Meet Michelle Treske | Wire Wrap Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Treske and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to create art with the goal of sharing and selling to people. I studied and worked in the commercial arts for many years. From wood sign
production to making POS sales displays, I sought out jobs that had some creativity into it. At one point I found myself in the IT world as Director of Admin services here in San Diego. To keep the story short while it paid well it was costing me my sanity and creativity. When I was laid off from my last full time job IT job I knew in my heart that I wasn’t going back into that profession.

I found a part time job with a great group of people and began to create art again. One day I found a polished stone in a box that belonged to my Mother. It was simply beautiful in my eyes, green and white in a beautiful triangular shape. I thought let’s see if I can turn it into a pendant for myself, I did and loved it! After a number of YouTube videos and books I began wrapping other stones and giving them to my family and friends. The feedback was great and there were suggestions that I sell them. So I started to gather information, with my husband’s undying support we visited countless farmers markets and craft fairs I began to see a path. I located a store in North Park that had a market once a month and I began selling my wire wrapped stones there. Next I was invited to rent space at the same store so, and I was suddenly in business! I was also invited by an artist friend who was at the Studio Door just down the street from where I was selling and he encouraged me to show my jewelry to the gallery owner. He had me show in several gallery events and I was so delighted, at one point I had space at the studio for several years and now I sell at a local farmers market, held by The Brew Spot in La Mesa twice a month.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My jewelry is an expression of my love for nature in all it’s beauty, each stone or glass piece is hand selected, no two are alike. Each piece is hand wrapped in sterling silver or copper to accent the material’s natural beauty. To keep it “Local” the majority of stones and crystals I purchase here in San Diego.
What excites me the most is interacting with my customers and learning about what they love about natural stones. I have some loyal customers that I see at every market and has pointed me to good directions with what our local market wants to purchase. I’m so proud of myself for pushing through my natural shyness and allowing me to now share my talents.
That was my most challenging aspect of selling is interacting with people I don’t know, and not always knowing how a business should be run, still a work in progress!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Monelo in Little Italy, Shakespeare’s pub and of course in the area visit El Indio. We enjoy a pint now and again, so that would take us to Deft Brewing near Fiesta Island and Society brewing while we explore Old Town. Another hidden treasure is Three Frogs Brewing in Santee. For breakfast that would be Mission Valley Breakfast Company and Cafe 66 in Lakeside.
Zoo trip and Balboa park, Birch Aquarium and of course the beach at La Jolla and Coronado. Liberty Station is also a favorite haunt of ours and of course Point Loma Seafoods to eat or pickup some of their sourdough bread and seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First my Husband David Treske for all his support and encouragement. He has been at my side for every show, market and success! Couldn’t do this without him.
My family and friends who believed I could live my dreams Shawn and Kim Woodward, Dana Bachman, Fabiola Neese for their encouragement.
Chris Smith of Holligan Arts longtime friend and mentor
Gallerist Patric Stillman the owner of the The Studio Door in HIllcrest, who opened up many so many doors for me and gave me so much confidence!
And all the fellow vendors at the Brew Spot Marketplace, with a special shout out to Britnay and Amber of A&B Creations and Tara Van Sickle.

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/eveoak_designs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eveoakdesigns

Image Credits
All images were taken by myself on my property or in my home.