Meet Michelle Trogdon of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Trogdon.

Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Years ago, I had a vision for a pair of leather earrings. I searched local boutiques and scoured the internet but couldn’t find what I had imagined, so I decided to make them myself. I found leather scrap pieces and began creating earrings in different colors and styles. What started as a personal project quickly gained a following, and before long I was selling at local farmers markets and art pop-up shows.

As my brand grew, so did my network. Those connections led me to larger leather remnants, allowing me to expand into accessories and handbags. After four years of building my business part-time, I made the leap to pursue art full-time. In 2021, I rented my first studio and began creating fine art using leather scraps and remnants. What began as jewelry evolved into one-of-a-kind artworks that transformed discarded materials into something beautiful and meaningful.

Today, my work spans jewelry, fashion accessories, and fine art, all connected by the same philosophy: finding beauty, purpose, and possibility in materials that others overlook. This October, I’ll debut my first solo exhibition, Am I OK?, a deeply personal collection exploring healing, resilience, and transformation through leather art.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has definitely not been smooth.

In 2021, between pop-up shows, I left all of my inventory packed in my car. It was broken into, and everything I’d spent years creating was stolen. I was heartbroken, but after the initial shock wore off, I realized I had two choices: dwell on the loss or create something entirely new. I chose the latter.

By the end of that year, I had developed an entirely new body of work using leather remnants and scraps as fine art. That unexpected setback became the catalyst that changed the direction of my career. Soon afterward, I began exhibiting in galleries and participating in fine art festivals.

Around the same time, I made another major life decision: leaving Charlotte, North Carolina, where my business had begun, and moving back home to Cleveland.

Relocating an established brand proved to be one of the most underestimated challenges of my career. I was focused on renovating a duplex I had purchased and transforming it into a successful short-term rental. Within weeks I was hosting guests, but by then I had missed many of the local application deadlines for art events. I accepted every opportunity that came my way, determined to rebuild my creative community from scratch.

Just as I felt I was gaining momentum again, life delivered another unexpected challenge. My mom was diagnosed with AML leukemia, and my priorities shifted entirely toward my family. During one of the hardest periods of my life, I also made the difficult decision to leave a relationship that no longer provided the support I needed. As a solo entrepreneur, I suddenly found myself balancing caregiving, running a rental property, and rebuilding my art career all on my own.

Instead of chasing art festivals, I made a new plan. I declared 2025 the “Year of the Gallery.” I focused on exhibiting in galleries, participated in several group exhibitions, and ultimately earned my first solo exhibition, opening in October 2026. I intentionally chose the opening date because I’ll be celebrating my 45th birthday during the exhibition. It feels like the perfect way to mark both a personal and creative milestone.

Every challenge has shaped the artist I am today. The setbacks have made me stronger, more resilient, more compassionate, and more intentional. They’ve also deepened the stories I tell through my work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create jewelry, fashion accessories, and fine art using scrap and remnant pieces of leather. I’m known for transforming overlooked materials into contemporary works that feel both sophisticated and joyful.

What I’m most proud of is how deeply personal my work has become. Every collection reflects where I am in life, what I’m learning, questioning, healing from, or celebrating. While leather is an unconventional medium for fine art, the material itself is only part of what makes the work unique. My perspective is what truly sets it apart.

Much of my recent work explores healing through adversity, experiences many women navigate throughout their lives. My upcoming solo exhibition, Am I OK?, invites viewers to reflect on resilience, identity, grief, growth, and the quiet ways we rebuild ourselves after life’s most difficult moments. My hope is that people see pieces of their own stories reflected in the work and leave feeling a little more understood and empowered.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that Cleveland feels like a city where you can create your own path. There’s room to experiment, build community, and become exactly who you want to be. It’s an incredibly welcoming place, and I’ve found people here genuinely want to support local artists and small businesses.

As someone who loves fashion, I sometimes feel like I stand out and I actually enjoy that. Cleveland has a wonderfully relaxed, understated sense of style, while mine leans modern, minimalist, and a little bold. During the long winters, everyone is bundled up. I treat my coats like accessories, but no one sees the layers of cashmere underneath. Then spring arrives, the bulky coats come off, and suddenly I feel seen again. It’s one of my favorite reminders that creativity and individuality always have a place here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mdesignscrafts.com
• Instagram: @mdesignscrafts