Michelle Allen Designs

Michelle Allen began her creative journey at a young age. She grew up in South Africa and was drawn to natural materials used in art or sewing. She was also drawn to the breathtaking views that Durban, South Africa had to offer. She had the backdrop for a visually artistic path when it came to the beautiful oceans, scenic landscapes, and unbelievable diversity. Her first successful venture was her Queen Bee Handbags, which each were one of a kind and completely handmade. Growing and catching on quickly, Michelle had to redirect her time to ordered gifts that she and her team could make by hand. Wanting to retain the pieces unique quality and handmade integrity, she opted to do this rather than start manufacturing large orders of products.

Michelle finds beauty in normal, everyday life, and strives to make pieces that feel significant towards these common experiences. From locations or traveling, holidays, everyday occurrences, and personal experiences, she takes the beauty of these wildly “normal” things, and makes a whole new piece to represent each. She finds that beads and shells found on the beach, are the natural fabrics, or “vehicle” that brings all of these occurrences together.

Michelle is always looking for new design ideas, and welcomes all to lend a hand in the creative field, no matter the level of the person.

Each item is completely unique from the last, even when it tries to be an exact copy. Being that every item is handmade, no two stitches or strokes of a brush are ever exactly the same, and she likes to keep the personal, and “new” feeling alive in her creations. All her colors and fabrics are chosen to keep as true to the original mission statement as possible, and quality control is always placed on the forefront of every single design. Michelle has always believed in the customer’s satisfaction first, and she plans to keep it that way.

Michelle’s designs are largely impacted by her family. Her daughter, Megan, oversees all her mother’s creative processes. Michelle’s mother, Margi is an accomplished painter living in Savannah, Georgia, and she also helps closely on these designs. The family atmosphere is a very important part of why Michelle has found success, being that all the teammates really do care about the quality, pieces, and their colleagues. Both Michelle and her mother are accomplished home designers as well who share an eclectic sense of style which is strongly reflected in their art.

You can find some of Michelle Allen’s beautiful designs like blessing beads at the Binya store now! Perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season.