Michelle Hartney's life and work represents a unique comingling of mid-western vitality and worldly vision. Born and raised near the soaring architecture and unpretentious charm of Chicago, Michelle has long appreciated the glorious creativity of mankind as well as the profound beauty of nature--vast prairies, deep woods, and The Great Lakes.

After receiving a BA in Fine Arts from Purdue University, and a MA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Michelle established Recycled Rings, a jewelry and accessories line that elevated found costume jewelry to reshaped expressions of elegance and style. As Michelle's irrepressible imagination expanded and her love for fashion pulsed, a new expression, a new direction was inevitable. Hence, The Michelle Hartney Collections.

The Michelle Hartney line of bags, charms, and headbands perfectly reflects Michelle's clever, feminine sensibility. Understated at times, exuberant and bold at others, this collection gathers inspiration from music, art, street fashion, film, and mother Earth. Michelle also paints and draws, and is currently working on The Fifty States Project.