About PBC
Michelle started Paper Bird Creations in 2005, as a hobby for creating personalized pieces of jewelry for friends and family. With a background in advertising, web, & graphic design her passion for making jewelry grew and became the sole direction for her career.

Her growing interest in jewelry design, eventually led her to land a position as a Jewelry Designer for a reputable company in Costa Mesa, CA. This position eventually allowed her to be promoted to Vice President of Product Development.
Along side growing her career as a Jewelry Designer, Michelle also worked on growing PBC Jewelry as a brand. She has hand crafted personalized name plates for the wives of professional athletes’, she was also recently featured on several fashion blogs, and is currently being sold at several retailers through out Southern California.
When she's not working, Michelle can be found hanging out with her husband Mark, snuggling with her two dogs Bently and Boba, watching Laker games, crocheting, reading, snowboarding & painting.
Paper Bird Jewelry designs are simple & unique, inspired by vintage and modern styles, textures, and beautiful semi-precious stones. Every item is handmade to order, and guaranteed to fit. Each piece of PBC Jewelry is personally hand crafted and is as unique as the person wearing the jewelry.
"A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have" - unknown
Not merely conversational, but inarguably fluent in artistic talent and design skills, Michelle utilizes her creative aptitudes as well as her background in advertising, web and graphic design. With the aid of a small team to assist her, Michelle is directly involved with every detail of her burgeoning company.
The transition from advertising and design to running a jewelry business was faintly more than a hop, skip, and enormously big jump. The landing didn't occur overnight. Michelle had been creating invitations for her friend's weddings and birthdays. A trip to the craft store for invitation supplies led to the acquiring of a jewelry making kit. A request from one of the brides for custom bridesmaids' gifts set everything in motion for the birth of the business.
Having to compete against large companies with mass produced jewelry is a tribulation from any independent business. "Eventually I closed down my business and moved on," she explained. Fortunately, not forever.

As multifaceted as the very ingredients she utilizes in her work, Michelle's inspiration hails from her exotic travels as well as au courant style icons like Zooey Deschanel, Blake Lively, and Nicole Richie. "She is doing what I want to do. She's taken her accessory line to another level. Her style is modern but has a unique antique twist to it, "My jewelry is definitely influenced by current trends but as the same time I do what I feel is right at the moment."
Many species of cranes migrate over vast distances. The same has held true for this California originating company. The sun drenched shores of the golden state couldn't keep the reassures of PBC a secret for long. Soon Michelle was sending shipments clear across the 50 states to New York, and across the sea to Australia. "It's such an amazing feeling to know someone half way across the world is wearing something that was created from my own hands. There is nothing better than that feeling that something you put your whole heart into is being appreciated and shared with someone you don't know," states Villarroel. Off the internet, the line has recently been welcomed through the doors of Graffiti Beach and is now sold in-store and online.
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Cranes fly with necks outstretched, rather than pulled back, ready to take on the wind and the world. A fitting representation, for the company that has come a long way; evolving and taking on challenges with unwavering gusto.
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​Make a Wish
Written by: Crystal Washington
For the Graffiti Beach Holiday 2012 issue. See PRESS section for more details.
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Senbazuru is the art of folding one thousand origami paper cranes. According to Japanese lore, folding 1000 cranes would grant the owner of such dedication hands a wish. Each careful fold of the lovingly made cranes mimics the careful delicacy of Paper Bird Creations.

Lovingly handmade with endless customizability, jewelry by Paper Bird Creations is truly special and unique. Each piece is as inimitable as it's wearer. Ranging from delicately enchanting personalized nameplate necklaces, to bewitchingly organic semi-precious stones, PBC features an endless array of imaginative creations. Utilizing jewelry wires and gemstones, Villarroel creates a unique look that is exceptionally decadent with a warm, earthy feel. "I like things that are organic in look and vintage in style. There is something about hand wrapping a stone into a ring. No two pieces are the same," she says of her company's free spirited aesthetic.

Michelle Villarroel started Paper Bird Creations in 2005. It has been a tumultuous ride, but through the years, with the love and support of her family and friends, as well as her unyielding drive and ingenuity, she has built her company from the ground up.
