as historical details in architecture, furniture, and anything decorative.

​Where was your favorite vacation? 
Any place with mountains. Arizona, Nevada, California.

What are you working on that you’re most excited about? 
Current styles are constantly inspiring new versions, in different materials, so I am keeping a list of pieces that have inspired fall evolutions.

To call jewelry designer Michael Michaud prolific would be an understatement. Our favorite New York artist has his famous line of delicate, nature inspired jewelry but has also created a line of usable art for home and kitchen called Table Art. If that wasn't enough, Michaud stunned us last year by introducing his Fine Collection, featuring sterling silver and 14k gold jewelry pieces. Our clients love Michaud Michaud and we love working with him. Read
​our interview with the talented jeweler to see why!

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Why did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
When I graduated from High School, I did not know what I wanted to do, but I knew it would be something creative. I decided to take time off before I went to college, but still needed to work in the meanwhile. An apprenticeship for a jewelry mold cutter became available at a jewelry manufacturer nearby. It sounded like something a little artistic and creative, so I took the job. The gentleman that was training me died in a motorcycle accident three weeks after I started, and the foreman said “you’re the mold cutter now.” This is a highly skilled job that I was forced to learn quickly. After three years, I was an expert in both mold cutting and the jewelry “lost wax” casting process. At this point, I wanted to move on to college, but with my experience, I decided to stay with jewelry and to study metals and Jewelry Design at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Craftsmen… And the rest is history.


Where do you draw your greatest inspiration from?
I think it is quite obvious that my inspiration comes from everything nature creates. As a child, my time was mostly spent outdoors. Born the youngest of three children, I grew up in a small house in Northeastern Ohio. My parents were avid gardeners and outdoorsmen. I grew up hunting, fishing, and camping my way across the United States. I think this was where my true bond with the beauty of nature manifested itself.


What is a typical day in your studio like?
It’s manic- I am blessed that I can now devote most of my time to creating new work, but we create for markets worldwide, and we have licensing projects with major Art Institutions. Along with our core collection of jewelry, we are producing Table Top products, a fine jewelry collection, and we have a new collaboration with a sustainable precious stone mining company in the works. 


Where was your favorite vacation?
I have a place in the Bahamas on the beach where I spend most of my downtime with my wife, family, and friends.


What are you working on that you’re most excited about?
Along with developing new collections with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Van Gogh Museum in Denmark, our newest project with the precious gemstone mining company is very exciting.


What song do you have on repeat right now?
Right now, Wiko Radio is streaming, but my tastes are quite eclectic! 

Follow Michael Michaud on Instagram @michaelmichaud_usa and check out his unique jewelry at michael-michaud.com .
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Founder and Design Director, Siska Schippers, gave us some insight into her successful and busy brand, Zsiska. All the way from her office and headquarters in Thailand, hear what Siska has to say about our favorite bold and colorful handmade jewelry line.

Why did you decide to become a jewelry brand?
I know that I would be in a creative environment ever-since I could remember!  As a child, I loved putting bits and pieces of things I found around the house together. Playing with beads, stones, and sculpturing things out of clay-playing and mixing it with everything I find under the sun.  I've always made my own things.  I was always busy creating ... and I still am.
 
Where do you draw your greatest inspiration from?
Nature and Arts! They feed my creativity daily,  and give me endless opportunities in design ideas.  Similar to many artists and designers, I also draw inspirations from nature, arts, and cultures, but I do have my own interpretations of these inspirations which are shaped by my travels and the culture that I have experienced.  And of course, my memories of my past also inspire me. My experiences. My world. That's what inspires me, day by day. 
  
What is a typical day in your studio like?
We are a small design team and we run everything by ourselves, so our days aren't so typical!  It's a creative, dynamic and kind working space and typical to us is that everything is done with love, care and respect.  We are like a family. That what makes ZSISKA so special.
 
