About the Michigan Collection
The Michigan Collection captures and celebrates the spirit of Michigan. Since moving here, I’ve fallen in love with this state, its people, and what it means to be a Michigander. To celebrate that connection, I wanted to create a series of work that reflects the places, experiences, and culture that make Michigan special.
For this collection, I chose bold, bright colors and incorporated etched designs that represent specific places, events, and cultural elements. My goal is for each piece to tell a story and evoke a sense of connection.
This first release includes the Detroit, Ferndale, Michigan Wanderlust designs, but my intention is to continue expanding with new pieces in the future. If there is a particular place, event, or aspect of Michigan you would like to see represented in a future release, I would love to hear from you via the Contact page.
I hope with first release of The Michigan Collection captures the spirit of Michigan as beautifully as I have come to know and love it.
These ornaments can be displayed on your holiday tree or wreath, but they are also designed to be enjoyed year-round. Hang one in your car, office, camper, or home as a reminder of the places, memories, and adventures that make Michigan special. Show off your Michigan pride and celebrate all that makes this great state unique.
Handcrafted in Michigan
Each ornament is a unique handcrafted piece that uses a blend of modern technology and traditional ceramic craftsmanship. The process begins with an idea, which is modeled in 3D and refined through multiple prototypes until the design embodies the original vision. Once the design is finalized, a mold is created. This mold begins with a 3D print of the object using PLA, which is then cast in silicone to create a “mother mold”. That “mother mold” is then used to create multiple plaster molds to use in recreating the piece.
Using these plaster molds, each ornament is slip-cast with porcelain slip and carefully hand-finished. Once the porcelain sets, each piece is removed from the mold and allowed to continue drying. Then, every ornament is hand-painted with underglaze and left to dry once again. When ready, it is etched with a distinctive design using an infared laser before undergoing its first kiln firing at Cone 04 / 1940°F. Each piece is then inspected and cleaned before a clear glaze is applied to the front. The ornament is fired a second time at Cone 6 / 2232°F, creating a bold and glossy finish.
Because each ornament is individually hand-painted and finished, no two are exactly alike. The result is a one-of-a-kind work of art that celebrates Michigan through craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail. If you’re interested in seeing this process in more detail, check out my instagram page.
Current Designs
Michigan Wanderlust
Michigan is an incredibly beautiful place. From its deep evergreen forests filled with the scent of pine and cedar, to the turquoise waters of the Great Lakes, there is so much to explore and experience. For many of us in the Lower Peninsula, summer means packing up and heading north to enjoy everything that makes Michigan special.
When I think of Michigan, I think of the road trips that crisscross the state. With this design, I wanted to capture that sense of wanderlust and exploration. To do so, I mapped out many of the major highways and freeways that connect the Lower and Upper Peninsulas—from M-22 to I-75. As a final nod to the spirit of adventure, I included a small compass, symbolizing the journeys that continue to draw us across this beautiful state.
Ferndale
Ferndale is a quirky small town just north of Detroit. It is known for its progressive funky character and center of LGBTQIA+ culture in the Detroit area. I wanted to capture the inclusivity of the community, so I used the “U” symbol throughout this design. In Math set theory, the U symbol often means union. And to me this means everyone coming together to form an inclusive community.
I also wanted to give a nod to when the city was founded which was right when the Art Deco style was becoming ever popular in the United States. This is one of my favorite styles, so elements of the design here embody it.
Detroit
Detroit is the birthplace of both Motown and Techno, two genres that have had a lasting influence on the music we enjoy today. When I think of Detroit, I think of its musical heritage. I wanted to capture that spirit with a record player blasting a Motown record, its music enveloping the state and reverberating beyond.