Michelle Tapia

Born in Santa Fe in 1968, Michelle Tapia began making jewelry in 1992 for Denise and Samuel Wallace. Having no other formal art or jewelry training but always creative from a very young age, she quickly learned silver and goldsmithing, lapidary and the art of scrimshaw.

When the Wallaces moved to Hawaii, Michelle, who had already started her own line of cat and dog pieces, decided to try to make it on her own. In the years since, Michelle's designs have expanded to fairies, mermaids, dragonflies and Day of the Dead motifs.

Michelle Tapia currently shows her work in several galleries and events and has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe more than once. Her work has also been purchased by the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona for their permanent collection.