Where was your favourite vacation?
Without a doubt, it's India! Out of all the exotic places I have visited, I must say my trip there was the most influential travel experience I've had. 
We use orange and turquoise colours in almost every spring/ summer collection –they bring me back to India!
 
What are you working on that you're most excited about? 
I am always excited when we start our new collections;  and right now we're busy with the spring/summer collection for 2020!  But what excites me the most?  It's when we are finalising the collections and when we get to see it all coming together - I love that!
 
What song do you have on repeat right now?
Anything from the Gypsy Kings! The whole album!  The rhythm, the mood, I enjoy surrounding myself with positive vibes!


Check out more great designs from Zsiska at zsiska.com and follow them on Instagram at @zsiskadesign .

Northern California based artist, Alicia Van Fleteren brings a timeless elegance to the Palladium group. Van Fleteren takes her fresh eye for design coupled with her commitment to quality and makes jewelry that stands the test of time and trends. She has an incredible following and creates awe-inspiring collections time and time again.

Take a look at what Alicia Van Fleteren has to say about her background, her inspiration and her favorite memories.

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Why did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Becoming a jewelry designer was a happy accident.  My degree is in finance.  I’ve always known in my heart that I am an artist and love working with my hands, but I did what I thought others would view as ‘successful’ as a young twenty-something.  While working at an investment advisor, I took jewelry classes in the evenings and on weekends to decompress and as a creative outlet.  After a decade of working in the corporate world, I built up my jewelry making skills, my collection of work, and my courage to swerve.  I knew in my heart I wanted to pursue something that felt more meaningful and true, and my jewelry business was born. I love being a jewelry designer not just because it fills my heart with joy to design jewelry, but also for all the ways it has enriched my life.  My jewelry has allowed me to start conversations, create connections, and share love and positivity with others.  I have created a life and career that I love everyday!


Where do you draw your greatest inspiration from?
I am a very visual person.  What I see inspires me. I’m drawn to colors, landscapes, architecture, and art.  I especially love being outdoors.  The place I live is perfect for this. I hike the rolling hills and redwood forests, I walk the rugged beaches of the Northern California coasts and inspect tide pools filled with tiny sea creatures. There are so many places and things to explore everyday in my own backyard. The textures, colors, and organic-ness of the area inspire my work.  Another great source of great inspiration comes from my Asian heritage.  I love to blend classic with a little bit of unexpected detail to create designs that transcend trends.  Pieces you can wear everyday, for a long time.


What is a typical day in your studio like?
I wear so many hats that every day is different. I could be designing, visiting vendors, handpicking gemstones, managing production, shipping out orders, designing new marketing materials, or accounting.  Usually not all of the above all at once though.  I try to pick 1 or 2 things each day and try to do them well.


Where was your favorite vacation?
Spain is probably one of my favorite vacations. I especially loved the city of Granada with it’s narrow cobblestone streets, unassuming cafes, and ancient Moorish art and architecture.  We stayed in a house that dating back 400 years in the medieval part of the city.  The house had unobstructed views of the hills and The Alhambra providing for a stunning and romantic backdrop.  The colorful frescoes and highly ornamented walls of the Alhambra and Generalife have provided me with endless inspiration.  Definitely an unforgettable trip!


What's your favorite gemstone to work with right now?
At the moment peridot has been a source of great inspiration. It feels so fresh, vibrant, and now.  Labradorite with its flashy iridescence and color variations still excites me. And I love working with organic shaped pearls - the more misshapen and irregular the better!
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What song do you have on repeat right now?
I love music of all kinds, so what I’m listening to largely depends on my mood.  In the early morning, I could be listening to soft classical music.  80’s new wave is on when I’m designing or have some kind of tedious task I need to accomplish.  Old school hip hop is reserved for work outs.  Sometimes I’ll put on classical guitar in the evenings.

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What are you working on that you’re most excited about?
Currently I’m dreaming up new designs for Fall/Holiday.  I’m so excited!